What Is Worship?
Worship is hard to define. It is not really defined anywhere in Scripture—it is shown, but
not explained. Worship is a direct acknowledgment to God of His nature, majesty, and
glory. It may be shown by the heart overflowing in praise and thanksgiving, or by such
actions and deeds which show our recognition of God’s divine attributes, “Therefore by
Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving
thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). The roots of worship grow from the human
soul's need to pay homage to God and confess its love and gratitude.
Worship is something we give back to God. God has given us all that we have (James 1:
17). Worship is one of the only things we can give to God which isn’t already His!
A casual attitude toward God will cause us to lose sight of the aura of awe and majesty
that surrounds Him, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be
shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and
godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28). Even though God seeks intimate fellowship with man, we
must never forget who He is and who we are “God is greatly to be feared in the
assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those who are around Him”
(Psalm 89:7).
Many people do not recognize the sanctity of certain things. To them holy things are
common—there is nothing sacred about worship or the things of God. Such disrespect
and contempt toward God’s things is dangerous spiritually “Of how much worse
punishment do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God
underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common
thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29).
When we approach God we must approach Him with reverence because “holy and
reverend is His name” (Psalm 111:9). Reverence indicates something about
ourselves. It shows that we realize our own unworthiness to even approach God.
Ironically enough those are the kind of people God is seeking to worship Him!!
The Need To Worship
Do you ever get tired of this world? Do you want to get away from all the filth, sin, and
immorality in the world for just a little while? You can! Worship can transport us from a
world of degradation and immorality to the base of God’s throne which is engulfed in
mercy, love, righteousness, and goodness “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:
16).
Worship is man’s link with God. It is our way of reaching the heavenly realm, while our
feet remain firmly planted on the earth. We are to “seek those things which are above
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on
things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Worship transports our hearts and minds to the throne of God. Therefore, worship is an
exercise of the mind and heart. Each of these actions can be performed as empty
rituals without ever really worshipping God. When we sing, we must make melody in
our heart (Ephesians 5:19)... when we pray, we must take our minds to God’s heavenly
court (Hebrews 4:16)... when we take the Lord’s Supper, we must examine ourselves
and take it in the proper inward manner (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)... when we give our gift
back to the Lord, it must be given with a willing mind (2 Corinthians 8:5,12). Proper
worship involves preparing, then transporting our minds.
Man is God’s masterpiece of creation, and man, more than anything else, should
ascribe glory and honor to God and worship Him in the beauty of holiness. Christians
are “... a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ
Jesus... that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:5,9).
One day all men will bow the knee to Jesus Christ and be compelled to worship Him
because of who He is. We can humbly worship Him now to our salvation or we will
worship Him at judgment to our condemnation (Philippians 2:9-11). Which will it be for
you?
Worship is hard to define. It is not really defined anywhere in Scripture—it is shown, but
not explained. Worship is a direct acknowledgment to God of His nature, majesty, and
glory. It may be shown by the heart overflowing in praise and thanksgiving, or by such
actions and deeds which show our recognition of God’s divine attributes, “Therefore by
Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips, giving
thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). The roots of worship grow from the human
soul's need to pay homage to God and confess its love and gratitude.
Worship is something we give back to God. God has given us all that we have (James 1:
17). Worship is one of the only things we can give to God which isn’t already His!
A casual attitude toward God will cause us to lose sight of the aura of awe and majesty
that surrounds Him, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be
shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and
godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28). Even though God seeks intimate fellowship with man, we
must never forget who He is and who we are “God is greatly to be feared in the
assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those who are around Him”
(Psalm 89:7).
Many people do not recognize the sanctity of certain things. To them holy things are
common—there is nothing sacred about worship or the things of God. Such disrespect
and contempt toward God’s things is dangerous spiritually “Of how much worse
punishment do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God
underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common
thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29).
When we approach God we must approach Him with reverence because “holy and
reverend is His name” (Psalm 111:9). Reverence indicates something about
ourselves. It shows that we realize our own unworthiness to even approach God.
Ironically enough those are the kind of people God is seeking to worship Him!!
The Need To Worship
Do you ever get tired of this world? Do you want to get away from all the filth, sin, and
immorality in the world for just a little while? You can! Worship can transport us from a
world of degradation and immorality to the base of God’s throne which is engulfed in
mercy, love, righteousness, and goodness “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:
16).
Worship is man’s link with God. It is our way of reaching the heavenly realm, while our
feet remain firmly planted on the earth. We are to “seek those things which are above
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on
things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Worship transports our hearts and minds to the throne of God. Therefore, worship is an
exercise of the mind and heart. Each of these actions can be performed as empty
rituals without ever really worshipping God. When we sing, we must make melody in
our heart (Ephesians 5:19)... when we pray, we must take our minds to God’s heavenly
court (Hebrews 4:16)... when we take the Lord’s Supper, we must examine ourselves
and take it in the proper inward manner (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)... when we give our gift
back to the Lord, it must be given with a willing mind (2 Corinthians 8:5,12). Proper
worship involves preparing, then transporting our minds.
Man is God’s masterpiece of creation, and man, more than anything else, should
ascribe glory and honor to God and worship Him in the beauty of holiness. Christians
are “... a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ
Jesus... that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:5,9).
One day all men will bow the knee to Jesus Christ and be compelled to worship Him
because of who He is. We can humbly worship Him now to our salvation or we will
worship Him at judgment to our condemnation (Philippians 2:9-11). Which will it be for
you?
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