“[Worship]
is intimately linked with all the major emphases of biblical theology
such as creation, sin, covenant, redemption, the people of God, and the
future hope.” - David Peterson
“Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship.” - John Piper
“It is in the process of being worshiped that God communicates His presence to men.” - C.S. Lewis
Theological Basis of Worship
Creation
God is our Creator
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker”
- Psalm 95:6
“You are
worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you
created all things, and by your will they were created and have their
being.”
- Revelation 4:11
Fall
We are fallen creatures in need of repentance and renewal
“Come near to
God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and
purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
- James 4:8
“Who may
ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy
place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.”
- Psalm 24:3-4
Redemption
The sacrifice of Christ is our only redemption and the sole basis for our worship
“Therefore,
brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the
blood of Jesus...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a
guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure
water.”
- Hebrews 10:19, 22
Consummation
Our worship joins with the worship of heaven anticipating the consummating reign of Christ where all things will be made new.
“But you have
come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living
God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful
assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in
heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of
righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new
covenant.”
- Hebrews 12:22-24
“Then all the
trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD,
for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the
world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.”
- Psalm 96:12-13
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