Biblical Worship

Article by Michael Goforth II:  

WHAT IS WORSHIP?  

​One of the most overlooked aspects of worship today is its all-encompassing nature. Many immediately think of worship in terms of singing or music, but it is much broader than that. The word itself comes from the Old English weorthscipe, which broken down meant weorth (worth) -scipe (ship). So in a literal sense, it was simply the ascribing of worth to someone or something. [1]

The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible simply defines worship as, “Expression of reverence and adoration of God.” [2] With that definition, worship could definitely include music and singing, but it could also include nearly every aspect of a person’s life. This is the Apostle Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 10:31 when he commands the Corinthian Christians to perform basic tasks like eating and drinking in a way that ascribes worth to God.

Whether people realize it or not, they are always engaged in personal worship. This can be directed to God, but it can also be directed to someone or something else. This is why Jared Wilson said, “The truth is that we worship our way into sin, and we have to worship our way out.” [3]

In summary, personal worship is the adoration, enjoyment, delight, and satisfaction in God that overflows into every area of a person’s life. At our church, I define worship as, "Treasuring God above all else and responding in awe with our hearts, minds, and actions."
 

PRACTICING PERSONAL WORSHIP
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Jesus explained how true worship must be practiced in John 4:24 when He said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

To worship God in “spirit and in truth” would be impossible apart from divine revelation. Therefore, all personal worship must begin with and be guided by what God has revealed about Himself through His Word.
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I personally begin my day with a brief prayer that the Spirit would open my eyes as I read His Word. After that, I begin reading Scripture with the intent of learning more about Who God is. I then meditate on the truths in that passage and use them as a bridge to prayer.

After praying through a passage of Scripture and lifting up different praises and requests to God, I ask God to empower me to glorify Him that day. I then attempt to continue this worshipful posture all throughout the day and “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17) To help with this, I have three anchor points in my day where a reminder goes off to reorient my heart and mind around God.

The goal is to begin personal worship in Scripture reading and prayer and allow that to overflow into every aspect of my day. 
 

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORSHIPPING WITH OTHERS
 
When the Apostle Paul gave instructions for corporate worship in 1 Corinthians 14, he specifically said, “Let all things be done unto edifying.” in verse 26. That phrase is key in understanding the importance of corporate worship. The word “edifying” in this verse comes from the Greek word that means, “the act of bringing something closer to fullness or completion; understood as if assisting in the construction of an incomplete building.” [4]

There is a building up that takes place in corporate worship that cannot happen when a person is alone. The fact of the matter is, being in community with other believers and gathering together for corporate worship is an indispensable essential when it comes to growing as a Christian. 

While that is very foreign to the current individualistic culture of this day, it is prevalent all throughout the Scriptures.
Therefore, both personal and corporate worship is essential in the life of every believer.
 



NOTES:

[1] Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).
[2] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Worship,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 2164.
[3] Jared C. Wilson. Gospel Wakefulness (Kindle Locations 1998-1999). Crossway.
[4] Faithlife Corporation. “Logos Bible Software Bible Sense Lexicon.” Logos Bible Software, Computer software. (July 2018)