Worship has been a cornerstone of my life since childhood. Growing up in church, I found myself drawn to the music ministry, learning guitar and eventually leading music in various capacities. The term “worship leader” became common, yet it always felt insufficient to describe the depth and breadth of worship as understood through the Bible. While the musical aspect of church services held a special resonance, I sensed early on that worship extended far beyond songs and Sunday gatherings.
Joining the music ministry at LBC further shaped my understanding. I was drawn to their emphasis on truth, a principle deeply rooted in scriptures like John 4:24, which defines worship in terms of truth and spirit. In contrast to previous experiences where spirit often overshadowed truth, LBC prioritized a biblically sound and comprehensive view of worship. Reading books like John MacArthur’s Ultimate Priority (re-released in 2012 as Worship: The Ultimate Priority) solidified foundational truths about worship. Inspired by this journey and the need to clarify misconceptions, I aim to explore a deeper, more scriptural understanding of worship, hoping to correct misunderstandings and enrich your personal worship of God.
This article is intended to be an accessible exploration, not an exhaustive thesis. While drawing insights from MacArthur’s Worship: The Ultimate Priority, my primary goal is to broaden the common perception of worship as merely music or a Sunday morning activity. Using Scripture as our guide, we will delve into a richer, more comprehensive definition of worship. While this exploration will be introductory, it aims to answer fundamental questions about worship, offering a helpful starting point for deeper understanding. Let’s begin by addressing the core questions: what is worship, who should worship, when and where can we worship, and why is worship essential?
What is Worship?
Worship is the fundamental purpose of every Christian life. Throughout the Old Testament, worship is frequently depicted through acts of bowing down in humility and reverence before God (Genesis 24:26, Exodus 12:27, Joshua 5:14, Nehemiah 8:6, Job 1:20, Psalm 95:6), acknowledging and ascribing to God His deserved praise (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2), and offering sacrifices at the altar (Genesis 22:5, 1 Samuel 1:3, Isaiah 19:21). Even the Magi, upon encountering the infant Jesus, demonstrated worship by bowing down before the incarnate Son of God (Matthew 2:11). Similarly, in the book of Revelation, the twenty-four elders around God’s throne are seen worshiping by bowing down (Revelation 11:16).
These biblical examples illustrate that worship is a response to God’s character, particularly His perfect holiness. In light of our own sinfulness, the appropriate and often repeated expression of worship is to bow in humility and reverence. John MacArthur defines worship as “honor and adoration directed to God” (p. 43). Simply put, worship is giving worth and honor to God, the only one truly deserving of it. Scripture often uses other terms to describe worship, such as glorifying God, loving God, and treasuring God – all pointing to the act of ascribing ultimate worth to Him.
Who Should Worship?
Given this broad definition of worship as giving worth to God, it naturally follows that who should worship God? The answer is clear: all who love and believe in God are called to worship Him. In John 4, Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well highlights this. He notes that both Jews and Samaritans engage in worship, although Jewish worship is rooted in knowledge while Samaritan worship stems from ignorance (John 4:22). This implies that the call to worship extends to all people, regardless of their background or understanding.
From King David in his Jerusalem palace to humble shepherds in Bethlehem’s fields, from Jewish people to Gentiles, from men and women, slave or free, and across diverse cultures – from the bustling city of New York to remote Amazonian jungles, Chinese villages, and African plains – all people from every walk of life are called to worship God. Worship is not an exclusive practice reserved for elite Christians or designated solely for a music leader. Instead, it is the intended lifestyle for all followers of Christ. Every believer, regardless of their status or location, is invited and expected to engage in worship.
When Should We Worship?
The question of when to worship is also addressed in Scripture. In 1 Samuel 1:19a, Elkanah and his family, including Hannah, are described as worshiping God early in the morning before leaving the temple. The patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – built altars to God and worshiped after significant encounters with Him. Many calls to worship in the Psalms suggest a continuous, ongoing action. Therefore, worship is not confined to specific times but can occur at any moment. It arises as a natural response to encountering the living God. If, as Christians are encouraged, we are consistently mindful of God, then worship becomes a continuous aspect of our lives.
Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman in John 4 also usher in a new understanding of when worship occurs. He declares that a new era of worship is beginning. With Jesus’ arrival and His completed work on the cross, approaching God is no longer contingent on sacrifices at an earthly altar. The tearing of the temple veil symbolized this new access to God at any time, for all believers. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we have the freedom to worship God at any moment, in any circumstance.
Where Should We Worship?
The Samaritan woman’s initial question to Jesus in John 4 revolved around where true worship should take place – at Gerizim or Jerusalem. Her people, the Samaritans, believed Gerizim was the designated place for worship, while the Jews maintained that Jerusalem was the divinely chosen location. Jesus clarifies to her that neither Jerusalem nor Gerizim holds exclusive claim as the necessary place for worship. Location is not the determining factor. Whether one is Jewish or not, familiar with Scripture or not, any place becomes an acceptable location for worshiping God. The crucial aspect is how we worship, not where. As long as the manner of worship is correct, the physical location becomes irrelevant.
However, it is also important to acknowledge the biblical pattern of corporate worship. From the inception of Israel as a nation, a pattern was established for resting and worshiping God corporately on the Sabbath. This pattern shifted after Jesus’ resurrection, with Christians gathering weekly on the first day of the week, Sunday, to commemorate this event and worship together. This tradition of Sunday gatherings for corporate worship continues among Christians today. Looking forward, the ultimate gathering place for worship will be the eternal union of the Bride of Christ – all believers – united to worship God forever.
Why Should We Worship?
John Piper, in Let the Nations Be Glad, powerfully states that “missions exists because worship doesn’t.” This highlights the profound why of worship. The purpose of evangelism, of missions, is to bring people into true worship. It is to transform unbelievers into genuine worshipers who, cleansed by Christ’s redeeming work, can approach and worship the one true God.
So, why should we worship God? Simply put, we worship God because He is worthy of worship. His inherent worthiness is rooted in His very being, His nature, and His attributes. Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman assumes that both Jews and Samaritans ought to worship God. The real question, as Jesus addresses, is not why worship, but how to worship acceptably. The very nature of God demands our worship; it is the appropriate and necessary response to His greatness.
How Should We Worship?
Jesus’ answer to the question of how to worship is found in John 4:23-24: “…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 the Spirit and in truth.” This concise statement provides the complete guide for acceptable worship. Worship must be “in spirit and truth.” Both elements are essential and inseparable components of true worship. No other method is acceptable to God.
Worship is not merely intellectual agreement with biblical truths, though accurate doctrine is essential. Nor is it solely defined by emotional fervor or zeal for God’s glory, although spirit-led passion is also necessary. True worship of God is characterized by a life led by the Holy Spirit, completely devoted to passionately pursuing God’s glory, and firmly grounded in a biblical worldview and sound theology. The Spirit and the Word are the indispensable tools for a life that truly glorifies God in worship. This kind of worship necessitates Christ-like humility, a daily dying to self, so that God receives all glory for the good in our lives, and we are not living for our own recognition or kingdom.
It is my hope that this brief exploration, though not exhaustive, has provided a more biblical and comprehensive understanding of worship. May our worship continue to mature and deepen as we grow in our understanding of God, recognizing that He alone deserves all worship in the universe.
