Lesson 225: “Worship - Part 1 of 2"
The word worship comes from the old English word “weorthscipe” and means to pay homage to the most worthy being in the universe. The Greek word “proskuneo” shows up frequently in the book of Revelation and means to fall prostrate and kiss someone’s feet in total and complete surrender. When we worship we are paying respect to the eternal God; our Lord and Creator. “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest He be angry” (Ps. 2:11-12). Jesus told the Samaritan woman to worship with intelligence and not in ignorance. The Samaritans had religious rituals and were confused and in error while the Jews had faith in Jesus Christ (John 4:14-22). When Jesus told the Samaritan woman that salvation was from the Jews, He did not mean that all Jews were saved or were especially pious. Salvation is from the Jews in the sense that it is available only through Jesus, who was born of the seed of Abraham (Rom. 9:4-5).
We are to worship God alone and not man, angels or other created beings. Cornelius began to worship Peter but Peter rebuked him saying; “stand up! I am only a man myself” (Acts 10:25-26). John was rebuked by an angel who appeared to him from heaven, and said to him; “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus! Worship God!” (Rev. 19:10). Unbelievers dangerously worship demons and idols made of materials that cannot see, hear or walk (Rev. 9:20). Satan hungers and thirsts for worship, demanding that even Jesus worship him (Matt. 4:9-10). We, too, must answer the devil with the Words of God, standing firm in the faith for Satan demands our attention also (1 Pet. 5:8-9).
Today, in our “oh so modern and sophisticated world”, there are blatant, open Satan worshipers who are following their own ungodly desires (Jude 18-19). There is another, more subtle type of devil worship and these are the ones who claim to know God but by their actions they deny Him (Titus 1:16). When these people boast about their money and accomplishments, without a thought of giving God the credit and honor, they are listening to the devil’s lies. When they are unforgiving, because they were “in the right”; slanderous and brutal because the other person “asked for it”; conceited and without self control because after all “who is it hurting”, then they are headed for the devil’s trap (1 Tim. 2:25-26, 3:1-5). We are told to pray for them but have nothing to do with them.
True worship is God centered and brings glory to Him (Rev. 19:1-10). The Father is seeking true worshipers who are born again (John 3:7), will lift up the Christ (John 3:14) and worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), bringing the worshiper into true fellowship with God. Some argue that it does not matter “how” we worship just as long as we make the effort. WRONG! How many time did Israel bring their sacrifices to God but their hearts were far from Him? “I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them” (Amos 5:21-22). Only when we are walking in heartfelt obedience to God, with a contrite heart and broken spirit will He accept our worship (Ps. 51:17).
Paul told the Corinthians; “your meetings do more harm than good” (1 Cor. 11:17). They were inappropriate, unacceptable and dangerous for divine judgment fell on these worshipers (1 Cor. 11:30). Cain’s worship was unacceptable and he was cursed (Gen. 4:11); Nadab and Abihu were killed as they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command (Lev. 10:1-2); Uzzah was struck dead (2 Sam. 6:7) and Ananias and Sapphira fell dead in the midst of the assembly because their hearts were not right (Acts 5:1-10). It is dangerous to go to church just for show or out of habit, unless we totally acknowledge God and fall before Him in absolute surrender. Then and only then do we qualify for His blessings. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Num. 6:24-26).