Growing up in church, many find themselves immersed in the concept of worship from a young age. Often associated with the music-filled portion of a church service, the term “worship leader” became common. However, a deeper look into the Bible reveals that worship encompasses far more than melodies and Sunday gatherings. While music can evoke a special atmosphere, true worship, as understood through a biblical lens, extends beyond the emotional experience of a service.
Joining the music ministry at a new church, the emphasis on truth was striking. While previous experiences often prioritized the feeling of worship, this community highlighted the importance of grounding worship in biblical truth, referencing John 4:24 which emphasizes worship in “spirit and truth”. Reading books like John MacArthur’s “Worship: The Ultimate Priority” solidified a more profound and comprehensive understanding of worship. This article aims to broaden the understanding of worship, moving beyond the limited view of it being solely about music or Sunday mornings, and explore a deeper, more scriptural definition. While this exploration will only scratch the surface, it is hoped to encourage a more enriched and informed worship of God. Let’s delve into the fundamental questions surrounding worship.
What is Worship?
Worship is the foundational purpose of every Christian life. Throughout the Old Testament, worship is frequently depicted through acts of bowing down in humility and reverence (Genesis 24:26, Exodus 12:27, Joshua 5:14, Nehemiah 8:6, Job 1:20, Psalm 95:6), acknowledging and offering God His deserved praise (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2), and through sacrificial offerings at the altar (Genesis 22:5, 1 Samuel 1:3, Isaiah 19:21). Even the Magi, upon meeting the infant Jesus, knelt to worship the incarnate Son of God (Matthew 2:11), and the twenty-four elders around God’s throne are seen worshipping by bowing down (Revelation 11:16).
Alt text: The three wise men, or Magi, bowing in worship before the baby Jesus, presenting gifts as depicted in a classic Nativity scene.
Biblically, worship serves as a testament to God’s character, particularly His perfect holiness. In response to this divine holiness and our own sinfulness, bowing in humility and reverence becomes the most fitting and frequent expression of worship. John MacArthur defines worship as “honor and adoration directed to God.” In essence, worship is ascribing worth and honor to the One who is supremely deserving – God alone. Scripture often expresses this concept through phrases like glorifying God, loving God wholeheartedly, and treasuring God above all else.
Who Should Worship?
Given this broad definition of worship, it’s clear that worship is not exclusive. All who profess love for and belief in God are called to worship Him. In John 4, Jesus, in conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, acknowledges that both Jews and Samaritans engaged in worship, though he clarifies that Jewish worship was rooted in knowledge while Samaritan worship stemmed from ignorance (John 4:22).
Alt text: Jesus engaging in conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, as depicted in a stained glass window, illustrating the encounter from John chapter 4.
From King David in his palace to humble shepherds in Bethlehem’s fields, worship transcends societal boundaries. It encompasses Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free individuals, reaching across diverse backgrounds, from bustling New York City to remote Amazonian jungles, Chinese villages, and African plains. Worship is not an exclusive practice for spiritual elites or solely the domain of a music leader. Rather, it is the intended lifestyle for all Christians, a universal calling to honor God in every aspect of life.
When Should We Worship?
Elkanah and his family, including Hannah, exemplified dedicated worship, rising early to worship God before departing from the temple (1 Samuel 1:19a). The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—established altars and worshiped God following significant encounters with Him. Many Psalms call for worship in a continuous, present tense, indicating an ongoing practice. Ultimately, worship is appropriate at any time, particularly as a spontaneous response to encountering the living God. If our thoughts are consistently centered on God, as they should be for Christians, then worship becomes a constant aspect of life.
Alt text: Hannah in fervent prayer at the temple, kneeling before the altar seeking God’s blessing, a scene illustrating her devotion from the book of Samuel.
In John 4, Jesus reveals a transformative shift in the timing and nature of worship to the Samaritan woman. With Jesus’ arrival and His completed work on the cross, the need for repeated sacrificial acts to approach God was abolished. The tearing of the veil in the Temple’s Holiest of Holies symbolized this new era, granting unrestricted access to God at any moment. Because of Jesus, genuine worship can occur at any time and in every moment of a believer’s life.
Where Can We Worship?
The Samaritan woman’s initial inquiry to Jesus centered on the appropriate location for worship—Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem. Samaritans believed Gerizim was the designated place, while Jews upheld Jerusalem. Jesus clarified that neither location held exclusive importance for worship. The physical location, be it Jerusalem, Gerizim, or anywhere else, is not the defining factor. Acceptable worship transcends geographical boundaries. The crucial element is the how of worship, the manner in which it is offered, not the where.
Alt text: The Western Wall in Jerusalem, remnants of the ancient Jewish Temple, a significant site historically for worship and pilgrimage.
Despite the irrelevance of location in individual worship, a pattern of corporate worship emerged in Israel, centered on resting and worshipping God together on the Sabbath. This tradition evolved after Jesus’ resurrection, with Christians gathering weekly on the first day of the week, Sunday, to commemorate this pivotal event. Sunday gatherings for corporate worship remain a vital practice for Christians. Looking forward, the ultimate gathering will be the Bride of Christ—all believers united—in eternal, unified worship of God for all eternity.
Why Do We Worship?
John Piper, in his book “Let the Nations Be Glad“, proposes that missions are driven by worship—that missions exist because worship is absent among those who don’t know God. In other words, the purpose of evangelization is to bring unbelievers into true worship, so they, cleansed by Christ’s redemption, can approach and worship the one true God.
Alt text: A diverse congregation engaged in worship during a church service, singing and raising hands in praise, illustrating communal worship.
So, why worship God? The fundamental reason is His inherent worthiness. We worship God simply because He is worthy of our worship. His worthiness is intrinsic to His very being. Jesus, in his conversation in John 4, presupposes that both Jews and Samaritans should worship God. The real question, as Jesus addresses, is not why but how worship should be offered.
How Should We Worship?
Jesus’ answer in John 4:23-24 is both concise and comprehensive: “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Worship must be offered “in spirit and truth.” These are not optional components but essential characteristics of true worship. No other method is acceptable. Worship is not merely intellectual assent to biblical truths, though sound doctrine is crucial. Nor is it solely defined by a Spirit-led life or passionate zeal for God, though emotions and fervor are necessary.
True worship of God is characterized by a life guided by the Holy Spirit, wholeheartedly devoted to pursuing God’s glory, and firmly grounded in a biblical worldview and accurate theology. Both the Spirit and the Word are indispensable for a life that genuinely glorifies God. This necessitates a Christ-like humility, a daily surrender of self, ensuring that God receives all glory for the good in our lives, and that we are not living for self-aggrandizement or the building of our own kingdoms.
This brief exploration, though not exhaustive, aims to provide a more biblically grounded understanding of worship. May our worship deepen and mature, growing ever richer as we acknowledge that God alone deserves all worship in the universe.
