Worship Fans

2 Sam 6:14, 20-22a

David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.

²⁰ When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, "How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!"

²¹ David retorted to Michal, "I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. ²² Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!

Worship can actually create a challenge to church growth

 If it were just good music to listen to, with nothing required of me, that's ok.  But I'm not comfortable when you require me to engage in open expressions.

Jesus said that real worship is in Spirit & in Truth 

•  Many don’t understand “true” worship
•  Many don’t know the value of real worship – so they don’t press in
•  Many think worship is optional
•  Some think “spiritual worship” means emotional or demonstrative 
  • This makes some uncomfortable – especially men

There are Gender differences in expressions of worship 

•  Men tend to shut down when emotions are involved, while women open up
•  Men generally don’t think & feel at the same time
  • Worship is a conscious decision, not an emotion 
•  To men, Worship & the spiritual can be “intangible”
  • So men tend to gravitate to palpable works of service 

Danger: men can set the stage, but miss what comes from the stage

Worship is what really sets the stage for the Presence of God

•  The Father is seeking worshipers – John 4:23
•  Our praises create a throne for Him – Ps 22:3

This explains why we Worship before the Word

2 Kings 3:15-16

[Elisha said] “Now bring me a musician."  Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. ¹⁶ And he said, "Thus says the Lord.”

When He comes, our blessings are attached to His Presence

Matt 18:19-20

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Sumphœnéœ;  be in agreement with; in unison; to speak together with another. a sound, voice.  Symphonious, blending of voices or musical instruments.

Look at what happens…

Isa 30:29-32

You shall have a song…

³⁰ The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard…

³¹ For through the voice of the Lord [the enemy] will be beaten down,

As He strikes with the rod.

³² And in every place where the staff of punishment passes,

Which the Lord lays on him,

It will be with tambourines and harps; and in battles of brandishing He will fight with it.

Symphonic Worship Energizes God against our opposition

Like the 12^th Man (the crowd) at a football game (11-man football team)

That’s not emotional – that’s being Enthusiastic (en-Theos: God within) 

The opponent tries to “quiet the crowd”

 Just Like te enemy works to shut down our Worship, to ultimately shut down God’s movement

He creates “Hell” – an environment to stop our worship

Worship can get you out of Hell

Jonah 2:9.  I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving

Remember: God is looking for Worshipers – He moves to it

          If God shows up, it won’t be Hell anymore

                    So, Hell has to kick you out

So, don’t let anything stop your worship

•  Don’t let your feelings stop your worship
•  Don’t worry about looking foolish

I act differently when I’m at game with others than when I’m at home alone

Deindividuation:  loss of self-awareness & individuality;

not concerned about how others around them evaluate their actions

What Have We Learned Today?

• There can be gender differences to worship
• Worship is a decision, not an emotion
• Worship sets the stage for the Presence of God
• The Word & more are attached to His Presence
• Symphonic Worship energizes God against our enemies
• The enemy works to shut down our Worship
•  Creates Hell – an environment to stop Worship
• Worship can get us out of Hell
• Don’t let anything stop your Worship

Men, find a place to serve, but don’t let it be a substitute for your Worship