Good morning. On this day of worship, I would like to offer as today’s subject for thought the meaning of worship. Dictionary definitions are quite consistent, saying something like this: an expression of reverence and praise to a deity, often practiced with ritual and creeds. Really? That is the definition of worship? I wonder if those who are trying to define worship with such words have ever actually engaged in true worship before the Lord? Consider the following ways in which people have engaged in worship:
Singing
“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” 1 Chronicles 16:9
“I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.” Psalm 101:1
Lifting hands
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Psalm 134:2
“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2
Bowing
“Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord” Genesis 24:26
Kneeling
“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”” 2 Chronicles 7:3
Standing
“And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.” 2 Chronicles 20:19
Clapping
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” Psalm 47:1
Shouting
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music” Psalm 98:4
Music
“Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord—they numbered 288.” 1 Chronicles 25:7
Dancing
“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.” Psalm 149:3
Clearly, the truth of worship is not defined in ways, acts, and aspects. It is defined in the heart of those who are worshiping.
Those examples are all from Old Testament scripture. In the New Testament we are instructed about worship by the apostle Paul in Romans 12:1 “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 I hope that we might consider today regarding worship is that it is not confined to any specific activity. True worship is expressed naturally, through whatever we might choose to do as we enjoy it.
The worship definition for Christian believers is therefore not just confined to isolated acts of offerings at various occasions. Instead, worship is the spiritual stimulus uniting our faith, our Christ given righteousness, and our acts of service and expressions of joy.
Worship is a primary attitude, activity and ministry of every Christian. Everything else should flow from us in the context of worship. Whether our calling is pastoral or in teaching or evangelizing or preaching or healing or serving or anything else—we cannot take up any ministry without becoming a worshiper first.
To worship as a living sacrifice is to consecrate our lives wholly to the Lord as His willing subjects in His Kingdom. It means to agree to subdue our rights, lay down self, and follow Him.
Worship is not one more thing that we do. Worship is a huge part of who we are in the Lord. Worship is our joy (a noun) and worship is our function (a verb).
May we worship with glad hearts today!
Vern