What Exactly is Worship?

Last night, 12/1/10, we had our Example Student Ministries youth service. We started what looks to be a four-part series on Worship. The idea of nailing down and ingraining worship is so that we can worship God biblically. So, last nights message was titled "What Exactly is Worship?".

So, before we get started with this topic, why don't you (the reader), right now in your head, try to nail down a specific definition of what worship is...

No, really...

O.K. First we are going to look at the Hebrew word used throughout the Old Testament translated "worship". The Hebrew word is "Shachah" (pronounced shaw-khaw). This word means to depress, that is prostrate in homage to royalty or God: bow down, crouch, fall down flat, humbly beseech, make obeisance, do reverence, or make to stoop.

So, I basically had 3 points: Worship As A Lifestyle, You Were Created to Worship God, and Worship Is Not All About You.

So first, Worship As A Lifestyle. We pull this out of Romans 12:1(NIV) which states: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." Worship is not about the songs we sing, the guitar or piano, whether or not we have a praise team or choir (or both); it is about living our lives as a living sacrifice to God. That is, sacrificing our desires and wants and saying "God, use me for your will". "This is your spiritual act of worship" (v. 1). But many times, we hop on and off the altar of God when we offer ourselves...

Next is You Were Created to Worship God. We pull this out of Colossians 1:16 (NIV) which states, "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." I believe the most important part of this passage is found after the semi-colon. It says, "all things were created by him and for him". YOU were created for God! Your purpose for being created was to be a living sacrifice for God; to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, which is your spiritual act of worship. Ever wonder why you can't find purpose in your life? Why don't you try worshiping God by offering your body as a living sacrifice....

And lastly, Worship Is Not All About You! Whew! What a thing to say. You may say, "Duh, Pastor Andrew. I already knew that!" Really? Do you you really know that? I say this because many times, we go to God with this attitude: "What can I get from God today?" Really, we do... When was the last time we went to God to just tell Him how awesome He is! Many times, our prayers consist of me, me, me. We are to worship God just because He is God! That makes Him worthy of our praise!



On a side note, please continue to pray for the youth ministry at Enterprise First Assembly of God. Things are going pretty well. We are moving in the right direction. I am so thankful for your prayers and support. Please remember to pray for this generation that can change culture (if they would just put their minds to it)!





If, after reading this blog, would like to learn more about Jesus, please email me at ajohnson13174@hotmail.com.