“I’ll give you more than a song. For a song in itself is not what you have required.” When we think of worship we may only think of it terms of singing but what made these lyrics from Michael W. Smith’s song “The Heart of Worship” so powerful is that worship is so much more.
Worship is sacrificial.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. – Romans 12:1
Worship involves all that you are, not just your vocal cords or your ability to sing. That’s good news if you don’t connect to God musically (I know about making a joyful noise).
Some might take this as meaning that we must be more expressive in our corporate worship. For worship to embody love for Christ then we need lift our hands, clap our hands, kneel, and dance. Although I am an advocate for more expressive, emotive worship, I know that not all church cultures are the same and not all people respond the same to the love of Christ.
It is easy for me to pick at a stoic worship service but when I do that I am not drawing my attention to the heart of worship but the expressiveness of worship. Expressive worship becomes my litmus test for faithful worship.
For worship to be life changing it must move from simple expression to formation.
Transformative worship is Jesus centered worship.
Jesus is the heart of worship. He is more than a song. He is our savior. He became our savior through his sacrificial death on the cross.
“Take up your cross and follow me.” – Jesus
Worship is not confined to a corporate setting. Worship involves all that you are where ever you are.
Worship is all that you are for all that is Christ. It is where ever you are in which Christ leads.
“We bring a sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.” And we bring a sacrifice of service for the life of the world. This is worship as “more than a song.” This is true and proper worship.
Come back to the heart of worship.
How would you define worship? What is worship to you?
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Jovan preaches for the Littleton Church of Christ near Denver, Colorado. Visit here to listen to sermons preached at the Littleton Church.