The Biblical Imperative to Praise & Worship - part 1

John 4:24: God is spirit; and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Many Christians today believe that God moves in a fresh way in his church and amongst his people and that an important part of this restoration comes from warm and sincere celebration of God through praise and worship.

We want to ask and answer some questions about this during the next three weeks. Is it a Biblical imperative (or commandment) to praise and worship? Is it really important for the believer? Should we emphasise this part of our Sunday Service?

I believe the answer to all the questions above, is a stern “YES!” And the most important reason for this, is that celebratory Sunday Worship where we heartily praise the Lord, is not the invention of man, or of the gospel music industry or any church renewal movement, but it is God’s idea. From the beginning, since the days of the Old Testament, it was God’s idea that his people should meet regularly and continuously, to worship him and to celebrate our relationship with him.

If we study the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments, we will find without any shadow of a doubt that God commanded us to thank, acclaim, praise and worship him with hearts, and minds and voices. Just listen to Psalm 150, and see how we are taught to "praise the Lord!"

Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty expanse.
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with trumpet sound;
Praise him with harp and lyre.
Praise him with timbrel and dancing.
Praise him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise him with loud cymbals;
Praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!

God is still saying to his church, as he commanded so often during all the ages: "Praise Me!"

Why is this so important to the Lord? Does he need our praise? The answer to this question is “NO!” People need praise to feel better about themselves and to develop a good self image.
God has no such need.
The reason for the biblical imperative to worship and praise lies not with God, but with me. The reason is that WE need what praise and worship can do in our lives. God doesn't need our praise, but we have a deeply rooted need to celebrate him.
Praise and worship change and inspire us! The living of a purposeful and content life, begins with celebrating God.