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Have you ever asked the question, “Is worship valuable?” If you have not, ask yourself, “Is worship valuable to me?” Regarding worship, Jesus said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). The word “worship” is used 64 times in the Old Testament and 44 times in the New Testament (King James Version). You can see after studying the word “worship” that it is used when applied to God always in a positive, uplifting, and edifying light.
How do we value worship? It is interesting to me that to a degree we have made worship cheap. We have made it common. We have made it a place where we are not focused upon God. Answer these questions in your mind: Do we prepare for worship? Are we distracted during worship? Do we make worship a priority? Are we engaged in technology/talking during worship? As you answer these questions please consider the importance of worship.
• Worship is preparation for Heaven (Matthew 6:10, Matthew 26:39).
• Worship is a place of security (Romans 8:28, Hebrews 10:35-36).
• Worship is joyful obedience (Hebrews 10:25, John 14:15-23).
• Worship is a place to belong (2 Corinthians 6:17-18, 1 John 4:23-24).
• Worship is a place where Jesus expects Christians be filled with the characteristics of truthfulness (John 4:23).
Worship is a privilege that we have been blessed with by the planning and foreknowledge of God. Let us submit to God’s will (Acts 10:33) and become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). Let us approach worship with reverence, humility, and joy as we obey God together. This gives each of us an opportunity to think of our lives and how we can be more prepared for worship and find ways to involve others in our worship.
Jonathan Burns
Findlay church of Christ
Sparta, TN