Worship: A Gift of Grace from God

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1–2

Many years ago I was at a church conference where each person was asked to go off alone and answer the question: How do you worship? And then, to come back and share our responses with the others. 

They gave us 20 minutes to write up our answers. I was at a loss. How do I worship? Well, that wasn’t going to take 20 minutes. My definition of worship at that time did not really move beyond the singing that was done at church before and after the sermon. When we re-gathered, I heard responses far, far broader than my definition. Could all of these things be worship? For me, worship was so small; it began to grow that day. Hopefully, it will continue to grow until the day that I die. 

Worship is central to who we are as followers of Jesus. Worship is central to both the life of the Church and the mission of the Church. John Piper says, I believe correctly,  “missions exist because worship doesn’t.” God’s desire for people is that they become worshipers of him. When we see God, we worship him. It is very hard to worship God if we do not see him, and so many things block our vision. 

I shared the below quote about worship this past Sunday. Take some time to read it through slowly a few times. As questions arise, sit with them. Do you agree with what he says? What surprises you? Where are you challenged? How do you worship? How can you grow in worship, individually and corporately. What does that look like practically? 

"Worship derives from “worth-ship” and it means giving God all He’s worth.Worship is humble and glad; worship forgets itself in remembering God; worship celebrates the truth as God’s truth, not its own. True worship doesn’t put on a show or make a fuss; true worship isn’t forced, isn’t half-hearted, doesn’t keep looking at its watch, doesn’t worry what the person in the next pew may be doing. True worship is open to God, adoring God, waiting for God, trusting God even in the dark. Worship will never end; whether there be buildings, they will crumble; whether there be committees, they will fall asleep; whether there be budgets, they will add up to nothing. For we build for the present age, we discuss for the present age, and we pay for the present age; but when the age to come (Christ’s return) is here, the present age will be done away. Worship is nothing more nor less than love on its knees before the beloved." 

- N.T. Wright

Peace, hope and love

Doug