An Exposition on Worship by Gene Filio

An Exposition on Worship

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” (Matthew 4:10)

A.W. Tozer in his book Worship: The Missing Jewel wrote, “It is delightful to worship God, but it is also a humbling thing; and the man who has not been humbled in the presence of God will never be a worshipper of God at all. He may be a church member who keeps the rules and obeys the discipline, and who tithes and goes to conference, but he’ll never be a worshipper unless he is deeply humbled.”

Worship and Service

Worship and service are two distinct concepts with two different meaning. Although closely related, should not be confused as synonymous terms. However, many modern translations failed to make clear the difference. It is therefore very important that we understand what this entails. The basic meaning of the word “Worship” is to express, by word or by bowing down, profound and submissive respect or adoration. It carried with it the idea of subjects falling down to kiss the ground before a king or kiss their feet. On the other hand, the root meaning of “Service”- is service rendered for hire. It is used for the carrying out of religious duties by human beings. We see the picture of Levites doing their official service inside the Temple. In Matthew 4:10 “worship” and “service” were used together in the same sentence conveying the idea that the words were expressing different thoughts. It has been said: “All worship may be said to be service to God, but not all service rendered to God is worship.”

The Focus of Worship

Worship is God centered. True worship begins with a deep respect or reverence for God, a frame of heart, an attitude. Worship is a conscious glorification of God flowing from an inner attitude of lowly submission to His authority and awe at His majesty. This glorification can be expressed by prostration and by words. Since God can hear the thoughts of the heart, the words do not have to be audible. Since God can see through the hearts of man, the action may refer to contrition of the heart and/or the humbling of the spirit. In worship man takes his proper place, with his face to the ground and God is acknowledged for who He is: the Creator, Redeemer and King. When God is confessed in this way, our whole life, attitude, world-view and perspective on all things will be radically changed. Millard Erickson wrote, “In the pictures of heaven in the Book of Revelation and elsewhere, the people of God are represented as recognizing and declaring the greatness of God. It is appropriate that the church, which belongs to God, praise and glorify God. The church must center its attention upon who and what God is, not upon itself. It aims at appropriately expressing who and what He is, not at satisfying its own feelings.”

Service to God

Service to God in the New Testament can be summed up into three main categories:

First, Worship attributed mainly to the glorification of God.

Second, is the Edification of the believers. This involves; Instruction and Fellowship. Both of which are intended primarily to believers, for the believers and among the believers. It is imperative for believers to be instructed in the word and find growth in faith in the assembly of the church. This is where the interaction of worshippers takes place. In Ephesians 4:12 Paul said that God has given various gifts to the church for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the building up of the body of Christ. Believers are to grow up in Christ.

Lastly, is the Conversion of the soul. This involves; Evangelism and Social Concern. Both activities technically are towards the unbelievers and outside the sphere of the church but instances may demand are also needed by some inside the church. The believers were tasked to undertake to bring the gospel to all people everywhere and anywhere.

All worship may be said to be service to God, but not all service rendered to God is worship.

To God be the Glory!