What is Worship?

1. What isWorship? Lesson 2 “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2)

2. The Attraction of Worship Worship is the avenue through which we may honor and draw close to our loving God – the One who has created us, sustains us, and blesses us beyond our reckoning. Worship enables us to go into the presence of God to seek help for the cares of this life. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

3. Defining Worship • Worship is Hard To Define. • It is not formally defined in Scripture—it is shown, but not explained. • The primary Old Testament term translated “worship” means “to bow down… to prostrate oneself”

4. There are several Greek words translated “Worship” in the New Testament • Προσκυνέω (proskuneo) -- meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand; to fawn or crouchto, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (doreverence to, adore): - worship. • Found in John 4:24; 9:38; Acts 8:27; 1 Cor. 14:25; Revelation 4:10; 5:14 and elsewhere. Λατρεύω (latreuo)From λάτρις (a hired menial); to minister (to God), that is, render religious homage: - serve, do the service, worship (-per). • Found in Philippians 3:3 and elsewhere; most often translated “serve.” Note the connection with proskuneo in Matthew 4:10. • Σέβομαι (sebomai) -- to revere, that is, adore: - devout, religious, worship. • Found in Acts 16:14; 18:7.

5. Defining Worship “The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. A consideration of the above verbs shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgment.”– W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

6. Worship is Sacred • Many people do not recognize the sanctity of certain things. • To them, holy things are common. This is profanity! • Such a casual attitude toward God causes us to lose sight of His holiness and majesty. • We must not treat God’s holiness as something common! (Hebrews 10:29; 12:28) • God seeks intimate fellowship with us, but what do we need to remember as we approach Him in worship? (see Psalm 8:3-4; 89:7; Ecclesiastes 5:1)

7. Worship is Spiritual Exercise • It is an exercise of the mind and heart, more than just an action of the body. • How is each of the following expressions of worship an exercise of the inward man? • Singing (Ephesians 5:19) • Partaking of the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) • Prayer (1 Peter 4:7; Romans 15:30)

8. Worship is Man’s Link to God • Worship transports us from this earthly realm to the heavenly. • It conveys us into the company of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 4:15-16). • In what manner can we now “draw near” to God (Hebrews 10:19-22)? • Why do we come before Him (1 Peter 2:5)?

9. Worship is Man’s Gift to God • God is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17). • Everything we have received already belongs to Him (1 Chronicles 29:14). • He doesn’t need anything from us, because He has given us “all things” (Acts 17:25). • How is worship the one thing which comes from us—which we can give back to God (Hebrews 13:15)?

10. Worship is the Expression of an Adoring Heart • How we worship God reflects our impression of God (Psalm 98:1-4). • How we worship God reflects our thankfulness (Hebrews 13:15; Ephesians 5:19-20; Philippians 4:6-7).

11. Worship Proclaims our Dependence on God • Worship is always offered to a greater being from a lesser being. • God does not need our worship (Acts 17:24-25) but He does seek it as an expression of our love and communion with Him (John 4:23-24).