Word Study Wednesday- Define Worship

Worship

Have I been worshiping God according to HIS will...

.... or mine?

This Word Study is inspired by the Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims wanted to worship God freely. But isn't that what they were doing in The Church of England? They could attend church. They could participate in traditions like Easter and Christmas. Wasn't that free enough? Did they just have issues with being told how to worship or what? And if so... why?

Studying their history is teaching me that they took issue with being taught how to worship God according to mans' ways vs. according to how God has instructed us to in Scripture (in truth).

Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

WORSHIP, n. [See Worth.]

4. Chiefly and eminently, the act of paying divine honors to the Supreme Being; or the reverence and homage paid to him in religious exercises, consisting in adoration, confession, prayer, thanksgiving and the like.

The worship of God is an eminent part of religion.

Prayer is a chief part of religious worship.

5. The homage paid to idols or false gods by pagans; as the worship or Isis.

6. Honor; respect; civil deference.

Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. Luke 14.

WORSHIP, v.t.

1. To adore; to pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration.

Thou shalt worship no other God. Exodus 34.

2. To respect; to honor; to treat with civil reverence.

What Does the Bible have to say about Worship?

We may praise Him with music!

Psalm 150:1-6

Colossians 3:16

Serve Him with gladness and singing!

Psalm 100:2

Colossians 3:16 

We are to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

John 4:23

John 4:24

Celebrating the Bible Feasts are a time of worship!

John 12:20-33

We are to take heed not to worship God with things of false gods

Deuteronomy  12:1-4

Personal  Application:

Pastor John Robinson and the Pilgrims learned from Scripture that to worship God freely did not mean *however they wanted to* but rather how God wants His people to... in truth and with hearts swelled with thanks giving.

I am thankful for the Pilgrims' example of walking in truth so they could worship in truth. They remind me to make sure I am holding up ideas in light of Scripture to see if I am walking in truth.

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

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