Worship Seminar Prof. Jintae Kim, PhD Alliance Theological Seminary Nyack, NY Website:

Why do we have to worship? 1. The primary purpose of human creation 2. Our identity When we experience the majesty of God through worship, we recognize our identity as his creature (Creator-Creature Relationship) 3. We experience the blessings of the Kingdom of God through worship. 4. We receive the power and authority to rule the heaven and the earth.

1. The primary purpose of human creation Isaiah 43:21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. “Worship is the reason d’etre of humanity. Man was created and recreated to worship God. Likewise, worship is the first reason for the existence of the church.” (Tozer 1985, 56)

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1Pet 2:5)

2. We encounter the God of majesty through worship When we encounter God through worship, we recognize the finite nature of us as his creature and live accordingly (Isa 6:5).

Isaiah 6:5 And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"

3. We experience the Kingdom of God through worship. We receive the peace, joy, and power coming from the throne of God by experiencing the Kingdom of God through worship. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval.

4. We receive the power to rule over the creation Man as an image of God and the royal authority (Gen 1:28) Right worship  Power to exercise the kingly authority.

How to shall we worship God?

What is worship? Worship is man's response to God's grace through historical revelation. - Offering (Ps. 98) Worth + ship God is worthy like none other. Act of the deepest love and devotion between two parties.

Psalm 98:1-3 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nation. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel

4 Elements of Worship 1. Adoration: Response of feelings, reverence. Wonder; Fear; and Love. Desires God to remain in presence. 2. Offering: Bringing gifts, ourselves (Rom 12:1) 3. Receiving from God:Through the Scripture reading, sermons, music, Making request of God: Petition, intercession. Our faith is combined with God's power through prayer.

Four Attitudes of Worshippers 1. Without own selfish agenda 2. With fear and trembling heart 3. With determination to change 4. With a great expectation

1. Without own selfish agenda “Whoever seeks God with own selfish agenda cannot find him.” (Tozer ) Worship itself as the only end : No other purposes. No merit in worship. God gives us the desire to worship.

2. With fear and trembling heart 1. He is the transcendent being and your creator. 2. Remember. God does not want to be despised. 3. The focus of worship must be God only.

3. With determination to change Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect.

4. With a great expectation 1. Remember. God is the one who rewards those who seek Him. 2. Remember. God answers those who calls His name and reveals them the great and hidden things of God.. 3. Remember. God is still seeking those who worship Him with spirit and truth (John 4:23)

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.