"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" — Hebrews 12:28-29.

What comes to mind when you hear the word "worship?" For many it's the music and songs typical for a Sunday morning church service. While the music and singing can create great joy, the heart of worship is about magnifying God's name and ascribing to Him the glory and worth that only He is due (Psalm 29:2).

“Worship is the specific act of ascribing to God the glory, majesty, honor, and worthiness which are His,” — Jerry Bridges.

Derived from the Old English "weorthscipe" meaning the "condition of being worthy, dignity, glory, distinction, honor, renown," "worship" denotes worthiness. It is the outpouring of grateful sincere hearts to our infinetly holy God; blessing Him, praising Him, thanking Him. 

"It’s the response of awe for God while reflecting on what the Lord has done for the people of God throughout the history of redemption for creation at large for the community and for one’s self" (Pastor Burris, "5 Things You Must Know to Worship").

Be wonderstruck and let your awe stoke the fires of your heart and fuel your worship! Focus on who God is and remember His actions and character to develop a clear picture of the sovereign, absolute, infinite, one true living God who reigns supreme! 

"When we understand the greatness of God, the stability of His character, the perfection of His justice, the depth of His grace, the limitless nature of His love, the wonder of His holiness, and the sacrifice of His Son, it should not be difficult for us to be moved greatly in our desire to worship God, and worship Him passionately" (Relevant Magazine).

We can't worship Him too much!

Prepare our hearts Lord for worship; that we may come before you not in vain but genuinely astonished at the gravity of your Gospel; desperate for you. Fill our hearts with the indescribable glorious joy found in the promise and hope of the cross that we may honor and praise you with awe; magnifying your worthiness. Create in us a self forgetfulness and a desire to center our thoughts on you making our singing, praise, rejoicing, praying, offering, humbling, joy, adoration, glory, thanksgiving, and loving all about you.

The following article by John Piper explores ways in which corporate worship benefit those present:

Worshiping Jesus together may be the single most important thing we do. It plays an indispensable role in rekindling our spiritual fire, and keeping it burning. Corporate worship brings together God’s word, prayer, and fellowship, and so makes for the greatest means of God’s ongoing grace in the Christian life.

But thinking of worship as a means can be dangerous. True worship is fundamentally an experience of the heart, and not a means to anything else. So it’s important to distinguish between what benefits might motivate us to be regular in corporate worship, and what focus our minds and hearts should pursue in the moment.

The remainder of the article can be viewed here: Five Benefits of Corporate Worship

Additional resources:

Worship in a Selfie World

Side by Side on Sundays

Kindle the Fire in Corporate Worship