williams on worship

Don Williams on Kingdom worship ...

... the heart of Biblical worship is surrender ... it begins at the moment of conversion ... the aim of corporate worship is not simply to sing good theology or witness to our common experience of Christ [although this is included]. The object of our worship is God Himself, nothing less.

... worship no longer takes place in sacred places, but in sacred people. [It happens in Spirit and in Truth]. "In Spirit" means that God initiates our worship. ... "In Truth" means that worship must be centered on the truth, which is Jesus Himself.

When we enter the Kingdom of God, our destiny is to become like Jesus. God-centered - not self-centered ...

The following is a helpful general approach.

Give the King His due - when we come to the King we first bring Him high praise - the form of which is both physical and vocal. This is modeled in Ps 100; 134.2; 149.3-4; 126.2 (oh oh, holy laughter?). And it continues on into the New Testament - Phil 4.4; Eph 5.18-20; Heb 12.22-24,28-29; Rev 5.13. I love that bit in Hebrews - "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire."

John Wimber said, "when we worship corporately, the whole congregation is the choir, singing before an Audience of One (God Himself)." High praise will expand our vision of God. High praise will elevate our spirits. High praise alone is due to God for His majesty and His mighty name. ... When we offer Him high praise, He shows up.

Bow before the King - after acknowledging the greatness of the King, we must now submit. Ps 95.1-7; Ro 12.1, and Re 5.14 offer some models. This new life we live is in continual surrender to Jesus - that is to His Word, His Spirit, His voice, His present and His future for us.

Gifts for the King - we give ourselves, our resources, etc..

Petition the King - this of course begins with the request for forgiveness of sin (Ps 32.1-5) and then we can move on to other requests (Ps 5.1-3).

Wait on the King - contrary to some evangelical thought today, we expect God to answer (Ps 34.4, 4.1-2). Of course as King, His timing and His response may not match what we hope for. He is the King.

Rejoice in the King - we have a King, exalted in holiness, faithful in friendship, who is also our loving Father. How could we possibly move from a real interaction with this King without rejoicing?!?!

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