Worship and Praise

May 16, 2021 | Dan Shryock

Psalm 63:1-4

Most every local church has a worship culture.

Overarching principle: Our worship and praise should always be conducted in ways that are both biblical and orderly.

What We Do

Singing –Psalm 95:1-2

• God sings over us.Zephaniah 3:17
• JesusMark 14:26
• Paul and Silas sang while in prison.Acts 16:25
• Moses and all Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea.Exodus 15:1
• We see saints singing in Heaven.Revelation 15:2-3

Lifting Our Hands

This was common in Jewish culture.

Psalm 63:4; Psalm 134:2; Nehemiah 8:6

Clapping –Psalm 47:1; Psalm 98:8; Isaiah 55:12

Even nature claps its hands in praise!

Clapping in all of these verses is associated with joy.

Two ways clapping is done at Calvary Church:

1. Clapping along with the music.
2. Applause as an expression of praise.

Applause in our culture can be defined as “approval or praise expressed by clapping.”

Speaking Out –Revelation 4:8; 4:10-11; 7:11-12

In each of these instances, we see heavenly worshipers – the seraphim, elders, and angels – speaking their worship and praise.

How We Do It

It Starts with Love.

God doesn’t desire worshipers who worship out of duty. Everything we do – everything – must begin with love for God.

Mark 12:29-30; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Passion –Psalm 63:1

Passion in worship and praise should be a natural outflow from our love for God.

For an Audience of One

2 Samuel 6:21

Spirit and Truth

John 4:21-24

True worship is not a matter of external things but of internal attitudes. 

It’s neither shallow nor superficial nor rote.

Worship and praise God with passion from your innermost being.
Let your worship and praise be before God and God alone, and let it come from loving God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.