-
Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Worship?
- Thread starter SolaSaint
- Start date
Tom Butler
New Member
I wish I could remember so I can credit this to the one who first said, "Worship is telling God the truth about himself."
That's not all-encompassing, but it's a good start. In fact, it can encompass several of the elements which we would say are part of worship.
That would include singing, praying, giving tithes and offerings, hearing God proclaimed by the pastor, and even calling men and women to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.
All of those elements can involve telling God the truth about himself, as well as telling others the truth about God.
OldRegular
Well-Known Member
The Apostle Paul tells us one thing that is not worship!
Acts 17:24, 25
24. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25. Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Acts 17:24, 25
24. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25. Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Tom Butler
New Member
Rick, speaking of bringing something to the altar, I know you're speaking figuratively, since there is no such thing in a true New Testament church. It's just another way of demonstrating total commitment to the Lord.
But, sometimes (a little rabbit-chasing here), we risk confusing lost people with the use of such symbolism. How many times have your heard a preacher urge people to "come to the altar?" It's really another way of saying "come down here." And the implication is that if you are lost and want to be saved, that's where you come--down there.
I know my pastor and most preachers who give such an invitation don't mean it that way. But we need to make sure that people don't hear it that way.
But, sometimes (a little rabbit-chasing here), we risk confusing lost people with the use of such symbolism. How many times have your heard a preacher urge people to "come to the altar?" It's really another way of saying "come down here." And the implication is that if you are lost and want to be saved, that's where you come--down there.
I know my pastor and most preachers who give such an invitation don't mean it that way. But we need to make sure that people don't hear it that way.
May I offer this quote" Jesus participated in both temple and synagogue worship but taught that true worship was the love of the heart towards God and which was also offered to God in terms of personal care for others." (Lk 10:25ff; Jn 4:20ff; Jas 1:27.
I can't say who said it...I just have it written in back of Bible. A simple definition is a homage or reverence paid to a Deity.
worship..worth ship
Cheers,
Jim
I can't say who said it...I just have it written in back of Bible. A simple definition is a homage or reverence paid to a Deity.
worship..worth ship
Cheers,
Jim
Tom Butler
New Member
A couple of other thoughts, if I may.
Some of the greatest times of my worship have been when the pastor asks if anyone has a testimony. To hear people rise one by one to tell of God's grace and mercy is tremendously uplifting to me. I've seen it bring a congregation to tears of joy; I've seen people shout, and seen revival break out.
And an observation about the use of the term, "worship experience." To me, worship is not something you have. It's something you do. It can be quite emotional, but that is not the goal. The goal is not a spiritual high. The goal is to to make God the object of what we do and say.
What I see in many worship services are efforts geared toward toward the worship "experience," more than worship itself.
Full confession: I have to admit that I enjoy the spiritual highs. But that's a side benefit, not the main goal. It's not about us, it's about God.
Some of the greatest times of my worship have been when the pastor asks if anyone has a testimony. To hear people rise one by one to tell of God's grace and mercy is tremendously uplifting to me. I've seen it bring a congregation to tears of joy; I've seen people shout, and seen revival break out.
And an observation about the use of the term, "worship experience." To me, worship is not something you have. It's something you do. It can be quite emotional, but that is not the goal. The goal is not a spiritual high. The goal is to to make God the object of what we do and say.
What I see in many worship services are efforts geared toward toward the worship "experience," more than worship itself.
Full confession: I have to admit that I enjoy the spiritual highs. But that's a side benefit, not the main goal. It's not about us, it's about God.
TadQueasy
Member
We bring nothing to the altar. Everything we needed was brought to the altar on our behalf.
Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Tom Butler
New Member
Jim, after all I wrote about worship, you say clearly and succinctly what I was taking so many words to say. He is worthy. Thank you.
Last edited by a moderator:
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
OK we see you missed the point. There is a distinct difference between salvation and everyday living and worship.
Rom_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.
Heb_13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Last edited by a moderator:
Worship can mean different things. If we use the word "worship" to describe a ritual, or something we do during worship service (i.e. collecting the tithe/offering), then it is considered an act of service. The Hebrew word abad (Exo. 3:12; service, work) and the Greek word latreia (Romans 12:1; service) are examples. Worship can also mean reverence and submission to someone who is greater. This is seen in the Hebrew word shachah (Psalm 22:27; to bow down) and the Greek word proskuneo (1 Cor. 14:25; to do reverence to). We do both of these things, service and reverence, during the worship service on the Lord's Day. We "latreia" through offerings, partaking of the Lord's Supper, administering baptism (as needed), reading the Word, singing the Word, praying, and preaching the Word. We "proskuneo" by submitting ourselves to God's authority.
freeatlast
New Member
Worship is bound up in how we live. It is a way of life. We read in John 4:19-24
The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
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 is not in a place or in some kind of posture. Worship is done in spirit and truth and only true believers can do it. It is how we live our lives set apart to Him and Him alone based on the word of God and not making up our own way to follow.
In John 6:63 we see what spirit is.
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
First we must have life and that comes through the word of God when we believe what He says.
Then in Titus 1:1 we see what truth is.
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
Spirit and truth only comes from true believers and is bound up in believing what is written and applying it to godly living, not any old way we want like so many today do and think they are worshipping.
Last edited by a moderator:
Worship and the way we live are linked. No doubt about it. If you read the Psalms you see an emphasis on worship.
The emphasis is on corporate worship. That same type of emphasis exists for the New Testament Church (Heb. 10:25; Col. 3:16). How we worship together corporately sets the tone for the entire week. The Holy Spirit is an essential part of New Testament worship. In a sense we come into the presence of God on the Lord's Day when we gather with the saints. What a marvelous way to start the week! When we carry the results of our worship into a day to day life, then God is truly glorified through our lives.
freeatlast
New Member
There is no corporate worship if the individual lives are not one of worship on a daily bases.
I understand what you mean, but I believe the bible teaches the ability to live godly Christian lives (worship on a daily basis) starts with Spirit-filled corporate worship. God intends for us to be stronger together (corporately) then we can ever be on our own.
Yes, the O. T. offerings (including the tithe) were a part of the O.T. worship. But the real worship was a time of rejoicing, celebrating and fellowship.
Check out Duet. 16:14,16; Duet. 12: 11,12; Duet. 12:17,18.
Our worship today should also include rejoicing, celebrating and fellowship.
freeatlast
New Member
Can you give some scripture on your view?
I'm going to jump in here with both feet, but please feel free to disagree:
I side with the author and Reformed leader Michael Horton.
There are times for preaching services intended to bring the gospel to the lost.
But when it comes to "worship" services, I fall out with him on the side that it is about what God brings to us, not what we bring to God. It isn't about having goose bump moments (although the Holy Spirit may bring them!). It isn't that God is an "audience of One" and we do something for or to Him. It is all about Him doing something in, for, and to us.
I highly recommend "Christless Christianity" and "The Gospel Driven Church" by Dr. Horton.
I side with the author and Reformed leader Michael Horton.
There are times for preaching services intended to bring the gospel to the lost.
But when it comes to "worship" services, I fall out with him on the side that it is about what God brings to us, not what we bring to God. It isn't about having goose bump moments (although the Holy Spirit may bring them!). It isn't that God is an "audience of One" and we do something for or to Him. It is all about Him doing something in, for, and to us.
I highly recommend "Christless Christianity" and "The Gospel Driven Church" by Dr. Horton.
Is it really worship in a service if there is not rejoicing, celebrating and fellowship? These are what the Jews had lost.
Last edited by a moderator: