WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY-PHILIPPINES

WESLEY DIVINITY SCHOOL

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

INTRODUCTION:

Worship is a doing and act of giving praise, adoration and thanksgiving to a highest and
powerful God or in the other hand god. Men are the one who worship and God/god is the one
who is worshiping. In Christianity there is one subject of worship the Lord our God. And
worshiping God can be a corporate or one in one worshiping God.

I. What is Worship?

In the New Testament can see that it use several words for worship. First is proskuneo, a
term that is commonly used literally means “to kiss the hand,” or “to bow down.” In Matthew the
word uses to describe the worship to the new-born Christ; the word Jesus uses when interacting
with the Samaritan woman in John 4; and the word John uses in Revelation to describe heavenly
worship. It is the word for worship used to signify humble adoration.

The second word is latreuo, uses as rendering honor, or paying homage. This both terms
carry the idea of giving, because worship is giving something to God. Worship is ascribing to
God His worth, or affirming His supreme value. Worship is not about having my needs met or
receiving from God anything, it is about giving something to God or may say giving something
He truly deserve as a God.[ CITATION Smi04 \l 1033 ]1

II. Why is there a need for Worship?

It is commanded by God to man to worship Him, but the true worship should have a
sufficient reason for it. Yet, there are reasons other than response to His commanded. If one is
worshiping only because it is commanded, it will not be the way it should be because it is
difficult to do anything properly when it is done by the sense of duty. God only desires worship
from one who is properly motivated by all reasons the Word of God present for worship.
[ CITATION Tay96 \l 1033 ]2

1
Dan Smith, “Worship”, 40 Days of Purpose, (Olathe Bible Church, 2004, 1).
2
Gene Taylor, “Worshiping the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness”, (Centerville Road Church of Christ, 1996, 9).
 WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY-PHILIPPINES
WESLEY DIVINITY SCHOOL
Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City

The reason why there is a need for worship is to express our love and thanksgiving to
God. Worship, by its nature and design, is an expression of love and devotion. Love for God, for
what He is and what He has done for man, should motivate one to worship Him. In 1 John 4:9
states, “We love Him because He first loved us.” And to know God and His love is to be filled
with love and thanksgiving for Him. Worship also provides a means of expression for that
thanksgiving and love. In Psalm 95:1-3 shows how the people of God the Israelites used worship
to express their thanksgiving to God. [ CITATION Tay96 \l 1033 ]3

The other reason is to express one’s desire to submit to the will of God. God has
commanded His children to assemble to worship Him (Hebrews 10:24-25). This assembling
shows one’s willingness to be submissive to His will. Obedience to God’s will is necessary for
one to please Him (Matthew 7:21). God’s will is always best for everyone in anyway.
Worshiping God in the manner in which He instructed and prescribes show’s one’s desire to
have His will accomplished in his own life and in the entire world. [ CITATION Tay96 \l 1033 ]4

Worship is a response to the person and work of Jesus Christ. In John 4:19-26 a story
Samaritan woman and Jesus Christ, This Samaritan woman spoke worship but Jesus said to her
in verse 22 “you worship what you do not know” but the woman said in verse 25 “I know that
Messiah is coming” and Jesus revealed Himself to the woman in verse 26 “I who speak to you
am He.” The Samaritan woman believed to Jesus Christ and she start to worship Jesus Christ. A
true worshiper of God must first respond to Christ. Worship is more than religious activity, it is a
response to the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.[ CITATION Smi04 \l 1033 ]5

Worship is an attitude of surrender that permeates the whole life. Worshiping in spirit
(John 4:23, 24). Worshiping in spirit is not just simply attending the church every Sunday and
participates. Worship is not only an involvement in a series of religious activities. But worship
involve a heart and dedication and not just a regular activities that done in every Sunday. God is
worthy to be praise and worship in spirit not only by individuals but also in corporate worship. A
worship that is vibrant and God honoring, as the church worship, then the times together become
a culmination of what God has been doing in the lives of church rather than a weekly dose of
religion.[ CITATION Smi04 \l 1033 ]6

III. Where is the Place of Worship?

There is two ways how to worship God: 1) Individual Worship, where ever you are, even
in deep of the oceans like what Jonas did while he is in the belly of the fish or in the mountain

3
Gene Taylor, 9.
4
Gene Taylor, “Worshiping the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness”, (Centerville Road Church of Christ, 1996, 10).
5
Dan Smith, “Worship”, 40 Days of Purpose, (Olathe Bible Church, 2004, 3).
6
Dan Smith, 4.
 WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY-PHILIPPINES
WESLEY DIVINITY SCHOOL
Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City

like what Jesus does; 2) Public Worship, worshiping together Hebrews 10:25 says “ 25 not
neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the
more as you see the Day drawing near.”[ CITATION Ric00 \l 1033 ]7 – This worship more often do
in the house of prayer (Matthew 21:31).

Worship to God can be done in public place (Psalm 22:22; 35:18) in a congregational
setting, where believer can proclaim through prayer and praise of adoration and thankfulness to
Him and what He has done. Worship can also be done in mountains, in the sea shore or beside
the river (Easter Sunday Worship), and so like. It can also be done in a private place like home.

In John 4:21 Jesus said to her “Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will
not worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. (GNT) Which means the worship
will be done anywhere and everywhere. Even inside the temple/church or outside the church.

IV. To Whom is Worship?

Worship is a God-centered, which God, is the only one who is glorified. Worship is a
response to God’s holiness which is right and truth. It is also important to know that worship is
reserved only for God. Worship is giving praise unto God, submitting his/her self to God,
obeying God’s ordinance, adoration of God’s name, serving God, and surrendering life to God’s
will and purpose. Worship is not for the saints, prophets, statues, angels, any false god, or even
Mary the mother of Jesus. Worship is done for God because He deserves it, and for His glory
alone

CONCLUSION:

Therefore as a believer and a Christian our focus of worship is none other than God alone
and not the other god. We worship because we love God, and the worship must be from our
heart, worshiping Him in spirit and in truth.

7
Ric’ Arte Abesamis, “Sa Tamang Direksion”, (The District Committee On Evangelism North Nueva Ecija District,
2000, 43).