It is God who gives us the spirit of worship (Psalm 133:3), and it is what we know of God that produces this spirit of worship. We might say that worship is simply theology, doctrine, what we think about God, going into top gear! Instead of merely thinking about Him, we tell Him, in prayer and praise and song, how great and glorious we believe Him to be!
Interpretation
Worship is fundamentally an expression of our understanding and beliefs about God.
In this quote, Sinclair B. Ferguson emphasizes that worship stems from our understanding of God, suggesting that our theology and doctrines shape how we express our reverence. Rather than just thinking about God, true worship involves actively communicating our admiration and praise through prayer, songs, and expressions of faith, reflecting what we believe about His greatness.
In practice
Using this quote in a sermon to explain the importance of theology in worship.
We [should not] make the mistake of thinking that marriage will provide the ultimate satisfaction for which we all hunger. To assume so would be to be guilty of blasphemy. Only God satisfies the hungry heart. Marriage is but one of the channels He uses to enable us to taste how deeply satisfying His thirst-quenching grace can be.
Failure to deal with the presence of sin can often be traced back to spiritual amnesia – forgetting our new, true, real identity. As a believer, I am someone who has been delivered from the dominion of sin and who therefore is free and motivated to fight against the remnants of sin in my heart. You must know, rest in, think through, and act upon your new identity – you are in Christ
When the New Testament speaks about the fullness of grace which we find in Christ, it does not mean only forgiveness, pardon and justification. Christ has done much more for us. He died for us, but he also lived for us. Now he has sent his own Spirit to us so that we might draw on his strength. He grew in grace, and when we draw on his power we shall likewise grow in grace.
The fear of the Lord tends to take away all other fears... This is the secret of Christian courage and boldness.
When you look at the Cross, what do you see? You see God’s awesome faithfulness. Nothing – not even the instinct to spare His own Son – will turn him back from keeping His word.
Knowing God is your single greatest privilege as a Christian
The church that can't worship must be entertained. And leaders who can't lead a church to worship must provide the entertainment.
I have no other wish in this world but to find light and joy and peace through Hinduism.
The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God...and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.
Somewhere along the way we have subtly and tragically taken the costly command of Christ to go, baptize, and teach all nations and mutated it into a comfortable call for Christians to come, be baptized, and listen in one location.
The Gospel purifies and renews, it bears fruit, wherever the community of believers hears it and receives God’s grace in truth and charity. This is my confidence, this is my joy.
In revival, God is not concerned about filling empty churches, He is concerned about filling empty hearts.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.