What is the meaning of Worship for Christians? (is it the slow songs?)

What is Worship? 

First and foremost, Church leadership and music ministry should be honored and respected in the body of Christ.

We cannot deny that music ministry is such an important part of Christian church services today, but we need to remember it does not define the word Worship. If you study the word worship in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation it never really ties the word 'worship' to music. The word Worship means; to bow down (in reverence). That being said, when did Praise get demoted and replaced with music being defined as 'worship'? We know our praise to God can be a form of Worship to Him, and music is only one tangible way of expressing our worship to God that many identify with.

Some may ask how do we worship (bow down in reverence) in our everyday life? The short answer is to surrender our will for God's will, as Jesus did. (Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... Philippians 2:5-read through v.11) Jesus was obedient to the Father's will,(Luke 22:42) unto death on the cross for us...and that is the mind that we are to have, to seek the Father's will and serve on another, esteeming others above ourselves (that is no easy task, but thank God He gave us a helper, the Holy Spirit is with us to guide us and teach us in all truth).

(Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.) - emphasis added

All Christians are called to be the true worshipers, not just the musicians or those who appear to be "getting into" the praise & worship music the most intensely. The requirement for being a true worshiper is knowing His Spirit and knowing His truth, this speaks of an intimate relationship, and they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth).

Pray for the Music Ministers and all other leadership in your Church.

There is great importance to pray for your praise and worship leaders in your church, because the devil tries to take out the spiritual leaders first (especially the praise & worship leaders). When you know who Lucifer was and why iniquity was found in him, it makes a lot of sense…he fell because of pride associated with praise, worship, honor and glory directed to God (and it was Christian music, praise, worship, honor and glory…that Lucifer desired for himself). If the devil can divide them, frustrate them, cause them to envy, cause them to be bitter or steal their joy of the Lord, he can gain that foothold he is looking for in their lives, and the ripple effects are far reaching. 

I have seen some worship leaders and church leaders attacked by insecurity, pride, envy, covetousness etc…and if it is not dealt with, that kind of leadership can be a hindrance rather than an asset (James 3:14-16). So pray for your music ministers and all other church leadership...and pray intensely for them, they are in a spiritual battle for the congregation and themselves.

We are all wired for worship and it goes way beyond an experience of music. Worship is our life and our hearts aligning with the heart of Jesus. (Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children). 

So even if we are creating a great praise and worship experience (or sermon) at our meetings, if the leaders life is not Christ-like there is a problem. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (1 Cor 5:6-8, James 3:14-16)

Think of the example of climbing Mount Everest; there are mountain guides that lead you up the mountain, because they intimately know the terrain of the mountain, they know the way up and back in all kinds of conditions, stormy to sunny. Spiritually speaking our music ministers and church leaders need to know Jesus intimately in their everyday life (worship), they are called to a very tight walk with Jesus. (Luke 12:28b From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked).  How can one lead us up a mountain if they have never been there before or if they have never studied and have an intimate knowledge of the terrain? God does not look at our musical gifting or other talents we possess...He looks upon our heart in everything. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Praise and Worship - Our Story.

My wife and I really enjoy praise and worship, we are also leaders in a young adult ministry, however we are in season where we do not have a time of praise and worship at our meetings. We have Christian music playing in the background at the start and close of a typical meeting, but our focus has been on relationships with God and with each other. It has been awesome! If God were to have us do praise & worship time again, we will open to His leading and be obedient to Him, but at this time we are only bringing in music if it is purposeful and/or if He raises up praise & worship leaders (if God is in it, He will provide our needs).

Our prayers are that He leads us in the planning of our meetings, that His will be done, not our own. (Philippians 2:5) Our desire is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.  (ref. James 4:8 As we draw closer to Him He will draw closer to us). That is not only an awesome invitation, it's a promise!

Remember, it is alright if you don’t have a time of praise and worship at your ministry meetings, as long as you are living your life for Jesus (living a life of worship before Him), having a Christ-like heart in all you do. Give your ministries and meetings to Him (they are His anyway). He knows the group you have and He knows what they need. May we as leaders, be in tune to His Spirit continually and to be sensitive to His leading in all things, to know what He would have us to do and be open to sudden changes He may have for us. God is faithful.

God is calling all His people to be closer to Him. 

He desires us to draw close to Him (James 4:8) And when we are close to Jesus we will know the sound of His voice. (John 10) Jesus is the good Shepherd and the way to know His voice is by spending time with Him, worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth with your life, abiding in the True Vine. He has great plans for His people and desires a relationship with us intensely.

Let us hold each up other up, praying for our leaders, and encouraging our fellow Christians to be more like Jesus every day. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other). 

Why should Christians be planted in a local Church?

For believers, there is no substitute for attending church. Besides something that pleases God, it is necessary for a believer's spiritual well-being. For shut-ins or invalids who aren't able to go to church, the ministries on radio or TV might be the only kind of fellowship or spiritual nourishment that they get. God certainly understands the circumstances of these people, and recognizes the sincerity of their hearts. However, it is a different matter for those who could attend church but are too lazy, or put other things such as entertainment and amusements before God, or who harbor bitterness or indifference toward other believers. 

It is important to be planted in a local church for the following reasons: 

It is an Expression of our Love for God

Going to church is a visible, tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. It is where we can gather with other believers to publicly bear witness of our faith and trust in God, something that is required of all Christians (Matt. 10:32-33) -- and it is where we can bring Him offerings of praise, thanks, and honor, which are pleasing to Him. The psalmist wrote, "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You" (Psalm 22:22). People are often motivated toward church attendance for how it will bless themselves, however we should remember that the primary purpose of the corporate gathering is to bring "service" to the Lord as a blessing to Him (Psalm 134:2). Indeed, the Lord is deserving of our time and energy to honor Him with our service of devotion. "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created" (Revelation 4:11).

It builds up our Spiritual Strength

Receiving the preaching and teaching of the Word of God increases our faith and builds us up spiritually. Every believer knows what it is to face spiritual conflicts to their faith, and must realize the importance of being fed spiritually so that they can overcome the challenges. Paul states that Christians face a wrestling match with the Devil and his evil spiritual forces, and warns that the church must put on spiritual armor for protection, as it will take everything at our disposal to stand (Eph. 6:10-18). How important that we take every opportunity available to receive ministry and strength from God's Word. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

It brings a special visitation of the Lord's Presence

There is the promise of a special visitation of the Lord's presence whenever two or more gather specifically in the name of Jesus. By implication, this means whenever "Jesus" is the object of gathered prayer, worship, praise, preaching, etc. Even though Jesus resides within the heart of every believer, he honors a gathering in his name by coming in the "midst," with his power, awareness, and anointing. In such a gathering, Christ is able to do things in hearts that he may not at any other time. The scripture says that God inhabits the praise of His people (Psalm 22:3), and in such an atmosphere the Holy Spirit will often manifest spiritual gifts that minister to the body of Christ. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). 1 Corinthians 14 Talks about spiritual gifts & order in Church meetings. If we are not attending a local Church we would be withholding ourselves and our spiritual gifting(s) from the body of Christ, which in turn we would be withholding ourselves and our spiritual gifting(s) from God and His use among the brethren.

It provides fellowship with other Christians

Gathering together also has compounded importance to the relationship of the Christian brethren. The Bible makes it clear that a right relationship with God requires a "heart and mind alignment with Jesus" -- that is, we must have a intimate fellowship with God and a intimate fellowship with others Christians. It is not possible to love Jesus and refuse to love the brethren. If you have a problem loving other Christians, you have a problem in your relationship with God. Scripture warns us that unforgiveness toward others will void God's forgiveness of our own sins (Matthew 6:15). John wrote, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (1 John 2:9-10).

One of the most important reasons that we go to church is to practice love toward the brethren in the form of fellowship. The Bible clearly shows that if we have a right relationship with God, we have fellowship with others believers. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Keeping ourselves in love and like-mindedness with other believers keeps us humble before God so that Christ's blood can continue to cleanse us from our sins. 

It is an act of obedience to God

Not to be forgotten, going to church is also a matter of obeying God's Word. The writer of the Hebrew epistle tells us not to forsake assembling together, implying that continued absence can lead to willful sin. "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins," (Heb. 10:24-26). Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

It provides accountability to spiritual leadership

More strong evidence that proves that we're to be a part of a church fellowship, is that we're told to submit to the authority of spiritual leaders (within the boundaries of God's Word). "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17). God designed this system of accountability for the progress and protection of His flock. Obviously, this really isn't possible unless we are a part of an organized fellowship which has identified elders, pastors, or leaders. It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders. 

It combines our spiritual strength in prayer

The Bible indicates that agreement in prayer with other believers has special favor with God. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matthew 18:19). There is multiplied strength in the combined faith of God's people, and it is clear that greater spiritual gains can be realized through corporate prayer and worship. This agrees with how God has historically blessed the union of His people in battle against their enemies. "Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you" (Leviticus 26:8).

It honors the Lord's Day

The fourth commandment of the law that God gave Moses was to set aside the seventh day of the week, Saturday, as a holy day to the Lord. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). This was, and will always remain, the official Sabbath. However, after Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday, the early Christians began meeting together on this day as well as with the Jewish community in the synagogues on the Sabbath. History indicates that due to the enmity of the orthodox Jews toward the Christian Jews in their midst, the Jewish Christians were eventually ostracized. And although they were no longer bound to a rigid code of laws (Galatians 3:10-11, Colossians 2:16), it is believed that they came to view Sunday as a combined observance of the Sabbath and the resurrection day of Jesus (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2). A day to fellowship in celebration of the resurrection, to worship, pray and study the Word together. 

Today, the Christian Jew or gentile, is free from the bondage of the old law. The indwelling of God's spirit has brought a new way for Christians to fulfill the desires of God through His love (Galatians 5:18, Romans 13:8-10). However, the new covenant does not invalidate the relevance of the ten commandments as they pertained to God's wishes for His people. As much as it remains God's desire for man not to kill, steal or commit adultery, God is still very much pleased for believers to honor Him on a day reserved for Him, out of their love for Him and His people.

Psalm 92:13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD, Shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Food for thought…would the opposite be true? - Those who are NOT planted in the house of the LORD, Shall NOT flourish in the courts of our God).