What is Worship?? Is it just something we do at church on a sunday????

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Permalink Reply by ReAsOn the Mic Apostle on November 13, 2009 at 11:32am

First and foremost whatever music is provided, it MUST BE "IN SPIRIT and IN TRUTH."

"The [Samaritan] woman said unto Him, Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain [in this church or denomination]; and ye [all the Jews] say, that in Jerusalem [in that church or denomination] is the place where men ought to worship. JESUS SAID unto her, Woman [THE CHURCH], BELIEVE ME, the hour comes, when ye [all of you Samaritans and Jews; Baptist and Pentecostals, ETC] shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem [in this church or that church], worship the Father. Ye [ALL OF YOU] worship ye [ALL OF YOU] KNOW NOT what: WE [TRUE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, CHILDREN OF GOD, BODY OF CHRIST] KNOW what we worship for salvation is of the Jews [symbolic for God's few chosen elect]. But the hour comes, AND NOW IS [at this very moment], when the TRUE worshippers [Gk: 'adorer'] shall worship [Gk: '(mean. to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand), to fawn (flatter) or crouch (bow) to, i.e. (lit. or fig.) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)'] the Father in SPIRIT [Gk: 'pneumatkos, ALWAYS connotes the ideas of INVISIBILITY and of POWER, Of, relating in, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; NOT TANGIBLE OR MATERIAL, supernatural, regenerated, NON-CARNAL, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (unearthly, otherworldly, airy), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:--spiritual, which is the higher or renovated nature; NOT LITERAL OR PHYSICAL, mature, complete in character, manifesting the fruit (LOVE) OF THE SPIRIT'] AND IN TRUTH [Gk: 'true (AS NOT CONCEALING), TO BE TRUE (IN DOCTRINE {teaching} and profession {acknowledgement, confession, to assent, i.e. covenant, give thanks, praise}), speak (tell) the truth']: for the Father SEEKS [Gk: 'to seek (literally or figuratively); specifically (by Hebrew) to worship (God):--be (go) about, desire, endeavor, inquire (for), require, (× will) seek (after, for, means)'] such to worship Him. GOD IS SPIRIT: and they that worship Him MUST worship in SPIRIT AND TRUTH" (John 4:19-24).

WHERE YOU WORSHIP IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS WHY YOU WORSHIP AND HOW MUCH OF YOURSELF YOU OFFER TO GOD WHEN YOU WORSHIP! THERE IS A RIGHT AND WRONG WAY TO WORSHIP. The Bible says,

"Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please Him." (Hebrews 12:28, Today's English Version).

"Wherefore [Gk: 'for this reason'] we receiving a [spiritual, heavenly, invisible, powerful] kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby [by that grace] we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (King James Version).

The kind of worship that pleases God has four characteristics:


[1] GOD IS PLEASED WHEN OUR WORSHIP IS ACCURATE ('IN TRUTH')

People often say, "I like to think of God as ...," and then they share their idea of the kind of God they would like to worship. But we cannot just create our own comfortable or politically correct image of God and worship it. THAT IS IDOLATRY!

The ancient church of Israel tried to do this when they came out of Egypt right before Moses brought them the 10 Commandments from Mount Sinai.

"And He [God] gave unto Moses, when He [God] had made an end of communing with him [Moses] upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him [Aaron], Up, MAKE US GODS, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot [know] not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it A MOLTEN CALF: and they said, THESE BE THY GODS, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, HE BUILT AN ALTAR BEFORE IT [the molten calf]; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast TO THE LORD [Though they made the molten calf to worship as a god, they still worshipped it 'TO THE LORD.' They created their own image of God and worshipped it]. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have CORRUPTED THEMSELVES: they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it [Though they worshipped it and made an altar and had a feast 'TO THE LORD,' God said they were not really worshipping to the LORD.'], and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: now therefore let me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation." (Exodus 31:18--32:10).

Paul discussed this in greater detail to the Roman church.

"Because that, when they knew [past tense] God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful [Gk: 'To be grateful, i.e. (active) to express gratitude (towards); specifically to say grace at a meal:--thank, give thanks, thankful']; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, AND CHANGED THE GLORY OF THE UNCORRUPTIBLE GOD INTO AN IMAGE MADE LIKE CORRUPTIBLE MAN ['they ... CORRUPTED THEMSELVES'], AND TO BIRDS, AND FOURFOOTED BEATS ['they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it'], AND CREEPING THINGS. Wherefore [for this reason] God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: WHO CHANGED THE TRUTH OF GOD INTO A LIE, AND WORSHIPPED AND SERVED THE CREATURE [creation, created things] MORE THAN THE CREATOR, WHO IS BLESSED FOR EVER [for the eon/ages]. AMEN." (Romans 1:21-25).

Worship must be based on the truth of the Scriptures, not our opinions or "private [Gk: ‘OWN’] interpretations" (2 Pet. 1:20) about God. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well,

"True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks." (John 4:23, New International Version).


To "worship in spirit and truth" means to worship God as He is truly revealed in the Bible.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He [God] is ['And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM ('{the} self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.) hath sent me unto you.' (Exodus 3:14)], and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6).


BRINGING PLEASURE TO GOD IS CALLED "WORSHIP"

"Worship" as defined in the Strong's Hebrew Concordance #7812 shachah, "to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexively in homage to royalty or God):--bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship."

The Bible says,

"The LORD is pleased only with those who worship Him and trust His love." (Psalm 147:11, Contemporary English Version).

"The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy." (King James Version).

Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Like a diamond, worship is multifaceted. It would take volumes to cover all there is to understand about worship, but we will look at the primary aspects of worship in this section.

Anthropologists have noted that worship is a universal urge, hard-wired by God into the very fiber of out being--an inbuilt need to connect with God. If we fail to worship God, we always find a substitute, even if it ends up being ourselves. The reason God made us with this desire is that He desires worshippers! Jesus said,

"The Father seeks worshippers." (John 4:23).

Depending on your religious background, you may need to expand your understanding of "worship." You may think of church services with singing, praying, and listening to a sermon. Or you may think of ceremonies, candles, and communion. Or you may think of healing, miracles, and ecstatic experience. Worship can include these elements, but worship is far more than these expressions. Worship is a lifestyle.

[2] GOD IS PLEASED WHEN OUR WORSHIP IS AUTHENTIC ('SINCERITY')

When Jesus said you must "worship in spirit," He was referring to in His Spirit with the spirit He gave you. God designed your spirit to communicate with Him. Worship is your spirit responding to God's Spirit.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, THEY ARE the sons [children] of God. For ye [all of you, Children of God] have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye [all of you, Children of God] have received the Spirit [of God] of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit [of God] ITself beareth witness WITH OUR SPIRIT, that we are the children of God." (Romans 8:14-16).

"Know ye [all of you, Children of God] not that your bodies are the members of Christ? ... for two, saith He, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one [Gk: 'agree, one, united, ('unify')] spirit. What? know ye [all of you, Children of God] not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [Spirit] which is in you, which ye [all of you, Children of God] have of God, and ye [all of you, Children of God] are not your own? For ye [all of you, Children of God] are bought with a price: therefore [for this reason] GLORIFY [honor, worship, magnify] GOD IN YOUR BODY, and IN YOUR SPIRIT, which [both soulish-body and spirit] are God's." (1st Corinthians 6:15-17, 19-20).

When Jesus said, "Love God with all your heart and soul" He meant that worship must be genuine and heartfelt. It is not just a matter of saying the right words; you must mean what you say. Heartless praise is not praise at all! It is worthless, an insult to God.

When we worship, God looks past our words and sees the attitude of our hearts. The Bible says,

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1st Samuel 16:7b, New International Version).

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance [his handsome face], or on the height of his stature [his height]; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (King James Version).

Since worship involves delighting in God, it engages your emotions. God gave you emotions so you could worship Him with deep feeling--but those emotions must be genuine, not faked. God hates hypocrisy.

"WOE UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES"
Many times Jesus called the fraudulent religious leaders of the Church, "hypocrites." Here is the definition of a hypocrite:
"One who puts on a false appearance, to hide his real motives, one who feigns, a play actor, a fake, a fraud, a phony."
Strong's Gk#5273: hupokrites, from 5271 (to decide {speak or act} under a false part, i.e. {fig.} dissemble {pretend}:--feign), "an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (fig.) a dissembler ("hypocrite"):--hypocrite."
Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, p. 943, "hypocrites" n. 1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie (contradict) stated beliefs. 2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie (contradict) his or her public statements.
"A stage actor, hence one who pretends to be what he is not, equivalent to.
Syn. deceiver, dissembler, pretender, Pharisee, charlatan, fraud.
Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hypocrite one who puts on a mask and feigns himself to be what he is not; a dissembler in religion. Our Lord severely rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16). "The hypocrite's hope shall perish" (Job 8:13). The Hebrew word here rendered "hypocrite" rather means the "godless" or "profane," as it is rendered in Jeremiah 23:11, i.e., polluted with crimes.

"For both [false] PROPHET and [false] PRIEST are profane [Heb: 'hypocrites, godless']; yea, IN MY ['GREAT'] HOUSE [the church of God] have I [GOD] found their wickedness, saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:11).

Jesus loathed the hypocrisy of these religious leaders and saw right through these play-acting fakes and frauds, just like looking through a windowpane.

He doesn't want showmanship or pretense or phoniness in worship. He wants your honest, real love. We can worship imperfectly, but we cannot worship Him insincerely.

Of course, sincerity alone is not enough; you can be sincerely wrong. That's why both SPIRIT and TRUTH are required. Worship must be both accurate and authentic. God-pleasing worship is deeply emotional and deeply doctrinal. We use both our hearts and our heads.

Today MANY equate being emotionally moved by music as being moved by the Spirit, but these are not the same. Real worship happens when your spirit responds to God, not some music tone. In fact, some sentimental, introspective songs hinder worship because they take the spotlight off God and focus on our feelings. Your biggest distraction in worship is yourself (your flesh)--your interests and your worries over what others think about you.

Christians often differ on the most appropriate or authentic way to express praise to God, but these arguments usually just reflect personality and background differences. Many forms of praise are mentioned in the Bible, among them:

confessing,
singing,
shouting,
standing in honor,
kneeling,
dancing,
dramatic arts,
anointing oil for healing,
teaching and preaching,
praying,
silence,
usage of any and/or all of the spiritual gifts,
hand clapping,
making a joyful noise,
testifying,
playing musical instruments,
and raising hands.

Throughout the Scripture we're commanded to celebrate God's presence by magnifying the Lord and exalting His name.

"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Psalms 34:3).

"By Him [Christ] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15).

"I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness [Christ is our righteousness]: and will sing praise to the name [that name is JESUS] of the LORD most high." (Psalm 7:17).

"And they sang together by course [Heb: 'a section (of Levites, people or soldiers):--company, course, division, portion'] in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever [Heb: 'for the eon (age)'] toward Israel [The New SPIRITUAL Israel -- Gal. 6:15-16]. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation [Jesus Christ and the apostles and prophets] of the house [church] of the LORD was laid." (Ezra 3:11).

"Let them praise His name [Jesus] in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp." (Psalm 149:3).

"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp." (Psalm 150:3).

"And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground." (Nehemiah 8:6).

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise." (Psalm 98:4).

"And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is." (Acts 4:24).

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary [the SPIRITUAL fellowship of sanctified saints], and bless the LORD." (Psalm 134:2).

"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and [without] doubting." (1st Timothy 2:8).

"And David and all the house of Israel [church of God] played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals." (2nd Samuel 6:5).

"To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye [all of you] people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." (Psalms 47:1).

"Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye [ALL OF YOU] the LORD." (Psalms 150:4-6).

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:13-16, 19-20).

"For both He [JESUS] that sanctifieth and they [the body of Christ] who are sanctified are all of one ['There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.' (Eph. 4:3-6)]: for which cause He [JESUS] is not ashamed to call them brethren [brothers and sisters], saying, I will declare Thy [God's] name unto My [Jesus'] brethren [brothers and sisters], in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee [God]." (Hebrews 2:11-12).

"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm [Gk: 'A set piece of music, i.e. a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a "psalm"); collectively the book of the Psalms:--psalm'], hath a doctrine [Gk: 'Instruction (the act or the matter):--doctrine, hath been taught'], hath a tongue [Gk: 'a known language or dialect (specifically one not acquired naturally.:--The real, working, every day languages dealing with genos which is translated throughout the New Testament as: "where one was born, offspring, kindred, country, stock, countrymen, nation, and generation." Which languages would also have to include different dialects and regional jargons'], hath a revelation [Gk: 'Disclosure:--appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation'], hath an interpretation [Gk: 'translation']. Let all things be done unto edifying [Gk: 'Architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively confirmation:--building, edify, edification, edifying']." (1st Corinthians 14:26).

The Word of God says,

"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10).

Notice worship comes before service. Worshipping God is the church's first purpose. Sometimes we get so busy working for God; we don't have time to express our love for Him through worship.

The best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents YOUR love for God, based on the background and personality God gave you.

Gary Thomas noticed that MANY Christians seem stuck in a worship rut--an unsatisfying routine--instead of having a vibrant friendship with God, because they force themselves to use devotional methods or worship styles that don't fit the way God uniquely shaped them.

Gary wondered, "If God intentionally made us all different, why should everyone be expected to love God in the same way?" As he read Christian classics and interviewed mature believers, Gary discovered that Christians have used many different paths for 2,000 years to enjoy intimacy with God:

being outdoors,
studying,
singing,
reading,
dancing,
creating art,
serving others,
having solitude,
enjoying fellowship,
and participating in dozens of other activities.

In his book Sacred Pathways, Gary identifies nine of the many ways people draw near to God:

Naturalist are most inspired to love God out-of-doors, in natural settings.
Sensates love God with their senses and appreciate beautiful worship services that involve their sight, taste, smell, touch, not just their ears.
Traditionalist draw closer to God through rituals, liturgies, symbols, and unchanging structures.
Ascetics prefer to love God in solitude and simplicity.
Activists love God through confronting evil, battling injustice, and working to make the world a better place.
Caregivers love God by loving others and meeting their needs.
Enthusiasts love God through celebration.
Contemplatives love God through adoration.
Intellectuals love God by studying with their minds.

There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to worship and friendship with God. One thing is certain: You don't bring glory to God by trying to be someone He never intended you to be. God wants you to be yourself and He'll change you into what you should be.

"That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship." (John 4:23, The Message).


WORSHIP IS FAR MORE THAN MUSIC

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Permalink Reply by RichardB on January 25, 2010 at 9:32pm

Amen! That's why I'm so glad I desire God in every aspect of my life now. I started listening to Lecrae and others from Reach Records a few years back, and it's been such a blessing to me. There is so much teaching in their music, and I'm greatful to be fed by it. I vowed not to write anymore songs until I know it is God breathed. I want His Word to flow into it, and represent Christ in Spirit and Truth through my lyrics. I pray I am constantly emptied of me and filled with HIM.

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Permalink Reply by K.P Light on January 26, 2010 at 7:02pm

Well i agree with you in that prayer for all of us for without him we are just flesh, bone and a dead spirit. we need him living through us in everything we do, but we also need to understand that it is a process and not to let ourselves be discouraged when we do get in wrong, but allow him in his greatness to teach us from our mistakes, just as we do our children..... Bless you and thanks for replying, it's great that we can all learn together..

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