Worship on Earth as It Is in Heaven

Exploring Worship as a Spiritual Discipline

RORY NOLAND

ZONDERVAN

Worship on Earth as It Is in Heaven

Copyright © 2011 by Rory Noland

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Noland, Rory.

Worship on earth as it is in heaven: exploring worship as a spiritual discipline / Rory Noland.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-310-33128-5 (softcover)

1. Worship. I. Title.

BV10.3.N65 2011

264—dc22

2011006390

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Cover design: Juicebox Designs

Contents

introduction: Worship Now … and Forever

PART ONE

Growing as a Private Worshiper

Worship in the Psalms of David

chapter 1: Do What Matters Most

Make Worship a Priority

chapter 2: Make It a Habit

Establish a Regular Routine

chapter 3: I Surrender All

Smash Your Idols

chapter 4: Praise God in the Hard Times

Worship amidst Adversity

PART TWO

Growing as a Corporate Worshiper

Worship in the Book of Revelation

chapter 5: You Are Worthy, O Lord!

Focus on God’s Attributes

chapter 6: Go All Out

Bring God Your Best Worship

chapter 7: Welcome All Ages

Set Aside Personal Preferences

chapter 8: Welcome Every Tribe and Nation

Embrace Diversity

epilogue: Let’s Worship Like We’re Already There

appendix a: Names of God

appendix b: Attributes of God

INTRODUCTION

Worship Now … and Forever

“Rory, that song was too fast. I couldn’t keep up.”

“Rory, that song was way too slow. Felt like a dirge.”

“Rory, you need to tell the drummer to quit banging so hard.”

“Rory, those sound guys need to turn up the electric guitar.”

Being involved in church music for most of my life, I’ve had my fair share of calls from congregation members complaining about the music.

Many years ago, I braced myself for yet another complaint when a call came through to me from a “long-time attender.” It turned out to be a conversation I’ve never forgotten. The man on the other end of the phone asked me to ...