KCU/03/Believers
Topic 19: How should we worship God? Question: Based on what you know from the Bible & other sources (including the Theology Matters reading), how do you think we should worship God? (Be sure to do more research into the issue. If the group cannot come to a consensus, feel free to have different group members each express their own opinions.)
When we consider how we should worship God, perhaps it would be best to start by asking another question. What exactly is worship? Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary defines worship as "reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; an act of expressing such reverence." But what does this mean in our day-to-day Christian lives? Does worship have one way, and one way only, of being expressed? Or have we been so caught up in the arguments and conflicts surrounding worship that we have forgotten its true purpose? Suffice it to say that all of these questions have been asked repeatedly throughout history. It is our job as Christians to examine the information, understand what the Bible says about worship, and then implement what we learn into our lives. As you will see, we have discovered that worship is not just a song, a prayer, or a belief. Worship is a way of life, a command to honor Jesus Christ in everything we do because of what He has done for us.
Old Testament Worship(Lynn Williams)
There are many different ways that people in the Old testament worshiped the Lord. Many of them were through sacrificing, (Genesis 8:20-And Noah built an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast and clean fowl, and offered burnt offering on the altar), dancing,(2 Samuel 6:14-And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with linen ephod), singing,(Psalm 66:1-2-Make a joyful noise God, all ye lands. Sing fourth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious), and playing instruments(Psalm 92:3-Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltry: upon the harp with a solemn sound. Some would even worship the Lord by just being still.(Psalm 84:4-Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.)
Worshiping is only reserved for God. Only He is worthy; we are not to worship saints, idols, angels, prophets, statues or any other false gods. Worship is done for God. Worship can be public praise to God.(Psalm 22:22-I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee).
King David was a great example of how to worship God. David worship the Lord with all his heart. Many of the Psalms reflect David’s passionate heart for worship.(Psalm 92:1-It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy name, O most high.
There is no reason that we can not worship the Lord today, the way King David did. There are many ways that we can worship him. God has given us a voice that we might up lift him in prayer and praise I beleive that the Lord honors our praise and woreship to him. Some may perfer to sing, which is a very power way to worship, and also we can dance before for the Lord, there are many people today that still dance before the Lord in spirit! But I think first and formost that we need to worship in spirit and it truth.
Brittney Barnhart's contribution (mistakenly pasted in Sakai wiki instead of here):
What Worship Involves
There are four substitutes for worship in our contemporary culture. The first type is a lecture approach to worship, which emphasizes on the mind, learning, and education leading to worship mentality. The second type is evangelism, where preaching replace worship. The third are overriding concerns of entertainment and number. For example, a stage, performers, the overall package, and the audience. The fourth type is a self-help approach, where you learn how to affirm and fulfill personal greatness. (Twenty Centuries of Christian Worship)
Worship is one of the most important callings of the Christian church, along with evangelism, education, mission, fellowship, servant hood, and emotional healing. It's not something that is done for us, but something that is done by us. We can give praises and offerings of thanks to the Lord as an act of worship. (Twenty Centuries of Christian Worship)
The medieval church took a worship opportunity away from its congregation by making worship only the band and choir. The others just simply had to watch. (Twenty Centuries of Christian Worship)
Worship is the act of adoring and praising God, which is ascribing worth to God as the one who deserves homage and service. It is an act of reverence and devotion, and the way to express our love and praise to Jesus. There are five different acts of worship. They include what we think about, what we do, what we say, what we eat, and what we spend our time doing. (Emerging Worship)
Worship involves praise, adoration, awareness of God, humility, confession, forgiveness, contemplation, offering (an obedient sacrifice), thanksgiving, proclamation, dedication, commitment, and prayer, which is considered to be a very vital aspect of worship. (New ways in Christian Worship)
Witnessing is worship because it is the outpouring to God and the outpouring to others around you as an act of worship. Prayer is above all about God is and what he wants. Praying with thanksgiving is worship. (Unceasing Worship)
Worship is not only about God, but about Satan as well. When we worship, we continually disarm Satan. Worship never stops, during every moment of everyday; every person is bowing down or severing someone or something whether is for good or evil. Christians do not attend church to worship, they go to continue worshiping. "Worship is the continuous outpouring of the all that I am all that I do and all that I can ever become in light of a chosen or choosing god." (Unceasing Worship)
A worship war that has occurred is one between God and Satan, in which being in Christ or in Satan. Although it is not our battle to fight, it’s the Lord's battle. (Unceasing Worship)
The two different types of worship currently present in our world today are contemporary and traditional. The use of arts and music can be used during worship. Music is a tool for worship and can be used to bring others into an atmosphere of worship. However, performing and worshipping are two different things. The role of music in much of our worship is the contemporary equivalent of holding on to the high places in biblical times. "Instead of depending on the power of the arts to enhance their worship or bring it about, faithful worshippers can actually enhance the power of the arts by the faith-driven force of their worship."(Unceasing Worship)
All worship outside of the worship of God through Jesus Christ, is idolatrous. Idolatry is the chief enemy of the most fervently worshiping Christians, even to the extent that some may end up worshipping worship. (Unceasing Worship)
New Testament Worship
The New Testament shows how our very lives are acts of worship. Matthew 2:11 says, "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." From the very beginning, the Magi knew that they needed to worship Jesus for no other reason than who he was. They wanted to honor him by giving him what was valuable in their lives. This is a guideline for us; we should give God our best because He is worthy of our most valuable treasures.
Matthew 17:5 paints a portrait of how God feels about worship. It states, "While he (Peter) was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"" During the Transfiguration, God wanted the disciples to understand that Jesus was (and is) the Son of God. When they understood this, worship and obedience came naturally. From this illustration, we see how our relationship with God plays a big part in our worship; closeness leads to worship because of love, not out of a sense of duty.
In the gospel of John, we find an often-quoted passage regarding true worship. John 4:23-24 says, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." As believers, we can worship God anywhere, at anytime. But we must understand that the where of worship is not as important as how we worship. Jesus tells us in this passage that genuine, true worship is what pleases God. Unless we worship with a pure heart, comletely focused on God and what He has done for us, we are not treating God with the honor and reverence he deserves.
Acts chapter 2 shows us how the early church worshiped God. The story begins in verse 45. "Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." All the basics are included in this passage: fellowship, communion, prayer, and charity! Yet it is not the actions themselves that make the worship effective. Rather, it the zeal and contagious devotion of the believers that turned these everyday actions into acts of worship.
1 Corinthians 14:15 evokes the seriousness of worship. It says, "So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." We must be focused when we are singing or praying, reflecting on the words and engaging our whole self in the process. There is no possible way to half-heartedly worship. You are either completely focused on your Lord, or your mind is somewhere else. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ties in with these words: "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." At first these verses appear to be unrelated. But a close examination shows the common bond. If we focus on God and make His Name our top priority, then He will fill us with His power when we feel overwhelmed. With Him, we are much stronger than we could ever be on our own. Giving our whole selves to God is the best decision we will ever make.
Most of us are also familiar with the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians chapter 5. Verses 22-23 explain, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Living a life of worship leads to the development of these character traits. When we devote every action to God's glory, we further our knowledge of His love and essentially become imitators of Christ! The catch, however, is that we can't just go through the rituals and expect to grow in our relationship with our Lord. Intimacy with God is the only way to become more like Him, in knowledge and in love.
In my opinion, the most powerful example in the New Testament can be found in Colossians chapter 3. Verse 17 especially captures the idea of worship. It simply states, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." How much more direct can you get? Our priorities need to be the same as God's priorities, meaning every single aspect of our lives honors Him! We are His representatives on earth, and if we do not live a visible life of worship, who knows how many souls will be lost? Let us live our lives in a way that brings Him the ultimate glory. Let's be the person that walks down the street with such a smile that everyone wonders, "What's different about him/her?" God deserves our best, and it's an honor to give our best...let's give him our lives!
There is no reason that we can not worship the Lord today, the way King David did. There are many ways that we can worship him. God has given us a voice that we might up lift him in prayer and praise I beleive that the Lord honors our praise and woreship to him. Some may perfer to sing, which is a very power way to worship, and also we can dance before for the Lord, there are many people today that still dance before the Lord in spirit! But I think first and formost that we need to worship in spirit and it truth.
Work Cites
Zondervan. King James Bible. Ed. Zondervan. Michigan: Grand Rapids, Gen.8:20, 2Sam.6:14, psalm 66:1-2, psalm 92:3, psalm 84:4, psalm 22-22, psalm 92:1.