Biblical definition of Worship:
Psalm 96:9 Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
Character study:
Mary Magdalene – Matthew 27:56-61; 28:1-10; Mark 15:40-41 and 47; 16:1-11;
Luke 8:2; Luke 23:49; 55-56; 24:1-10; John 19:25; 20:1-2; 11-18
Not much is known about Mary Magdalene, only that she loved and served Jesus with a spirit of gratefulness.
Mark 16:9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. The most likely reason that her second name was Magdalene was that she was from “Magdala”, a fishing town on the coast of Galilee. This name also helps us distinguish her from the other Marys in the Bible.
Mary Magdalene is known for her:
Gratitude:
In Luke 8:2 we read that she was one of the women from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons. After her deliverance, she became one of Jesus’ most loyal followers.
Devotion to Jesus:
We first read of her in Luke 8:2-3 when Jesus started His ministry. She was one of the women who supported Jesus and His disciples’ ministry with her own money.
Being at the Cross when Jesus was crucified:
John 19:25 She was there when Jesus was crucified.
Matthew 27:6 and Mark 15:47 We see her at the burial of Jesus.
She was the first one to see the risen Christ.
Mark 16:9-10 says that after Jesus had risen He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.
John 20:10-18 In this passage Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. At first, she did not recognize Jesus, but when He says her name she immediately recognizes Jesus and cries out “Rabboni” which is Hebrew for “Teacher.”
What the Bible teaches about worship:
Old Testament
True worship means that we must ascribe glory to God – in this way we genuinely praise the Lord.
In Exodus 20:2-6 we read that when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, He instructed them not to have any other god but Him. In v5 God commands them to not bow down or worship any other god. God says that He is a jealous God who will not tolerate their affection for any other gods.
In 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 we see David giving true thanksgiving/worship:
vv8-22 He remembers what God has done;
vv23-30 he tells others about it;
vv31-33 even nature will proclaim God’s glory;
vv34-36 thankfulness, praise, honour and glory belong to God.
In the final chapter of Isaiah 66:1-24 titled “Judgment and Hope”(NIV) we read that:
v3 God will esteem the humble;
v16 judge all people;
v18 gather all nations and tongues to see His glory;
v22 establish the new heavens and the new earth.
Psalm 29:2 – we are to worship the LORD in the splendour of His holiness.
Psalm 95:6 – we are to bow down in worship; kneel before the LORD our maker.
Psalm 105:3 – we are to exult and rejoice when we worship the LORD.
In Daniel 3:1-30 we read about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who defied King Nebuchadnezzar by not worshipping an image of gold, set up by him on the plain of Dura.
God had warned Israel on countless occasions about worshipping false gods.
In Zephaniah 1:2-9 the prophet Zephaniah warns Israel about the “Day of Judgment” because they had followed pagan customs and participated in pagan worship ceremonies.
New Testament:
Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8 relates that when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness – he offered to give Jesus all the kingdoms in the world – Jesus told him that the only One we are to worship is “the Lord your God”
In Luke 24:1-53 we read about “The Resurrection” of Jesus vv1-12; He appears to two of them “On the Road to Emmaus” vv13-35; “Jesus Appears to the Disciples” vv36-49; and “The Ascension”vv50 -53
v52 Then they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
John 4:4-26.Being tired from the journey Jesus sat down by Jacob’s well in Samaria and there meets a Samaritan woman who came to draw water. Speaking to Jesus she realizes that Jesus knows everything about her. When she questions Jesus about where to worship – on the plot of ground Jacob had given the Samaritans or in Jerusalem – Jesus replies that true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth!
Hebrews 9:11-25 says that Christ has become the “Perfect Sacrifice.” Jesus Christ did this so that we can worship the living God. In the first covenant, the priest had to sprinkle the blood of an animal. According to the Law of Moses, everything was purified with blood, because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. In the New Covenant Christ died once and for all time as a sacrifice to take away our sins. When He comes again He will bring salvation to all who are waiting for His return.
Revelation 4:11 says true worship is to realize that only God should get our glory, honour and power.
Revelation 19:10 We read that in his vision of heaven John fell before the angel, but was told to “Worship only God.”
Application:
We are to present our bodies to God because of all He has done for us. This means that we lay aside our desires and follow Him.
Romans 12:1 We must put all our energy and resources at His disposal and trust only Him to guide us.
Romans 12:2 We must be vigilant and try to avoid worldly behaviour such as pride, selfishness and being arrogance. We must allow the Holy Spirit to renew, re-educate and redirect our minds to the things of God.
Isaiah 12:5 Make it a habit, to sing or listen to Gospel music whether you are at home, or driving a car. These days we can listen on our cell phones using earphones while walking or doing exercises.
Psalm 95:1-7 There are times when we can sing for joy; shout aloud; come before Him with thanksgiving; extol Him with music and song. Then there are times when we bow down in worship and kneel before our God. Both these types of worship are appropriate expressions of worship to God.
Conclusion:
John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. v24 God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
Responding in Prayer:
Read Psalm 96:1-13 – Worldwide worship
How can we praise God? We sing a song; declare His glory among the nations; know that the LORD is worthy of our praise and He is to be feared above all gods. A day is coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Ask God to give you the confidence to witness spontaneously to others about His majesty, goodness and faithfulness towards all the peoples of the earth.
Journal – Scripture/Prayers/Thoughts: