Growing up deeply involved in church, particularly in music ministry, I often encountered the term “worship leader.” Yet, this title never quite resonated with my understanding of worship as depicted in the Bible. Worship, I came to realize, extended far beyond musical performances or Sunday church services. While those musical moments held a unique significance, a deeper understanding emerged early in my faith: worship was much more encompassing than just music or designated church time.
Joining the music ministry at LBC further solidified this understanding. While I enjoyed contributing musically and being part of a team striving for excellence in music for the church, what truly stood out was the emphasis on truth. John 4:24, highlighting worship in “spirit and truth,” was frequently referenced. In past experiences, truth sometimes took a backseat to emotional experiences, but at LBC, in-depth studies, particularly through books like John MacArthur’s Worship: The Ultimate Priority, cemented a biblical and comprehensive view of worship. Inspired by the insights from this book and a desire to clarify this vital concept, I aim to explore the multifaceted nature of worship. This article seeks not to be exhaustive but to broaden the perspective that worship is confined to music or Sunday mornings. My goal is to unveil a richer, more expansive definition of worship rooted in Scripture. While I cannot address every nuance, I hope to provide a helpful overview by asking fundamental questions about worship: where, when, who, and why.
What is Worship?
Worship is the core purpose of every Christian life. The Old Testament frequently portrays worship through acts of physical 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 involves ascribing due praise to God (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2) and, in the Old Testament context, offering sacrifices at the altar (Genesis 22:5, 1 Samuel 1:3, Isaiah 19:21). Even the Magi, upon meeting the infant Jesus, demonstrated worship by bowing down (Matthew 2:11). Similarly, the twenty-four elders in Revelation 11:16 worshiped by bowing before God’s throne.
Biblically, worship fundamentally acknowledges God’s character, especially His perfect holiness. In response to this divine holiness and recognizing our own imperfection, bowing in humility and reverence becomes the most natural and frequent expression of worship. MacArthur defines worship simply as “honor and adoration directed to God” (p. 43). In essence, worship is attributing worth and honor to God, the only one truly deserving of it. Scripture often expresses this through phrases like glorifying God, loving God, and treasuring God.
Who Should Worship?
Given this expansive definition of worship, it’s clear that who should worship encompasses all who believe and love God. In John 4, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that both Jews and Samaritans engage in worship, although Jewish worship is informed by knowledge, while Samaritan worship stems from ignorance (John 4:22).
From King David in his Jerusalem palace to humble shepherds in Bethlehem’s fields, from all nations—Jews and Gentiles alike—to all demographics—male and female, slave and free, across all societal strata from bustling New York City to remote Amazonian jungles, Chinese villages, and African plains—worship is universally mandated. It’s not exclusive to elite Christians or the domain of a music leader. Rather, it’s the intended lifestyle for every Christian. Everyone is called to a life of worship.
When Should We Worship?
Elkanah and his family, including Hannah, exemplified worship by doing so 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. Many Psalms call for worship in a continuous, present tense, suggesting an ongoing practice. Therefore, when should we worship? The simple answer is: at any time. Worship is particularly fitting as a spontaneous response to encountering the living God. If our minds are continually engaged with God, as they should be, then worship becomes a constant aspect of our lives.
Jesus, in his conversation in John 4, proclaimed a new era of worship. His arrival and completed work on the cross ushered in a time where access to God was no longer mediated by sacrifices at an altar. The tearing of the temple veil symbolized this new access, allowing direct communion with God at any moment. Because of Jesus, we have the freedom to worship God at any time.
Where Can We Worship?
The Samaritan woman’s initial query to Jesus revolved around location: where is the correct place to worship—Gerizim or Jerusalem? Samaritans believed Gerizim was the divinely ordained site, while Jews insisted on Jerusalem. Jesus clarified that neither location holds exclusive importance. Where we worship—Jerusalem, Gerizim, or anywhere else—is not the critical factor. Whether one is Jewish or not, familiar with Scripture or not, all locations are now acceptable for worship. The how of worship is paramount; if that is biblically sound, the where becomes secondary.
Historically, Israel established a pattern of resting and worshiping corporately on the Sabbath. After Jesus’ resurrection, this pattern shifted, and Christians began meeting weekly on the first day of the week, Sunday, to commemorate His resurrection. Christians continue to gather on Sundays for corporate worship. Ultimately, the entire Bride of Christ, all believers, will be gathered eternally to worship God together forever. So, where can we worship? Everywhere, though corporate worship gatherings hold a special place.
Why Do We Worship?
John Piper, in Let the Nations Be Glad, posits that missions exists because worship is lacking among the nations. Evangelism’s purpose, therefore, is to cultivate true worshipers from unbelievers. Through Christ’s redemptive work, these new believers are cleansed and enabled to approach and worship the one true God.
So, why worship God? Simply put, we worship God because He is worthy of worship. His inherent worthiness is rooted in His very being. Jesus, in John 4, assumes the inherent obligation of both Jews and Samaritans to worship God. The crucial question Jesus addresses is not why, but how to worship authentically. Why worship? Because God is worthy.
How Should We Worship?
Jesus provides a concise and complete answer in John 4:23-24: true worshipers must worship God in spirit and truth. These two elements are indispensable for genuine worship, and no substitutes exist. 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 fervent zeal, though emotions and passion are vital components. Authentic worship of the true God is characterized by a life guided by the Holy Spirit, passionately devoted to pursuing God’s glory, and grounded in a biblical worldview and accurate theology. The Spirit and the Word are the necessary instruments for a life that truly glorifies God. This necessitates a Christ-like humility, a daily dying to self, ensuring that God receives all glory for the good in our lives and that we are not living for our own recognition or kingdom.
This overview, while not exhaustive, aims to offer a more biblically informed understanding of worship. May our worship deepen and mature continually, for God alone deserves all worship in the universe.
