What is Worship?

Somebody wrote these words: “They’re praising God on Sunday, but they’ll be all right on Monday. It’s just a little habit they’ve acquired.” We come to church to worship God on Sunday—and, well we ought to. But, friends, we ought not simply come to worship; we ought to bring our worship to church. And, when we leave this building, we ought to take our worship with us, because, you see, the Bible teaches that when we’re right with God, every day is a holy day, every act is to be a sacred deed, and everything we do we’re to do to the glory of God.

Turn in your Bible to Colossians Chapter 3;16-17.

Colossians chapter 3 verse 16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). Now, that’s what we call a worship service! That’s a wonderful, wonderful definition of a worship service. Read it again: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.” And, how wonderful that is! Oh, how God wants us to worship Him.

Why does God want us to worship Him? Why does God want us to do this? Does our worship enrich God? I mean, if you give God your money, God is no richer. If you give God your strength, God is no stronger. If you give God your knowledge, God doesn’t learn anything. God is God; but yet, God wants us to love Him and worship Him, because He is love. And, love wants to give, and love wants to receive. And God wants us to worship Him—not primarily for what worship does for us or what worship does for Him, but for what worship does for us both, because we become like what we worship. If you worship idols, you become like idols. The man molds the idol; and then, the idol molds the man. If we worship the Lord Jesus, we become like the Lord Jesus.

But now, here’s the wonderful thing about worship: Somebody, this morning, can give more money than you can; somebody can sing better than you; somebody can understand the Word of God better than you; and some can teach the Word of God better than you; but no one can worship better than you. Think about that. No one can worship better than you. You can have all of God you want. And it’s not your duty to persuade God to bless you, but to allow Him to do so. And the simplest child can worship God with a full heart, a pure heart, and, therefore, please God, and be blessed.

So, verse 16 speaks of worship. It’s a wonderful, wonderful command: letting the Word of God dwell in us richly, teaching, admonishing one another, singing, and praising God in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). I love the worship service. I’ve already been blessed this morning by the worship service.

But worship should not end when we leave this building. Worship extends to all of life. Look, if you will, in verse 17. This verse begins with “And” this ties together verses 16 and 17— “And whatsoever ye do…”—now, this is going beyond the worship service— “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed…”—now, watch this. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do”—ALL— “all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Real worship extends to all of life—every deed, every day.

What is worship? Worship is doing everything in the name of Jesus and giving God thanks for it. Let me say that again: Worship is doing everything in the name of Jesus, and giving God thanks for it, according to verse 17. “Well, you may ask, why is that?” Well, what is worship? Isn’t worship glorifying God? Well then, if you do everything in the name of Jesus, and give God thanks for it, wouldn’t that glorify God?

Let’s look at two relevant verses—1 Peter chapter 4 verse 11: “That God in all things may be glorified”.

That is, in everything you do, God is to be glorified. And here’s a great verse, 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 31: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Eating your lunch today ought to be for the glory of God— anything that you do. And, after lunch today, if you get to do the dishes, doing dishes ought to be for the glory of God. One homemaker had this sign up over her kitchen sink: “Divine services held here three times a day, doing dishes.” That’s what the verse says: Whether you eat, or whether you drink, or whatsoever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

Now, when we do this, here’s what happens: The so-called secular (or non spiritual) is sanctified; the everyday is edified; and God is glorified. The secular is sanctified; the everyday is edified; and God is glorified. Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Now, we’ll walk out of this beautiful, place of worship, and we’ll walk out underneath God’s canopy, the skies. We’ll go out into the cathedral of the skies, and we’ll take the worship that we have in our hearts, right here, and we will carry it with us.

Do you know the mistake that so many of us make? We want to divide life up like a pie. We say, “Well, I’m a good Christian; and so, I’ll take all of my money, and I’ll divide it up like a pie.

And I’ll take one-tenth of my money, and I’ll give it to God. I’ll take a one-tenth slice and say, ‘That belongs to God,’ take that out, and give it to God.” And then, we boast; we say, “Oh, I gave a tenth of my money to God.” And then, we’ll take our time pie, and we’ll say, “Well, not only will I give one-tenth of my money; I’ll give one-seventh of my time. I’ll give God one day out of seven. I’ll go to church, and Sunday will be a holy day.” And so, we give God one-seventh of the time pie. I’ve got news for you, friend: When God comes to judge your life, He’s going to judge the whole pie—the whole pie. It all belongs to God—every slice; not just simply when you come here and put your offering in the plate; not simply when you come here, and admonish one another, and sing in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs.

Paul goes on to say, in the next verse, in verse 17, whatever we do—all of it is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). No ground that is not holy; no time that is not sacred. In all natural things, you can be spiritual; and, in all spiritual things you’ll be natural. So, therefore, your natural is supernatural and supernaturally natural. That is, you don’t turn it on, and you don’t turn it off. You don’t simply come to church to worship God; you bring your worship to God.

Have you ever heard a person who even changes his voice when he comes into church? I have noticed preachers, sometimes, before the service talks like a normal person. And then, he stands up to speak, and he sounds like he’s got a steeple stuck in his throat. Well, what happened from here to here? We act religious. No, friends, a man of God is the same on the platform, and in the motel room, and at home, and at dinnertime. We are to live for Jesus Christ every way. We don’t turn it on, and we don’t turn it off.

Sometimes you hear people pray and they say, “Lord, we come into Thy presence.” I say, “Well, where have you been? I mean, you live in God’s presence.” That’s what he’s saying. He is saying, friend, that there needs to be something called Monday-morning religion. And, if people would begin to live on Monday what is preached on Sunday, people would begin to believe what is preached on Sunday around the world, isn’t that right?

Now, listen. He says, “Whatsoever ye do”—in verse 17— “…do all in the name of Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). So, that poses the question: What does it mean to “do all in the name of Jesus”? What does it mean to do everything in the name of Jesus? That’s the key; look at it, in verse 17: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus.”

So, if you want to know what you’re going to be doing Monday in the name of Jesus—or, when you leave this building, in the name of Jesus— ask these two questions.

I. Is What I am Doing Consistent with the Personality of Jesus Christ?

Number one: Is what I am doing consistent with the personality of Jesus Christ? Is what I am doing—whatever it is—consistent with the personality of Jesus Christ? Because the name of Jesus equates with the personality of Jesus. You see, the name and the character are inextricably interwoven.

A little boy goes down to the sporting goods store to get himself a baseball bat. He picks a particular baseball bat out because his favorite baseball hero has his name inscribed on that bat. Now, the baseball hero presumably has put his name on the bat because he says, “This bat is consistent with the way I play baseball. This bat is a good bat. This is a bat that I approve. This is a bat that I can put my name on because it is consistent with my character, my personality, my ability as a baseball player. If you get this bat, you’ll know that I put my name on this bat; so, this bat is a good bat, because this bat represents my character, my personality. I put my name on it.” Now, I think he put his name on it to get some money; but I’m just saying, theoretically, he put his name on that bat to say, “This bat is consistent with the standards that I hold.” Isn’t that right? “I endorse it. I put my name on it.”

Question: Is what you’re thinking about doing, something that Jesus Christ could put His name on? Could Jesus Christ put His stamp on it? Could Jesus Christ say, “Yes, I’ll sign off on that. Yes, I’ll put My name on that. Yes, that is consistent with My personality. Yes, that is consistent with My character. Yes, that is consistent with who I am and what I am. Yes, I will sign off on that.” You have no right to do anything—I said anything—that Jesus Christ can’t sign His name to. You say, “Oh, really!” Yes, that’s right. You have no right to do anything—even brush your teeth—that Jesus Christ cannot sign off on, and say, “What you’re doing is consistent with My character.”

Now, listen to it again: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all”—do all— “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Colossians 3:17). Is it consistent with the personality of Jesus? People ask, “Is it right to do this? Can I do that? Is this wrong?” And they want to be given some rules. Friends, the Bible is not primarily a rulebook; it is not a book of specific law. It’s a book of great principles. Now, if the Bible were a book of specific laws, you’d have to have a freight train to haul it around in. I mean, you think of how many little details there are in life every day.

And, besides that, if it were a book of specific laws, what applies today would not apply to the 1st Century, when Paul wrote this, or vice versa. Paul wrote about eating meat sacrificed to idols. We don’t have that problem. But can you imagine Paul writing in the Bible, “Thou shalt not go to an X-rated movie?” People in the 1st Century would say, “What’s an X-rated movie? I don’t know what that is.” You see, it wouldn’t apply. If the Bible were a book of specific laws, it wouldn’t apply. And I’ll tell you something else: You can find loopholes in laws, but you can’t find loopholes in the character of Jesus Christ.

The Bible is not a book of specific laws; it is a book of great principles, and one of the greatest is the name of Jesus. Can I sign Jesus’ name to this thing? Is what I’m about to do… is it consistent with the character of Jesus Christ? Can I imagine Jesus watching this film? Would I go dressed this way if Jesus were my companion? Some girls go outside in things they ought not to come from downstairs in, would you dress that way if Jesus Christ were your companion? Would Jesus sign off on that? Would Jesus Christ put His name on that business contract? Would Jesus Christ accompany you on that vacation? Would Jesus Christ subscribe to that magazine? Whatever you do, do all in the name of Jesus, giving God thanks for it (Colossians 3:17).

Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus. It’s not a book of today’s laws; it’s a book of great principles. It is consistent with the personality of Jesus Christ!

On a train platform, where they had a commuter train, a little boy there had shoelaces, and apples, and fountain pens, and little things he was selling. He had his little basket, all his little things there, selling to the commuters there, going back and forth. And one man rushing to catch the commuter train knocked the little guy over, and his stuff went sprawling all over that platform. And, all the commuters were coming by and stepping on the stuff, and everything. He’s trying to gather it up. His change is going everywhere. The man never even stopped to say, “I’m sorry”— just knocked him aside and got on the train. One man saw what happened. He put his briefcase down; he got down on his knees with the little fellow and started gathering it all up. Finally, they got it all together. He said, “Son, I’m so sorry that man was rude to you.” And, he said, “Son, here’s some money to make up for it. I’m so sorry this happened to you.” The little boy looked at him, as the man picked up his briefcase and started off. He said, “Mister, are you Jesus Christ?” He said, “No, son, I’m not, but” he said, “I’m a follower of His, and I’m doing what I think He would do if He were here.” That’s what it is. I mean, just acting like Jesus, just living like Jesus.

Is it consistent with the personality of Jesus Christ? Begin to live like that on Monday.

II. Does it Claim the Power of Jesus Christ

Now, here’s the second question you ask yourself, if you do it all in the name of Jesus: Does it claim the power of Jesus Christ? Is it consistent with the personality of Jesus? Does it claim the power of Jesus? Because, name stands not only for personality, but it stands for power and authority.

Jesus said, in John chapter 14, verse 14. “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). When we bring His name into it, He begins to do it. He doesn’t say, “If you ask in My name, then I’ll help you to do it.” He does help us to do it, but the way He helps us to do it is by doing it in us and through us; and so, He literally says, “I will do it.” You see, His name has His authority behind it.

Your name has your authority behind it. Every time you sign a check, you put your name on the check. Do you know what you’re doing? You’re putting your authority on that check. You’re saying, to the person who has that little piece of paper that’s got your name on it, he can take that little piece of paper to the bank, and the banker will give him some of your money, because you put your name on there. Isn’t that right? You put your name on there; you put your authority on there. When the bank teller sees it, the bank teller says, “Yes, I have the authority to give you some money, because that man’s name is on that little piece of paper.” A pretty powerful thing—if you can just sign your name on a little piece of paper, and the bank begins to hand out some of your money— it’s because your name stands for authority. Now, if the check bounces, they don’t put the piece of paper in jail, they put you in jail, because, you see, the name represents you. And, the name of Jesus represents the Lord Jesus, and when you bring Jesus’ name into something, you bring Jesus Christ into it.

Now, verse 17 says: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Now, that’s a very important principle, because the name of Jesus is the authority of Jesus. In Luke 10, verses 17–19, Jesus sent out 70 people to represent Him there, in the early days of His ministry; and, the Bible says, beginning in verse 17: “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name” (Luke 10:17). “Even the devils”—the demons— “are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:17–19).

He is saying, “I’m giving you authority over all the power of the enemy.” King James translates, “I give…you power…over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). But there’s a slight difference, because the power that Jesus gives us is the power of authority, and when we have the power of authority, we don’t need the power of strength or might.

Now, here’s a 185-pound policeman. He stands in the middle of the street. He’s got on his uniform; he has his badge. There’s an 18-wheeler truck—a semi—coming; and that policeman blows his whistle, holds up his hand, tells the truck to stop. The truck stops. What does the policeman stop the truck with? Power? No not really. Authority. I mean, a 185-pound man can’t stop an 18-wheeler truck, if the truck driver decides he doesn’t want to stop. But, when the man says, “Stop,” what he is saying, whether he says it out loud or not, is what? “Stop in the name of the law”—in the name of the law.

Now, what does that mean— “in the name of the law”? That means “in the authority of the law.” Isn’t that what it means? “In the authority of the law,” because behind me is the precinct. Behind the precinct is the entire police force. Behind the police force is the state patrol. Behind the state patrol, if needed, is the national guard—all in one man with a badge, who says, “Stop in the name of the law.” Now, Jesus said, “I give you authority over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). Who is stronger—you or Satan? Satan is. Who has more authority? You do. He’s the 18¬wheeler, but you’re the cop. Jesus said, “I give you authority over all the power of the enemy.”

Now, whatever you do, do all in the name of Jesus. Does it portray the personality of Jesus? Does it claim the power of Jesus Christ? Now, that means everything you do, you’re to do in the authority of Jesus. You’re to rear your children in the authority of Jesus Christ, in the name of Christ. You are to do your homework, in the name, in the authority, of Jesus Christ. You say, “Wait a minute, that’s pushing religion a little far, isn’t it?” No, it’s not. That’s exactly what he’s saying. He’s saying, “Whatever you do, do all in the name of Jesus Christ.” Is it consistent with the personality of Christ? Does it claim the power of Christ?

Conclusion

Now, look at verse 17 again: Now, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). What is worship on Monday morning? It’s doing everything in the name of Jesus and giving God thanks for it. Is it consistent with the personality of Jesus? Does it claim and depend upon the power of Jesus? Does it culminate in the praise of Jesus? If it does, you’ve done it in the name of Jesus, and He is glorified. And then, when you go to work tomorrow in your office, or whatever you’re doing, you’re glorifying Him; and therefore, you’re worshiping Him. And your worship doesn’t just simply end here on Sunday morning with admonishing one another with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, and whatever you do; however, you’re carrying that worship out on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. And then, come Sunday, you bring your worship to church. Now, folks, when we do that, the secular is sanctified; the everyday is edified; God is glorified. Every day is a holy day. Every place is a sacred place. And, whatever you do in word or deed, Paul said, do all for the glory of God. Isn’t that neat? Praise God!