What's Right about Worship #1

How was your weekend?  Did you have rest and peace?  Did you attend church? Did you meet God?  Did you touch God and He touch you? Did you really worship? We are considering over the next couple of Blogs what true worship is. Dr. Towns writes -

"God is seeking every believer to worship Him, because Jesus said, "The Father seeks worship." Worship is a two-way street that first gives praise to God, and second, strengthens believers as they give themselves in worship to God. When the church is right on worship, it is a transforming power to its members and the congregation as a whole."*

John Piper states, "Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church.  Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.... Worship therefore is the fuel and goal of missions.... The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God."**

The core of worship is that we worship in "spirit and in truth." The word spirit means we worship God with all our hearts, and the word truth means that we worship the way God wants it done. It is not how we worship, but Who we worship. Worship is not about us, it is all about God. It involves our focus on God and our response to Him. Worship leads to transformation.  If it doesn't, we haven't worshipped.

The word worship comes from an old Scottish word "worth-ship." So, we must recognize the biblical "worth" of God. When He is lifted up in our life, God is worshipped.* It is not about the style of music, the building, the order of service, whether there is liturgy or openness, it is all about focusing on the One who deserves our worship. If we leave a time of worship feeling unfed or touched, check to see if we were seeking our own needs, or focusing upon the Giver.

Over the next couple of Blogs we will discuss 6 forms of worship and also the Biblical reason for these differences. 

Today, consider how focusing on God during your day can bring you into a closer experience with God, and how you can worship Him in "spirit and in truth."

* Towns, Elmer L. (2009) What's Right with the Church: A manifesto of Hope. Regal/Ventura CA. pp. 78; 97
** Piper, John. (2003) Let the Nations Be Glad!: the supremacy of God in missions. Baker Academic/ Grand Rapids, MI.         p. 17