Worship

When a lot of Christians think of worship they think of music, probably Hillsongs. Is that what it’s all about? Is that what God is really looking for from us? In this study we glance back over the Old Testament to see what God really required of His people…

The English word worship comes from the Old English “worthscipe”, meaning to at tribute worthiness and devotion, OR pay homage to. To worship is to recognise and express how worthy God is. Check out Revelation 5:9-14

What do you think it means to worship God?

Abraham Genesis 12:7-8, 22:1-18 » Back in the OT, worship usually required sacrifice. It was hard work or it really cost you something. When Abraham worshipped he built an altar or monument dedicated to God, or he offered the sacrifice of a lamb as a burnt offering. To worship cost you time and labour, and it hit you in the pocket too.

Did you know that sacrificing money to God can be a way to worship Him? Think about that the next time the offering bag goes around at church or an appeal for sponsor kids or a missionary comes up.

David » King David is known as a great and creative worshipper. He wrote most of the Psalms that have been rendered into so many of our worship songs today but he expressed his adoration and reverence to God in other ways too…

2 Samuel 6:12-14 » David was so overcome with joy that the presence of God was coming to his city that he danced passionately before the Lord (in my head it might have looked a lot like krumping). God has made us all with different ways of expressing ourselves. Some sing, some dance, some play music, some paint, some are good with words and write poetry, prose, or rap. There are many different ways to express a heart of worship to God. Sadly, most of our churches only utilise the singing option. That’s something we need to work on, I think. Props for showing us the way, Davo!

What is your most natural form of expression? How do you want to express yourself to God?

Try experimenting with that form in your personal times of worship (yes you can worship on your own!). Maybe there is a better way for you to connect with God. Debrief your experience with a youth leader or friend.

2 Samuel 24:18-25 » David also sacrificed to show God that he respected him, and as an act of obedience. And he refused to let someone else pay for his sacrifice. In David’s theology his worship gift had to cost him and not someone else. His worship had to come from him; his heart and his bank account.

How does worshipping God cost you today? What do you sacrifice?

Paul’s thoughts » The Apostle Paul brings the idea of sacrificial worship into the New Testament when he writes in Romans 12:1 – “…offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Are we really doing this when we sing at church? The worship that Paul speaks of here goes way beyond a jumping, thumping Planetshakers anthem or soulful Parachute ballad.

What do you think it means to offer your body as a living sacrifice?

Jesus told us himself how we can show him that we love him. It turns out he doesn’t ask us to sing to him. In John 14 he says three times: “If you love me, obey my commands.” Obedience, not flattery is what God desires. And that, far more than pretty songs, truly demonstrates we love him. I’m not sure what 40 minutes of obedience time in a Sunday service would look like though.

Colossians 3:16 » The Apostle Paul schools us well in this verse on how to really encounter God when we get together to worship God. He says we should meditate deeply on God’s word; who he is, and what he has done. And then sing with hearts filled with gratitude. As a worship leader, this really challenges me about how little Scripture we soak our people in before we make them sing. God’s word reveals so much of who God is, his character and values; and story after story of legendary miracles he has pulled off to save his people and draw us back to him. The Bible enables us to know who we are worshipping and why he is so worthy of our love and adoration.

Amos 5:23-24, Micah 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:15-16 » God made me musical. I love music, I play music, I write music. I’m a worship leader in my church. Music is one of the special ways that I connect with God. So I love that part of a church service when the band starts up and we begin singing to God. I think of music as the gift-wrapping around an awesome present to God. The real gift to God is not the songs we sing but a truly humble and reverent heart. If we don’t really mean it we’re just making noise. God doesn’t want us to stop singing, he just wants us to mean it and back it up with a lifestyle of justice, righteousness and obedience. That is worship in spirit and truth!

Do the words of the songs we sing at church have any meaning for you? Do you sing them to God or do you just sing them?

In what ways could you worship God with your lifestyle? What can you do to please God each day?

• Psalm 54:6
• Psalm 150
John 4:23-24
• Ephesians 5:19

Sacrificial Worship

In the Old Testament sacrificing certain animals was a way of asking God to forgive sins and a way to worship him.

Burnt offerings (Leviticus 1) were a voluntary act of worship, atonement for unintentional sin, expression of devotion, and complete surrender to God.

Grain offerings (Leviticus 2) were a voluntary act of worship, recognition of God’s goodness and provision; act of devotion to God.

Fellowship offerings (Leviticus 3) were a voluntary act of worship, thanksgiving and fellowship (included a meal).

By Clay McGregor