Worship Is More

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

—Romans 12: 1–2

Popular opinion these days often limits worship to singing. Music leaders are called “worship leaders.” So the congregation “worships” for a while, and then hears a sermon, possibly followed by more “worship.” True worship, however, includes so much more. Most obviously, it includes the entire activity of the church as she assembles for worship each Lord’s Day, especially the reading and exposition of the Word. But even that is only a small portion of the worship that God expects of us.

Worship does not only occur in public services and assemblies. It should occur in the Christian’s daily living. So Paul exhorted the Christians in Rome, “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Theology lived out in responsible action and obedience is worshipping God. When performed in faith, all the duties of the Christian life commanded in Scripture are means of worshipping God. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Worship of God is the supreme end of the Christian church, whether considered locally or universally, or in the individual lives of its members.

—Mark Dever, The Church: The Gospel Made Visible