Worship derives from the Old English word “worthship.” It constitutes those actions and attitudes that ascribe honor and worth to the great God of heaven and earth. Worship is essentially God-centered, not human-centered. In Christian worship, we draw near to God with joy and gratitude for what He has done for us in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Worship expresses faith, love, and devotion from our hearts and with our lives to God the Father.
Human beings have worshipped God from the beginning of history. Adam and Eve had fellowship regularly with God in the Garden of Eden. Cain and Abel both brought offerings of plant and animal life to God. Seth’s descendants called “upon the name of the Lord” in verse twenty-six of Genesis chapter four. Noah built an altar to the Lord for a burnt offering after the flood. Abraham dotted the landscape of the promised land with altars for burnt offerings to the Lord.
Worship became formalized publicly after the exodus when they built the tabernacle. Since then, regular sacrifices daily are now common, especially on the Sabbath days. God establishes several annual holy feasts as occasions for Israel to commemorate their faith and worship God corporately. Worship in the early church took place in the Jerusalem temple and private homes. Outside of Jerusalem, Christians worshipped as long as they were permitted.
The expression of Christian worship involves two principles. True worship takes place in spirit and truth according to God’s revelation of Himself in the Son. Worship includes the soul, and not just the mind, as well as the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, the practice of Christian worship must correspond to the New Testament pattern for the church.
The feature of the Old Testament was the sacrificial system. Since Christ’s sacrifice on the cross fulfilled this system, there is no longer any need for the shedding of blood as a part of Christian worship. Through the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, The New Testament church continues today to commemorate Christ’s once and for all sacrifice.
Praising God is essential to Christian worship. A prominent Biblical way to praise God is by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Christians in the New Testament are singing either with the mind or with the spirit. Under no circumstances did they view singing as a form of entertainment.
Seeking God’s face in prayer is another form of worship. The Apostles prayed after Jesus ascended into heaven, and prayer became a regular part of corporate Christian worship. These prayers could be on their behalf, or they could be intercessory prayers on behalf of others. Christian prayer must accompany by thanksgiving to God at all times. Praying is with known human language or tongues that is God’s heavenly language.
Confession of sin was significant in the Old Testament worship. So too, in the Lord’s prayer, Jesus teaches believers to ask for forgiveness of sins. Believers should confess their sins to each other. Through such confession, we receive assurance of God’s gracious pardon.
Worship must include the public reading of scripture. The reciting of scripture became a regular part of the synagogue worship on the Sabbath. When New Testament believers gather together for church service, they hear the Word of God, along with teaching, preaching, and exhortation based on it.
True worship of God includes joyful giving of the tithes and offerings to the Lord as part of the devotion of our lives to Him.
When worship occurs from the heart in spirit and truth, God has many blessings in store for His people. He promises: to be with them and to come in intimate communion; to overshadow His people with His glory; to bless His people with showers of blessing especially with peace; to impart an abundance of Joy; to answer prayers for those who pray in sincere faith; to freshly fill His people with His Holy Spirit and with boldness; to send manifestation of the Holy Spirit among His people; to guide His people into all truth through the Holy Spirit; to sanctify His people by His Word and Spirit; to comfort, encourage, and strengthen His people; to convict His people of sin, righteousness, and judgment by the Holy Spirit; and to save sinners who become guilty of immorality at a worship service.
There are hindrances to true worship. Those who claim to be God’s people have assembled for worship is no guarantee that true worship is taking place or that God is accepting their praise and listening to their prayers. If the worship of God is mere form and lip service while their hearts are far from Him, God does not accept their worship. However, we can expect God to draw near us and receive our worship only if our hearts are humble and righteously desire fellowship and a relationship with Him.
Another hindrance to true worship is a lifestyle of compromise, sin, and immorality. However, God’s people can expect Him to draw near and receive their worship only if they have clean hands and a pure heart.