“Essence of Worship” (continued)

The essence of worship is where it’s at. I think you will agree with this statement if you read first part of this document. So let’s move on. We’ve been talking about localized and institutionalized worship of Old Testament having been delocalized and deinstitutionalized in New Testament because saints worship God in spirit and truth. We see further evidence of this in Paul’s ministry. Paul calls his own ministry a “priestly service (of worship),” and he calls converts themselves an “acceptable offering (in worship)” to God (Romans 15:16; cf. Philippians 2:17). He even calls money that churches send him “a fragrant aroma and acceptable sacrifice to God (in worship)” (Philippians 4:18 JP). And his own death for Christ he calls a “drink offering” to God (II Timothy 4:6).

This is what it means when we read things like, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). And “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God Father” (Colossians 3:17 NASB). This is central New Testament action of worship: to act in a way that reflects glory of God—to do a thing in name of Jesus with thanks to God. But New Testament uses those greatest of all worship sentences without any reference to Sunday worship services. They describe life. Again, essence of worship is not external, localized acts, but an inner, God ward experience that shows itself externally not primarily in church services. The fundamental reason for this is probably that Old Testament was mainly a “come see” religion and New Testament fulfillment is a “go tell” religion.

“Essence of Worship”

Is there a difference in form of worship and essence? Yes, as a matter of fact, many churches today are struggling with proper form of worship. So widespread is this problem that many churches have divided into two services on Sunday mornings. In one service form of worship is traditional music. Only hymns, piano, and organ are used while in other service only contemporary music is used. One service is youthful, dressed down, loud, and “rock-and-rollish” music bursts. In other, well you guessed it. The music is softer, older, and church hymnals are used to reflect on words while they are being sung.

I want to speak to you today about essence of worship. The essence of worship is imperative for “true” worship in church, or any place you worship God. Jesus predicted demise of worship form when He spoke to Samaritan woman at well in John chapter four. You may remember scripture, “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship Father…an hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship Father in spirit and truth; for such people Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21; and 23-24 NASB).