25
Sep '18
Why is Worship Important?
25
Sep '18
By Jim Hawkins
The heart of worship
Worship is so integral to the life of the church that when we say we are “going to church,” what we most often mean is that we will be attending a worship service. Worship is mentioned in Scripture, from the first book (the difference between how Cain and Abel worshipped God in Genesis 4, Noah and his family worshipping after the Flood in Genesis 8:20-22, and more) to the last book, where much of Revelation is a vision of heavenly worship. Clearly worship is important. But what is worship?
Worship includes proclamation of God’s Word, yet worship is more than Scripture lessons and a sermon. For some people, music is their favorite element of worship; yet even for music lovers, worship is more than a collection of songs. We pray during worship, yet worship is more than prayer. People need to gather for worship to happen, yet worship is much more than just a meeting. Clearly worship is more than the sum of its parts.
“The heart of worship, at least for Jews and Christians, is the celebration of God,” wrote John E. Burkhart in his book “Worship.” “True celebration of God is quite festive, sometimes almost playful, and conspicuous in its gladness as it takes delight in what God is about … Such worship celebrates God, the God known by prophets, psalmists, and apostles, and by multitudes of Jews and Christians, for whom worship is not a duty but a privilege, not a burden but a delight. Worship gladly celebrates the God whose character is caring and sharing, the God who is indecorously gracious.”
Credit: https://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/entry/6205/why-is-worship-important
