God's Order for Worship

When we use the word “worship” we sometimes think of the order of worship in a worship service. Or you may think of the music of the worship service. Both of these are helpful but only if you keep them in their place as servants to help. Both have been made into the objects of worship, which is idolatry.

Jesus told the woman of Sychar at Jacob’s well that “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.” John 4:24. This is God’s order for worship. But what does that mean?

There is actually a word in Romans 12:1-2 for “order of worship.” It is the Greek word latreuo and literally means “rules for worship,” or we might say the worship guide. We get our English word “liturgy” from this word. It is used in several places in the New Testament.

In Hebrews 9:1 it is used to describe the rules for Old Testament worship, “Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship…” The phrase regulations for worship, is the word latreuo. Also in Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” In this verse, the word latreuo, is simply translated worship with the understanding that this is something we offer to God. It is the activity of giving God something.

Now back to Romans 12:1-2. In this passage, this word is translated different ways depending upon which translation you have. It may say reasonable service, or spiritual worship, or rational service. It is the word latreuo. So what does it mean? One thing is for sure, Romans 12:1-2 defines it for us.

“Therefore, brethren, I appeal to you by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Tomorrow, we can begin to dig in this gold mine of spiritual truth and instruction on God’s order of worship.