Worship:  What Is It?

Worship in the Old Testament

The word “worship” in the OT is often associated with:

• animal sacrifice

1 Sam. 1:3, “Now this man would go up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the Lord there.”

• bowing down

Gen. 24:26, “Then the man bowed low and worshiped the Lord.”

Exodus 4:31, “So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord ^[a]was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.”

• speaking or singing praise to God

2 Chron. 7:3, All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord, saying, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

2 Chron. 29:27-28, “Then Hezekiah gave the order to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord also began with the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David, king of Israel. While the whole assembly worshiped, the singers also sang and the trumpets sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.”

Worship in the New Testament

1. The word “worship” in the NT is “proskuneo.” Pros = toward. Kuneo = to kiss.  It is to turn towards to kiss. It has been likened to the dog that licks the hand of his master.

2. The anglo-saxon word “worthship” was the forerunner of worship. It is to ascribe worth to God.

3. In the NT, the word “worship” is connected with these themes:

• To fall down before God (Christ):

Mt. 2:11 “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they ^[a]fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Rev.4:10, “the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they ^[a]existed, and were created.”

• To serve God (Christ):

Mt.4:10, “ Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”

Rom.1:25,  ^“For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

• To confess the truth about God:

Mt.14:33, “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”

• To present your bodies to God to do His will:

Rom.12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

4. The word acceptable is often used in the NT to speak of worship of God. (Rom.12:1)

• 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

What is worship?  Consecrating all of your life to God.

• 14:13-18, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.”

What is worship?  Loving our brother! Being sensitive to a weaker brother and determining that you will not do anything to stumble him in his faith.

• Romans 15:16, “But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

What is worship?  Evangelism. Paul’s preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles.

• Ephesians 5:8-10, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”

What is worship?  Manifesting goodness, righteousness and truth in your life.

• 4:18, “But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”

What is worship?  Giving of our money.

• 1 Timothy 2:2, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior”

What is worship?  Prayer for and submission to governing leaders

• Hebrews 13:15-16, “Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

What is worship?  Praise, thanks, doing good, sharing.

Conclusion

How would you summarize what worship is?

Write an “I will” statement.

Who will you share these truths with this week?

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