Our Worship

What is Worship?

The Chambers English Dictionary describes worship as ‘adoration paid, religious service, profound admiration and affection, the act of revering or adoring’. Some wonder why people bother to do this in the 21st century, yet this is at the centre of what it means to be a Christian. The main purpose of the Church is to worship God, and therefore it is the first calling upon Christians. Why?

The Bible’s command

In the Bible (Exodus), God gives his people the 10 Commandments and tells them that they must have no other gods but him, and must worship him alone. For God is our creator, he gives us life and sustains it, and is worthy of honour, respect and love. Jesus summarises the 10 Commandments by saying that the first commandment is that God is the only Lord, and that we must love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

The Spirit and the Church

After Jesus’ death and resurrection he ascended into heaven and sent God’s Holy Spirit to the Church to strengthen, guide and encourage it. Right from the beginning the new Church met regularly for fellowship, to listen to the apostles preaching and teaching, to break bread, say prayers, to praise God and to give to those who were needy. The praise of God was at the centre of their lives and the life of the Church.

Christians called to worship

As the Church spread rapidly throughout the world, so people repented, were baptised and they received God’s Holy Spirit in their lives. The Holy Spirit is vital for life as a Christian and for the life of a Christian community. The Spirit empowers the Church to praise God and to serve him. The Bible is clear that to be a Christian means to worship God in the company of other Christians, when possible.

Keeping faith alive

The writer, G.K. Chesterton was once asked by a friend why he went to church. As they stood in front of the burning fire he took out a piece of coal, with the fire tongs, and laid it by itself on the stone hearth. As they watched it the red glow turned dull and faded. That is why, he said, without the company of other Christians faith grows cold.

A mirror on heaven

Worship is recognising who God is and who I am, and giving him the glory. In company we nurture our faith and tread the lifelong spiritual journey to its end. Then we enter heaven where, the Bible tells us, there is continuous worship and praise of God by all the company of heaven. Our worship on earth mirrors the worship in heaven; it links us now to God’s eternal Kingdom in a special way, and prepares us for an eternity with God our creator and redeemer. If you wish to know more about services of worship in Chandlers Ford, look at other pages on our website.