About Worship
(This article is borrowed from The Fire Bible, published 2009, editor Donald C. Stamps)
Definition of True Worship
The English word "worship" comes from the Old English word "worthship." The word describes actions and attitudes that highly favor and honor the worthiness of God and express awe and adoration toward Him.
True worship is God-centered, not human-centered. It focuses on God's character traits. Christian worship involves Jesus' followers responding with holy love and reverence to God's character and presence by expressing gratitude for who He is and what He has done for us. Sincere, or true and heartfelt, worship requires a faith commitment and a confession that God is the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth. It means knowing and confessing that God is the only Lord — the leader and highest authority-in our lives.
We were created to honor and worship God (Psalm 100:2, 3; Isaiah 43:6, 7; Romans 12:1; Colossians 1:16, 17; Revelation 4:11).
A Brief History of the True Worship of God
Human beings have worshiped God from the beginning of history. Adam and Eve enjoyed a personal relationship and interaction with God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Their sons, Cain and Abel, both brought offerings (Hebrew: minhah, also translated as "tribute," or "gift") to the Lord. Cain brought plant life, and Abel brought animal life (Genesis 4:3-4). Seth's descendants called "on the name of the LORD" (Genesis 4:26). Noah built an altar to the Lord for a burnt offering after the flood (Genesis 8:20). Abraham set up many altars throughout the region that would later become Israel's promised land so that he could present offerings to God (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:4, 18; 22:9) and experience close personal companionship with Him (Genesis 18:23-33; 22:11-18).
However, it was not until after the exodus (the departure of all Israelites from slavery in Egypt), when Israel built the tabernacle (the portable structure that served as a worship center and represented God's presence), that public worship became a formal ceremony or activity to honor God. After that point, sacrifices were offered continually, especially on the Sabbath (the day God set aside for rest and worship). God also established several annual religious feasts as occasions for public worship (Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 1-7; 16; 23:4-44; Deuteronomy 12; 16).
This worship was later brought to a central location, namely the Temple in Jerusalem (see David's plans as recorded in 1Chronicle 22-26). When the Temple was destroyed in 586 BC, the Jews built synagogues as local places of instruction and worship while they were in exile and wherever they settled. These buildings continued to be used for worship even after the Second Temple was built under Zerubbabel's leadership (Ezra 3-6). There were synagogues throughout Judea and all over the Roman world during New Testament times (Luke 4:16; John 6:59; Acts 6:9; 13:14; 14:1; 17:1, 10; 18:4; 19:8; 22:19).
Worship in the early days of the New Testament church took place both in the Jerusalem temple and in private homes (Acts 2:46-47). Outside of Jerusalem, Christians worshiped in the synagogues as long as they were permitted to do so. When that was no longer allowed, they met elsewhere for worship — usually in people’s homes (Acts 18:7; romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2) though sometimes they had access to some other public facility (Acts 19:9-10).
Expressions of Christian Worship
The Bible describes true and heartfelt worship that takes many forms and postures, including:
As long as these expressions are suitable for the particular situations and are sincere responses to an awareness of God's presence, they are acceptable to God.
Regardless of the posture of worship, several elements tend to characterize true godly worship. All worship should lift up the Lord, not the individual worshiper.
(1) Two key principles help direct Christian worship:
(a) Genuine worship takes place in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). That is to say, true worship is not just a physical or mental activity.
True worship is a spiritual exercise — giving an equal response to how God has revealed Himself to us, particularly through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Worship involves heartfelt interaction between the human spirit and God's Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-12).
(b) The practice of Christian worship must fit the New Testament pattern for the Church (Acts 7:44 - 53). Jesus’ followers today should desire, search after, and expect the same kinds of worship expressions and experiences described throughout the New Testament.
(2) The key feature of Old Testament worship was the system of sacrifice (Numbers 28-29). Since Christ's sacrifice on the cross completely fulfilled this system, there is no longer any need for the shedding of blood as part of Christian worship (Hebrews 9:1 - 10:18). Through the sacrament, or a symbolic ceremony, of the Lord's Supper (communion), the New Testament church continually celebrates in memory of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Also, the church is urged to "continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess His name" (Hebrews 13:15).
Also, we are to offer our bodies as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1).
(3) Praising God is necessary in Christian worship. Praise was an important element in Israel's worship of God (e.g, Ps 100:4; 106:1; 111:1; 113:1; 117), as well as in early Christian worship (Ac 2:46-47; 16:25; Romans 15:10-11; Hebrews 2:12)
(4) One important way to praise God is by singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
The Old Testament is full of encouragement to sing to the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:23; Psalm 95:1; 96:1-2; 98:1, 5-6; 100:1-2).
At the time of Jesus' birth, the entire heavenly multitude burst into a song of praise (Luke 2:13-14).
The New Testament church was a singing community (1Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13).
The Bible describes New Testament Christians as singing with words from the mind (with a known human language) or with the spirit (in a spiritual language, or tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:15).
Never did they consider or practice singing as a form of entertainment disguised as worship. Although singing and music are important expressions of worship, we must be careful not to view music as the primary means of worship. We must not allow it to take the place of true worship. Music certainly can inspire and move our hearts to offer up true worship, but at times it can also overpower the senses. This is when attention is directed away from God. In this way, people end up worshiping a song, a singer on a feeling rather than worshiping God.
(5) Prayer is another important part of worship. The Old Testament saints constantly communicated with God through prayer (Genesis 20:17; Numbers 11:2; 1 Samuel 8:6; 2 Samuel 7:27; Daniel 9:3-19; James 5:17-18). The leaders of the New Testament church also prayed continually after Jesus was lifted up into heaven (Acts 1:14). Prayer became a regular part of Christian worship (Acts 2:42; 20:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
These prayers could be personal (Acts 4:24-30), or they could be intercessory prayers (prayers for others) (Romans 15:30-32; Ephesians 6:18). Christian prayer must always involve giving thanks to God (Eph 5:20; Php 4:6; Col 3:15, 17; 1Th 5:18). As with singing, praying could be done with a known human language or in tongues (1Co 14:13-15).
(6) Confession of sin (openly admitting our offenses toward God) was clearly an important part of Old Testament worship.
God had established the Day of Atonement for the Israelites as a time for national confession of their offenses against God (Leviticus 16). In his prayer at the temple dedication, Solomon recognized the importance of confession (1 Kings 8:30-39). When Ezra and Nehemiah realized how much God's people had neglected His law, they led the entire nation of Judah in a passionate public prayer of confession (Nehemiah 9). When Jesus gave his followers an example of how to pray (often referred to as the Lord's Prayer), He taught them to ask for forgiveness of sins (Matthew 6:12). James instructs believers to confess their sins to each other (James 5:16). Admitting spiritual faults and failures can provide accountability and inspire assurance of God's gracious forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
(7) Worship also includes public reading of God's Word and preaching of its truth. In Old Testament times God commanded that every seven years, at the Feast of Tabernacles, all Israelites were to assemble for a public reading of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:9-13). The clearest example of this part of Old Testament worship came during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:1-12). Scripture reading became a regular part of the synagogue worship on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16-19; Acts 13:15). In a similar way, when New Testament believers gathered for worship, they also heard God's Word (1Timothy 4:13; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27) along with teaching, preaching and practical challenges based on the truth of the Word (1Timothy 4:13; 2Timothy 4:2; Acts 19:8-10; 20:7).
(8) Whenever God's Old Testament people assembled in the courts of the Lord (places of worship), they were instructed to bring tithes (a tenth of one's income or produce) and offerings (Psalm 96:8; Malachi 3:10).
In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians about gathering funds for the Jerusalem church: "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income" (1Corinthians 16:2). This is an example of how true worship of God must be planned for, especially in presenting our tithes and offerings to God.
(9) One unique element of New Testament worship was and is presently the role of the Holy Spirit and His various expressions given through Christ's followers. Among these spiritual gifts and expressions — all of which are intended to honor Christ and build up the church — are the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, extraordinary faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between types of spirits, speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues (1Corinthians 12:7-10).
The charismatic (Spirit-led, enthusiastic) nature of early Christian worship is further described in Paul's instructions: "When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation" (1Corinthians 14:26). In his letters to the Corinthian church, Paul provided principles to guide and regulate these gifts of worship (1 Corinthians 14:1-33). The most important principle of all was that any exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit during worship had to strengthen and help the whole congregation (1Corinthians 12:7; 14:26;).
(10) The other unique element in New Testament worship was the celebration of the sacraments — the symbolic ceremonies of baptism and the Lord's Supper (communion). The Lord's Supper (or the "breaking of bread,' see Acts 2:42) was probably observed daily among believers right after Pentecost (the day on which God sent His Holy Spirit to fill and empower Jesus’ followers (Acts 2:46-47). Later, it became at least a weekly practice (Acts 20:7, 11). Baptism, as commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), happened as often as people were converted to faith in Christ and added to the Church (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 9:18; 10:48; 16:30-33; 19:1-5).
God’s Blessings for True Worshippers:
When true worship takes place, God responds with many blessings. He promises:
Hindrances to True Worship:
When God's people gather for worship and do what seems right outwardly, this is no guarantee that true worship is taking place or that God is accepting their praise and listening to their prayers.
(1) If the Worship is simply a matter of words and formalities and the people's hearts are not centered on Him, then God does not accept the worship. Jesus severely criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy! They religiously followed the regulations of God's law while their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:7-9; 23:23-28; Mark 7:5-7).
Notice that the same type of criticism was given to the church in Ephesus. They continued to worship the Lord even though the people had dost their true love for Jesus (Revelation 2:1-5). In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul warns believers that those who participate in the Lord's Supper without repenting of their sin and without giving proper consideration to their fellow Christians are actually bringing judgment on themselves (1Corinthians 11:28-30; 11:27). The truth of this matter of worshiping God is that we can expect God to accept our worship only if our hearts are in a right relationship with Him (James 4:8; Psalm 24:3-4).
(2) Another obstacle to true worship is a lifestyle of spiritual compromise, sin and immorality.
God refused to accept King Saul's sacrifices because he disobeyed God's command (1Samuel 15:1-23).
Isaiah scolded God's people as a "sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers" (Isaiah 1:4), even though they were still offering sacrifices and celebrating their holy days. For this reason, the Lord declared through Isaiah: "Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts, my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:14-15).
In the New Testament Jesus urged the worshipers in Sardis to wake up because "I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God" (Revelation 3:2).
Likewise, James reminds the followers of Jesus that God will not hear the selfish prayers of those who have not separated themselves from the world's ungodly beliefs and behaviors (James 4:1-5). God's people can expect Him to reveal His powerful presence and accept their worship only if they keep their lives spiritually pure (Psalm 24:3-4; James4:8). Worship must be more than a service or ceremony; it must be a way of life that reflects the highest respect, reverence and honor for God — in words and actions — in all situations (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15, 16).
Definition of True Worship
The English word "worship" comes from the Old English word "worthship." The word describes actions and attitudes that highly favor and honor the worthiness of God and express awe and adoration toward Him.
True worship is God-centered, not human-centered. It focuses on God's character traits. Christian worship involves Jesus' followers responding with holy love and reverence to God's character and presence by expressing gratitude for who He is and what He has done for us. Sincere, or true and heartfelt, worship requires a faith commitment and a confession that God is the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth. It means knowing and confessing that God is the only Lord — the leader and highest authority-in our lives.
We were created to honor and worship God (Psalm 100:2, 3; Isaiah 43:6, 7; Romans 12:1; Colossians 1:16, 17; Revelation 4:11).
A Brief History of the True Worship of God
Human beings have worshiped God from the beginning of history. Adam and Eve enjoyed a personal relationship and interaction with God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). Their sons, Cain and Abel, both brought offerings (Hebrew: minhah, also translated as "tribute," or "gift") to the Lord. Cain brought plant life, and Abel brought animal life (Genesis 4:3-4). Seth's descendants called "on the name of the LORD" (Genesis 4:26). Noah built an altar to the Lord for a burnt offering after the flood (Genesis 8:20). Abraham set up many altars throughout the region that would later become Israel's promised land so that he could present offerings to God (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:4, 18; 22:9) and experience close personal companionship with Him (Genesis 18:23-33; 22:11-18).
However, it was not until after the exodus (the departure of all Israelites from slavery in Egypt), when Israel built the tabernacle (the portable structure that served as a worship center and represented God's presence), that public worship became a formal ceremony or activity to honor God. After that point, sacrifices were offered continually, especially on the Sabbath (the day God set aside for rest and worship). God also established several annual religious feasts as occasions for public worship (Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 1-7; 16; 23:4-44; Deuteronomy 12; 16).
This worship was later brought to a central location, namely the Temple in Jerusalem (see David's plans as recorded in 1Chronicle 22-26). When the Temple was destroyed in 586 BC, the Jews built synagogues as local places of instruction and worship while they were in exile and wherever they settled. These buildings continued to be used for worship even after the Second Temple was built under Zerubbabel's leadership (Ezra 3-6). There were synagogues throughout Judea and all over the Roman world during New Testament times (Luke 4:16; John 6:59; Acts 6:9; 13:14; 14:1; 17:1, 10; 18:4; 19:8; 22:19).
Worship in the early days of the New Testament church took place both in the Jerusalem temple and in private homes (Acts 2:46-47). Outside of Jerusalem, Christians worshiped in the synagogues as long as they were permitted to do so. When that was no longer allowed, they met elsewhere for worship — usually in people’s homes (Acts 18:7; romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2) though sometimes they had access to some other public facility (Acts 19:9-10).
Expressions of Christian Worship
The Bible describes true and heartfelt worship that takes many forms and postures, including:
- bowing down (Genesis 24:6 1; 1Kings 1:47, 48)
- standing (Exodus 33:10)
- dancing (2 Samuel 6:14)
- clapping and shouting (Psalm 47:1)
- raising hands (Psalm 134:2; 1Timothy 2:8)
- kneeling (Daniel 6:10)
- walking and leaping (Acts 3:8) and
- lying facedown or flat on the ground (Revelation 5:14).
As long as these expressions are suitable for the particular situations and are sincere responses to an awareness of God's presence, they are acceptable to God.
Regardless of the posture of worship, several elements tend to characterize true godly worship. All worship should lift up the Lord, not the individual worshiper.
(1) Two key principles help direct Christian worship:
(a) Genuine worship takes place in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). That is to say, true worship is not just a physical or mental activity.
True worship is a spiritual exercise — giving an equal response to how God has revealed Himself to us, particularly through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Worship involves heartfelt interaction between the human spirit and God's Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-12).
(b) The practice of Christian worship must fit the New Testament pattern for the Church (Acts 7:44 - 53). Jesus’ followers today should desire, search after, and expect the same kinds of worship expressions and experiences described throughout the New Testament.
(2) The key feature of Old Testament worship was the system of sacrifice (Numbers 28-29). Since Christ's sacrifice on the cross completely fulfilled this system, there is no longer any need for the shedding of blood as part of Christian worship (Hebrews 9:1 - 10:18). Through the sacrament, or a symbolic ceremony, of the Lord's Supper (communion), the New Testament church continually celebrates in memory of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Also, the church is urged to "continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess His name" (Hebrews 13:15).
Also, we are to offer our bodies as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1).
(3) Praising God is necessary in Christian worship. Praise was an important element in Israel's worship of God (e.g, Ps 100:4; 106:1; 111:1; 113:1; 117), as well as in early Christian worship (Ac 2:46-47; 16:25; Romans 15:10-11; Hebrews 2:12)
(4) One important way to praise God is by singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
The Old Testament is full of encouragement to sing to the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:23; Psalm 95:1; 96:1-2; 98:1, 5-6; 100:1-2).
At the time of Jesus' birth, the entire heavenly multitude burst into a song of praise (Luke 2:13-14).
The New Testament church was a singing community (1Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13).
The Bible describes New Testament Christians as singing with words from the mind (with a known human language) or with the spirit (in a spiritual language, or tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:15).
Never did they consider or practice singing as a form of entertainment disguised as worship. Although singing and music are important expressions of worship, we must be careful not to view music as the primary means of worship. We must not allow it to take the place of true worship. Music certainly can inspire and move our hearts to offer up true worship, but at times it can also overpower the senses. This is when attention is directed away from God. In this way, people end up worshiping a song, a singer on a feeling rather than worshiping God.
(5) Prayer is another important part of worship. The Old Testament saints constantly communicated with God through prayer (Genesis 20:17; Numbers 11:2; 1 Samuel 8:6; 2 Samuel 7:27; Daniel 9:3-19; James 5:17-18). The leaders of the New Testament church also prayed continually after Jesus was lifted up into heaven (Acts 1:14). Prayer became a regular part of Christian worship (Acts 2:42; 20:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).
These prayers could be personal (Acts 4:24-30), or they could be intercessory prayers (prayers for others) (Romans 15:30-32; Ephesians 6:18). Christian prayer must always involve giving thanks to God (Eph 5:20; Php 4:6; Col 3:15, 17; 1Th 5:18). As with singing, praying could be done with a known human language or in tongues (1Co 14:13-15).
(6) Confession of sin (openly admitting our offenses toward God) was clearly an important part of Old Testament worship.
God had established the Day of Atonement for the Israelites as a time for national confession of their offenses against God (Leviticus 16). In his prayer at the temple dedication, Solomon recognized the importance of confession (1 Kings 8:30-39). When Ezra and Nehemiah realized how much God's people had neglected His law, they led the entire nation of Judah in a passionate public prayer of confession (Nehemiah 9). When Jesus gave his followers an example of how to pray (often referred to as the Lord's Prayer), He taught them to ask for forgiveness of sins (Matthew 6:12). James instructs believers to confess their sins to each other (James 5:16). Admitting spiritual faults and failures can provide accountability and inspire assurance of God's gracious forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
(7) Worship also includes public reading of God's Word and preaching of its truth. In Old Testament times God commanded that every seven years, at the Feast of Tabernacles, all Israelites were to assemble for a public reading of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:9-13). The clearest example of this part of Old Testament worship came during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:1-12). Scripture reading became a regular part of the synagogue worship on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16-19; Acts 13:15). In a similar way, when New Testament believers gathered for worship, they also heard God's Word (1Timothy 4:13; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27) along with teaching, preaching and practical challenges based on the truth of the Word (1Timothy 4:13; 2Timothy 4:2; Acts 19:8-10; 20:7).
(8) Whenever God's Old Testament people assembled in the courts of the Lord (places of worship), they were instructed to bring tithes (a tenth of one's income or produce) and offerings (Psalm 96:8; Malachi 3:10).
In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians about gathering funds for the Jerusalem church: "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income" (1Corinthians 16:2). This is an example of how true worship of God must be planned for, especially in presenting our tithes and offerings to God.
(9) One unique element of New Testament worship was and is presently the role of the Holy Spirit and His various expressions given through Christ's followers. Among these spiritual gifts and expressions — all of which are intended to honor Christ and build up the church — are the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, extraordinary faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between types of spirits, speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues (1Corinthians 12:7-10).
The charismatic (Spirit-led, enthusiastic) nature of early Christian worship is further described in Paul's instructions: "When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation" (1Corinthians 14:26). In his letters to the Corinthian church, Paul provided principles to guide and regulate these gifts of worship (1 Corinthians 14:1-33). The most important principle of all was that any exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit during worship had to strengthen and help the whole congregation (1Corinthians 12:7; 14:26;).
(10) The other unique element in New Testament worship was the celebration of the sacraments — the symbolic ceremonies of baptism and the Lord's Supper (communion). The Lord's Supper (or the "breaking of bread,' see Acts 2:42) was probably observed daily among believers right after Pentecost (the day on which God sent His Holy Spirit to fill and empower Jesus’ followers (Acts 2:46-47). Later, it became at least a weekly practice (Acts 20:7, 11). Baptism, as commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), happened as often as people were converted to faith in Christ and added to the Church (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 9:18; 10:48; 16:30-33; 19:1-5).
God’s Blessings for True Worshippers:
When true worship takes place, God responds with many blessings. He promises:
- to be with them (Matthew 18: 20) and to have close personal interaction with them (Revelation 3:20),
- to guide and surround them with His glory (Exodus 4035; 2Chronicles 7:1; 1Peter 4:14)
- to shower them with blessings (Ezekiel 34:26) especially peace (Psalm 29-11)
- to give them overflowing joy (Psalm 122:1; John 15:11)
- to answer their prayers when offered in sincere faith (Mark 11:24; James 5:15)
- to give them a fresh infilling of His Holy Spirit and boldness to live for Christ and tell others about Him (Acts 4:31);
- to work among them in special and obvious ways through the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 12:7-13)
- to guide them into all truth through the Holy Spirit (John 15:26; 16:13)
- to purify, develop and set them apart for His purposes through the power and instruction of His Word and the Holy Spirit (John 17:17-19)
- to comfort, encourage and strengthen them (Isaiah 40:1; 1Corinthians 14:26; 2Corinthians 1:3-4; 1Thessalonians 5:11)
- to expose the reality of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8
- to spiritually save people whose sinfulness is revealed to them and who respond in faith during a worship service (1Corinthians 14:22-25).
Hindrances to True Worship:
When God's people gather for worship and do what seems right outwardly, this is no guarantee that true worship is taking place or that God is accepting their praise and listening to their prayers.
(1) If the Worship is simply a matter of words and formalities and the people's hearts are not centered on Him, then God does not accept the worship. Jesus severely criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy! They religiously followed the regulations of God's law while their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:7-9; 23:23-28; Mark 7:5-7).
Notice that the same type of criticism was given to the church in Ephesus. They continued to worship the Lord even though the people had dost their true love for Jesus (Revelation 2:1-5). In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul warns believers that those who participate in the Lord's Supper without repenting of their sin and without giving proper consideration to their fellow Christians are actually bringing judgment on themselves (1Corinthians 11:28-30; 11:27). The truth of this matter of worshiping God is that we can expect God to accept our worship only if our hearts are in a right relationship with Him (James 4:8; Psalm 24:3-4).
(2) Another obstacle to true worship is a lifestyle of spiritual compromise, sin and immorality.
God refused to accept King Saul's sacrifices because he disobeyed God's command (1Samuel 15:1-23).
Isaiah scolded God's people as a "sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers" (Isaiah 1:4), even though they were still offering sacrifices and celebrating their holy days. For this reason, the Lord declared through Isaiah: "Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts, my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:14-15).
In the New Testament Jesus urged the worshipers in Sardis to wake up because "I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God" (Revelation 3:2).
Likewise, James reminds the followers of Jesus that God will not hear the selfish prayers of those who have not separated themselves from the world's ungodly beliefs and behaviors (James 4:1-5). God's people can expect Him to reveal His powerful presence and accept their worship only if they keep their lives spiritually pure (Psalm 24:3-4; James4:8). Worship must be more than a service or ceremony; it must be a way of life that reflects the highest respect, reverence and honor for God — in words and actions — in all situations (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15, 16).
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