What Is Worship?

I ask this question all the time, "What is True Worship?" There's a lot of talk about "Biblical worship" and "Christ-centered Worship" but what does that mean? A quick answer comes from 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

For me, right now, worship means one thing - Rest.

For once I am not doing, planning, rehearsing, trying to sing louder and more often, pinpointing sin to kill...I am just resting. Through the power of the Holy Spirit I am ridding myself of self-sufficiency and I'm learning to be needy. I need Jesus. I need forgiveness. I need the love of God. I need God to have mercy on me, a sinner. Andy Lewis at Mitchell Road asked yesterday, "what is it that you boast in?" Whatever it is, it's taking the place of Jesus. Where do I find my identity?

I saw a quote on Matt Papa's tweet from Billy Graham's book Just As I Am recently that said,

"Although I have much to be grateful for as I look back over my life, I also have many

regrets. I have failed many times, and I would do many things differently. For one thing, I

would speak less and study more, and I would spend more time with my family.

I would also spend more time in spiritual nurture, seeking to grow closer to God so I

could become more like Christ. I would spend more time in prayer, not just for myself

but for others. I would spend more time studying the Bible and meditating on is truth, not

only for sermon preparation but to apply its message to my life. It is far too easy for

someone in my position to read the Bible only with an eye on a future sermon,

overlooking the message God has for me through its pages. And I would give more

attention to fellowship with other Christians, who could teach me and encourage me

(and even rebuke me when necessary).”

Now legalism says you must do more so you can be accepted by God. The Gospel says you are accepted by God therefore you do more (prayer, study, fellowship, etc). I am learning how to be with Jesus and rest in the Gospel truth that Jesus wants to be with me. I want to truly worship Jesus by finding my identity in His life, death, and resurrection. And right now I am doing that by resting.

(Mark Driscoll has a great article on the Resurgence about worship if you want a more in depth study)