What is Worship?

Recently, I have been thinking about the idea of worship mostly because that is the topic I am teaching the 11th and 12th grade Sunday School class at church. Worship, in one sense is not a natural topic for me, particularly given my strikingly poor musical abilities. Recently, my daughter whispered to me during church that I should not sing quite so loud that morning because something was wrong with my voice. Unfortunately, I felt totally fine and thought I was singingly normally. While musical abilities are not always natural for people, the act of worship is the natural response of all Christians as they reflect on who God is and what He has done.

Worship is defined as "the work of acknowledging the greatness of our covenant Lord" (reference John Frame, Worship in Spirit and Truth). This definition has three key aspects to the definition of worship: this includes the concepts of action, adoration, and covenant.

First, worship involves work or "action" of those engaged in worship. Unfortunately, so much of what goes on in our churches, under the guise of worship, is nothing but entertainment. The misguided goal of many is to do whatever it takes to draw a crowd. In the most extreme cases, cars are given away, coupons for free gas, magic shows, are all done in an overt effort to draw a crowd. Many evangelicals evaluate their worship "experience" by merely appraising the performance of others. However, true worship is, by the best definition of the word, "congregational."

Next, what is the content of this work? The work of worship involves the "adoration" of God. We become engaged in worship when we reflect on God and then rightfully adore Him for who He is (i.e., Father-Son-Holy Spirit, perfectly holy, totally righteous, all-powerful, all-good, all-knowing, completely righteous, …) and for what He has done (i.e., creation and redemption). He is truly great in every dimension we can imagine, and even beyond our imagination.

Finally, worship is fundamentally covenantal in that it takes place within the special covenantal relationship that God has cut with his people. It harkens back to the Lord's ancient pledge that "He will be their God and they will be his people." This unshakable relationship that God has entered into with his people involves not just God's promises, which are sufficient, but the astounding realization that God has bound up his promises within an oath.

"Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what has been said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of what was promised he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged." Hebrews 6: 16-18

It is on this sure foundation (i.e., oath bound promise) that we have hope which is a firm and a secure anchor for our soul. Thus sinful as we are - yet, clothed in the alien righteousness of Christ - can boldly enter into the holiest of all places before God. This reality entreats us to worship: an active, engaged adoration of our great covenant keeping Lord!