Introduction

·        Illustration: Anne Ortlund remembers "playing church" as a child, and believes that many adults today are still doing it.

·        True worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23–24).

·        Balancing spirited worship with worship based on truth is difficult.

·        Can we interpret the scripture with integrity and yet have worship that touches the heart?  Yes, if there is balance.

      -     Psalm 119:105

Improper worship offers us debilitating lessons.

·        Worship does not always take place in church.

·        Worship is not always an outward expression.

      -     Illustration: Darlene Zschech wrote, “…the essence of worship is when your   heart and soul, the core of your being connects with the Spirit of God.”

·        The people on the platform are not the focus.

      -     Illustration: A little boy comments about the church service: “All in all, you have           to admit it was a pretty good show for a nickel.”

      -     Psalm 47:1

·        We need to take the premium off performance and put it on praise.

·        The people in the pews are not the audience; God is.

Proper worship offers us liberating lessons.

·        Worship is always active, never passive.

      -     Genesis 35:2; Exodus 24:7; 2 Chronicles 5:11–14; Nehemiah 8:6–9

·        Worship is the central activity of the church.

      -     Acts 2:46–47; Ephesians 5:19; Luke 10:38-42

·        The ministry of the church is fourfold: worship, the Word, witness, and work.

·        Worship is the source of spiritual renewal.

·        Worship is the greatest investment we can make.

      -     Hebrews 13:15

·        Worship brings healing to the soul.

      -     Psalm 23

·        Public worship is either enhanced or hindered by our private worship.

Worship is liberated by the study of scripture.