Spiritual Worship

It's a war over worship. Many today are debating the meaning, purpose and "how" of worship. Worship "style" has become a buzzword, and a way of differentiating between "conventional" worship services and a newer way of doing things. All around we find churches popping up that practice a loose, casual, upbeat, and more entertaining style of worship. Packed with lots of emotion and fueled by contemporary music this new style plays to packed houses. So, while the "worship wars" are still getting attention in the press, it is clear that the war is over. "Fun" worship has won, hands down.

Yet somehow it's tough to make all of that jive with Jesus simple words "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). I am certain those who are putting on entertaining "worship" (there's two words that shouldn't go together!) are sincere in what they do. However, I do not believe fun, laughter and a more casual style improve worship, or make it spiritual. From Jesus' teaching in John 4 let's note what spiritual worship really is.

First, spiritual worship is God-centered. Note Jesus' admonition: "worship Him." God is the focus here. Worship that attempts to gratify or please people is worship that has lost its way, regardless of how many attend such services. Some would protest, arguing that these new ideas in worship attract the "unchurched." It is true that we must be careful in what we do in our assemblies because non-Christians do visit our services and observe what happens there. Paul notes this in 1 Cor. 14:23: "Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?" Thus, there is some concern in scripture about the affect our worship has on those who are "uninformed." However, Paul goes on to develop from this idea the importance of decency and order in all we do (verse 40) and a continued emphasis on what is pleasing to God. Paul writes as he does because our worship is not a performance for non-Christians, nor is it an opportunity for the gifted to showcase their skills and get honor and praise for what they do. Worship is about God. It is focused upon Him, it seeks to praise and glorify Him. Again, when we gather for any other purpose our worship is not spiritual, regardless of how we may feel about it.

Second, spiritual worship is heart-based. Jesus tells us to worship God "in spirit and in truth." There is an emotional-heart aspect to our worship. Here two errors are often made. First, many assume that anything that fires the heart must be spiritual and therefore desirable in worship. Yet again, we find Paul warnings solemnly against any kind of out of control emotional and outbursts, even with true Holy Spirit given gifts: "The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" and "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak" (1 Cor. 14: 32,34). Sadly, much of what passes as highly spiritual worship today has more kinship with the pagan and rites of Canaanite people than it does with the quiet, sober, careful worship of Jehovah God. Those who pursue true spirituality in worship will quickly observe in scripture that run-away emotionalism has never led anyone toward pleasing God, but instead rapidly carries people away from God. Having said that, it is important to observe the second error regarding emotions in worship: the attempt to do away with them entirely. This is an opposite extreme to the first error, and very often little more than a reaction to it. Since some are charismatic who have joy in their worship we will have no joy and thus everyone will know we are not charismatic! How sad. The Bible shows over and over the sheer joy and delight that comes from true worship. It is hard to miss the joy of the psalmist: "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me" (Psalm 13:6). While never endorsing wild emotionalism it may be true that we would do well to allow our true feelings to show as we worship the wonderful God who saved us and redeemed us.

Third, spiritual worship is truth centered. Jesus makes certain we understand that worship is not just about the feelings of our heart. We must worship "in truth." Without doubt this refers to God's right to control, command, and authorize every aspect of our worship. Throughout the Bible we are constantly bumping into God's regulations concerning worship. Cain did it wrong. Leviticus makes sure worship is done just so. 1 Corinthians plainly says "Stop doing this with the Lord's Supper - that's wrong!" Over and over we see that when men and women worship as they want to, do as they please, it comes out all wrong and does not please God. Worship that does not observe the divine commandments is simply vain worship, even if it is offered to God and even if it is offered with much spirit attached to it. True spiritual worship must follow the divine pattern or it utterly fails.

Here so many want to scream "Legalist!" or "Pharisee!" They are quite sure that any attempt to follow biblical instruction will hinder and destroy authentic worship. Yet when one reads of Nadab and Abihu one is hard pressed to conclude that God really doesn't care about the details of His worship. I have long used the birthday party illustration to try and help people see the point here. When it is my birthday, we do what I want to do. We do not go to a restaurant my kids like or my wife likes. I get to choose where we eat. The gifts that are brought are gifts that please me, not toys my daughters would enjoy. All of this is done because it is my birthday, my day. Likewise, on Dena's birthday she would not be pleased with a new shotgun or even a fine new hunting dog. On her day we do to please her. Is it too much to suggest that on God's day, Sunday, we must do to please Him? Shouldn't we be thankful that His word supplies us with clear direction so that we can know that we are indeed pleasing our God? Isn't that our intent with worship in the first place?

People have debated and argued over what constitutes spiritual worship for centuries. Yet Jesus encapsulates what we need to know succinctly and directly. He gives us our focus, the emotional dimension and reminds us of the need to follow divine instruction. Such is the heart of spiritual worship.