The Doctrine of Worship
Michael Sanders
Mr. Phillip Peterson
Doctrine I
April 11, 2013
Worship Worship as defined is the act of bringing adoration to something or someone. All religions have some form of worship to their deity. As Christians our worship is given to the one true living God, the God whose inspired word is the Bible. Although as humans worshiping a perfect God, Christians do not always worship God the way that He wants them to. Due to our fallen nature humans focus on themselves; we are self-centered, self-gratifying, self-indulgent, prideful, and arrogant. Most believe that we can bring ourselves to Gods level; some think that if we “worship” in a certain way we can please Him through certain kinds music or certain acts; few understand that the worship that God deserves and desires is that of the heart, completely selfless, honest, and solely focused on God and His attributes. One reason we do not understand “worship” (other than the fact that we have an imperfect nature) is that there is no solid definition for worship. God has included requirements for worship throughout the Bible; however a lot of Christians do not understand the significance of what God is saying. Once one can get passed one’s own self and see what God has defined worship as, then they can apply it to their lives. Worship is not just one specific action, worship is the way that we as humans communicate and bring glory to the God of our salvation. Worship is emotional, it is spiritual, it is honest, humble and contrite, and it is imaginative. Worship is something that should not be thought of lightly, nor is it something that should be turned off and on, it is intimate and it is continual. To begin to understand what worship is and what it means to us and to God, first consider what “worship” is defined as. The Oxford describes “worship” as this “n. 1a homage or reverence paid to a deity. b acts, rites, or ceremonies of worship. 2 adoration or devotion (worship of wealth)… v. 1 tr. adore as
Mr. Phillip Peterson
Doctrine I
April 11, 2013
Worship Worship as defined is the act of bringing adoration to something or someone. All religions have some form of worship to their deity. As Christians our worship is given to the one true living God, the God whose inspired word is the Bible. Although as humans worshiping a perfect God, Christians do not always worship God the way that He wants them to. Due to our fallen nature humans focus on themselves; we are self-centered, self-gratifying, self-indulgent, prideful, and arrogant. Most believe that we can bring ourselves to Gods level; some think that if we “worship” in a certain way we can please Him through certain kinds music or certain acts; few understand that the worship that God deserves and desires is that of the heart, completely selfless, honest, and solely focused on God and His attributes. One reason we do not understand “worship” (other than the fact that we have an imperfect nature) is that there is no solid definition for worship. God has included requirements for worship throughout the Bible; however a lot of Christians do not understand the significance of what God is saying. Once one can get passed one’s own self and see what God has defined worship as, then they can apply it to their lives. Worship is not just one specific action, worship is the way that we as humans communicate and bring glory to the God of our salvation. Worship is emotional, it is spiritual, it is honest, humble and contrite, and it is imaginative. Worship is something that should not be thought of lightly, nor is it something that should be turned off and on, it is intimate and it is continual. To begin to understand what worship is and what it means to us and to God, first consider what “worship” is defined as. The Oxford describes “worship” as this “n. 1a homage or reverence paid to a deity. b acts, rites, or ceremonies of worship. 2 adoration or devotion (worship of wealth)… v. 1 tr. adore as
Bibliography: Wiersbe, Warren W. Real Worship: Playground, Battleground, or Holy Ground? Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2000. Print. Kauflin, Bob. "Defining Worship, Pt. 1." Worship Matters. Sovereign Grace Ministries, 04 Nov. 205. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. <http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/11/04/defining-worship/>. Peterson, Andrew. "THE IMMERSED IMAGINATION, PART 1: THE INNER CHAMBER." Andrew Peterson. Andrew Peterson and Centricity Music, 06 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.andrew-peterson.com/blog/the-immersed-imagination-part-1-the-inner-chamber>. Peterson, Andrew. "THE IMMERSED IMAGINATION, PART 2: THE INNER VISION." Andrew Peterson. Andrew Peterson and Centricity Music, 07 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.andrew-peterson.com/blog/the-immersed-imagination-part-2-the-inner-vision>. Peterson, Andrew. "THE IMMERSED IMAGINATION, PART 3: THE INNER SPIRIT."Andrew Peterson. Andrew Peterson and Centricity Music, 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.andrew-peterson.com/blog/the-immersed-imagination-part-3-the-inner-spirit>. Driscoll, Mark. "6 BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES FOR CORPORATE WORSHIP." The Resurgence. Resurgence, 06 Mar. 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. <http://theresurgence.com/2011/03/06/6-biblical-principles-for-corporate-worship>. Shifferd, Scott, Jr. "The Biblical Definition of Worship – Part 1." The Biblical Definition of Worship – Part 1 The Biblical Definition of Worship (2009): n. pag. Seeing Gods Breath. 28 Sept. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://godsbreath.net/2009/09/28/worship-definition-part-1/>. Shifferd, Scott, Jr. "The Biblical Definition of Worship – Part 2." The Biblical Definition of Worship - Part 2 The Biblical Definition of Worship (2009): n. pag. Seeing Gods Breath. 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://godsbreath.net/2009/10/27/worship-definition-part-2/>. Shifferd, Scott, Jr. "The Biblical Definition of Worship – Part 3." The Biblical Definition of Worship - Part 3 The Biblical Definition of Worship (2009): n. pag. Seeing Gods Breath. 29 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://godsbreath.net/2009/10/29/worship-definition-part-3/>. McBuba, Michael. "INTIMACY WITH GOD THROUGH WORSHIP." Weblog post. People Get Ready. N.p., 14 Apr. 2013. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. <http://peoplegetready.org/worship/intimacy-god-worship/>.