What is Worship?
The titular question may appear to have an obvious answer. Nearly everyone knows worship concerns God; yet, worship frequently focuses on human beings rather than God. Popular music and emotional scenery occupies the focus in many churches around the world. These items serve as distractions. More than that, they were introduced by human beings, not by God. If this is not worship, then what does it entail?
Worship is the submission of human beings to God. Because God is the One being worshiped, He dictates how He wants it to be done. Jesus Christ taught the Samaritan woman at the well on the subject of true worship.
"Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.'" (John 4:21-24, New King James Version).
In this teaching Jesus shows us that worship must be done in both spirit and truth. The simple meaning of Jesus' statement is that worship must be informed by the truth that is revealed by the Holy Spirit in the word of God. Therefore, to know how God expects us to worship Him, we must consult His word for answers.
Worship is the submission of human beings to God. Because God is the One being worshiped, He dictates how He wants it to be done. Jesus Christ taught the Samaritan woman at the well on the subject of true worship.
"Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.'" (John 4:21-24, New King James Version).
In this teaching Jesus shows us that worship must be done in both spirit and truth. The simple meaning of Jesus' statement is that worship must be informed by the truth that is revealed by the Holy Spirit in the word of God. Therefore, to know how God expects us to worship Him, we must consult His word for answers.
How Do We Worship?
We have established that worship is about God. For that reason God tells us how we must worship Him. We find His teachings on the matter in the Scriptures. One of the most recognizable items of worship is prayer. The Scriptures speak of prayer as an item of worship.
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:1-2, New King James Version).
In this context, the apostle Paul speaks of the public assembly. As a spokesperson of God, he teaches us that prayer is an integral part of worship. At the Madisonville church of Christ, we emphasize prayer in all our assemblies. In fact, we set aside the third Wednesday of each month to an hour-long prayer service. Please visit our page on this service for more information.
Another important item of worship is song. The Scriptures speak of singing in the assembly as a major part of our worship.
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19, New King James Version).
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16, New King James Version).
Both texts teach us that we should sing to God and to one another in the assembly. These songs serve to encourage and teach us. The only instrument we use in these songs is our heart. At the Madisonville church of Christ, we do not have mechanical musical instruments to assist our worship. We believe the Scriptures require us to sing without their accompaniment.
Teaching and preaching is a component of worship as well. Not just any teaching or preaching will suffice, however. The Scriptures indicate that the proclamation of the word of God must be done in a proper way.
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:2-4, New King James Version).
This text indicates that the truth must be proclaimed. This truth is rooted and grounded in the Scriptures. At the Madisonville church of Christ, our teaching and preaching is solely based on the Bible. We keep personal anecdotes, motivational talks, and other forms of speaking to a minimum so that the word of God remains at the forefront.
The Lord's Supper is a crucial part of our Sunday assemblies. In this Supper we remember Jesus Christ's death on our behalf. Jesus instituted this Supper in the hours before His death.
"And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you'" (Luke 22:18-20, New King James Version).
The two elements of the Supper, the bread and the fruit of the vine, are the elements of which we partake each Sunday. As Jesus taught, the unleavened bread represents His body while the fruit of the vine represents His blood. We continue to observe this memorial so that we proclaim the Lord's death until He returns.
Part of our worship also involves a monetary collection. The funds that we collect assist with the upkeep of the building and other administrative matters, but they ultimately go to seeking lost souls and supplying financial assistance to those in need. The Scriptures teach us that the early church took up a collection each Sunday, which is what we do today.
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come" (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, New King James Version).
We hope that we have explained our worship sufficiently. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us. We earnestly desire to answer your questions and hear your feedback.
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:1-2, New King James Version).
In this context, the apostle Paul speaks of the public assembly. As a spokesperson of God, he teaches us that prayer is an integral part of worship. At the Madisonville church of Christ, we emphasize prayer in all our assemblies. In fact, we set aside the third Wednesday of each month to an hour-long prayer service. Please visit our page on this service for more information.
Another important item of worship is song. The Scriptures speak of singing in the assembly as a major part of our worship.
"And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:18-19, New King James Version).
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16, New King James Version).
Both texts teach us that we should sing to God and to one another in the assembly. These songs serve to encourage and teach us. The only instrument we use in these songs is our heart. At the Madisonville church of Christ, we do not have mechanical musical instruments to assist our worship. We believe the Scriptures require us to sing without their accompaniment.
Teaching and preaching is a component of worship as well. Not just any teaching or preaching will suffice, however. The Scriptures indicate that the proclamation of the word of God must be done in a proper way.
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" (2 Timothy 4:2-4, New King James Version).
This text indicates that the truth must be proclaimed. This truth is rooted and grounded in the Scriptures. At the Madisonville church of Christ, our teaching and preaching is solely based on the Bible. We keep personal anecdotes, motivational talks, and other forms of speaking to a minimum so that the word of God remains at the forefront.
The Lord's Supper is a crucial part of our Sunday assemblies. In this Supper we remember Jesus Christ's death on our behalf. Jesus instituted this Supper in the hours before His death.
"And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you'" (Luke 22:18-20, New King James Version).
The two elements of the Supper, the bread and the fruit of the vine, are the elements of which we partake each Sunday. As Jesus taught, the unleavened bread represents His body while the fruit of the vine represents His blood. We continue to observe this memorial so that we proclaim the Lord's death until He returns.
Part of our worship also involves a monetary collection. The funds that we collect assist with the upkeep of the building and other administrative matters, but they ultimately go to seeking lost souls and supplying financial assistance to those in need. The Scriptures teach us that the early church took up a collection each Sunday, which is what we do today.
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come" (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, New King James Version).
We hope that we have explained our worship sufficiently. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us. We earnestly desire to answer your questions and hear your feedback.