What is Worship?
Definition of Worship
What is worship? Let me give you a quick definition: worship is to respect, and give honor to a divine superior being.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s describes worship in two forms:
1. A noun (noun is a word that is the subject of discourse—person, place, or thing) Form: worshiper or worshipper 1: a person of importance—used as a title for officials 2: reverence toward a divine being or supernatural power; also: the expression of such reverence. 3: extravagant respect or admiration or devotion.
2. A verb (verb is a word that is grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an act—action or inactivity of a person, place, or thing) Form: -shipped –shiped; -shipping –shiping 1: to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power 2: IDOLIZE 3: to perform or take part in worship.
In other words, it means to give homage, honor, reverence, respect, adoration, praise, or glory to a superior being. In scripture (the bible), the word is used at random to refer to the homage, given to idols, materials things, or the true God.
Purpose of Worship
Before I can tell you about the purpose of worship, you need to know that there are only two forms of worship that can be offered—acceptable or unacceptable worship.
The majority of the world offers unacceptable worship, and God will not accept it. The Bible tells us that God is a jealous God, and will not tolerate the worship of another—false gods, wrong form or attitude of worship. Let’s read two scriptures:
Exodus 34:14—”For you shall worship no other god; for the Lord, Whose name is Jealous, is jealous (impassioned) God,”
Isaiah 48:11b—”And I will not give My glory to another [by permitting the worshipers of idols to triumph over you].
What about all the people who worship their own gods, because they believe they are right in their form of worship? Yes, they are sincere in their worship, but He won’t accept it. So, the answer is No!! It is unacceptable to God for anyone to worship something or someone, and not Him. This is why it is important for you to learn about acceptable worship and its purpose for your life.
The word worship comes from an Old Anglo-Saxon (Old English) word called “weorthscipe”, which eventually became worthship. English Lords in those days were called “Your Worthship” in recognition of their position of authority and their extensive lands, holdings, or worth. As time went by, worthship, was further shortened to worship. Merriam—Webster Dictionary acknowledge this in their definition too by giving us the abbreviation for Old English as OE; meaning weothscipe– worthiness, respect form: worth, worthy, worth + - scipe, - ship, suffix devoting quality or condition.
The creator God pre-wired us to worship for this is our purpose in this life. That is why we have a want to in our eternal spirit to worship things or someone. Harold Best in his book called “Unceasing Worship”, describes worship as not just a Christian thing, but the entire human race does it. They are going about their worship by whatever is mastering them, and is a witness to why they do what they do. Worship is looked at what is of most worth to us, and can be seen any and everywhere. From our favorite food to a sport arenas. We worship 24 hours a day. In doing so, we are shaped by what we worship, either for good or evil. For example, if we worship self, we become self-centered. It is all about self worthship. Proud and vain glory is the product of self-worship, and in of itself very evil. But if we worship Christ, we become Christ-like, and love other people, and want to “Love our neighbor as ourselves” (Leviticus 19:18b).
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” -2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV Verse.
This scripture lets us know as we experience Christ’s nearness, love, righteousness, and power through prayer, worship, and the help form the Holy Spirit, it results in our being (our spirits) transformed into Christ’s likeness. If you read the first Chapter of Genesis, you will find that we are made in God’s Image, and we can become “Just like you, Jesus”!
Jesus worships the Father, and told us to do the same. Here are examples of Jesus’ worship to God founded in the King James Verse:
· Matthew 5:10—(Jesus rebuke Satan) “For it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”.
· Matthew 6:8—”Our Father which are in Heaven, hallowed be thy name”.
· Matthew 11:25- “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because thou hast hid these things….”
· Luke 11:2—”Our Father which are in Heaven, hallowed be thy name”
· John 12:28—”Father , glorify thy name…”
· John 17:5—”O Father, glorify thou me, with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
· John 17:25—”O righteous Father”
The following shows His attitude and actions were perfect expression of human worship:
· Jesus was completely humble and obedient to his Father (Philippians 2:8)
· He did not seek to do His own will, but the will of His Father (John 5:30)
· He loved and honored His Father (John 8:49)
· He praised and gave thanks to His Father (John 11:41)
· He lived to the glory of His Father (John 17:4)
Proverbs 3:6 states in the Amplified Bible, “In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him (God, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Do you see that Jesus acknowledge God in all His ways. We too cannot just turn off our worship. Why? Because, worship pours out of what we are and what we value. It is connect to our character all the time. Do you know that our attitudes and action come out of who we are as a person? That is why worship is so important. Jesus took some time to explained that for us in John 4: 19-24. When you get a chance, read the scriptures. I believe these verses of scripture to the most significant passages on the subject of worship.
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Marker.” - Psalms 95:6 KJV
God called us to worship, and gives an open invitation to participate in total obeisance to our Creator. Obeisance means a respectful gesture or behavior. We have an attitude or behavior of somebody who pay respect or homage to Almighty God. Guess what? God is looking for worshipper who will worship Him in their spirit and from the heart. Yes, our Lord truly was a worshipper, and would like for all of His pre-wired ones to come and worship Him. As we consider Jesus, we learn from His worship what should be included in ours. Without following His lead, our worship is merely an empty exercise of ritual.
When we worship, we are proclaiming the worth of God. Why? We acknowledge and agreeing with Him that He is worthy. Worthy of our worship. When we go to church, we get to offer God something, and not receive from Him. But, praise Him and see that He will freely give to us. It is His nature. In Acts 20:35b, states that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The purpose of worship is to give to God the respect and honor due to Him. Can you tell me right now? Do you worship before you go to church? When you are getting dressed for morning worship service? On your way to church in your car, or standing to get the public transportation? Are you excite when Saturday evening comes, because you know the next day, you get to worship God at church? If you do not know the answers to these simple questions, you need to sign up for worship lessons to help with your understanding of why we go to church in the first place? My purpose is to force you to make a decision about whether you’re going to worship God or not. This lessons will force you to correct you actions in the area of worship, or not do what God says. It is totally up to you. We hope you will be enlightened and encouraged in the knowledge of God’s Word, and want to worship Him.
Those who are acceptable true worshippers are the ones who have “clean hands” (ie. They are obedient to God, purified, and made clean), “pure heart” (ie. Their motives and desires are right), and truly “seek Him”. Let’s read Psalm 24:3-6 in the Amplified Bible, it give us an example of a true acceptable worshiper:
“Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation [description] of those who seek Him [who inquire of and for Him and of necessity require Him], who seek Your face, [O God of] Jacob, Selah [pause, and think of that]!”
I guess you are wondering about yourself. Are you offering acceptable worship to God? If not, I will help you to know for sure. Sometimes, our worship can be hindered by several factors. It’s important to recognize these obstacles and do what is necessary to overcome them. Here are some of the common hindrances to the right kind of acceptable worship.
· Ignorance. Many people worship gods but not the true God (Acts 17:23).
· Unbelief. We must approach God with believing hearts. (Hebrews 11:4-6).
· Wrong Attitude. If we hold a grudge against someone, God will refuse our worship until we make things right with the other person (Matthew 5:23-24; 6:14; Ephesians 4:31-32).
· Unconfessed Sin. When we as Christians sin, we should confess immediately to God (1 John 1:9), If we don’t, it destroys our fellowship with Him and we become cold and insensitive to Him.
· Misplaced Priorities. When we all other things to become more important to us than God, we take away from the honor He deserves (Matthew 6:33). Right worship recognizes His worthiness to be first.
· Our greatest enemies– sin nature & the devil. They are constantly opposing our worship (Romans 7:23; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 2:15). But as we daily depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for help, we can overcome our enemies (Galatians 5:16; James 4:7; 1 John 5:4).
Now, you know. Don’t let these common hindrances get the best of you. Why do I say this? Because you have the greater one living on the inside of you—The Holy Spirit—He is there to help. Ask Him. You have the ability to worship “in spirit and in truth” according to John 4:24.
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