True Worship: Displaying the Glory of God in Our Lives

True Worship: Displaying, Not Distracting

As a worship pastor, I’ve heard the concern voiced many times: “I don’t want to raise my hands in worship because I don’t want to draw attention to myself.” It is a common concern among believers who desire to worship God in spirit and in truth. However, I want to challenge this notion and show how biblical worship is not about hiding our emotions and expressions, but rather, it is about displaying the glory of God in our lives.

True worship is not a private, individualistic experience. It is a communal expression of our love and devotion to God. When we gather as the people of God, we are called to lift up our voices in unison, to sing and shout and clap our hands in praise, and to bow down in humility and adoration. These physical expressions of worship are not meant to draw attention to ourselves, but rather, they are meant to point others to the greatness of our God.

Worship in the Bible

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people worshiping God with their whole being. In the Old Testament, we see Abraham falling on his face before God (Genesis 17:3), Moses taking off his sandals in reverence (Exodus 3:5), and David dancing with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). In the New Testament, we see Jesus’ disciples worshiping him after his resurrection (Matthew 28:17), and the early church gathering together to sing hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19).

These examples show us that worship is not just about what we say or sing, but it is also about how we express ourselves physically. Our bodies are not separate from our spirits; they are interconnected, and when we worship God with our whole being, we are glorifying him in every aspect of our lives.

The Purpose of Worship

The purpose of worship is not to entertain ourselves or to make ourselves feel good. It is not about showcasing our talents or abilities, or about impressing others with our spirituality. Rather, the purpose of worship is to glorify God and to bring him pleasure.

As we read in Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” When we worship God, we are proclaiming his greatness, his faithfulness, his love, and his mercy. We are acknowledging that he is worthy of all honor, all praise, and all adoration.

The Heart of Worship

While physical expressions of worship are important, they are not the heart of worship. The heart of worship is our love for God and our desire to please him. As Jesus said in John 4:23-24, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Worshiping in spirit and truth means that our worship is not just a physical act, but it is a spiritual act of surrender and devotion. It means that we come before God with humble hearts, confessing our sins, and seeking his forgiveness. It means that we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

The Freedom of Worship

One of the beautiful things about worship is that it is not meant to be confined to a certain style or form. There is no one “right” way to worship God. Rather, the Bible gives us freedom to worship God in a variety of ways, as long as our worship is done in spirit and truth.

Some people may prefer to worship God through traditional hymns, while others may prefer to worship through contemporary songs. Some people may feel led to raise their hands in praise, while others may prefer to kneel in reverence. Some people may prefer to sing in a choir, while others may prefer to sing alone.

Whatever form our worship takes, the important thing is that it is done in a way that is honoring to God and is edifying to others. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:26, “Let all things be done for building up.”

The Witness of Worship

Finally, it is important to remember that our worship is not just about us and God. It is also a witness to the world around us. When we worship God with our whole beings, we are showing others what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We are demonstrating the joy and the freedom that comes from a life devoted to God.

As Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” When we worship God with our whole beings, we are letting our light shine before others, and we are pointing them to the source of our joy and our hope.

Conclusion

True worship is not about hiding our emotions and expressions, but rather, it is about displaying the glory of God in our lives. When we worship God with our whole beings, we are proclaiming his greatness, his faithfulness, his love, and his mercy. We are acknowledging that he is worthy of all honor, all praise, and all adoration.

As we gather together to worship God, let us do so with humble hearts, seeking to glorify him in every aspect of our lives. Let us worship in spirit and truth, offering ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. And let us remember that our worship is not just about us and God, but it is also a witness to the world around us, pointing others to the source of our joy and our hope.