What is worship?

What is

Worship?

Europe Edition

Europe Edition

What is worship?

W

hat is worship? We hear this word a lot in our churches. But could we actually define it? We might say that worship is another word for our times of singing in church when we praise God together. While that’s certainly true, is that all worship is?

Various dictionary definitions of worship include phrases like: “strong feelings of respect and admiration”, “the expression of reverence” and “thanks and adoration”. The attitude of worship is one of thanks, praise, love, wonder and total dependence.

It’s a response to who God is. If worship is a response to God, then worship shouldn’t be confined to singing, it should be a way of life.

Still, it’s no surprise that times of singing God’s praise are called worship. After all, we are told “All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your name” (PSALM 66:4). Singing praise is a great way to express our love and adoration towards God. However, our thanks and praise of God ought not be limited to our church services and songs. The Bible tells us to worship God with every part of our lives, 24/7. We are told to give everything that If worship is we are to God as a “living sacrifice” (ROMANS 12:1), to a response rejoice “always” (PHILIPPIANS to God, then 4:4) and to “continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God” worship (HEBREWS 13:15). It seems that shouldn’t be just as our praise in church is confined to an expression of worship, so too is our obedience to God singing, it should in the office on a Monday be a way of life. morning. Worship is not an action or event, but a way of living in response to who God is.

So what does the Bible teach us about worship as a way of life? Why do we do it and what does it look like?

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Why do we worship God?

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n Athens, Paul gave a short sermon to some very religious people. As he was telling them about the one true God, he said: “Nor is He worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath and all things” (ACTS 17:25) .

God, as the Creator of all life, doesn’t need anything— that includes our worship. If He doesn’t need our worship, why does Scripture so frequently tell us to do just that (PSALM 29:2, 66:4, 96:9)?

In ancient times, people believed that the gods depended on humans for food and drink. That is why offerings were made to the idols. This is the practice Paul was referring to when he told the Athenians that God was not worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything. In contrast to the belief that the gods depend on humans, Paul was reversing the order and saying that humans were dependant on God for their very existence.

“The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy” (PSALM 147:11). When we reflect on God’s wonder, and give all our lives— the good, the bad, the confusing—to His care, we acknowledge our dependence on Him. This is an act of worship. And as we worship by recognising His care, we are given even more reason to worship because He takes pleasure when we recognise our dependence on Him. He loves to show us compassion, mercy and His WHY DO WE WORSHIP GOD? [3]

saving strength when we draw close to Him. When all of life is worship, we face the challenges of the world with the assurance of His presence.

It becomes more natural to follow God in tough situations when we have spent time reflecting on how much He has done for us. Handling each day in our own strength, relying on our own instincts and just muddling through difficulties, ignores the promise of God’s presence and provision. But worshipping God means we want Him to lead us, knowing that we are totally dependent on Him and that everything He does deserves our praise and adoration.

Worship isn’t just for Sundays. It’s for everyday, all day. Daily worshipping God through prayer, songs and studying His Word will help us carry the attitude of Worship directs worship through the whole day, helping turn everything our thoughts we do into worship. towards God, Worship is actually the way God designed us to live. As we helping us give Him honour, depend on enjoy His Him, thank and obey Him, we presence, love will get to know Him better. and goodness Worship directs our thoughts towards God, helping us towards us. enjoy His presence, love and goodness towards us. God wants us to worship Him so we can benefit from a closer and deeper relationship with Him each day!

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Ultimately, we must ask the question, do we worship God in order to experience the many benefits that come from this way of life? Or do we worship Him because it is uplifting, fulfilling and God-centring?

While worshipping God does bring benefits, and is an essential part of our growth as Christians, our primary reason to worship God is that He is worthy. If our motivation is to honour God, no matter how we may benefit from it, then our worship will truly be about Him, not about us.

It’s sometimes easy to think that our worship of God determines how well He views us: If we’re spending lots of time with God, He’ll love us more; if we’re struggling to obey Him and praise Him, He’ll reject us, and things will go badly. But this simply isn’t what the Bible teaches. Thankfully, the foundation of our worship is not found in our abilities or behaviours, but in Jesus Christ.

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What does Jesus teach us about worship?

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ohn 4 tells the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It’s an unusual conversation because it was so uncommon—even the woman was surprised! Jewish men did not talk to women in public or spend time with Samaritans (who they despised). What’s more, this particular Samaritan woman had not lived a ‘clean’ life (vv. 16-18). Yet Jesus deliberately took the time to speak with her (JOHN 4:4).

While the most direct route from Judea to Galilee was through Samaria, Jews would divert around, in order to avoid going through Samaria. However, Jesus “had to go through Samaria” (v.4). This necessity was not about the journey, but about the people He would meet. Jesus’ visit to the Samaritan people was part of the Father’s plan.

During the conversation, the woman realised Jesus was someone special, so she asked Him an important question about worship.

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor [6] WHAT IS WORSHIP?

in Jerusalem, worship the Father . . . But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” —JOHN 4:19-24 (emphasis added)

The Jews had the temple in Jerusalem where they worshipped God, and the Samaritans worshipped “on this mountain ”. The question behind her statement seems to be: “Where can I meet with God? Where and how should I worship Him?” “This mountain” referred to Mount Gerizim. This mountain played a large role in Old Testament history. It is found in the stories of Abraham (GENESIS 12:6-7), Jacob (GENESIS 33:18) and Joseph (GENESIS 37:12-13).

Jesus’ answer was probably very surprising to her: “the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father”.

Soon, worshipping God wouldn’t depend on the right place or the proper methods; worshipping God would depend on “spirit and truth”.

When God came to earth in the Person of Jesus, the promised Messiah, everything changed. Worshippers

WHAT DOES JESUS TEACH US ABOUT WORSHIP? [7]

no longer needed to go to certain places or follow the When God requirements of the Law came to earth to worship God. Even this woman (considered unclean) in the Person could meet and get to know of Jesus, the God (and so worship Him) in just an ordinary, everyday promised Messiah, place—after all, she was everything sitting right next to Him changed. while she did some of her daily routine!

Worship doesn’t depend on our goodness and it isn’t about going to ‘holy’ places and following rituals.

Jesus was telling this woman that worship depends on Him. The temple was the symbol of God’s presence, which is why the Jews worshipped there. But now Jesus has come. The woman at the well did not need to go to any particular place now to meet and worship God. She just needed to know Jesus.

That wasn’t all. Jesus told her that true worshippers would be those who worship “in spirit and truth”. But what does that mean?

Worship in spirit. Worship is about staying close to Jesus and submitting to Him every day. That is something we cannot do by our own strength. We need the Holy Spirit working in us to help transform us and keep our focus on our Saviour (JOHN 14:26; 16:14).

Jesus referred to the work of the Holy Spirit when He said “unless one is born again, he cannot see the [8] WHAT IS WORSHIP?

kingdom of God” and that we must be “born of the Spirit” (JOHN 3:3-6). When we first trusted Jesus, we were made brand new and given new life with God. His Spirit now lives in us. All Christians have been born in the Spirit and so we are in God’s presence all the time. The Holy Spirit in us means we can worship God every day in every place (even on the side of an old well!). He welcomes our praise and adoration, even if we’ve had a day, week or month to forget. We have no restrictions to His presence; Jesus has made us perfect before God. Worship in truth. The night before He was executed, Jesus told His disciples: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (JOHN 14:6, emphasis added). Our worship of God is rooted in who He is and what He has done. His praiseworthy character and works are shown in everything, including creation, and reach their fullness in Jesus. The saving work of Christ makes our worship possible. God is worthy of worship. But without Jesus’ life, death and resurrection we cannot come to God. Without Jesus we would still be cut off from God our Father by our sin. But now Jesus has made us right with God and pleasing in His sight.

Jesus gives us a solid foundation from which to respond to God in thankfulness and humbly follow Him. Knowing that Jesus took our sin on Himself to die in our place should fill us with awe and adoration.

With the truth of the gospel at the centre of our lives, we can be true worshippers of God—not trying to earn favour, but living for Him out of thankfulness because Jesus has already gained favour for us.

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What does worship look like?

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ltimately worship is an attitude that keeps God at the very centre of our lives. It recognises our total dependence on Jesus’ work on our behalf and responds in thanks and awe to the incredible love our God has for us. Worship seeks to know and love God first and foremost, submitting to Him before anything else and praising Him for His character and works above anything else.

Although not an exhaustive list, here are some ways we might see worship actively expressed in our lives: We’ll want to spend quality time with God: We worship whatever we value most. If God is the One we truly worship, we will want to get to know Him better. We will prize our relationship with Him above everything else. If spending time with God isn’t a particular priority for us, it may be that something else is demanding our attention and diverting our worship away from Him. We’ll want the encouragement of other worshippers: The apostle Paul tells us to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (COLOSSIANS 3:16). We get to [10] WHAT IS WORSHIP?

know other people who also love God when we spend time in the company of Christians. Church is a place where we can encourage one another, praise God together and share our experience of Him. The love and support of our church family can help us keep worshipping God, rather than getting distracted by other things.

We’ll want to share His love with others: As we get to know God better, we will find He is too good to keep to ourselves. “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts” (PSALM 145:4). God wants us to make Him known to the people around us, both in our words and in how we live. If we truly depend on God’s provision, adore Him above all others and thank Him for all His gifts, it will show.

We’ll want to please Him: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship” (ROMANS 12:1 NIV).

We need to remember that we no longer belong to ourselves. We were bought by God when Jesus died for us and paid for our sin. We belong to Him now—not just on a Sunday, but every day.

This means we have to ask ourselves if there are parts of our lives that we are holding back from God. Do we have gifts, skills or talents that we are using for our own fulfilment, rather than to serve God and His people? Do we have secret parts of our lives that we

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know don’t please God, but we also don’t want to give up? If being sacrifices is “true and proper worship”, then when we actively seek to serve ourselves, we are only worshipping ourselves. True worship is giving all that we have to God for His purposes.

We’ll praise God in all circumstances: We are told many times in the Bible to praise God “continually” (PSALM 34:1) and to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (PHILIPPIANS 4:4). Praise and thanksgiving comes naturally when we see God at work or experience His provision. It is much harder when things seem to be going wrong. Yet the commands to praise still stand—even during trials.

God stays the same, even Our moments when the world around us of prayer and shifts. He is still our almighty, loving Father who gave reflection His Son to die in our place. with God are Because God is always worthy of our praise, adoration and essential times dependence, we will always when the Holy have reason to praise Him. As we get to know Him better, we Spirit will shape will grow in our confidence us by the truth that He will never abandon us. We can praise Him for of the Bible and His safety, even in dangerous make us more places, knowing He is truly like Jesus. in control. It doesn’t mean tough times will suddenly [12] WHAT IS WORSHIP?

become easy, but it does mean they can still be Godcentred places of praise and hope.

We’ll rely on Him for all things: On our own, we will simply not be able to worship God in every area of our lives, every relationship and every decision. We need the Holy Spirit to transform us. Our moments of prayer and reflection with God are essential times when the Holy Spirit will shape us by the truth of the Bible and make us more like Jesus. These quiet times with God are acts of worship, but they are not where worship ends. Worship must be worked out hour by hour. The entirety of our lives should be a grateful response to God’s love towards us, but that takes active effort on our part to draw near to God and let Him change us into the people He wants us to be.

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Our example of worship

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esus Christ, as the perfect Man, gives us the perfect example of a life of worship. He pleased the Father in all He did (JOHN 8:29); He responded to the Father in thankfulness, even in painful situations (JOHN 11:41); He sought time alone to rest and talk with His Father (MATTHEW 14:23); He trusted the Father, rather than taking matters into His own hands when He suffered under the treatment of the authorities (1 PETER 2:23); He didn’t seek His own will, but the will of the Father (MATTHEW 26:39; JOHN 5:30); He lived and worked for the Father’s glory (JOHN 17:4).

His attitude and actions were perfect expressions of human worship. As we are now “in Christ” (EPHESIANS 1:3) we are given His status before the Father: we are perfect worshippers! With His example, and the Holy Spirit working in us, we can now grow in the attitude of worship with more faithfulness and joy each day. When we fail or make mistakes, we have this promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness . . . if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 JOHN 1:9-2:1). Jesus, the perfect worshipper, is our representative in heaven who makes us perfectly clean and blameless before God. [14] WHAT IS WORSHIP?

Jesus has paid for all our sin, He has made us God’s own people, He has given us new lives of worship and He has promised to bring us safely into His home! In all circumstances, we have every reason to echo these words from Psalm 95: “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (95:6-7).

You can read more studies like this on worship, and many other important topics, at discoveryseries.org.

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 Looking Deeper The Looking Deeper series offers great Bible teaching for Christians. Whether you are a new Christian or a mature believer, we have a range of short Bible studies on many crucial topics and questions.

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