THE VISION OF OUR WORSHIP

WORSHIP LEADER BOB DOVE

As a worship leader, I have a very real and simplistic picture in my heart of what the ultimate goal of worship is in the church. I see Jesus sitting on a hilly side of the Jordan River, He is in a very relaxed and casual state. His disciples are down in the water and a multitude of people are coming from the desert on the other side of the river and entering in. They are spiritually thirsty and have come to the Jordan where Jesus is, to drink.

Everything is relaxed and peaceful. There is no religious or ritualistic agenda or format – there is no performance driven motivation – there are no celebrities or stars putting on a show – there are no complexities – they have simply come to drink and Jesus is simply watching over them, happy and pleased.

As a worship leader, I feel my responsibility is to help lead people to the spiritual water of Christ, where the Father and Spirit are as well. The spiritually thirsty can drink from God’s Spirit as we praise and worship Him together. Afterwards, the pastor brings the spiritual food to the sheep from God’s word.
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OUR WORSHIP IN SCRIPTURE

The Expression of Our Testimony

Praise and worship are the expression of our testimony and witness of God’s great glory, power, and character. His glory is beyond comprehension: no one and nothing compares to Him. “There is none like you, O’ Lord.” Jer. 10:6. And “His greatness no one can fathom.” Ps. 145:3

Praised in Heaven and Earth

He is praised and worshipped in heaven and on earth. “All the earth shall worship you and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your name.” Ps. 66:4. “Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places. Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.” Ps. 148:1-2

For His Loving Kindness

God is praised and worshipped for His loving kindness toward us. “Bless the Lord, O’ my soul and forget not all His benefits…” Ps. 103:2. “…I will glorify Your name forevermore…for great is Your mercy toward me…” Ps. 86:12.

The PRIVACY of Our PRAISE AND WORSHIP


We praise and worship Him privately and with His people. “Praise God in His sanctuary…” Ps. 150:1. “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Ps. 34:3.“… be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…” Eph. 5:19

OUR ARTS OF EXPRESSION

We praise and worship God with music, voices, instruments, and other Arts of Expression. “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” Ps.150:3-6.

EXPRESSION IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

True praise and worship are expressed in spirit and in truth. Since the beginning of time, there have been multiple languages, dialects, cultural styles, instruments, and religious formats used
to worship God. But Jesus declared only one requirement, “…neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship…but the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jn. 4:21-24


FOR THE
THIRSTY

In our worship services at Cross To Life Church, whether we “Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” Ps. 104:4 or experience the quiet tender moments of Psalm 46:10, that says, “be still and know that I am God”, we desire to always glorify God and experience the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Jesus prayed to the Father, “… that they also may be one in Us…” Jn. 17:21. True praise and worship welcomes God’s presence. We pray that you would sense His Spirit with us. God Bless!

 

— Bob Dove, Cross To Life Worship Leader