Jesus’ prophetic words still speak to us today. In John 4:23-24, Jesus describes something that God is looking for in us – worship. He is not looking for performers, pretenders, or idolaters. The Father is seeking true worshippers.
Men, God wants you to be an authentic worshipper.
Worship always begins with humility.
The word “worship”, used in John 4, means to show reverence, and bow before a superior. It takes a humble person to willingly acknowledge greatness or authority. As Christians, we acknowledge God’s greatness and faithfulness every time we worship. We remind ourselves who we truly serve – a Father God who is benevolent to us. When we neglect to worship, we stop seeing and trusting God for who He really is.
Do you practice “worshipping” God?
Do you struggle with the idea of worshipping God?
Here’s the truth: Everyone worships. Everyone.
We all focus our attention on people, things, or ideas and unknowingly bow the knee to them. Sometimes, we cut out the middleman and simply worship ourselves, elevating our ideas above everyone, even God. (Romans 1:18-25)
In John 4, Jesus was letting you in on a major key to a thriving relationship with God. Worship reminds you that: 1) There is a God, 2) You are not Him.
An authentic relationship “with” God cannot happen without authentic worship “of” God. When Christian men never learn to worship God, they do so at their own peril. They end up worshipping something else.
And, the first of Ten Commandments is…
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them;” Exodus 20:3–5a (NIV)
Bowing the knee to something or someone else instead of God is idolatry and God forbids it. Idolatry is a spiritual counterfeit that sets us up for all kinds of other problems. Idolatry looks to self, other people, and other resources – and trusts in them instead of God. It makes God the last resort instead of our first choice.
You will never truly know God if you constantly chase other idols and seek to please them instead of God Himself.
You will never truly know God if you constantly chase other idols and seek to please them instead of God Himself.
Worship flips the script on a self-centered lifestyle.
Worshipping God doesn’t take weeks, months or special seminars to figure out. You can start worshipping God at any time from anywhere and in any circumstance. As you worship God as your Father, He will begin to redirect your life and reveal Himself to you. If you have never established this spiritual discipline in your life, there is no time like the present. God has been looking for you.
Three things every worshipper should know:
- Worship should be both private and public. There are many Biblical examples and directions regarding worshipping alone and amongst other believers. Don’t avoid either opportunity. Practice worshipping God whether you are alone or in a group. When we boldly worship God, we are more concerned about what God thinks than what others think. That’s safe territory to be in. In Acts 13, there was a pivotal prayer meeting where believers spent some time worshipping God together. The result was some clear direction from the Holy Spirit that later helped everyone. Who knows what God will speak to you about when you simply make time for true worship?
- Worship should be both vocal and demonstrative. True worshippers don’t mind lifting their voices. If you can do it at a game or live concert, you can certainly raise your voice in praise to God. If you have never done this, it may feel awkward at first but keep trying because your God is worthy, no matter how you feel. This means no more lip-syncing during the singing portion of a church service. Sing for real; sing out of your heart and through your vocal cords. Raise your hands in surrender to God and thank Him for how good He is.
- Worship should affect your lifestyle. True worship begins with an attitude of humility, but it doesn’t stop there. Worship should also affect how you view your body and what you do with it. In your worship of God, you are giving Him a say in your everyday life, even as it relates to your lifestyle. Old habits can die slow, but worship helps us by redirecting our attention to God, our best source of help. Start viewing the tough lifestyle changes you must make as worship and service to God, not simply as a willpower issue. God wants to help you in those areas you feel like you’ve been battling all alone.
Worship can become your new response to life.
“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 (NIV)
God is looking for men to worship Him. Challenge yourself to respond to life by bowing your knee to God and worshipping Him as your Father. God is looking for men who are real worshippers. Show Him you’re the guy He’s been looking for.
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