Four Essential Keys to Meaningful Worship

What is worship and how are we supposed to do it? I have heard many people describe it. Some describe it as music and it seems that anything outside of ‘worship music’ is something else. I read in scripture of people who worship. No description of what they did is given, leaving that up to us to discern.

There are many expressions but here is a great example of worship from Jesus life. Read the story and then see the characteristics of this extravagant worship.

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Matthew 26:6-13 (ESV)

There are five characteristics of this worship experience, one general observation and then four lessons about worship I want to share with you.

Five Characteristics of Meaningful Worship

We go through the motions sometimes in a worship service but this woman modeled five essential qualities of worship. Genuine worship exhibits these things.

It ignores the environment. Genuine worship doesn’t need an ideal environment, whatever that might be! This worship took place in the home of a leper – a place that was unclean according to Jewish law. Not only that, there wasn’t music or preaching but they were eating dinner. This was clearly not the best environment for worship! There was no music, prayer, sermon, scripture reading or Bible study.

It overlooks criticism. She was a woman – a negative in that culture and the crowd didn’t like what she did. However, that didn’t stop her.  

It is costly. This woman completely disregarded the value of the alabaster – more than a year’s wages (Mark 14:5). A Biblical standard of worship requires giving.

It is memorable. Jesus commended her for her extravagant act and prophesied that it would be remembered – and it is.

Genuine worship focuses on Jesus. This woman had one goal – to anoint Jesus. She wanted to demonstrate to him what he meant to her and knew it would mean giving up what was most likely her most valued possession – and the source of her financial security. Her act was all about Jesus – Not the poor or the place or the propriety or the process.

Observation:

There is a profound general observation we can make in this passage. Jesus saw things of value in unexpected places: the widow’s mite, the anointing – both acts of profound worship performed by women!

Women were only slightly above slaves in that culture. They were not looked to as teachers, or mentors or examples.

We can learn an important lesson from Jesus in this regard. All around us God is at work. He is working for us, in us and through us to touch lives. The question is, do we recognize his work. It takes conscientious effort to look but we might see God working in unexpected places in unexpected people if we will open our eyes!

How can we make our worship meaningful?

Push everything else aside. We can’t think about where we are, what we are singing, our problems, worries or troubles. It helps to pray and ask God to help you do this.

Ignore criticism. I have heard a lot of criticism surrounding worship. Some of it is personal as in the case of this woman. Criticism can also be impersonal such as music, order of service, the building, the room and so on. Some is just random negativity. To worship means we ignore those things because they are all far less important than the act of worship.

Give lavishly and generously. Worship is a giving of ourselves without counting the cost. Instead of worrying about what it will cost us (money, dignity, time) consider what God has given us! You can’t out give him! So give your time, attention and effort to worship.

Focus on Jesus. Think about these questions. What did he do for you? How much does he love you? How much has he forgiven you? What has he promised you? How much has he already given you? And, then, respond to him from the heart!