How do you worship God?

[TimH]

I know my wife and I have disagreed on this topic for pretty much the entire length of our marriage, 25 years now.

She loves to be at church early to participate in the music before the service and I would rather skip that part mainly and arrive just in time for the message. I've come to learn that we both worship, just in different ways.

I recently read a quote by former Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple that defines worship in a way that I have not though of before.

“Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God. It is the quickening of the conscience by his holiness; the nourishment of mind with his truth; the purifying of imagination by his beauty; the opening of the heart to his love; the surrender of will to his purpose—all this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable.”

When I read this quote, I realized that if this is the true meaning of worship, I frequently fall short. I hope and pray that I come to a place in life where this quote is lived out more than it is not.

Just sharing some thoughts...........

[2B4Him]

Going to church is NOT worship.
'Worship' is what we do in response to what God has done for us and Who He is.
What we get out of it is purely a side benefit, definitely NOT the purpose.

[GatorBait]

I worship through my actions. I don't go to church much, mostly I go when I feel my faith lagging. That always helps put things in perspective.

[Zen Archery]

Me. Worship = loving response for what God has done for us through Christ.

[Bonbonjovi]

some of the most religious and respected people I know don't attend church regularly. They don't feel the need to show it at Sat/Sun by singing a few hymn's and shaking a few hands afterwards. They do however live their life in a matter that practices what they preach and i respect..

I think that is why IMO it is so disingenuous when the politicians try and pander to the Christian right by quoting scripture or attending church ala BHO only to never be seen there again after elected..If you have to tell me you are religious it makes me question it a bit

[PSD Ryan]

We go to church every Sunday (but I only go every other because of my work schedule), we pray together, have devotions and Bible studies together, and do our best to live our lives the way He would have us (and so often fall short).

Church is worship, but worship isn't just going to church on Sunday when we're not busy. It's bringing God into your whole life.

[2B4Him]

Going to church is NOT worship.
'Worship' is what we do in response to what God has done for us and Who He is.
What we get out of it is purely a side benefit, definitely NOT the purpose.

I did not intend to imply that 'church' was unnecessary or not a vital part of 'worship'
While I don't believe you have to be in a church building to 'worship', I do believe that 'corporate worship' in a congregational setting is vital.
'Worship' is never to be about me, it is all about Him. So, insisting on a certain kind of music, etc. is focusing on me, rather than Him.
And I don't believe God ever intended us to worship solely, or primarily in isolation. Look at how important corporate worship was in the OT - so many times it is emphasized how all the people came together. That is important.
So, guys who say they get all their 'worship' in the 'great outdoors' are usually making an excuse because they don't like getting dressed up, they don't like spending Sunday morning in the pews, they don't like the pastor, the music is too loud, etc. . . They are focused on themselves rather than the Object of our worship. (IMO)

[jruss]

Just look at your check book or bank statement. That will pretty much tell us what we worship. As far as church house it is a building that the body of Christ meets in the question that I would ask myself is am I a part of the body?

[Kurtproy]

No high horse here and not wearing a white shirt because I personally fail at this miserably, but to me 'true' worship is a lifestyle in which we glorify our Lord God Almighty every single day (24/7, for as long as we live). In my opinion this is our sole purpose for existing..... That said, thank you God for sending Jesus for without Him I'd have no chance!

[TimH]

I have to admit I didn't expect these responses. I do agree with all of them, however. I've been in a place spiritually lately where I feel this overwhelming sensation to truly inventory my life and relationship with God. Things like 'worship' and 'prayer' have been on my mind a lot.

[westtexducks]

I am exactly like you and one of the main reasons I really dropped off my church attendance over time. I still thoroughly enjoy and get alot out of your ole timey services I like to call them. 2 or 3 hymns at the start of service and then 2 or 3 to close with a good solid sermon in between. Many churches these days are all "fluff" they sing for 30 minutes on the front end, get a weak "fluffy" no content sermon, and then 30 more minutes of singing. I am going to church to be engaged in the word with others, bounce theories off each other have discussion about the word, have a different perspective pitched to me by the preacher, not sing and feel good about myself, which is what a lot of your younger generations do. They like all the feel good stuff, but hate it when you get deep down into and start talking about the hard issues especially head of the house hold, stuff like that. It rubs me the wrong way in a big way. This coming from a 23 year old dude, I alienated a lot of "christians" when I was in college when I started pointing out how weak services were and how much "fluff" was present in a modern service with all the flash, lights, fancy rock music, etc... nothing wrong with it necessarily but if thats only reason your showing up to church is for the weekly concert your in that building for the wrong reasons.

[Tmag]

How do you worship God?

Worship is defined in many ways. The Bible(NKJV) has 197 verses on worship and 277 verses on praise.
When I think of worship reflected in the Bible I think of Simeon at the Temple, Luke 2:25 "And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
I think about the tax collector in Luke 18:13, "the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’"
I think about King David in 2 Samuel 6:14 and 16 ,"Then David danced before the Lord with all his might, 16.....King David leaping and whirling before the Lord.
I can imagine the worhip expressed when the Ark was brought into Jerusalem and the praise reflected in Psalm 150, "1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"
Our worship is our reverence and love for God expressed in so many ways. From the quietness of a simple prayer telling Him I love Him to the boisterous celebration of clapping my hands and shouting His praise. I spend many a morning commute telling Him thank you and singing a song of praise and worship because He is all I want and all I need.
One of my favorite songs to learn was "I give myself away" by William McDowell. We were created for His good pleasure!

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