Brian Murphy: What Worship Means to Me

“Worship” has become quite the hot topic within the Christian community for in recent years. In most cases, “worship” is used in regard to musical styles, though it’s been my conviction for some time now that “worship” is much more than music.

In the way of personal history, I have been raised in a fairly traditional, country, Southern Baptist Church in rural Arkansas. God captured my heart through the ministry of said church beginning at the age of 9 and calling me to a deeper level of commitment and devotion at the age of 15 of which I have not since recovered

I have served as an official youth minister twice, first at 19 and once again recently, beginning January 1, 2009. I began playing the guitar in 1999—while in the first youth pastorate—with the sole purpose of participating in and leading others to worship through music. Since that time, I have had the opportunity to be a part in developing 2 youth worship-leading bands, including one at the church where I currently serve.

As far back as I can remember I have loved church music, rather traditional hymns accompanied by piano and organ or contemporary choruses accompanied by keyboard and guitar. The rhymes and poetry that have been developed and handed down through the ages have given voice to the deep yearnings within my soul to cry out my love, appreciation, and devotion to the God who has created me, redeemed me, and is ever sanctifying me.

I recently led a bible study surrounding worship and took four points from four passages of scripture:

1. We must choose who/what we will serve. (Joshua 24:15):

Joshua had led the Israelites across the Jordan into the land of Canaan and had conquered many peoples and acquired much of the land promised to their forefathers.  As Joshua neared the end of his age, he challenges the nation of Israel to choose whom they will serve.  The challenge for us is not too different:  we must also choose whom we will serve.  The implication here is that we will serve something.  We were created as beings who worship.  Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden, but since humanity’s fall, we continue to worship:  though rarely has it been God our creator and sustainer.  Food, pleasure, status, wealth, comfort, independence, etc.  We will worship something. We must choose today if we are to worship God.

2. Worship requires sacrifice. (Romans 12:1-2):

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, exhorts the church at Rome to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship”.  Worship requires sacrifice:  time, money, pleasure, etc.  If we worship pleasure, then we typically will sacrifice our employment, responsibilities, and difficult relationships. If we worship money, we will typically become workaholics sacrificing time with our families, friends, and church communities in order to gain wealth. Worshiping God requires that we sacrifice our independence in place of our dependence on His Lordship, wisdom and truth.

3. Worship is not about methods but about spirit and truth. (John 4:1-45):

This is the recording of Jesus’ meeting of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.  The woman asks Jesus to clarify a controversy of her time stating, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you (Jews) say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship."  Jesus said to her, "the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.”

Worship of God is not a “where” or a “how”, but, like many other things in the Christian’s life, is a matter of the heart.  God is seeking and is raising a people who will worship Him in spirit and truth, regardless of methods, locations, schedules, or choice of musical instrument.

4. God requires that we worship Him alone. (Exodus 20:1-6):

God is a jealous God. Though we were created as beings who worship, God is jealous for our worship of Him and indeed does not tolerated our worship of any other, but shows “steadfast love to thousands of those who love and keep my commandments”.

In summary, worship cannot be contained within a system, a building, or a musical style.  Worship must become a lifestyle and an attitude of glorifying our creator, sustainer, redeemer, and Lord.

_______________________________________________

Brian works as an occupational therapist for a local school district by day and currently serves as a deacon and part-time youth minister at Shiloh Baptist Church in Texarkana, AR. He has been a part in leading, teaching, and mentoring 5 young men through leading worship through the Shiloh youth praise band, Shoeless, since its creation in 2005.

Brian blogs for the youth ministry at Shiloh on the Hill, and personally at A Ragamuffin's Reflections.

_______________________________________________

Don't forget that you can comment on every post between now and April 13 for a qualifying entry into my Crazy Love DVD Giveaway. Click the list for full rules and details on how to get more chances to win.

Popularity: 1% [?]