Ephesians 5:18–20 (NLT) — 18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6 lessons from 6 decades of ministry:

1. We learned there is FREEDOM in worship.

1. Our creator made us for worship.
   1. Exodus 8:1 (NLT) — 1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.
   2. Ignorance - they don't know it matters.
   3. Doubt - they don't believe it matters
   4. Bondage - Guilt holds them, shame holds them, addiction holds them.
   5. Fear of man - what people will think of them holds them back.
   6. Religion - God wants me somber and unexpressive.
2. Bethany became a very EXPRESSIVE place of worship.
   1. If you walked in, you would think you were in a very different place! 
      1. Exodus 15:20 (NLT) — 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced.
      2. 2 Samuel 6:14 (NLT) — 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.
      3. Psalm 30:11 (NLT) — 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.
      4. Psalm 149:1–4 (NLT) — 1 Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful. 2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem, exult in your King. 3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. 4 For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

2. We have learned the UNITY of worship.

1. Corporate worship is an act and statement of togetherness!
   1. It shows our unity
   2. It shows our ability to follow.
   3. It shows our ability to complement each other.
2. When we worship together, we are:
   1. Edified by one another's presence
   2. Recognized by hell as a unified presence
   3. Symbolizing the day when all Christians universal and in all times will stand together worshipping the King

3. We have learned the PRESENCE of worship.

1. We learned how to enter his throne room with awe and reverence.
2. 2 Chronicles 7 - When worship goes up, His presence becomes manifest
3. He ministers to us in worship
   1. He changes hearts
   2. He performs miracles
   3. He speaks to us
4. WORSHIP IS POWERFUL BECAUSE IT RELEASES THE PRESENCE OF GOD

4. We have learned the VICTORY of worship.

1. 1. Our worship is warfare against the Kingdom of Darkness!
      1. At Jericho, the shout of triumph caused the wall to fall.
      2. Jehoshaphat sent the worshipers first; when they praised, the enemy was defeated.
      3. Paul and Silas broke down the prison with their praise.
   2. When you feel trapped by the enemy, put on praise! 
   3. When you feel defeated and down, put on praise!
   4. When you feel like hope is lost, put on praise!
   5. When you feel like your enemies are far greater than you, put on praise! 

5. We have learned the TRANSITION of worship.

1. It's not about a specific song, sound, or style; it's about the heart of worship!
2. A record player has to make a move to the next groove, or it will skip.
   1. God is continually breathing new things into his people.
   2. You can't get hung up on how it sounded in the 50s
   3. You can't get hung up on the instrumentation, the style.

6. We have learned the CREATIVITY of worship.

1. A new song:
   1. Psalm 96:1 (NLT) — 1 Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!
   2. Psalm 33:3 (NLT) — 3 Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
   3. Psalm 40:3 (NLT) — 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
2. Why do we sing new songs?
   1. God is constantly revealing himself to us.
   2. God is constantly creating through us. 
   3. God is worthy of a new song of praise!