Worshiping God as a way of Life

By Peter Garich

 

While doing my graduate studies I attended a class on worship. In reading an overview of the course work I noticed that the class was designed to study the theological aspects of worship, but not how to worship—as in actually practicing it. There wasn’t any real time set aside for the act or acts of worshiping the Lord. For instance: gestures such as singing and praising God (with hand up or down) were not part of the course. No thought was given to allowing us to participate in corporate worship, as done in a Church service (whether at the university or on an out of class experience in a local Church). To most of us this seemed a little strange. We thought that any true study of worship should have as its objective not only the biblical study of worship, but also its practice. It seems reasonable that in order to study worship we should do it as well—not only being students of the Biblical worship, but participants in its practice.

In studying the theology of worship we looked at the specific words used for worship—both in the old and new testaments, and in the original languages. We studied the context of worship—how worship was expressed in its historical and cultural milieu. We explored, in-depth, who was and should be worshiped as taught and commanded in God’s word—only God is worthy of our worship and therefore is to be worshiped. And lastly, we examined the Scriptures to see who or what is not to be worshiped—Scripture states that no man or man made thing is to be worshiped, PERIOD (Exodus 20: 1-3).  But again, what was missing was the opportunity for our class—the people who were there to both learn about as well as worship God—to actually put our studies to use and lift our hearts, hands and minds to the Lord in an offering of praise. In the class we would not use our voices, or the sound of the trumpet, or the harp, lyre or strings, or praise Him with the tambourine, the clashing of the cymbals, or with dancing, as David did when he returned to the city of his God (Psalm 150:1-6). Inherent in David’s words is the call to not just study worship with our minds, but to practice worship with our hearts, and hands and everything else we have. Yes the study of worship in God’s word is absolutely necessary so our minds will be renewed, but the practice of worship from our very souls in also necessary so that our lives will reflect and express the glory that is do to Him alone. We see this in the last verse of Psalms 150.  David ends by saying, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” In his final thoughts I don’t believe David was saying that animals were to lift up their voices and “praise the Lord”, but PEOPLE (His people) were to give God glory and praise with their whole beings. It was people who were made in the image of God and it is people (those who He has called out to be His own) who have within their hearts the absolute need to worship Him.

Worship is not an option, nor just a command, but the worship of God is a deep abiding need that we all have. God has placed eternity within our hearts and if we don’t cry out to praise and glorify His most sovereign and holy name then the rocks will.  A life, let alone a class, should and must be about the continual practice of giving God the glory that is due Him. Everyday we should, and yes, we MUST look at our every breathing moment as a gift from our sovereign Savior and worship Him. 

There are three aspects I want to explore this month, as we look deeper into the worship.  First: we must understand what it means to worship God Biblically—having a true Scriptural knowledge of worship. Second: we must know what it is to worship God practically—expressing our worship for God in outward ways that are whole hearted. And third: we must grasp what it is to worship God in its totality—to worship God from both our heads and our hearts, with our whole being and in every aspect of our lives.

I) Biblical Worship:

Biblical worship should be self-explanatory: worship that’s biblical is founded in Scripture. Worship that’s Biblical takes its definition—broadly and specifically—from the Word of God. It’s not enough to “feel” like we know what worshiping God is, we must know what God Himself says is true worship. The ONLY place we know for sure what God says is true worship is from His Word. The Scriptures are the final word on worship.  Sometimes we will see expressions of what some might call worship or praise but in fact prove to be nothing more then the misguided ideas of men. These ideas and expressions of what those people “feel” is worship can be seen best for what they are in light of God’s Word. For example, divisive element of false and unbiblical“worship”, such as the self-centered misuse of the gifts—tongues and prophecy—was evident in the Church at Corinth and can be seen today. Through these problems we can learn much about identifying and correcting unbiblical worship as well as learning from Scripture what is the true expression of godly worship. From Paul‘s letters of correction to the Believers in Corinth we can see how even the gifts we receive from God—gifts given to bring Him glory—can be abused. All good gifts that God gives to the Church can be used as a sweet fragrance of praise and worship or as nothing more then endeavors of self-centeredness.  The difference lies in a clear understanding of what Scripture teaches about the true nature of worship and then practicing it. Our worship is only as sweet and holy to the Lord as it is biblical. Because if it’s not according to Scripture then it not acceptable to the Lord.

II) Practical Worship:

Worship that’s practical is worship that’s relational and comes from the heart—a deep desire to love God and others. It begins in my head, moves to my heart and then expresses itself in blessing those around me. Worshiping God touches the lives of others so that they too can encounter Him. We worship our Lord when we willingly, and even unwillingly, love others. This is what I mean by worship is relational. We were created to have relationship with God and with the people of God.  This also encompasses those outside the family of God for they too need Him and must worship Him. We can’t say we love and worship God if we can’t and don’t love others.

Worship is also relational because it should be experienced and expressed with others. We are the body of Christ and the body blesses God when it comes together in biblical unity and worships Him in Spirit and in truth. By “In Spirit” I mean that we are united together through the Holy Spirit for the purpose of corporate ministry—this is corporate worship. In corporate ministry we are exercising the gifts God gives us in an expression of love that ministers God’s grace. This brings Him glory. By “in truth” I mean that we are worshiping Him by ministering to one another in accordance with His Word—this too is an offering of praise. There is a biblical way to minister and it follows the teachings of God’s Word. Following the Spirit in acts of biblical ministry is our reasonable and spiritual act of praise—it’s offering our bodies as a living sacrifice of worship (Rm. 12: 1-2).

III) Total Worship:

Worship that is total gives God all the praise and glory due Him. It’s using our heads and hearts—all we are—as we express it in every area of our lives. It’s both a biblical knowledge of worship and a practical expression of worship. It evolves our personal relationship with God—living a life of love and praise toward Him—and it evolves our personal relationships with others—living a life of love and ministry toward them. Speaking in somewhat human terms, true worship cannot just be“head knowledge”. It can’t be were we know all about what the Bible says about worship but we don’t practice it. Head knowledge is where we think allot about what worship is but we don’t experience and express it to God. It’s the failure of not singing praises to the King, while we sit in silence and meditate on His holiness–a holiness that deserves our praise of Him. No matter what we are going through–either good or bad, up or down– we are commanded to worship Him and exclaim, “You are worthy to be praised oh Lord for you are glorious and gracious in all your ways.” We also fail to show God how much we love Him when, because of that “bad day”, we fall short of giving Him our worship. This is ungodliness because we are disobeying His word  and disregarding the love we have for Him that woos our hearts to praise Him no matter what we are experienceing in life. It’s knowing what’s right and not doing it. This is a lack of worship to a Father who loves us and it‘s sin. 

And lastly worship can’t be true if it’s not total in its horizontal application. If we don’t love others more then our selves then we are not worshiping God. If we deem our needs as greater then the needs of our brothers and sisters then we are primarily worshipers of self over God.  Jesus said that people would see the love we have for Him by the love we show for others.

Now let’s make the most of every opportunity we have—for who He is and what He does–and practice what we know is holy worship, worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth.  And that’s WORSHIP!! 

Blessing upon you all,

Peter Garich