Worship like Jesus
I want to challenge you to worship like Jesus. Some people know God intimately and some people know about God, and it doesn’t matter which category you fall into but what does matter is your heart posture towards an all mighty and all loving God. Worship is an opportunity for us to draw closer to God and for us to allow God to draw closer to us. Jesus demonstrated to us the importance of worship and how we can worship.
In Luke 4:8, Jesus says as part of His response to the devil during the temptation in the wilderness, "It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve’". This verse occurs during a moment when the devil is tempting Jesus to worship him in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus' response is significant for several reasons:
1. Affirmation of God's Authority:
By quoting this verse, Jesus emphasizes the fundamental biblical principle that God alone is worthy of worship and service.
2. Scriptural Authority:
Jesus begins His response with "It is written," which shows His reliance on Scripture as the ultimate authority, even when confronted with temptation.
3. Rejection of Idolatry:
The devil's temptation is a form of idolatry, offering power and glory in exchange for worship. Jesus' refusal and His citation of this verse underscore the rejection of any form of idolatry, reinforcing that worship and service are due to God alone.
In essence, this verse highlights Jesus' commitment to God's will and His rejection of any temptation that would lead Him away from absolute devotion to God.
While we can think of worship as something simple, it is also profound and deeply meaningful. Worship reflects the believer’s relationship with God and their understanding of their place in the world. The Bible has much to say about worship, emphasizing its importance, the proper attitude and approach. Here are some key biblical teachings about worship:
Worship God Alone
Exclusive Worship. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that worship should be directed to God alone. This is a foundational principle found throughout Scripture.
Exodus 20:3-5 “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image... You shall not bow down to them or serve them."
Luke 4:8: "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
Worship in Spirit and Truth
Authentic Worship. Jesus teaches that true worship must be done in "spirit and truth," meaning that it must be sincere, heartfelt, and aligned with God's revealed truth.
John 4:23-24: "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Worship with Reverence and Awe
Holy and Respectful Worship. Worship is to be conducted with a sense of reverence, acknowledging the holiness and majesty of God.
Hebrews 12:28: "Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe."
Psalm 95:6: "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!"
Worship Through Obedience and Righteous Living
Lifestyle Worship. The Bible teaches that worship is not limited to rituals or ceremonies but includes how we live our lives. Obedience to God's commandments and living righteously are forms of worship.
Romans 12:1: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Micah 6:6-8: "With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?... He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Worship Through Music and Praise
Joyful Worship. Music, singing, and praising God are frequently mentioned as key aspects of worship in the Bible.
Psalm 100:1-2: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"
Ephesians 5:19: "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."
Worship with a Pure Heart
Inner Purity. The Bible stresses that God desires worship from a pure and sincere heart.
Psalm 24:3-4: "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully."
Corporate Worship
Community Worship: The Bible emphasizes the importance of gathering for worship as a community of believers.
Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Acts 2:42: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."
Sacrificial Worship
Sacrifice in Worship. In the Old Testament, worship often involved sacrifices, symbolizing devotion, repentance, and thanksgiving to God. In the New Testament, Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, and believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices, meaning they are offering themselves to God’s will for their life.
Hebrews 13:15-16: "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good pleasing and perfect will.
There is so much more that can be written on worship, but at the core, you can ask yourself, how is my heart postured towards God in the time I worship? Am I leaning into God, am I surrendering all to God’s will for my life? Am I worshiping heartfeltly because I know he is a good Father? Worship is a multifaceted and integral part of the believer’s life, involving both personal devotion and communal activities, and encompassing attitudes, actions, and a way of life that honors and glorifies God.
Father God,
I come before you today, humbling myself to your will,
Thank you for always pursing me, help me to stay focused on pursing you.
Lord, I pray that these words touch the heart of the one they are meant for.
I pray that lives are changed through drawing closer to you.
Lord your word says it never returns void, therefore we can find our hearts filled by you and in you.
And God, I thank you for all the love and grace you have given us. As we worship you today through this prayer, may eyes and ears be opened to your love and holiness.
Through Christ Jesus,
Amen