A blog on Worship

By Don Johnson | July 20, 2017 |

Don Johnson

We’ve highlighted a new blog recently and would like you to take a look at one of their latest offerings:

Worship: It’s More than You Think

You might think this is yet another post on music, but that really isn’t Aaron Berry’s point.

I fear that many of our worship services or events are not true acts of worship at all. Yes, songs are sung, offerings are given, and preaching is heard, but no worship is taking place.

A few key quotes:

We cannot expect our worship to mean anything to God when we’re in an adulterous affair with the world (Jas. 4:4).

You need to read the illustration behind that line. I think it’s powerful.

It’s time to rethink our concept of worship. Worship is a lifestyle, not a music style, and just because you feel close to God during that worship chorus, doesn’t mean you are.

…

The scary part is, we usually don’t realize that our acts of worship are useless. We mistake the feeling of excitement and closeness to God during acts of worship as a sign of spirituality.

The whole piece is well worth your attention. A few more thoughts from me:

Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines worship this way:

WORSHIP—homage rendered to God which it is sinful (idolatry) to render to any created being (Ex. 34:14; Isa. 2:8). Such worship was refused by Peter (Acts 10:25, 26) and by an angel (Rev. 22:8, 9).

In the Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, we find this:

In worship we recognize what is of highest worth—not ourselves, others, or our work, but God. Only the highest divine being deserves our highest respect.

The Nelson’s article goes on to list the following activities of worship:

  • Confession
  • Adoration
  • Praise
  • Thanksgiving
  • Dedicated Action
  • Request

    • Much of this list is related to prayer (but not all). Paul said to the Thessalonians, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5.10). Aaron’s post is largely about a lifestyle of worship, not merely going through the motions (rituals) of worship. Praying without ceasing is, at least, a lifestyle of worship.

    None of us walks closely enough with the Lord. May God help us draw near.

Don Johnson is the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

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1 Comments

  1. Thomas Overmiller on July 20, 2017 at 7:47 am

    I have a similar sentiment:

    I fear that many of our worship services or events are not true acts of worship at all. Yes, songs are sung, offerings are given, and preaching is heard, but no worship is taking place. Sometimes, we’re flat out distracted (http://bit.ly/2abf0XT). Other times, we’re just going through motions or seeking something other than God himself.

    May God help us take steps towards more genuine worship. I’ve witnessed some encouraging things at our church, and others. David Ledgerwood has some excellent, recent thoughts on this subject at http://bit.ly/2sj9Sb4 and http://bit.ly/2tsU3Dt. God bless, and thanks for sharing this.