By Rev. Dr. James Cheong, Th.D. (New Covenant Intl.)

• Introduction
• God in Our Worship
• Worshippers in Worship
• The Result of True Worship

There are many different perceptions of "worship". Christian concerts today boast great music, singers and entertainment value. We want to examine, however, what is "worship" as the Bible teaches.

In John's Gospel, we read of the Samaritan Woman whom Jesus met at the well. She had a wrong perception of worship - for she based her worship upon the superstition that God is confined to a certain physical place.

Sometimes, worship today is not real worship, but rather spectacular experiences, entertaining services and concerts, to stir up emotions instead of seeking the presence of God. It is sad that worship no longer centers on the mighty God - how to touch the heart of God, but centers on seeking the excitement and thrill of the audience.

Worship is possible if a proper relationship exists between God and the individual. Some think that worship is a human initiative or endeavour that one can "switch" on or off as one wishes... anywhere... anytime, as one likes. There is some truth in that, though not completely so.

As Christians, we should approach worship as an opportunity to encounter God in a personal and intimate way, and allow Jesus to move in us and make changes in our lives. In other words, worship is our response to a self-revealing God.

All true worship begins with the self-revealing God. It is not so much our efforts, merits or initiative that results in true worship. If God had not revealed himself to us through Jesus Christ, there would be no way for us to experience true worship. If God does to reach out to us, to touch us, to minister love, comfort, strength and other blessings, all our worship is empty.

Worship is possible with God as the prime mover. In a drama, concert or play, success usually ginges on two important groups of people: the performers, and the audience. Some churches make worshippers to be "audience" while they watch and cheer God, or the songleaders and preachers, as the "actors". Such understanding of worship is incorrect - since it makes worship entertainment - like watching a good movie or concert.

In true worship, God is the "audience" while the worshippers are the "actors" - doing all things to please the heart of God! The worshippers, songleaders, preachers are all actors - doing their best to make worship acceptable to God. The singing , praising, praying, preaching all center on the Lord God alone.

There should be fear and reverence for God in our worship as we realize our unworthiness in the presence of the Holy and Almighty God. God came to us first. He expects us to respond by reaching out to Him and allow Him to change our lives, for worship is empty without God reaching out to us. God receives no benefits or rewards from the worshippers. Instead the worshippers receive great benefits and blessings from the almighty God.

We can also worship in silence - not necessarily always with music at full blast!

An African native, away from his village, met some missionaries and learnt of a God who loves people.

He went back to his tribe carrying the Book (Bible) which tells of God, but he was unable to read it. When he told the tribe of God, they wanted to do God honour. But how could they worship Him?

They laid the Book on a stump and sat around it in silence. Did such worship touch the heart of God? I am sure it did, more than much of the cold ritual or noisy worship we used to have in our churches.

(taken from Willaim Carle, in the Moody Monthly)

In worship, we, as worshippers, must come before God in humility and repentant hearts confessing all our sins and offences against God and people. Unless we learn to repent of our sins and seek God's forgiveness, there is no way we can worship God in sincerity and truth. Without daily confession of sins, we would end up "stockpiling" sins which bar us from the presence of God.

With the confession of our sins, we begin to experience the joy of God's forgiveness. In true worship, we are able to come before God's presence and allow Him to speak to us through His Word, the Bible. The Word of God teaches us the ways of God - how we can be better Christians in loving others with the love of Jesus and in loving God.

God requires that we, His people, really love God without hypocrisy and insincerity. Without dedication and commitment to the Lord Jesus, worship becomes empty. In our worship, we must sincerely pray and believe, "Lord, Thy will be done in me."

In true worship, our hearts are touched by God, causing us to love Jesus more. We want to give sacrificially to God's work more. We want to share God's love with others. We want to pray more and read God's Word more.

After we have experienced God in our worship, we are ready to be used of God. We are ready to obey Him and allow Him to send us into the world to the lost millions living in sins. After we have been touched of God we are ready to go out and make a difference with the power and love of Jesus.

We can no longer wait to be witnesses for Jesus, for we have the good news of God's love and salvation. We receive new strength to be witnesses, for without God we can do nothing. Hence worship is in every sense a deep relationship with God.

Worship causes us to be "on fire" with God's love. Worship is not an "extra", sometime to "kill time"; neither is it a Sunday "last resort" activity.

In true worship, we enjoy God's presence and receive joy and blessings. There is no compulsion. We allow ourselves to experience the mercy and faithfulness of God. It is a great time for all of us to come together to fellowship with our Creator and God.

The churches of four Nigerian towns combined to hold a Communion service. An African addressed the crowded church as follows:

"I cannot tell you the gladness that is in my heart today. As I walked along the path with the other members from my town, I saw that each man held in his hand his Bible and hymnbook. No man carried a sword or gun. No man walked with fear. All walked with faith. And yet 4 years ago no man from my town would have walked through your town without a sword in his hands, and even then he would not have walked alone. Nor would any man from your town have come unharmed through ours. What is the reason for this difference?

"At that time we worshipped the same tribal gods as you did. Today, we also worship the same God - Christ - as you do, but the God we worship today is a God of peace. We have learnt that He is our Father, and that we are brothers."

From "What is This Christianity?" By the Bishop of Croydon

Yes, in true worship, we come together as one people to worship the almighty God. There are no more divisions, quarrels, barriers, etc. Rich or poor, black- or white-skinned, young or old, educated or illiterate, all can worship our Lord together.