What is Worship?

Mike Hosey, Elder

Worship is a powerful expectation of God in regards to his people.  In fact, Jesus wastes no time reminding Satan of this truth by directly quoting to him from Deuteronomy.  Satan foolishly tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of the world and told Him that He could possess them if He would simply offer His worship. Jesus aptly responded that worship was only for the Lord God (Luke 4:5-9), and continued on with his fast. Jesus places another premium on worship in John 4:23, when He proclaims that God seeks true worshippers.

This might lead one to ask at least three questions.  First,  one might ask, "What is worship?"  Well, Paul defines this for us rather concisely.  He tells us in Romans 12:1 that acceptable worship to God is offering our bodies as living and holy sacrifices. Essentially, this is what Jesus did with Satan. He continued to sacrifice His body in the midst of Satan's temptations (and His own discomfort) by continuing in His service and fasting to God.

So the kind of sacrifice that God finds acceptable is the sacrifice in which we put our own comfort aside and proclaim His supremacy to the world.  This can manifest itself in many, many ways.  It can manifest itself in a Sunday morning song service, or in giving up some of your money to support a missionary, or in becoming a missionary.  Worship isn't just singing praise songs. It's bowing your life to the God of your life. In fact, people worship everyday.  Too many worship lesser gods.

Secondly, one might ask, "How can one worship like that?"  The best way is to be aware of God.  In the Bible, any time people become aware of God they bow down and worship.  In fact, even creation will sing his praises (Luke 19:40)!

So that leads us to a third question: How do we get that awareness? The bible tells us that whoever seeks will find, and who ever knocks, the door will be opened (Luke 11:9-10).  God wants us to seek Him, and be aware of Him.  One, of the best ways to seek Him is by studying his word. Afterall, in the beginning the word was God (John 1:1). And when we've really sought him, He will renew our minds, and we will be able to discern His will. We will be God-aware (Romans 12:2), and we will worship with our lives.