Worship is certainly the highlight of the week for faithful, devoted children of God. It is a blessed privilege and honor to bow before “the Great I Am.” Jesus made worship a high priority (Luke 4:16). Sadly, far too often, worship has been reduced to merely a ritual, social gathering or empty routine (Matthew 15:7-8). God is the audience in worship, and as such, He not only deserves, but demands our full attention and devotion. Can you imagine a highly respected person delivering a speech, only to have some of the assembly yawning in boredom, texting, playing with children or daydreaming? Sadly, when the King of kings is “on center stage,” that is exactly what those in the assembly sometimes do. In talking with the woman at Jacob’s well, Jesus declared, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). What a lesson on worship!
Firstly, we learn the aim—God. Sadly, the misdirection in worship is often driven by innovations that please the people. However, biblically, we must understand that it is God who is the aim, and thus our ultimate concern should be to please God. Worship is not about man (although mankind gets a huge blessing and benefit from it), it is about God! God told Israel, “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14). When John fell at the angel’s feet to worship him, the instructions were clear, do not worship me but rather “…worship God…” (Revelation 19:10; cf. 22:9). God is the aim of worship!
Secondly, we learn the action—worship. Worship is hard work! True worship requires thought, energy, effort, concentration and focus. The word Jesus used for worship (which is the most commonly used word for worship in the New Testament) denotes bowing and prostrating oneself. We sometimes get the idea that our padded pews are places where we sit down, get comfortable and let the participants entertain us. However, nothing is further from the true concept of worship. Each worshipper is a participant! As such, each one needs to expend effort to make certain that the aim of worship (God) is pleased, honored and impressed! If we walk out of the assembly after a period of worship and are not spiritually energized and physically exhausted, we may need to reconsider our idea of worship.
Thirdly, we learn the absolute—must. For the faithful Christian, worship is not optional! Worship is a matter of spiritual life and death. Some think that worshipping God is a weekly option. However, for those connected to Calvary, worship ranks #1 on the priority list. Faith is a “must” (Hebrews 11:6); baptism is a “must” (John 3:7); the judgment is a “must” (2 Corinthians 5:10) and worship is a “must”!
Fourthly, we learn the attitude—spirit. Worship is not an empty ritual or thoughtless series of acts. The mind and the intellect must be engaged! Paul declared, “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also” (1 Corinthians 14:15). Attitude is so important that Jesus said if your brother and you are not in agreement, worship cannot be offered until things are made right (Matthew 5:23-24; 11:25).
Lastly, we learn the authority—truth. Far too many believe that anything offered in the name of worship is pleasing to God. However, we must remember that since God is the aim of worship, it is by His authority that true worship is defined! God has clearly outlined what He authorizes in worship (singing, Ephesians 5:19; praying, 1 Timothy 2:8; preaching, Acts 2:42; giving, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 and communing, Acts 20:7). Anything added to or subtracted from these specified acts is done by some other authority and is vain worship (Matthew 15:9)!
Worship is certainly a blessed privilege. We are treading on “holy ground” when we come before the Creator and offer our adoration. Therefore, we must be serious, sincere and Scriptural when we worship Almighty God. Following the death of two men who failed to take worship seriously, God affirmed, “…I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified…” (Leviticus 10:3b). May we ever glorify our God!
