Sunday, October 26, 2014 am
BACK TO BASICS (34)
Worship - 1
True Worship
Worship is an important subject as it involves how we address and
acknowledge God. It includes
many important elements such as obedience, attitudes, priorities and
authority.
The
subject of worship is a controversial one as the religious world seeks
to define it. Some see
worship as an emotional occasion that is based upon experience.
Others see it as ritualistic form with little interest in the
understanding of what is being done (Catholicism will carry out rituals,
at times done in foreign languages and liturgies), some reason that
everyday activities are worship and seek to casualize the “worship
experience”. All of these
concepts are foreign to scripture.
a.
Worship is a challenge
to define because it involves many things and is used in different ways.
The Bible does not give a clear definition of worship, (e.g.
“Worship is…”) but we find it all throughout its pages, from the early
history to man to its culmination in heaven as recorded in Revelation.
By studying passage about worship, as well as examples of worship
in scripture we can learn how to worship God and how NOT to worship God.
b.
There are several
different words that are translated “worship” both in the Old and New
Testaments. Together these
words give us a good understanding of what worship actually is and what
it involves.
Greek words translated
worship include:
i.
Προσκυνέω (proskuneo) –
“to make obeisance, do reverence toward” (Vine’s) (lit. “to kiss toward”
as one who might kiss the hand as a token of reverence.)
“To express in attitude or gesture one’s complete dependence on or
submission to a high
authority figure” (BDAG)
Almost always, this word is used about 60 times in the New Testament,
almost always in reference to worshipping God.
It is the idea of understanding that you are in the presence of one
greater than you and rendering to Him reverence that He is due,
especially in performing acts directed toward Him.
John 4:24 – we worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Matt. 4:9-10 (one of the times it is used of worshipping the devil, and
the other worshipping God).
Also Heb. 1:6 – angels worship Him, Heb. 11:21 – Jacob worshipped, Rev.
4:10 – 24 elders in heaven worship God; Rev. 5:14 - the four creatures
around the throne worshipped Jesus.
ii.
Σέβω (sebo), which means
to express in gestures, rites and ceremonies one’s allegiance or
devotion to deity (BDAG) (L&N, 53.53)
Matt. 15:9, “in vain they worship Me…”
Acts 16:14, Lydia worshipped Go, Acts 18:7, Justus worshipped God.
Romans 1:25 speaks of those who worshipped and served the creature
rather than the Creator.
iii.
εὐσέβεια, (eusebia)- a
word that means to demonstrate awesome respect toward God, devoutness,
piety; godliness (cf. BDAG)
The word is translated “worship” in Acts 17:23 where it is directed
toward the gods of the Athenians.
While the word is not used in reference to God, it is found some
17 times, most often translated “godliness” (1 Tim. 2:2, 2 Peter 1:3,
6-7). IT DOES demonstrate an
attitude of reverence that is present in TRUE worship.
iv.
Λατρεύω (latreuo) – a
word that primarily means to serve, and is often used in the sense of
rendering religious service.
As worship, it deals with obeying God (doing what He says HOW He says
it) out of reverence toward Him.
Philippians 3:3 says, “For we are the circumcision, who worship God
in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the
flesh,” (Philippians 3:3, NKJV)
“But this I confess
to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship
the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law
and in the Prophets.” (Acts 24:14)
“For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers,
once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.”
(Hebrews 10:2)
“Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written,
‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ””
(Matthew 4:10) NOTE: IT is the
word “serve” that is this Greek word.
I note this passage because we need to understand that as we
worship God we ARE serving Him.
NOTE: There are some today advocating that everything we do is worship
to God. Typically, this is
offered by those who wish to make our worship assemblies less formal.
They point out that sometimes “worship” is defined as “service.”
While worship does involve service, a
study of the use of these words in their context negates this
concept and makes a distinction.
v.
It would do us well to consider these different words as we think about
worshipping God. It TRULY is
fundamental to our faith.
a.
Sacred – it
is a holy act. It is doing
something for God the way He prescribes.
It is a solemn occasion that should be treated with the greatest
of reverence.
Heb. 12:28.
We can see how sacred it is by noting various accounts of worship in
scripture.
i.
The consecration of the
tabernacle –
Exodus 40:34-38, when the tabernacle was completed, the glory of the
Lord filled the tabernacle in the cloud.
This demonstrates the presence of God and show He hallowed the
place. Rules were in
place to demonstrate how sacred it is.
ii.
Nadab and Abihu
– Lev. 10:1-2, they
were burned to death for offering profane fire before God.
We read in vs. 3, “And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the
Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as
holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held
his peace.” (Leviticus 10:3)
iii.
Cain and Abel
– Genesis 4 records
the murder of Abel by his brother Cain.
What led to that was the sacrifices they both offered to God.
God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and rejected Cain’s.
VERY early we learn that God takes worship serious and so should
we.
iv.
Exodus 20:8-11 describes
the Sabbath day, a day the Lord blessed and hallowed.
b.
A way for man to draw
near to God
–
Hebrews 10:22 says, “let us draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water.”
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands,
you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)
A study of the history
of worship demonstrates that it is something God has always demanded as
a way to recognize and appreciate Him.
Since our worship is to be directed toward Him, when we worship Him we
can know that He is pleased with us and we grow to appreciate Him all
the more.
Heb. 13:16 speaks of how our
sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Phil. 4:18 speaks of how Paul had been provided for and described it as
“a sweet-smelling aroma, an
acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
While not dealing directly with our worship, this shows how when
we do what He asks of us (which would include worship), He is pleased
with us.
c.
A way to give back to God – it is an expression of our gratitude for what He has done
for us.
It is not secret that God has abundantly given to us (James 1:17).
David demonstrated an understanding of this when he was receiving
offerings for the building of the temple.
1 Chron. 29:10-19 records his praising God.
In vs. 13-14 we read, ““Now therefore, our God, We thank You
And praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, That
we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come
from You, And of Your own we have given You.” (1 Chronicles
29:13–14) A realization that God
gives us all, and what we return is but a token of our gratitude for His
blessings.
At the threshing floor of Ornan, David is offered everything he needed
to sacrifice to God. He
replies, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will
not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that
which costs me nothing.”” (1 Chronicles 21:24)
As Christians, we
understand this. Because of
grace, which we can NEVER repay, we still ought to want to give back to
Him what we can. ONE way we
do that is through worshipping Him.
Again, Heb. 13:15-16 says, “Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of
our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to
share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
d.
Is deliberate
– worship is something we enter into.
There are some today who say everything we do is worship.
That is not what the Bible teaches.
We find that worship is something that has a beginning and an
end. Israel had feasts they
observed at various times.
They had a beginning and an end.
Heb. 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together
– it indicates a time when we come together.
Acts 20:7, the disciples came together to break bread (the Lord’s
Supper)
1 Cor. 11:17-26 indicates they ought to come together to “eat the Lord’s
Supper”
1 Cor. 16:1-2, speaks of on the first day of the week laying by in
store.
For
today, I leave you with this simple question.
Is your worship in spirit and in truth?