The essence of worship is where it’s at. I think you will agree with this statement if you read the first part of this document. So let’s move on. We’ve been talking about the localized and institutionalized worship of the Old Testament having been delocalized and deinstitutionalized in the New Testament because the saints worship God in spirit and truth. We see further evidence of this in Paul’s ministry. Paul calls his own ministry a “priestly service (of worship),” and he calls the converts themselves an “acceptable offering (in worship)” to God (Romans 15:16; cf. Philippians 2:17). He even calls the money that the churches send him “a fragrant aroma and acceptable sacrifice to God (in worship)” (Philippians 4:18 JP). And his own death for Christ he calls a “drink offering” to God (II Timothy 4:6).
This is what it means when we read things like, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). And “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17 NASB). This is the central New Testament action of worship: to act in a way that reflects the glory of God—to do a thing in the name of Jesus with thanks to God. But the New Testament uses those greatest of all worship sentences without any reference to Sunday worship services. They describe life. Again, the essence of worship is not external, localized acts, but an inner, God ward experience that shows itself externally not primarily in church services. The fundamental reason for this is probably that the Old Testament was mainly a “come see” religion and the New Testament fulfillment is a “go tell” religion.
Now let me address the question: What is the essence of that inner experience which we call worship?
Worship, whether an inner experience of the heart or an outward act of the body, or of the congregation collectively—is a magnifying of God. That is, it is an act that shows how magnificent He is. It is an act that reveals or expresses how great and glorious He is. Worship is all about consciously reflecting the worth or value of God. Paul’s passion is that what he does with his body, whether in life or death, will always be worship. In life and death his mission is to magnify Christ—to show that Christ is magnificent, to exalt Christ, and demonstrate that He is great. That’s plain from verse 20, that Christ shall be “exalted in my body, whether by life or death.” Paul knew in his heart that God willed his life to continue after his Roman imprisonment, he would be more determined than ever to minister to the saints. That would be good for all the churches that Paul ministered to. But, on the other hand, if God called him home that would be gain also. Death would take him into a deeper intimacy with the Lord. And that is especially good.
Therefore, the inner essence of worship is cherishing Christ as gain, indeed as more gain than all that life can offer—family, career, retirement, fame, food, and friends. The essence of worship is experiencing Christ as gain. It is savoring Him. It is naming Him as the end of your search. Jesus is the object of your faith. John Piper, whom I quote often, brings this topic together in one sentence. He says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Christ is magnified in my death, when in my death I am satisfied with Him, when I experience death as gain because I gain Him. Or another way to say it is that the essence of praising Christ is prizing Christ. Christ will be praised in my death, if in my death He is prized above life. The inner essence of worship is prizing Christ. Are you satisfied in Jesus Christ? You can by receiving Him as Savior and Lord and walking with Him daily through prayer and praise. Tell Him often that you are thankful for Him. Tell Him often that you are glad in Him. He’s waiting to hear from you. Start talking to Him and enjoy the fellowship of worship.
Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is coming again. I believe it’s time to WORSHIP!
Oikonomian
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