Devoted Worship
Is worship primarily an activity or a feeling? Is that a fair dichotomy? The word “worship” in Hebrew is the word “shachah” and denotes the act of bowing down. The Greek word “proskuneō,” which is translated into English as “worship,” means to encounter God and praise Him. These words indicate an activity.
But as we know too well, we are able to go through the motions of an activity but not be truly invested in what we are doing or have any sense that what we are doing matters. Our actions do not always indicate our attitude.
The Lexham Theological Workbook gives this definition of worship. “Worship is the reverential response of creation to the all-encompassing magnificence of God” (McCaulley, E., “Worship,” Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Press, 2014).
John Piper offers this as a definition of worship. “True worship is a valuing or a treasuring of God above all things.” These definitions speak more about attitude than action. So, which is it?
The answer is in the antidote that Jesus gave in John 4 to the woman He met at the well in Samaria. “But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” (John 4:23)
In other words, all acts of worship must be done with a pure heart and motive of desiring to honor God. Now, what are the actions of worship for the New Testament believer?
There is personal activity of worship. Reading God’s word, obeying His commands, serving others in His name, and working as unto the Lord. The daily practices and habits of a Christian can be done to His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).
In the gathering of the church the worship goes well beyond just the music and the singing. The preaching of God’s word, the prayer of God’s people, the singing of God’s people, the giving of tithes and offerings, the observance of the ordinances, and the response of the heart to God, as well as the body to obedience are all acts of worship.
It can be said that for a believer all that we do in our lives are a means of manifesting the worth of God before our Omnipresent God and a watching world. The English word “worship” comes from two old English words which together mean the “quality of having worth.” So, in whatever way we can we are to live in such a way as to show God has worth. He is more valuable than anything else. That is seen in the decisions we make, the relationships we have, the way we approach work, the way we relate as husbands or wives, the way we parent, and yes, what we do when we gather publicly on Sundays for worship.
Be devoted to worship. Just like you are devoting yourselves to evangelism, discipleship, ministry, prayer, and stewardship. This is our theme for 2025. But only a theme for this year to remind us that it is our calling as followers of Jesus.
By His Grace and For His Glory,
Pastor Mark
