Worship Series S02: Who do people say that I am?: The Individual Perspective

Matthew 16: 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

We move on today to talk about the individual perspective in our worship experience.

Upon being asked by Christ, the disciples eagerly shared who people said Jesus was—until the question dawned on them as individuals. It’s easy to pray or worship God using words you have heard others say, but it is far more noble to worship God from personal experience and revelation.

Grow to a level where your worship flows from relationship rather than borrowed encounters. This is not to say you should never worship God based on others’ experiences, but there is greater weight in worship that springs from your own journey. All those who went far and deep in their walk with God—Abraham, Moses, Elijah, the prophets, Jesus Christ, and the apostles—had intense and private moments with Him. It is in these sacred spaces of solitude that deeper revelation is birthed.

True worship is rooted in individual experience more than the crowd. Yes, you may worship in the assembly, but you must move a step yonder—into personal communion with God. Abraham reached such a place. In his story, the word “worship” appears according to the law of first mention. He arrived at a space where he did not allow his servants to follow. That space required only him. The servants might have discouraged him from the worship act he was about to perform for God.

After encountering God, Abraham erected an altar to Jehovah Jireh—“The God Who Provides.” That sacred space required true sons. Indeed, true worship is reserved for the real and true sons of God. Have you noticed how the voices of crowds can sometimes distract your focus and attention? David was discouraged by his wife Michal when he was dancing before the Lord when he was receiving the Ark of the Covenant in his city. How could one discourage the king who had given his all to appreciate the Presence of God that had come into his home? Be careful of crowds and those whom you go with in moments of worship. They can either build you up or bring you down.

Through various experiences, the children of Israel continued the culture of Father Abraham, giving God names at every juncture of divine encounter. We can do the same—worshiping God according to our personal revelations and experiences.The inner court experience is for sons of God—not just anyone. Many enjoy the peripheral experience, but only true sons are willing to go yonder in worship for another one-on-one encounter. Only Peter gave response that triggered divine affirmation. Flesh and blood had not revealed it to him, but the Spirit of God—who knows the heart of the Father.

So I pose the same question to you as an individual:“Who do you say God is in your life?”