1 Samuel 4:5,"...their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake!"  It was loud.

This has all the markings of an incredible moment in which God shows up in a special way. Even though this was the "time of the Judges" (every one did as they thought was right in their own eyes); it appears that God is about to do a mighty work.  They know, if the ark is with them, God is with them. If God is with them,, nothing short of a victory is theirs! And yet, we find this is just a "false loud." Worship is more than just the sound. We are not in control. We need to hold "loosely" to our ideas of control. God is not bound by our assumptions and desires. Worship is to come before God without presumptions or demands. We hold out our lives with open hands.

Worship Moment: Zâmar

Psalm 144:9, "I will sing a new song to you, O God! I will sing your praises..." While worship is so much more than music - there is a sense in which our lives become our song to the Lord. We must constantly strive to allow God to make us new - so that our lives become a concert of new songs, new praise to the Lord for His goodness. We should never attempt to trap God into our old assumptions. He is forever new - our lives should be forever renewed!

Worship Jesus: It Has Nothing to Do With Volume

Empty Volume

1 Samuel 4:1-11

When Worship Goes Wrong...

   Three Problems:

          Box Problem

          v3b, "Let's bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord. If we carry it into battle with us, it wills ave us..."

                    zâmar means to make music. To celebrate. "touch the strings"

          "I" Problem: Pride

          James 4:6, "God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble."

          Sin Problem

          (See 1 Samuel 2:12 and 2:22)

          Matthew 15:8-9, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce..."

Turning Worship Right...

   Three Words:

          Surrender

          2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

          Together

          The Hive Switch

          Confession

          1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."