Philosophy of Worship

Proper Worship is God-Centered

Worship must focus on God and God alone. He commands it: "You shall have no other gods before Me" - Exodus 20:3. All worship belongs to Him, not to us, and we are not free to cater it to human preferences or trends. Every element of worship must magnify His name, exalt His attributes, and proclaim His glory.

Dr. Don Whitney challenges us to examine our worship practices: "Ask of every element, 'Does this focus on God?' If not, it should either be removed or placed outside the time of sacred worship." Announcements, greetings, or logistical matters should not distract from the singular purpose of worship, which is to exalt God. (Ten Ways to Imporove Your Church's Worship Service)

Proper Worship is Biblically Grounded

God has revealed in His Word how He desires to be worshiped. Therefore, every aspect of worship must have clear biblical support. What God has commanded, we must obey. What He has not commanded, we must approach with caution. Scripture gives us ten clear elements of worship:

1. Reading Scripture – "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture" (1 Timothy 4:13).
2. Preaching and Teaching the Word – "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2).
3. Prayer – "Devote yourselves to prayer" (Colossians 4:2).
4. Singing – "Sing to the Lord a new song" (Psalm 100).
5. Observing the Ordinances – "Go therefore and make disciples, baptizing them... teaching them" (Matthew 28:19-20).
6. Giving Thanks and Testimonies – "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God" (Hebrews 13:15).
7. Giving of Tithes and Offerings – "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside" (1 Corinthians 16:2).
8. Meditation and Silence – "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
9. Expressing Joy – "Serve the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing" (Psalm 100:2).
10. Obeying God’s Will – "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:2)

Proper Worship Centers on Expository Preaching

The high point of worship is the proclamation of God's Word. Preaching takes center stage because it is the means by which God speaks to His people. Ezra set the standard in Nehemiah 8, where he read the Word and gave its meaning so that all understood. This reverence for the Word marked a national revival and turned Israel away from idolatry.

Dr. Albert Mohler underscores this priority: "Expository preaching is authoritative because it stands upon the very authority of the Bible as the Word of God." Preaching must be reverent, God-centered, and central in worship, for it is the primary means by which God sanctifies His church.
(Expository Preaching and the Recovery of Worship, Part 3, from crosswalk.com/news/mohler).

Proper Worship is Christ-Focused

Jesus Christ is the heart of worship. As the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature (Hebrews 1:3), He alone deserves preeminence. The Father has exalted the Son and given Him the name above every name (Philippians 2:9-10). In Christ's name, we bow, sing, and glorify God.

Some churches err by shifting their focus to the Holy Spirit, but the Spirit Himself points us to Christ (John 16:14). To focus elsewhere is to miss the very purpose of the Spirit's work in worship.

Proper Worship Requires Spiritual Life

Worship is the privilege of the redeemed. Paul reminds us that we were dead in sin but made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). Only those who have been born again can worship God in spirit and truth. This truth challenges the modern trend of making worship services "seeker-sensitive." Worship is for God, not man. Evangelism flows from transformed lives, not from altering worship to attract unbelievers.

Proper Worship is Joyful and Edifying

Worship is a time to rejoice in the Lord and be built up in our faith. The psalmist declares, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord" (Psalm 100:1). Worship should inspire us to greater love for God and one another (Romans 12:1-2) and mature us in our faith (Ephesians 4:13). True worship celebrates God's greatness and strengthens His people.

Proper Worship is a Lifestyle

While corporate worship is essential, true worship transcends Sunday morning. Paul exhorts us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship (Romans 12:1). Worship must permeate every part of our daily lives, influencing how we live, work, and serve.

Proper Worship Demand Docrtrinally Sound Music

Music is a powerful tool in worship, but it must align with God's Word. Lyrics should be rich in doctrine, clear in meaning, and exalting to Christ. The style of music is secondary to its content. As Paul writes, "Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19).

Music must unite, not divide. Churches should strive for musical excellence that glorifies God and edifies all generations. Worship is not a concert; it is a sacred offering to the King of kings.

Final Thoughts

True worship offers us a glimpse of eternity, where every tribe, tongue, and nation will bow before the throne of God. Until that glorious day, we are called to worship Him with hearts full of reverence, joy, and obedience. Worship is not about fulfilling our preferences or meeting our desires—it is about exalting the greatness of God. At Abounding Fellowship, our worship is grounded in the truth of Scripture, centered on Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, as we gather to glorify the One who is worthy of all praise.

To help you prepare your heart for worship or continue worshiping throughout the week, we've compiled a playlist of songs that we sing together as a church family. Click below to listen and join us in lifting high the name of the Lord.