WORSHIPOLOGY

Today we will discuss Worshipology. What is worship? How do we worship? As a church, what will be our posture of worship?

​
WHAT IS WORSHIP?
​One of the definitions of “worship” from Merriam-Webster is “extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem”.

I think this is an appropriate way to define “worship”. As Christians, we obviously view worship in light of someone we worship, God. But the truth is that in life there are many things fighting for our affections.

I think a good passage that really embodies this dilemma was written by Paul to the church of Rome. He expresses how people choose to reject the worship of God and instead worship other things.

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. {Romans 1:18-25}

So ultimately worship is the posture of our heart and is the result of our affections stirred towards God. He is worthy of our worship, devotion, and adoration.

​
HOW DO WE WORSHIP?
Let me start off by saying that this in no way will be an extensive study on worship. The truth is that we can look all throughout the Bible and pull out many references all of which would prove to be extremely helpful in understanding and having a well rounded Biblical view of worship. Instead, I would like to use this time to give us a better understanding and to apply what I feel would be most beneficial to us a church.

Throughout the Bible there are many instances where we can see various forms of worship. I would like to point us to two.

Now let me, once again, reiterate how important it is for us to have our heart in the right place. Otherwise, worship simply becomes routine, traditional, and simply noise. Look at what God says through the prophet Isaiah:

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. {Isaiah 29:13}

We want our worship to be genuine, birthed from an overflow of joy given to us through the redemption experienced by the grace of Jesus.

That being said, here are some ways we worship:

​
WITH SONG & MUSIC
In general, whenever we talk about worship, the first person that usually comes to mind is David. He was an Old Testament character who was known for being a musician and songwriter. Much of the book of Psalms was written by him.

Come, let us sing to the lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. {Psalm 95:1-3}

Throughout the book of Psalms, this is a common theme. We see the psalmists encouraging the praise and worship of God through music and song. Along with prayer and the reading of God’s word, it has become an important part liturgy throughout church history. We see the encouragement of song and music as worship even throughout the New Testament.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. {Colossians 3:16}

As a church. we want to sing with all we have. We want the music to lift the hearts of the people and point them to Jesus.

​
WITH HANDS RAISED
So what’s with the whole hand raising thing? Ever been to a church and everyone had their hands lifted up to the music? How do you react to that sight? There’s actually a strong biblical precedent for the act of lifting hands in worship. Ultimately it is a sign of surrender.

But let’s be honest. The church isn’t the only place you’ve seen the act of lifting hands. Think about the last basketball, football, or baseball game you saw or attended. What was everyone doing? What about concerts? Ever notice that everyone has their hands lifted high in a concert?

I think this is because it is an act of worship. Consciously or unconsciously we lift our hands in praise to whatever team or artist as an act of adoration.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. {Psalm 63:3-4}

Some men might have a problem lifting up hands in worship to God. Perhaps because they view it as something weak or “girly” to do. But allow these words from Paul to encourage you in this area:

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. 
​{1 Timothy 2:8}

Men, see you hands lifted high in prayer and worship as a complete surrender and desperate cry for the strength of Christ.


WITH BENDED KNEES
The last thing we will look at is the worshipful and prayerful posture of being on our knees. This is something that is hard to describe, but there is something wonderfully humbling of falling prostrate on our knees. In this position, we are saying that we are low and God is highly exalted. Look at what the Psalmist says,

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. {Psalm 95:6-7}

WE KNEEL IN PURSUIT
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to [Jesus] and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” {Mark 10:17}

WE KNEEL IN REPENTANCE
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me — I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” {Luke 5:8 NLT}

WE KNEEL IN SUBMISSION
[Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond [his disciples], knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” {Luke 22:41-42}​​​​​​

Swerve Church is a new church plant forming in the community of Bushwick in Brooklyn in NYC.