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Worship: The Foundation of a Disciple of Christ
Introduction: What comes to your mind when you think of “worship?” For most Christians, worship calls to mind what we have been doing in this assembly. In fact, many Christians would never even use the word worship outside an assembly of the church. Even more striking is that it is quite common for Christians and even elders of churches to only use the word worship in referring to an assembly in which the Lord’s Supper is offered. All other assemblies, would not be called worship, or as is commonly said, “a worship service.”
Did you know that the word worship is never used in scripture to identify what goes on in an assembly of the church? Only once is the word used to refer worship in an assembly (1 Cor. 14:25), and that in regard to an unbeliever who enters the assembly, is struck by the teaching that is given, and “falls on his face and worships.”
That is not to say that Christians aren’t worshiping when they come together to sing and pray, etc. It is to say that of the 47 times “worship” is used in the NT, it is never used to describe what a collective of Christians are doing on the first day of the week, that is, sing, pray, give, Lord’s Supper, and teaching.
Why is that important? It is important because it signals to us that there is something wrong with our understanding of worship. In fact, it signals to us that our understanding of worship is woefully lacking. There is obviously far more to worship than the near exclusive way we have we have thought of the term.
- Typical Ways “Worship” Is Used in the NT
- “And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day…” (Acts 26:6-7).
- “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—” (Philippians 3:3)
- “For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship” (Acts 27:23)
- “You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem” (Acts 24:11 ESV)
- “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:25 ESV)
- What are some conclusions we should draw?
- Worship sometimes refers to what is done at a particular location in regard to sacrifices or prayers, such as at the temple in Jerusalem.
- Worship can be what even one person does in giving their life to the Lord.
- Worship can refer to a particular way God is served, whether by the Law of Moses, in pagan worship, or in allegiance to Christ. In fact, worship can be described as primarily “allegiance.”
- Worship is often not referring to an event, but a life in service to God. This is evident by Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Therefore, if we over-emphasize “event-worship” we may miss the “worship” spoken of by Paul’s statement of “earnestly worshiping God night and day.”
- The Reason for Worship
- Romans 12:1 gives a great explanation of the foundation of worship. Paul draws a conclusion/application after 11 chapters of explaining the wonder of the mercy and grace of God in Christ. Even in all our attempts to worship God according to Law and our own works, we were failures. Our only hope was the mercy of God through the gift of Jesus. Therefore, Paul appeals to us on the basis of the mercies of God. Our response to God’s mercy must be nothing short of offering our bodies as a living sacrifice. This is our “spiritual” or “reasoned” worship. In other words, it is the only true, and reasonable response to what God has done. Anything less would not be the adoration God deserves.
- In the days of Shakespeare, “worship” was actually spoken as “worth-ship,” thus conveying the idea of acknowledging the true worth of God and treating Him with the respect He deserves. Ps. 96:8 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name.” Therefore, our worship must be given in such a way that it is consistent with the worth we are ascribing to Him. When we are negligent or worship mindlessly, what are we saying about His “worth?”
- Therefore, when Jesus said, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth,” and “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth,” he was announcing that the only worship acceptable to God and is true goes far beyond a location or event. Worship in spirit must be that which is truly connected to God and with true knowledge of God. It is true worship because it takes place in the true tabernacle: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” Hebrews 10:19, 22.
- Consider one other text: Romans 1:21, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
- There is a difference between knowing about God and honoring him as God. Honoring him as God implies that he is at the center of our lives. He is the one and only God. Moses said, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” There is only one God we are to hear, and to him we are to give all that we are and have.
- Honoring him as God implies a continual thanksgiving because he is the originator and giver of all things.
- When we do not honor him as God, the result is to honor every desire and passion of our lives.
- True Worship Is Passionately Desired and Enjoyed
- Have you ever heard a preacher urge the members to be at worship periods on Sunday and Wednesday? That’s laughable, isn’t it? Of course we all have heard that. I’m not making fun of it because there are so many reasons why it is important for us to be together regularly: unity, love, growth, opportunities to help each other and connections with those who visit. We could go on and on.
- But the need for worship whether collectively or individually is not rooted in the benefits provided to a local church and others around us.
- To engage in acts of worship is certainly helpful. If we come to worship with our spirits low, with our minds and bodies weary, singing, praying and remembering our Lord together can lift us up and help us see beyond the present trials.
- But it is deeper than that. Put yourself in God’s position for a moment. As God, what is your desire in your relationship with your creation? From the very beginning, we have seen it: love, relationship, dwelling together, one mind, joy, peace – a perfect marriage. And then you watch your people come together to collectively enjoy and celebrate your presence and love for them but you notice something disturbing. Your people are not enjoying and delighting in their time with you. In fact, many of them have forced themselves to be there out of duty. Is that what your design for worship was?
- If friendship is not enjoyed, it is not friendship. If marriage is not enjoyed, it has missed its ultimate purpose. If God is not enjoyed, God is not glorified and his reason for drawing us to himself has been missed. Psalm 16:11, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Since worship is the adoration of God, it is hard to imagine true worship that is not generated by joy and participated in with joy.
- That being said, the joy of worship does not come naturally; it must be learned. People of the world or carnally-minded people will not find joy in worship. That is the reason churches of spiced up worship with bands and entertainment. Further, just because you are a Christian, does not mean worship will immediately be a joy. To be sure, many people find it easy to enjoy good singing, a well-spoken prayer, or the contemplation of the Lord’s Supper, but these activities can be enjoyed without true adoration of God.
- The key to enjoying worship, that is, finding joy in the adoration of God both day and night, comes from having a deep connection to God and adoration for what he has done for you.
- That does not happen from “event-worship,” it requires giving regular attention to God through study, prayer, and contemplation of him. It grows over years of effort, just as any relationship does.
- Isaiah 12:1-6 foretells our response to the coming of Christ and our deliverance from sin and bondage. If this is not our natural response to what God has done our response to the gospel message was just the result of desiring fire insurance, not from being drawn by love to the Father.
- Psalm 63:1-8 identifies worship as God wants us to enjoy it. We all need to be challenged by David’s heart. Look at the words he uses:
- “Earnestly I seek you”
- “My soul thirsts for you”
- “My flesh faints for you”
- “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food” (5)
- “My mouth will praise you with joyful lips”
- “…when I remember you upon my bed”
- “…and meditate on you in the watches of the night”
- “My soul clings to you”
- Conclusions
- No one will need to urge us to worship whether collectively or individually if we find this kind of joy in God. I can’t imagine doing something other than being with my spiritual family when we have an opportunity to enjoy God together.
- True worship requires preparation. In our assemblies, it requires preparation by the preacher, the teachers, and every leader within the period of worship. But what is often not spoken of is the preparation required by every member. It should be hard to criticize if we have not prepared ourselves and are eagerly waiting to taste the goodness of the Lord.
- Most importantly, worship and adoration of God is a lifetime effort. We don’t just prepare for Sunday, we give our life to the words, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
Berry Kercheville