Acts 16:14-15 Worship and God's Word

The word 'worship' in the above passage is sebomai (Strong's # 4576) which means "to be in awe or to hold great respect for".

It was Paul's custom, on the Sabbath, to go to a synagogue but there was none in this city. With no Synagogue, the devout persons (Jews and those seeking to know the true God) gathered by the river about 1.5 miles from town, for prayer. Paul and his companions join them and engage in conversation with them. The Bible says that "One worshipped God, and he opened her mind to pay attention to what Paul was saying." Acts 16:14

Such is always the effect of genuinely worshipping God. One who genuinely worships has a strong heart's desire to hear God. This is how it is with every worshipper. God overcomes our natural tendency to focus on the things of this world and on our own selfish needs and desires. When we genuinely worship - come face to face with God - He grants His grace (His undeserved, free power) to focus on God's word and will for our lives, to hear His messengers.

Let us not think that we gather to "worship God" only. Those who worship Him "in Spirit and in Truth" desire Him - to be with Him, to know Him fully as He reveals Himself in His word and through those He sends that they might be fully equipped (Eph 4:11-ff). We must not think of worship as an end in itself for having worshipped God we are anxious to hear His word and apply it to our lives.

I like to worship both before and after the ministry of the Word. To enter into the presence of God and worship Him at the beginning of the service helps me to stand in His grace set my mind and heart for the ministry of the Word. To worship after the preaching of His word enables me to settle in my own mind what God has said and, in worship, to begin to apply those truths.

Worship and preaching combine in a vital synergism. Those who minister in the pulpit and those in the worship team are God's servants that grace might be administered to His people.

"Lord, grant that we might genuinely stand in awe and full respect to You as God. Draw us to you by Your Spirit that we begin to experience Your presence and Your truth. Turn us from our selfish ways and grant us a love for Your teaching that we might grow thereby. In Jesus name we pray."

Amen - let it be so.
Shalom

Bob Goldsby

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City Harvest Church Vancouver, WA