Why Worship Works (Part 1)

09 Apr 20 - Writings

[ Preached by Pastor Kenneth Chin at Acts Church Malaysia on 29 March 2020 ]

This message was pre-recorded as an online worship service during the Movement Control Order issued by the government to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

Worship was first mentioned in the Bible when Abraham was ready to obey God in offering Isaac as a burnt offering on one of the mountains in the land of Moriah.

Abraham was able to answer a tough calling to surrender his only and beloved son Isaac because Abraham was first a worshipper before a father.

This reveals that when we worship God, giving God our best comes naturally. But in this day and age, worship may seem irrelevant and people are not giving their best to God.

I’m here to share with you why worship still works!

We were made to worship

Read | Psalm 150:6
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

We do the things that we do – be it in work or in life, for the search of finding fulfilment, isn’t it? But oftentimes, even after the grinding and the hustling, we can’t yet find satisfaction.

That’s because we’re getting caught up in doing the things we’re not created to do in the first place. If we will focus to achieve our primary purpose, which is to worship and to bring glory unto Him, then we will truly be satisfied.

Read | John 4:24
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Believing that God has made us in His image. If He is Spirit, then so are we – there at the centre of our being lies the spirit. Unless our inner being is connected to the One who has made us, we will never find real meaning.

Worship is a magnet to human beings

Read | Acts 15:16-17

David was a worshipper and a man after God’s own heart. God desires to rebuild the tabernacle of David to restore the same spirit of worship among worshippers.

Read | John 12:32
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

God is looking for the kind of worship where we are truly connected to God. When we lift up an honest and earnest praise, we draw others to Him. All men including our friends, our neighbours, and our colleagues will get drawn to God like a magnet.

Worship draws the presence of God

Read | Acts 16:25-26

Regardless of the position we’re in, even in the deepest dungeon, we do not lose our purpose to worship God.

When Paul and Silas were in a place of danger, in the dark and dodgy prison, they praised and worshipped. If their hands were strapped with a watch, I can imagine they probably looked at the watch and went, “It’s time to worship!”

And when Paul and Silas did, the prisoners listened to their voices of praise. Just as it is today, people are watching God’s worshippers, people are watching the Church.

Read | James 4:8a
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you …

While Paul and Silas continue to worship, a great earthquake struck and the foundations of the prison were shaken. We can expect that when God’s presence comes, all our prison doors will be opened and chains will be broken.

Read | Psalm 22:3
But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.

It is not our worship that is powerful. It is He, the One who inhabits in the praises of His people, who is powerful. When His presence comes, we can trust that He brings freedom and joy.