(20) Theo-centric Worship

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2)

To worship is to place value in something that leads to honoring it, venerating it, exalting it, drawing attention to its worth and seeing it as worthy of praise. So, worship begins in the heart where something or someone is valued and then, worship is expressed in some action.

I am a firm believer in worship. Really, this whole blog is about worship. It could even be called a handbook on the purpose and content of worship. Why, because worship is for God and about God, the glory of God. Biblical worship is God-centered.

So, a correct view of God is vital for proper worship. As Tozer points out, a correct view of God, "Is to worship what the foundation is to the temple; where it is inadequate or out of plumb the whole structure must sooner or later collapse."

In scripture, worship is not just something we do on Sunday. Worship is to be a lifestyle of exalting God in everything we do. But, in the scripture, we also see a major focus on focused worship; expressing God’s glory verbally and with music. In fact, this is a major theme of scripture. In the book of Exodus, 25 chapters are devoted to the construction and worship of the tabernacle. Leviticus is a 27 chapter guide to worship practice for Israel. The Psalms formed the Jewish hymnal. There are several commands to worship in the New Testament and principles to guide us in that worship.

Worship of the glory of God is the theme and essence of this blog. The expression of worship through our lifestyle, speaking, songs and other acts of worship liturgy are an important aspect of worship, personally, privately, and publically. So, we will need to spend some time considering biblical principles for worship. We start with the words of Jesus as He instruct the Samaritan woman on principles of worship.

" So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?"

Jesus replied, "Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming-- indeed it's here now-- when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:20-25 NLT)

The focus of this woman was on determining the proper place and method of worship, "Who worships the right way and in the right place?" Jesus’ response shows us that worship is not about these external things. It is first a foremost about truth and the heart, not methods. God desires a deeper worship than just going through the motions. He is seeking worshipers who truly know Him and exalt His glory.

Soli Deo Gloria

Next: Accurate Worship