What is Worship?
Romans 12:1 New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, 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.
John 4:23-24 New International Version (NIV)
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Worship is a vital aspect of faith in every Christian that needs to be known and understand. Many people, even Christians, are misled with the understanding of Worship that they relate it with MUSIC, SONG, DANCE etc. Even though these are some of the expressions of worship, Worship is included in these ideas. Due to this reason, many Christians are having the wrong mentality and attitude to worship. What really is worship? How can we worship God?
What is Worship?
Worship is coming from the two Old English words “weorth” which means worth or giving importance and “scipe or ship” which is shape or quality. This means worship is not just giving value or worth to God, but giving it with quality and sincerity. The Greek word for worship is PROSKUNEO which means to kiss toward, to bow down or to prostate oneself as an act of respect and submission to the will of worship.
What does worship tell us?
1) God requires exclusivity in our worship
Exodus 34:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
- Paying divine honor and respect to Him
- Worship is an expression of our love and adoration to Him
- Consuming desire to surrender our lives to Him
- Declaration of His greatness and wonders in our lives.
2) Worship should be personal
Romans 12:1 New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, 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.
- Spontaneous and Natural
- Deep within our spirit and not a surface experience
- It should be all about Him and not us
In John 12:1-8, Mary showed a good example of expression worship to God.
1) Worship should have Passion and Commitment.
2) Mary’s praise became an everlasting monument for the world to see:
a) Worship was with a Purpose
b) Worship was completely Original
c) Worship was without Reservation: LAVISH/EXTRAVAGANT LOVE.
Why do we need to Worship God?
1) It is God’s Commandment to us (1st Commandment)
Exodus 20:2-6 New International Version (NIV)
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the
waters below.5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the
children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a
thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
2) We are made to worship Him
Colossians 1:16 New International Version (NIV)
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
3) It is David’s Exhortation to us
Psalm 95:6-7 New International Version (NIV)
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if only you would hear his voice,
4) It is a Sign of Commitment
Romans 12:1 New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, 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.
What type of worship is not acceptable to God?
1) Worship of False gods; 2nd commandment
2) Worship of the true God in a Wrong form (Ex 32: Golden Calf, A representation of the Jehovah)
3) Worship of a true God in a Self styled manner
- 1 Sam 13:8-14a Saul not following instruction
- 2 Sam 6:1-9 / Num4:15 Uzzah
4) Worship of a true God with the Wrong attitude
5) Worship with contempt (Malachi 1:6ff – Offering the Least instead of the best; Worshipping Half-heartedly).
What are the characteristics of a Worshipper that God seeks?
John 4:23-24 New International Version (NIV)
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
- Loves the Truth “Always speak the truth”
- Spiritual (Full of Faith) “Without Faith we cannot please God”
- Passionate “Full of joy, hope and energy” (David’s attitude)
- Practise Excellency “Always Offering his best”
- Consistent “Worship God not just in Good times but even in bad times”
- He always does everything in Worship “In everything you do, do if for the glory of God”
- Humble/Submissive “Always following the instruction of God”
1 Corinthians 10:31 New International Version (NIV)
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Worship can be done corporately, but always remember that God is looking to our individual hearts. Worship should start from within as we look on Him as our God. It involves speaking, listening and doing his will and not dependent on our personal way.
Now you understand worship, let us worship the Lord!
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All quotations from scripture in this training material unless otherwise indicated are taken from the
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
