Most of the time we’re confused with what worshiping God really means when in fact our understanding of worship should be the most crucial element of being a follower of Jesus.
Whatever we believe about worship is how we will pursue it and a wrong understanding will eventually set our hearts on the wrong things and ruin our relationship with God.
And most often the reason for this confusion is the wrong Christian culture around us that makes us believe in something that is not true and accurate as per the word of God.
One of the most common misunderstanding about worship is that it is all about singing and playing instruments and creating an environment where we sense the presence of God around us.
If that is what we believe than whenever we hear the word ‘worship’ we will think about that holy presence we need to enter by singing some songs and playing some instruments. And when we fail to take out enough time from your busy schedule to create that environment of worship we give up pursuing God and ruin our relationship with Him. And the next thing we look for is another musical revival conference or a concert to bring us back to feel good.
Some may believe worship means just going to church every Sunday and been part of community group once in a week. If that is what is we believe than when church service stops making us feel good and comfortable we end isolating ourselves and killing our soul.
Yet another group of people think worship is sitting before GOD TV and watching programs that talk about prosperity, health and wealth gospel. If that is what we believe then when we’re off the TV set, out in the world working in our offices, paying our bills, going through the ups and downs of life, tired and exhausted we end up becoming disappointed with ourselves and with God for not fulfilling his promises of heath and wealth.
I believe a true biblical understanding of worship will set us free from this ugly rut of been tossed around by the enemy who so wants to destroy our relationship with God.
When you read the following scriptures about worship attentively you will realize that worship is much more than just singing and playing.
John 4:23-24 – But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
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.
Matthew 15:8-9 – “ ‘This people honors me with their lips,but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
I loved reading an article on Desiring God about worship and don’t think I can explain it better than John Piper, I’m think simply going to refer you to that link instead of re-phrasing it and plead you to read it carefully and re-define the true meaning of worship.
Here’s a gist of what he shares in the article:
True worship is a valuing or a treasuring of God above all things.
The inner essence of worship is the response of the heart to the knowledge of the mind when the mind is rightly understanding God and the heart is rightly valuing God.
The inner essence of worship is to know God truly and then respond from the heart to that knowledge by valuing God, treasuring God, prizing God, enjoying God, being satisfied with God above all earthly things. And then that deep, restful, joyful satisfaction in God overflows in demonstrable acts of praise from the lips and demonstrable acts of love in serving others for the sake of Christ.
I promise that this understanding of worship will truly liberate you and make your relationship with God even more stronger. Do let me know your thoughts on this article and feel free to ask any question.
Here’s the link to the article on Desiring God–
http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-worship
Author / Preacher
Latest entries
- March 12, 2024SermonShe Matters – Galatians 3:28
- February 15, 2024SermonTrue Wisdom Revealed – 1Corinthians 1:18-31
- January 27, 2024iCrave Retreat 2024I Crave Validation – Galatians 1:10
- January 25, 2024iCrave Retreat 2024I Crave FullFillment – Hebrews 13:5-6