What is worship?

What is worship?

The 1828 edition of Webster's defines worship as: "2. Reverence offered unto a supernatural or divine being; or act of expressing such reverence. 3. A religious practice with its creed or rituals. 4. Respect or admiration for, or devotion to an object of esteem."

Here in this definition we can clearly see man's listed description of what worship is. It is taking the thought, attitude, and mind of man, and placing it on something else. Notice that even in man's definition, the focus is taken off of the one who esteems, and places it on someone or something else. Now Beloved, see how the definition above mentions an act of expressing, placing, moving the focus from the individual to something or someone else.

We can see that the someone or something to which the focus is placed on, is held in high regard. The object or person being worshiped is esteemed, admiration, and devotion are mentioned. Let us take a few minutes and go around the room, and each of us describe what our own definition of worship has been up to this point in our lives as Christians.

Nelson's Biblical Dictionary defines worship as "Reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to God; the rituals or ceremonies by which this reverence is expressed. The English word "worship" comes from the Old English word "worthship," a word that denotes the worthiness of the one receiving special honor or devotion." Doesn't take long for we Christians to be able to relate in the human sense to this definition, does it? Worth. A word we all are accustomed to hearing and understanding. We all place value or worth on everyday things in this temporal world. What are some things or people we place value on in our society today? Our spouses, kids, grand children, homes, cars, bank accounts, land, jobs, and education are some to name a few. Now let's discuss some earthly things we place value on, and why the mean something to us.

As with me me Beloved, we all place value or attribute worth on things, I just mentioned in the paragraph above. We value these people and things because we love them, we appreciate them, and the have a place in our hearts and minds. They are a part of our lives by choice, by consummation of marriages, and by necessity. We need our vehicles, our families, our jobs, and homes. They are channels through which God Has met our needs through His goodness, in his grace, and of His love and provision to us. Most of the things we all named and placed value on, are things that are mentioned directly in the Bible in relation of God's concern for us, such as health, spouses, kids, and jobs. So looking at these temporary things loaned to us on this earth, we ascribe value to them.

Now that we have established an understanding of "worth" in our every day lives, let us look at God's worth. Seeing how all or most of us in here are Believers, it stands to reason we know that God is a necessity in our lives. Beloved He unlike the things and relationships we just discussed is eternal. He will always be there. He will not fail us, disappoint us, break down on us, or hurt us. We can't say that about anything we mentioned in the previous paragraph. As tonight's lesson closes let's all discuss why God is worthy of praise in our lives. It can be His acts on our behalves, His revelation to us personally, or just His goodness and mercy on us. Just be candid and honest why we place our idea of "worth" on the Most High.

Awesome testimonies and Biblical attributes of His worth that was mentioned. Amen! He sure is good isn't He? On these take home sheets are Scripture passages and a few discussion questions to answer after you've prayerfully studied the passages, and prayerfully answered them. Bring these back next week, completed and ready to share in open discussion next Sunday night. I am doing one as well. This week as you prayerfully study the passages. Ask God to reveal things in these passages to help us understand His worth. Remember Beloved that "worth" is the root meaning of Biblical worship.