Worship That Really Matters

By Randy Nulph  

For faithful, devoted children of God, worship is certainly the highlight of each week. It is a blessed privilege and honor to bow before "the Great I Am." Jesus placed worship as a high priority (Luke 4:16). Sadly, far too often worship has been decreased to merely a "ritual" or an empty routine (Matthew 15:7-8). God is the Audience in worship, and as such, He not only deserves, but He demands our full attention and devotion. How tragic when individuals fail to really worship the God of heaven. Many professing Christians merely go through a series of "rehearsed actions" only to walk away without ever biblically worshipping. Jesus spoke regarding worship that really matters as He sat by Jacob's well and conversed with a Samaritan woman; "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

Firstly, worship is aimed at the proper person; "God is a Spirit..." What is often passed off as worship in the 21st Century is simply entertaining the attendees. Man has become "center stage," and he must be dazzled and astonished. We rate the preacher's performance, the song leader's abilities and the "feel" of the building that surrounds us. We give the worship a grade, much like we would grade a movie at the "big screen." All the while, we miss the scriptural fact that God is center stage; it is He that we must aim to please and not ourselves!

Secondly, worship involves participants; "...and they that worship him..." Worship is "hard work"! We have become accustomed to padded pews and temperature controlled buildings to the point that many view worship as a "relaxing time" -- a time to get comfortable and unwind. However, worship that really matters tests our minds, our concentration levels and even our physical stamina. Singing, studying, praying, giving and remembering our Lord requires effort and energy. We must be rested, both mentally and physically, in order to really participate as God demands. The very word "worship" denotes prostrating one's self, as a peasant falls before a king. That is quite a different picture than someone relaxing in a padded pew!

Thirdly, worship includes a prescribed pattern; "must worship him in spirit and truth." "Spirit" involves the emotions and will of the worshipper. Worship that does not prick the emotions is not worship in spirit! How can a true worshipper not be affected when he or she considers what great love and sacrifice was given on behalf of each of us? "Truth" involves that which God demands as far as the "acts" of worship. Both truth and spirit must be present in order for worship to be biblically correct.

Worship is serious. God is outraged when people attempt to worship and fail to do it properly (Leviticus 10:1-3). Never are we closer to our Creator than when we fall before Him and worship! However, the opposite is true as well. May worship that really matters ever be our priority, and may we daily, "enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise..." (Psalm 100:4a).

Gospel Gazette
Volume 17 Number 11
November 2015
https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2015/nov/page3.html