Worship: What is Worship & Why Worship? (22/03/2026)
Jon shared with us about one of the most fundamental yet often misunderstood aspects of our faith: worship. He unpacked what worship really means, why it matters so much, and how it can transform our lives — even in the hardest of seasons.
What Does "Worship" Actually Mean?
Jon began by pointing out something surprising: the word "worship" isn't actually a biblical word — it's an English word we use to translate a whole range of Hebrew and Greek terms from Scripture. And when you dig into those original words, one image rises overwhelmingly to the top: bowing down. The primary biblical picture of worship is falling flat on our faces, prostrating ourselves, kneeling before the Lord. As Matt Redman put it, "When we face up to the glory of God, we find ourselves face down in worship." Spurgeon described it as "the highest elevation of the spirit, and yet the lowliest prostration of the soul."
Yet worship isn't limited to one posture. The Psalms alone contain a staggering variety of expressions — singing at different volumes and pitches, throwing hands in the air, dancing, shouting loudly in praise, and a beautiful Hebrew word, orag, which means to take delicate, tender pleasure in the Lord. It's the word David uses when he writes, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Worship also flows into service, as Paul writes in Romans 12:1 — presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, which is our spiritual worship.
Worship as Warfare: The Story of Jehoshaphat
The heart of the sermon turned to 2 Chronicles 20, where King Jehoshaphat faces an impossible situation: three enemy nations are marching against Judah, and they'll arrive within a day or two. Exhausted from a previous battle, Jehoshaphat is afraid — but rather than panic or strategise, he calls a fast, gathers the people, and prays a remarkably honest prayer: "We are powerless against this great horde. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
God responds through a prophetic word: "You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord." And then comes the astonishing part — Jehoshaphat appoints singers and worshippers to go out in front of the army, unarmed, singing praises. As they began to sing, the Lord set an ambush against the enemy armies, who turned on each other and destroyed themselves. The breakthrough didn't come when they fought. It came when they worshipped.
Jon drew on Psalm 8:2 — "Through the praise of children and infants, you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger" — to show that this is a consistent biblical principle. When God's people worship, God inhabits their praises and fights for them.
Worship in the Darkest Times
Jon shared the moving example of Corrie ten Boom, who endured Nazi concentration camps and found that singing and worshipping each morning was what empowered and strengthened her through unimaginable suffering. He also turned to Isaiah 54:1, where God tells barren, hopeless Israel to "sing" and "break forth into singing" — that worship is not just a response to breakthrough, but very often our pathway into it.
The Enemy's Strategy: Distraction
Drawing from Numbers 22–25 and Revelation 2, Jon explained how Balaam advised Israel's enemies that the only way to defeat God's people was to distract their worship — to draw their attention away from Yahweh. If the enemy can shift our worship, he's found a way in. Anything above God in our priorities becomes an idol, and exchanging the glory of God for idols makes us vulnerable.
What This Means for Us in Redcar
Jon's challenge was direct and practical: worship matters. It has an impact. When we gather on a Sunday, we have a choice to engage or not. Learning to worship isn't just about singing songs — it's about engaging with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It realigns our hearts, lifts our eyes, reminds us of who God is, and sometimes shifts a whole battle around us.
A Question to Reflect On
What would it look like for you to put worship at the centre of your week — not just on Sunday, but as a first response when life feels overwhelming?
If you'd like to find out more about Redcar Baptist Church, or if you'd like someone to talk to, we'd love to hear from you. Join us on a Sunday or get in touch via our website.
