When we come to a worship service there are a lot of different expressions of worship. As we sing songs some people raise there hands. Some people cry. Some people dance. Some people bow down to the ground. Some people clap. Some people shout. All these are biblical ways of expressing worship and praise to God. Yet it's not the expression that is most important; it is the passion for God. Expression can be done very dutifully and even coerced, but passion causes your praise to be spontaneous and it gets the attention of God.
One day after listening to Jesus teach a pharisee named Simon asked Jesus to come to his house for a meal. While there a woman the Bible says was a sinner came into the house.
From Luke 7:36-48
... and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hast not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
One point here is that Jesus was very gracious to the invitation to eat with Simon. If the woman had never come along Jesus probably would have never mentioned any of the things that Simon failed to do. Even though He may had hoped for those expressions of worship He wanted them to be from the heart so He did not press for them. The woman pouring out her worship so passionately found the power of forgiveness that day.
Another point is that Jesus said that the one who is forgiven much is able to love much. Some of you may think, “I haven't done a lot of bad things in my life. I was raised in a Christian home and became born again at an early age. I never rebelled. Does this mean that my worship cannot be as passionate as someone who has sinned a lot and found God's forgiveness?”
The fact is that we have all sinned greatly in our lives. No one is deserving of grace. Jesus proclaimed it to the pharisees this way after He had healed a blind man and revealed Himself as the Son of God.
John 9:39-41
And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind. Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said unto him, Are we also blind? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.
The focus should not be on our sins but on Jesus' mercy.
His mercy endureth forever
The phrase occurs 41 times in the Bible and is always in song. Israel sang this song at the dedication of the temple, and when the ark was being brought into Jerusalem, and when Jehosophat was leading the army into battle. It's no doubt that when we remember His mercy the passion will rise up within us.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Alabaster Box
Alabaster Box (Originally Performed By CeCe Winans) [Performance Tracks]
Cece Winans - Alabaster Box - Sheet Music (Digital Download)
chords
You Are Good - Wake Up the World (Bonus Track Version)