Worship
Definition:
The Christian Meaning of “Worship”
In Christian theology, worship is not primarily music, ritual, or church services—it is the whole-life response of love, devotion, and surrender to God, arising from the revelation of who God is.
The English word worship comes from “worth-ship”, meaning:
ascribing ultimate worth, honour, and value to God.
Worship is therefore the act of giving God what He alone deserves:
glory, love, allegiance, praise, obedience, and adoration.
1. Worship Is a Response to God’s Revelation
Christians believe worship begins not with human effort but with God revealing Himself—through Scripture, through Christ, through creation, through the Spirit.
“Worship is the response of all that we are to the revelation of all that God is.”
— Warren Wiersbe
This means:
Worship originates in who God is, not how we feel.
Worship is a response, not an initiation.
Worship is grounded in truth, not mere emotion.
This is why Jesus said:
“True worshipers… worship the Father in spirit and in truth.”
— Jesus (John 4:23)
2. Worship Is the Offering of the Whole Life
Christian worship is total life orientation, not limited to certain moments.
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice… this is your spiritual worship.”
— Paul (Romans 12:1)
Theologian John Frame summarized this:
“Worship is everything we do in obedience to God.”
Similarly, Brother Lawrence (17th century, Practicing the Presence of God) said:
“To worship God is to serve Him in every action of our lives.”
Thus worship includes:
work,
rest,
decisions,
relationships,
ethics,
prayer,
suffering,
joy.
Everything becomes worship when offered to God.
3. Worship Is Centered on Christ
Christians worship the Father through the Son by the Spirit.
Christ is the lens of worship.
Karl Barth wrote:
“Christian worship is the most momentous, most urgent, most glorious action that can take place in human life because it is directed to Jesus Christ.”
The entire New Testament shows that Jesus is the revelation, mediator, and object of Christian worship.
4. Worship Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Christians believe true worship is impossible without the Spirit’s work.
“We worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus.”
— Paul (Philippians 3:3)
A.W. Tozer said:
“Without the Spirit of God, we cannot worship. We can only perform.”
The Spirit:
awakens gratitude,
reveals Christ,
aligns the heart,
empowers praise,
forms holiness.
Thus worship is supernatural.
5. Worship Is Both Individual and Corporate
Scripture and Christian tradition emphasize that worship happens personally and together.
Individual worship
Private prayer, devotion, obedience, moral living, listening to God.
Corporate worship
Gathering as the Church.
St. John Chrysostom wrote:
“It is impossible for one to be a Christian and not to worship with the Church.”
Corporate worship reflects:
unity,
shared faith,
the Body of Christ offering one voice to God.
6. Worship Involves Praise, Adoration, Reverence, and Awe
Christians believe worship includes expressing the heart to God in various ways.
C.S. Lewis said:
“In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.”
Lewis argued that praise is the natural overflow of joy and delight.
Similarly, theologian Marva Dawn wrote:
“Worship is a royal waste of time. For we focus entirely on the beauty and glory of God.”
Worship is thus:
adoring,
delighting,
revering,
fearing (in the biblical sense of awe),
rejoicing,
exalting God for who He is.
7. Worship Includes Obedience
In Christian theology, obedience is itself worship.
Jesus said:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
— Jesus (John 14:15)
Oswald Chambers explained:
“Worship is giving God the best He has given you.”
John Calvin wrote:
“The true and lawful worship of God consists in obedience rather than in invention.”
Thus:
doing God’s will,
loving our neighbour,
living righteously—
are all acts of worship.
8. Worship Requires the Heart, Not Just Ritual
From the prophets onward, Christians believe God rejects worship that is merely external.
“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
— Jesus, quoting Isaiah (Matthew 15:8)
Augustine said:
“God is not worshipped with external things but with the heart.”
And Jonathan Edwards wrote:
“The essence of all true worship is holy affections.”
Worship is not performance—it is heart posture arising from truth.
9. Worship Breaks Idols and Reorders Loves
Christians believe everyone worships something—money, power, success, relationships—but only God is worthy.
Tim Keller wrote:
“We are worshipping beings. Whatever we love most is what we worship. Worship is the reordering of our loves so God becomes first.”
Augustine said something similar centuries earlier:
“Worship is rightly ordered love.”
Thus worship is transformative:
It dethrones idols and enthrones God.
10. Worship Anticipates Eternity
Christian worship is viewed as a foretaste of the final destiny of humanity.
Gregory of Nazianzus wrote:
“Our life is to be a continual worship preparing us for the worship of heaven.”
In Revelation, the Church and angels worship God eternally—Christian worship now is seen as a participation in that future reality.
Summary: What “Worship” Means in Christianity
Worship is:
✔ the response of the whole person and whole life to God
✔ grounded in the truth of who God is
✔ empowered by the Holy Spirit
✔ centred on Christ
✔ expressed in love, obedience, praise, and surrender
✔ both individual and corporate
✔ the reordering of our loves
✔ a foretaste of eternity
Or, as William Temple beautifully summarized:
“Worship is the submission of all our nature to God.
It is the quickening of 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.
And all of this gathered up in adoration.”
Biblical Imagery & Metaphors:
Incense rising to heaven.
Knees bowed in reverence.
A heart lifted in song.
In Daily Faith:
Worship isn’t confined to church; it’s a lifestyle of gratitude and surrender.
Worship in Daily Life
In Christian theology, worship is far more than a church service or a set of rituals—it is the entire response of one’s life to God. Worship involves offering God what He alone deserves—honor, glory, devotion, and love. It is a heart posture of surrender, grounded in the truth of who God is and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
1. Worship Is a Response to God’s Revelation
Worship is not something initiated by humans; it is a response to God’s self-revelation—through Scripture, through creation, and through the person of Jesus Christ. It starts with knowing who God is, and that knowledge leads to a life of worship.
Scripture: John 4:23 — "True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."
Practical Application: Worship begins with encountering God in His Word, His works, and His character. Make time in your day to reflect on the ways God has revealed Himself to you, and let that knowledge stir your heart to worship.
2. Worship Is the Offering of the Whole Life
Christian worship is not limited to a time or a place; it encompasses the entirety of life. Every action, decision, and relationship can be an act of worship when offered to God.
Scripture: Romans 12:1 — "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Practical Application: Cultivate a mindset where all aspects of life—work, rest, relationships, and even suffering—are seen as opportunities to glorify God. Seek to align your choices and actions with His will, offering every moment as worship.
3. Worship Is Centered on Christ
Christ is the focal point of Christian worship. Worship is offered to the Father through the Son, by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is both the object and mediator of worship.
Scripture: Colossians 1:16 — "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible."
Practical Application: When you worship, keep Christ at the center. Reflect on His life, death, resurrection, and ongoing work. Worship is a response to the glory of God as revealed through Jesus.
4. Worship Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit
True worship cannot be achieved in our own strength; it requires the Holy Spirit to awaken our hearts, align our minds, and empower our praise.
Scripture: Philippians 3:3 — "We worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus."
Practical Application: Invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower your worship. Whether in private devotion or corporate gatherings, ask the Spirit to stir your heart, deepen your understanding, and lead you into a more authentic worship of God.
5. Worship Is Both Individual and Corporate
Worship is not only a private affair but also a communal activity. Both individual and corporate worship are essential to the life of a believer.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:25 — "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another."
Practical Application: Foster a personal life of worship through prayer, Bible study, and devotion, but also participate in corporate worship with the body of Christ. Together, we lift our voices and hearts in praise to God, strengthening one another in the process.
6. Worship Involves Praise, Adoration, Reverence, and Awe
Worship is an expression of the heart, engaging with God in adoration, awe, and reverence. It’s a natural response to the beauty and majesty of God.
Scripture: Psalm 95:6 — "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Practical Application: Take time to reflect on the greatness of God—His holiness, His power, His love—and allow your heart to overflow with praise. Worship can be expressed through song, prayer, and silence, as you delight in God’s presence.
7. Worship Includes Obedience
Worship is not just about words or feelings; it is shown through obedience to God’s commands. True worship involves a life of loving obedience to God.
Scripture: John 14:15 — "If you love me, keep my commands."
Practical Application: Obey God’s Word in your daily life. Worship is expressed through acts of love, justice, and service to others. When you obey God, you honor Him with your life.
8. Worship Requires the Heart, Not Just Ritual
Worship that is merely external is not true worship. God desires the heart—sincere devotion, not mere performance or ritual.
Scripture: Matthew 15:8 — "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
Practical Application: Approach worship with authenticity. Let your heart be engaged in the act of worship, whether through prayer, song, or serving others. Worship is not just about what you do but why and how you do it.
9. Worship Breaks Idols and Reorders Loves
Everyone worships something, but only God is worthy of our ultimate affection. Worship reorders our loves, breaking down idols and placing God at the center.
Scripture: Matthew 6:24 — "No one can serve two masters."
Practical Application: Examine your heart and identify anything that competes with God for your affection. Worship involves surrendering those idols and giving God the preeminent place in your life.
10. Worship Anticipates Eternity
Christian worship is a foretaste of the eternal worship that believers will experience in the presence of God. Worship on earth prepares us for worship in heaven.
Scripture: Revelation 4:8 — "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Practical Application: View your acts of worship as a preparation for eternity. In your daily worship, look ahead to the time when you will worship God face-to-face. Let that hope shape how you worship today.
Practical Daily Applications of Worship
Offer Your Whole Life: Worship isn’t just limited to moments of devotion or church services; it is the daily act of offering everything to God. Your work, your rest, your relationships—let all these be done as acts of worship.
Scripture: Romans 12:1 — "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Engage in Personal Worship: Set aside time each day to connect with God in prayer, meditation on His Word, and personal reflection. Let your heart be fully engaged in adoration and reverence for God.
Scripture: John 4:23 — "True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."
Participate in Corporate Worship: Join with other believers in community worship. There is strength and encouragement in coming together to praise and adore God as a body of believers.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:25 — "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another."
Obey God’s Commands: Worship is not just what you say or sing—it is how you live. Obey God’s commands in every area of your life. When you follow His will, you are offering worship to Him.
Scripture: John 14:15 — "If you love me, keep my commands."
Reorder Your Loves: Reflect on your life and ask God to help you identify any idols or misplaced affections. Worship involves surrendering everything to Him, making Him the highest priority in your heart.
Scripture: Matthew 6:24 — "No one can serve two masters."
Prepare for Eternity: Let your worship today be a foretaste of the worship you will experience in heaven. Live with eternity in mind, and let that anticipation shape your devotion to God.
Scripture: Revelation 4:8 — "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
By making worship a lifestyle rather than an event, you will experience the fullness of God's presence in every part of your life. Worship is an ongoing, heart-driven response to the greatness and glory of God, and it shapes your character, priorities, and relationships.
Scripture References:
John 4:23–24 (NIV)
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
Psalm 95:6 (NIV)
6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
Romans 12:1 (NIV)
I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.