Growing up in church, the concept of worship was always present. From participating in the praise team in high school, learning guitar, to being involved in various music ministries, music and worship seemed intertwined. The person leading the musical part of the church service was often called the “worship leader.” However, even with this common title, a nagging feeling persisted that worship was more than just the music during a church service or Sunday gatherings. The Bible hinted at a much broader definition. While those musical moments felt special, a deeper understanding was needed – one that God graciously provided early in my faith journey: worship transcends music and church services.
Upon joining LBC and its music ministry, my initial motivation was to contribute musically, to be part of a team creating excellent and beautiful music for the congregation. However, LBC’s music ministry distinguished itself by its emphasis on truth. The importance of truth in worship was frequently highlighted, referencing John 4:24, a key verse for defining biblical worship. In past church experiences, truth often took a backseat to emotion or “spirit.” At LBC, studying books together solidified fundamental, biblical truths about worship. John MacArthur’s Ultimate Priority (re-released in 2012 as Worship: The Ultimate Priority) was particularly impactful. Inspired by this book and a desire to clarify misconceptions, this article aims to explore a more profound understanding of worship. My hope is to correct any misunderstandings and, most importantly, deepen your worship of the one true God.
This article is intended as an introduction, not an exhaustive thesis. It’s not a summary of MacArthur’s book, though quotes are from the 2012 edition of Worship: The Ultimate Priority, unless noted otherwise. My primary goal is to broaden the common perception that worship is limited to music or Sunday mornings. Through Scripture, I aim to reveal a richer, wider, and more complete definition of worship. While I cannot address every question, this exploration seeks to be a helpful starting point. Let’s delve into the fundamental questions about worship, starting with:
What is Worship?
Worship is the core purpose of every Christian. The Old Testament frequently links worship to physical acts of humility and reverence, such as bowing down (Genesis 24:26, Exodus 12:27, Joshua 5:14, Nehemiah 8:6, Job 1:20, Psalm 95:6). It’s about acknowledging and ascribing to the Lord the praise He is due (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2), and in ancient times, included offering sacrifices on the altar (Genesis 22:5, 1 Samuel 1:3, Isaiah 19:21). Even the Magi, upon meeting the infant Jesus, bowed down to worship Him, recognizing the incarnate Son of God (Matthew 2:11). Similarly, the twenty-four elders around God’s throne in Revelation worship by bowing down (Revelation 11:16).
The overarching biblical understanding is that worship is a response to God’s character, especially His perfect holiness. Faced with this holiness and our own sinfulness, bowing in humility and reverence becomes the natural and most common expression of worship. John MacArthur concisely defines worship as “honor and adoration directed to God” (p. 43). Simply put, worship is giving worth and honor to the One who is inherently worthy – God alone. Scripture often expresses this through phrases like “glorify God,” “love God,” and “treasure God.” These are all facets of worship, reflecting the profound value and esteem we place on God.
Who Should Worship God?
Given this broad definition of worship, it naturally extends to all who love and believe in God. In John 4, Jesus, speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well, acknowledges that both Jews and Samaritans worship God, albeit with a crucial distinction: Jews worship based on knowledge, while Samaritans worship in ignorance (John 4:22). True worship, therefore, is informed and intentional.
From King David in his Jerusalem palace to humble shepherds in Bethlehem’s fields, worship is inclusive. It transcends ethnicity (Jews and Gentiles), gender (male and female), social status (slave and free), and geographical location (from bustling New York City to remote Amazon jungles, Chinese villages, and African plains). Worship is not exclusive to elite Christians or the domain of the music leader. It is the lifestyle to which every Christian is called. Every believer, regardless of their background or position, is called to be a worshiper.
When Should We Worship God?
Elkanah and his family, including Hannah, exemplified dedicated worship by worshiping God early in the morning before leaving the temple (1 Samuel 1:19a). The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—built altars and worshiped God after significant encounters with Him. The Psalms frequently call for continual worship, suggesting an ongoing, present-tense reality. Ultimately, worship is appropriate at any time, especially as a spontaneous response to encountering the living God. If our minds are consistently focused on God, as they should be, then worship becomes a constant aspect of our lives.
In John 4, Jesus reveals a shift in the timing and nature of worship. He tells the Samaritan woman that a new era of worship is beginning. With Jesus’ arrival and His completed work on the cross, access to God is no longer mediated through sacrifices at an altar. The tearing of the veil in the temple signified this new access—unrestricted entry to God at any time. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have the privilege to worship God continually, at any moment.
Where Can We Worship God?
The Samaritan woman’s initial question to Jesus centered on location: Gerizim or Jerusalem, which was the proper place for worship? Samaritans believed Mount Gerizim was the designated place, while Jews insisted on Jerusalem. Jesus clarified that neither location holds exclusive significance. Worship is not confined to geographical boundaries, whether Gerizim or Jerusalem, or any specific place. It’s not about where you are—whether Jew or Gentile, familiar with Scripture or not. Any and all locations are acceptable for worshiping God. The crucial aspect is how we worship, not where.
However, the Old Testament established a pattern for Israel: resting and worshiping God corporately on the Sabbath. This pattern evolved after Jesus’ resurrection. Christians began meeting weekly on the first day of the week (Sunday) to commemorate His resurrection. This tradition of corporate worship on Sunday continues today. Furthermore, there is a future gathering anticipated—the Bride of Christ, all believers united, will worship God together for eternity. While location is not restrictive, gathering together for corporate worship remains a vital practice for believers.
Why Do We Worship God?
John Piper, in Let the Nations Be Glad, powerfully states that “missions exists because worship doesn’t.” He argues that the ultimate purpose of missions and evangelism is to cultivate worship—to bring unbelievers into a relationship with Christ so they can become true worshipers. Having been cleansed by Christ’s redemption, they can then approach and worship the one true God.
So, fundamentally, why do we worship God? Simply because He is worthy of worship. His worthiness is inherent in His very being. Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman assumes the obligation to worship God for both Jews and Samaritans. The real question, as Jesus addresses in John 4, is not why we worship, but how. Recognizing God’s inherent worth and responding to His nature is the foundational reason for our worship.
How Do We Worship God?
Jesus’ answer in John 4:23-24 is concise yet comprehensive: “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Worshiping God “in spirit and truth” are the only acceptable ways. Both elements are indispensable for true worship.
Worship is not merely intellectual agreement with biblical truths, though sound doctrine is essential. Nor is it solely defined by a Spirit-led life or passionate zeal for God’s glory, although emotions and passion are necessary components. True worship is characterized by a life guided by the Holy Spirit, passionately devoted to God’s glory, and grounded in a biblical worldview and accurate theology. The Spirit and truth, the Spirit and the Word, are the essential tools for a life that truly glorifies God through worship.
This necessitates a Christ-like humility, a daily dying to self, ensuring that God receives all glory for the good in our lives. We are not to live for our own glory or kingdom, but for His. Worship, therefore, is a holistic response—engaging our minds with truth and our hearts with spirit, all directed towards the glory of God.
My prayer is that this brief exploration, while not exhaustive, has provided a more biblical understanding of worship. May our worship continue to deepen and mature, for God alone deserves all worship in the universe.
