Worship (10 ways to grow spiritually)

Over the next several episodes, I want to talk about ten ways that will help you grow spiritually, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, and practically live the authentic Christian life.

In this first study of the series, we examine worship.

Many of us immediately think of “singing” when we hear the word “worship.” But worship is far more than hymns and praises—worship is a lifestyle that is based on beholding our God.

Throughout the episode, we examine how beholding and the idea of kissing create a foundation for our understanding of worship, and then talk about three aspects of worship if we want to grow spiritually: the lifestyle, the sacrifice, and the totality of worship.

Join Nathan in this exciting study as we explore how true worship can radically change our lives and press us all the deeper into Christ Jesus.

Listen to or download the episode

What do you think about when you hear worship?

When most people hear the worship “worship” they immediately think of hymns, worship nights, or some version of singing. This is often reinforced in our churches as the pastors says, “stand and let’s worship,” and then we sing.

But worship is more about a lifestyle than it is about singing. Though singing (praise) is included in worship, the majority of times worship is mentioned in Scripture it doesn’t have to do with singing but the life we live.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Behold + Kiss

There are two concepts that will help us better understand worship.

1. Beholding

When we see an incredible sunset, we often can’t help ourselves—we become captivated and excited, and a quiet “wow” escapes our mouth. The same thing is true when we behold God.

You shouldn’t need to be “forced” to worship … it is a natural expression of beholding our God.

What if we continually beheld Jesus Christ in our lives? What if we built our lives around Him? Wouldn’t worship be continually coming from our lives? 

• Psalm 34:1 – I will bless Yahweh at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 
• Psalm 71:6b – My praise is continually of You.

2. Kissing

In Greek, worship gives the picture of dog licking his master’s hand.

Full out “worship” is like the love and obsession a dog has for its master. You know what it looks like—dogs can’t help but be obsessed, and they’re overwhelmed with joy, excitement, enthusiasm, and the can’t-get-enough-of-you attitude. You can leave a dog alone for two minutes, and when you return, he acts as if he hasn’t seen you in years. 

Can you imagine worshiping Jesus with the same passion and excitement that a dog has for his master?!?! What if every moment of the day was filled with a dog-like obsession for our Master? What if we continually lived in a dog-licking, worshipful attitude toward Jesus?

3 Aspects to Worship

1. The Lifestyle of Worship 

Worship is less about what we do and more about who we are. We are worshippers.

The New Testament is full of this idea. Because we have become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9), indwelt by Him (Acts 2), worship is no longer an activity we go down to the “church building” to do; rather, it is a lifestyle we continuously live. Worship isn’t just a physical activity; it is the flow, current, and undergirding of our entire lives.

It’s more than a once-a-week activity we do on Sundays, worship is to be our lifestyle.

When Jesus was talking with the Samaritan women at the well, she brought up worship and Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.…But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:21, 23).

2. The Sacrifice of Worship

The first time the word “worship” appears in Scripture is Genesis 22:5, “And Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there; and we will worship, and we will return to you.'”

Inherent within worship is the idea of sacrifice and trust.

Paul tells us, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2, ESV).

3. The Totality of Worship 

Worship demands all. You cannot be half-in on worship. You are either fully given in worship, or you are not truly worshipping.

Isaac Watts wrote in his hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”: Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. 

Worship affects every area of our lives. Everything we do is to be worship unto the Living God. Again, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” He also says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…”

If everything we do is worship—unto God for His glory, honor, and praise—then our lives will be a testimony of our God to the world around us. Which is why Peter reminds us to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

What if you kept your focus on Jesus in the everyday moments of life? What if you continually beheld His goodness, remembering all He has done in your life—including the amazing realities of forgiving your sins, rescuing you from the pit of hell, adopting you as a son or daughter, and seating you in heavenly places in Himself (see Ephesians 1-2)?

If we truly beheld Him, wouldn’t every moment of our every day be filled with worship and praise unto Him? Wouldn’t we continually live in awe, amazement, and gratitude?

To the praise of the glory of His grace

• Ephesians 1:6 – … to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved. 
• Ephesians 1:12 – … that we who first have hoped in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 
• Ephesians 1:14 – … to the praise of His glory.

To grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we must worship. But again, no one should have to make you worship—if you but see Him as He is, you won’t be able to help yourself. And remember, worship isn’t merely singing (praise); it’s a lifestyle. Everything that comes out of our lives should (and can!) be in an attitude of worship:

• Driving home from work
• Eating, sleeping, hobbies, shopping, etc.
• Dealing with the difficult neighbor or coworker
• Kissing your spouse or playing with your kids
• Dealing with taxes

Yes, sing unto the Lord a new song (Psalm 96:1), but beyond singing, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Let His praise continually be upon your lips (Psalm 34:1), in your gaze, and on your mind.

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FOOTNOTES

Photo Credit: Joshua Earle

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Join the Conversation

Question: How are you intentionally living a life of worship? How is it deepening your spiritual life?