Worship, what is it and are we doing it?

Worship Definition

Definition: a reverential response to the all encompassing magnificence of God. It is the soul’s longing to see the glory and beauty of God.

Holman Dictionary defines it as: Worship is more fully understood as an interrelation between divine action and human response: worship is the human response to the self-revelation of the triune God. This includes: (1) divine initiation in which God reveals Himself, His purposes, and His will; (2) a spiritual and personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ on the part of the worshiper; and (3) a response by the worshiper of adoration, humility, submission, and obedience to God.1

1 Nelson, D. P. (2003). Worship. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 1686–1687). Holman Bible Publishers.

The essential aspect of worship is the object of the worship. The history of man is always one that man worships something. There is no such as man not worshipping anything. “There is not a tribe in all the world that does not have some kind of religion and some form of worship. Men and women have an instinct toward worship. Many do not know what they worship. (Jn 4:22)

The importance of worship

God is searching for true worshipers. ( Jn 4:23) One of the primary purposes of worship is to

“Jesus was born of a virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilate, died on the cross and rose from the grave to make worshipers out rebels. A W. Tozer

God is calling us back to what he has created us for.

Man by instinct worships. You can go to any remote tribe and you will find people worshipping something.

Activities that encompassed worship

Bowing down to an inner attitude of reverence. This is seen in confession many times.

lift up praise (Bless; commend; hallelujah)- celebrating the divine attributes of God. (Ps 22:22-23)

Thanksgiving- showing gratitude for what God has done.

Serving

Bringing an offering

Music

Singing Psalms

Hymns

Melodies

Obedience- Worship encompassed the entirety of one’s life lived in obedience to God (Rom 12:1–2). Every act of obedience to Christ, no matter how mundane, when done to his glory, is an act of worship (e.g., Col 3:17)

What are the ingredients of worship?

It is God-centered. This means that the goal should be to glorify God.

Our view and thoughts of God are crucial for the worship to be God-centered.

Much of worship is man centered because its focused on

our feelings.

our needs- this has been prominent with the church growth movement.

our wants

The object of worship can even be demons ( I Cor 10:20)

“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, and to devote the will to the purpose of God” William Temple

Worship begins with God. Worship is centered upon God. Worship is first concerned with God’s glory. Before we ever look at our own needs or concerns, our desire should be to praise and to glorify God. When true throne-room worship is taking place, our focus will not be on our own needs and concerns, but rather it will be on God himself 1

1 Dickie, R. L. (2007). What the Bible Teaches about Worship (p. 23). EP Books.

Worship is Praise. (Ps 100:4)

Things bring the question of what is praise? Praise is an activity. Praise is something that God has commanded his children to do in honour of himself. We are commanded to praise God more than any other command in the Word of God. Here is a simple definition of praise, ‘Praise is the verbal and heartfelt response of God’s redeemed people in adoration for all that God is, and for all that God has done

Dickie, R. L. (2007). What the Bible Teaches about Worship (p. 32). EP Books.

Worship is adoration- the aspect where the worshiper is so moved, awed, and stunned by the sense of the glory and majesty of God that fall prostrate.

Many do not understand that there certain things necessary for our worship to be accepted by God.

In order for man to worship acceptably we have to know who God is.

Man must have a relationship with God.

WE think that sin is not serious.

WE cannot pick out the practices that we like worship and reject those that we do not like.