Worship is a central part of the Christian faith. The Bible teaches that worship is the proper response to God for who He is and what He has done. True worship is reverent submission and adoration directed towards God. Here is an overview of the meaning and purpose of Christian worship according to the Bible:
The Object of Christian Worship
The Bible teaches that only God is worthy of worship. Jesus said “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:10). God alone is the eternal, infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, completely holy Creator of the universe. He is infinitely beyond and above all of creation. As the supreme being, God alone deserves our worship (Revelation 4:11).
While faithful believers can be highly esteemed (Philippians 2:29), only God is to be worshipped. The apostles Peter and Paul both refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26, 14:13-15). The Bible condemns the worship of idols, angels, heavenly bodies, and human beings (Exodus 20:3-6; Colossians 2:18; Revelation 22:8-9). Attempting to worship anyone or anything other than the one true God is idolatry.
The Necessity of Worshipping God
Worship is not optional for Christians. We were created to worship God and find our greatest joy and fulfillment when we live for His glory. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 when He said, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only’” (Matthew 4:10). Worship is a matter of right priorities – God deserves first place in our lives. Jesus said the greatest commandment is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Wholehearted worship of God includes things like:
- Praising Him (Psalm 150)
- Praying to Him (Psalm 95:6)
- Giving generously for His work (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Living in obedience to His Word (1 Samuel 15:22)
- Being devoted to fellowship with His people (Hebrews 10:25)
- Thanking Him for all His blessings (Psalm 92:1)
- Consecrating all areas of our lives to Him (Romans 12:1)
Worship is the ultimate purpose for which we were created and an essential expression of saving faith in God (Hebrews 11:6). It brings glory and pleasure to God while also nourishing our own souls.
The Characteristics of True Worship
Worship that is pleasing to God is offered with the right heart attitude and actions. Here are some important characteristics of genuine, biblical worship:
- Focused on God – True worship centers on glorifying God for who He is, not fulfilling our own desires or needs (Psalm 95:6-7).
- Done in spirit and truth – Worship engages both our spirit and our mind. It is sincere and also doctrinally sound (John 4:24).
- Reverent – There is an awe and awareness of God’s greatness, holiness, and majesty (Psalm 95:6; Hebrews 12:28).
- Joyful – Worship expresses love, delight, gratitude, and gladness in God (Psalm 100:2).
- Humble – There is no room for pride or calling attention to self in true worship (Psalm 95:6).
- Surrendered – We yield our wills to God’s desires in worship (Romans 12:1).
- Obedient – True worship leads to obedience and righteous living (Romans 12:1).
These attitudes characterize genuine worship of God. He seeks worshippers who approach Him on His terms and according to His Word.
The Role of Praise in Worship
One major aspect of worship is praise. Praise is giving adoring, exultant honor and glory to God for who He is and what He has done. The book of Psalms provides many examples of exuberant praise to God. Reasons to praise God include:
- His salvation – We praise God for His free gift of redemption from sin through Christ (Ephesians 1:6).
- His goodness – Everything good in our lives comes from God’s gracious hand (James 1:17).
- His mercy – God has not dealt with us as we deserve but has shown us grace (Psalm 138:2).
- His power – He sustains the universe by His mighty strength (Psalm 66:5-7).
- His holiness – God is completely pure, righteous, and set apart from all evil (Psalm 99:3,5).
- His love – While we were sinners, Christ died for us. This is God’s great love (Romans 5:8).
Praise exalts God for who He is – including His eternal power and divine nature which are clearly revealed in creation (Romans 1:20). Our awesome Creator deserves our continual praise and adoration.
The Place of Prayer in Worship
Prayer is a vital part of worship. Through prayer we communicate with God, bringing our adoration, confessions, thanksgiving, and requests before Him. Jesus taught that God’s house will be called “a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). Parts of prayer include:
- Praise – We exalt God’s greatness and accomplishments (Psalm 34:1-3).
- Confession – We transparently acknowledge our sins before God (1 John 1:9).
- Thanksgiving – We thank God for His abundant blessings and daily care (Psalm 100:4-5).
- Supplication – We bring our needs and requests to God (Philippians 4:6).
- Intercession – We pray for others’ needs before God (1 Timothy 2:1).
Prayer demonstrates dependence on God, draws us close to Him, and aligns our will with His purposes. Pouring out our hearts to God should be part of our regular worship.
Singing as an Act of Worship
Singing praises to God is commanded repeatedly in Scripture as an integral part of worship. Ephesians 5:19 instructs us to “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” Through worship music we thank and praise God, teach sound doctrine, admonish one another, and express our emotions to the Lord.
The book of Psalms contains many songs that were part of Israel’s worship. Many modern worship songs continue in this tradition of singing Scripture-rich texts. Singing engages our intellect and emotions in worship. As we reflect on who God is and what He has done, joyful praise naturally flows out. Our sovereign Creator is worthy of our highest praise in song.
The Necessity of Living in Obedience
True worship goes beyond singing songs and saying prayers – it transforms how we live. We cannot worship God in spirit while living for worldly passions (1 John 2:15-17). Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of those who honor God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him (Mark 7:6).
If worship does not lead to obedience, it is vain. Amos 5:21-24 shows that God hates festivals and music when His people live wicked lives. Rather than empty rituals, God desires justice, righteousness, and care for the vulnerable to flow from lives of worship. Romans 12:1 teaches that we are to offer our whole selves to God as “living sacrifices” in worship. True worship transforms every aspect of our lives.
Gathering for Worship
While we are to worship God at all times, Scripture gives special emphasis to gathering with other believers for focused times of worship. The longest book in the Bible, the Psalms, contains many exhortations to worship God corporately. Psalm 95:6 declares, “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Hebrews 10:25 warns against neglecting meeting together.
Christian worship services typically include elements like prayer, Bible teaching, confession of faith through creeds, communion, baptisms, musical praise, and fellowship. Gathering with the church to worship allows us to encourage each other and express our unified devotion to God.
Proper Worship Directs People to Christ
Worship in both Old and New Testament times pointed people to Christ. The sacrificial system graphically portrayed the seriousness of sin and foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-4). The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus on the Passover to commemorate His death on our behalf. True worship glorifies Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Revelation 5:9-14). Any form of worship which detracts from the centrality of Jesus Christ distorts the biblical pattern.
Worship Requires Regeneration
True worship of God is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Nicodemus, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3). In God’s presence, Isaiah was convicted of his sinfulness (Isaiah 6:1-5). Only those cleansed from sin can worship a holy God. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and gives new life in Christ (Titus 3:5). Worship then becomes the natural response to God’s amazing grace.
Eternity Will Be Filled with Worship
Worship does not end when this life is over. The book of Revelation provides glimpses of future heavenly worship which will last for eternity. The angels never stop worshipping God with praise like “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8). The twenty-four elders fall down before Him and cast their crowns before His throne (Revelation 4:10).
Heaven’s worship will include “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). With sin and suffering banished, we will be able to worship God perfectly for the first time. Our eternal destiny is to always be in God’s presence, beholding His glory and declaring, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power” (Revelation 4:11).
Key Principles
In summary, here are some key biblical principles about the meaning of Christian worship:
- Worship is the proper response to God’s revelation of Himself.
- Only God is inherently worthy of worship.
- Worship should engage our whole being – spirit, emotions, mind, and will.
- Sincere attitudes of reverence, joy, humility, and surrender characterize true worship.
- Praise, prayer, singing, obedience, and gathering with God’s people are key parts of worship.
- True worship centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
- Worship requires regeneration through the Holy Spirit.
- We were created to worship God and will do so eternally.
The meaning of Christian worship is to humbly adore God for His supreme glory and give thanks for His grace. As sinful creatures, we can only approach our thrice-holy Creator on the basis of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. By God’s Spirit, may we grow in lives of wholehearted worship to the praise of His glory.