Man, by nature, is a worshipful being. Men everywhere render homage, or pay respect, to higher beings. There has never been a race or tribe of men that did not have some form of worship. We seem to sense the need to worship something.
The Bible teaches that one of mankind's purposes on this earth is to glorify and praise God (1 Corinthians 10:31). This effort on man's part to glorify God is what we mean by worship. Basically, worship denotes heart-felt feelings of love, reverence, and adoration, which are expressed through outward acts.
In the beginning, God commanded mankind to worship Him. This worship has always been sacrificial. God has not always required everyone to offer the same sacrifices, but in every dispensation, He has required some devotional acts on man's part.
Too many times, much that is done in our modern-day church buildings is not worship to God. What is wrong? Could it be that we haven't learned the real meaning of worship, or how to appreciate the same? In this dispensation, as in the others, God specified the acts of worship. In the scriptures, He laid down certain rules for worship, and it is every man's duty to worship in harmony with those rules. Let us study the Bible and examine the God-given rules for acceptable worship.
The divinely specified object of acceptable worship is God Almighty. "The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be His worshippers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23-24) Though men have always worshipped something, they have not always worshipped God. The Apostle John spoke concerning his intention to worship an angel: "I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God." {Revelation 22:9}
The history of man's effort to worship reveals that he often has embraced unscriptural objects of worship. Idolatry was prevalent in the ancient world, and is yet a prevalent error. Even today, those persons who worship a plurality of gods are said to outnumber those who worship the one true God. The greater danger to acceptable worship in this country is not of entering into an idol's temple (such can hardly be found); but men so love the world that material things become gods or idols to them. A man's god is simply whatever is most important to him. Paul teaches that covetousness (the excessive or uncontrolled desire for material things) is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Many men today bow their knee before the god of this world and serve him, rather than the true God.
Many individuals invalidate their worship by rendering it to a man instead of to God Almighty. Many denominations address men by religious titles that rightfully belong only to God. Jesus Christ said, "Call no man father on the earth: for one is your Father, even he who is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9) One example of such religious titles is the use of the term reverend by many religious leaders. The word reverend is a form of the word reverence, which is a synonym for worship. God the Father is the only one who is to be reverenced and worshipped.
Jesus Christ taught that the scriptural type of worship before God is worship that is in truth. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." {John 4:24} With regard to worship, how can we know what truth is? God's word reveals the truth and His pattern for our worship today (John 17:17). If our worship is to be pleasing to God, His word must authorize everything that we preach and practice in our service to Him. "Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name (authority) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." {Colossians 3:17} We worship to offer God our thanks and glory, not to glorify men. In order to glorify God, we must follow His pattern for worship. Man is not free to improvise. God selected and stipulated the acts of worship that He will accept.
The New Testament tells us that shortly after the church was established, the Jerusalem church met together to worship. In Acts 2:42, we read about what that early church did to worship God. Except for singing, which is taught elsewhere, this passage lists the five acts of worship God desires.
- Apostles' Teaching (Preaching)--The early church studied God's word.
- Fellowship (Contribution)--The word fellowship suggests partnership. In this passage, it means joint participation in the giving of funds, thus enabling all members to share in the congregation's work.
- Breaking of Bread (Lord's Supper)--Christians are commanded to partake of the Lord's supper each first day of the week to remember Christ's death until he comes again (1 Corinthians 11:23-30).
- Prayers--The early church offered public prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God. We are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- Singing--The New Testament churches were instructed to praise God in song. "Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:19) In New Testament times, all music offered to God in praise and worship to him was vocal and not instrumental.
Any form of worship unauthorized by the truth of God's word is vain. Jesus said, "This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teachings as their doctrines the precepts of men." (Matthew 15:8-9) Our worship is vain, or empty, and of no benefit unless we follow God's divine pattern.
Jesus Christ said that acceptable worship must be both in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). "In Spirit" means that the worshipper worships with his heart (mind). God does not accept ritualistic, formal worship. We must center our hearts (our minds) on the acts of worship. When God's word is being taught, we must concentrate on the lessons to be learned. When we sing songs of praise to God, we must think about the song's sentiment. When prayer is offered to God, we must be careful to think about the words being spoken. When we as Christians partake of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Christ's death, we must picture in our minds the suffering of Christ and the benefits afforded by his death. Worship should be considered a privilege and a blessing. The Lord has done great things for us. How much are we willing to sacrifice for him?