Defining Worship, Pt. 4

I’d like to unpack one more definition of worship today, keeping in mind that we’ll never exhaust the meaning and wonder of worshipping our Creator and Redeemer, even in eternity.

Biblical worship is God’s covenant people recognizing, reveling in, and responding rightly to the glory of God in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Biblical worship…to separate what we do as Christians from all other types of worship. This also implies that God is the One who determines how we should worship Him. (Jn. 4:23-24)

Is God’s covenant people…God’s plan from the beginning of creation has been to redeem a people for his own possession who would give him glory endlessly. The basis of our relationship with Him is His unchanging character, His unfailing love, and His unrepeatable sacrifice for our sins. (Ex. 19:5-6; 1 Pet. 2:9-10; Rev. 5:9-10)

Recognizing…This implies mental awareness and perception, as opposed to a highly individualized emotional encounter. (Ex. 34:6-7, Jer. 9:23-24)

Reveling in…One of the definitions for “revel” is “to get great pleasure from.” It is in that sense that we “revel” in God’s glory in Christ. When we find our highest joy, pleasure, satisfaction, and good in knowing God, we are worshipping Him. Although worshipping God involves more than our emotions, it doesn’t involve less. (Ps. 32:11, 37:4; 1 Pet. 1:8-9)

And responding rightly…There are countless wrong ways to respond to God, including ungratefulness, anger, and idolatry. Our right responses include both adoration and action, both what we do in specific meetings as well as in all of life. (Rom. 12:1-2; Heb. 10:24-25; Heb. 13:15-16)

To God’s glory in Christ…We have been saved to see that God’s glory has been most clearly revealed in the person and work of His Son. (2 Cor. 4:6) This is a precious truth that we must proclaim and protect. (Heb. 1:1-3)

In the power of the Holy Spirit…While they may disagree on the application, Charismatics and cessationists can both affirm that the worship of God is impossible apart from the power of God’s Spirit. (John 4:23-24; Eph. 2:18)

More tomorrow.

Read Why Define Worship – the final post in this series.

For more on this topic, download the following free message from the Sovereign Grace site:
Reconsidering Worship by Bob Kauflin

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3 Responses to Defining Worship, Pt. 4

  1. Matthew Holliday February 12, 2013 at 11:42 AM #

    Just finished reading the four parts of defining worship. Radical. My mind is exploded. I know most of this reading, but they way its defined and scripture referenced just gives a huge overwhelming feeling to the true understanding of what true worship is! Thanks Bob Kauflin!

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  1. What is Worship? | Emmaus KC - September 8, 2014

    […] Defining Worship – Part 4 […]

  2. O Que é Adoração, parte 4 | Cante as Escrituras - May 6, 2016

    […] Por: Bob Kauflin. Copyright © 2005 Worship Matters. Direitos reservados. Traduzido e publicado com permissão de Bob Kauflin e Fabiano Silveira Medeiros. Original: Defining worship, Pt. 4 […]

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