Worship is a major part of Christian life. We open our church services with praise and worship. Honoring, thanking, and just pouring out our love for our great God. The Bible calls us to worship and because God’s word teaches it we know that it matters. That it has an effect on our life and that it is a pleasing offering to God. But do you realize the impact your worship has on others? That your worship matters because it can change the lives of others just by you giving God the glory He deserves?
Whether you realize it or not your worship is a part of your testimony. Your ability to stand up in church, hands lifted giving glory to God despite all you are going through inspires something in the hearts of others. They may be struggling, hurting, or lost needing what you have. Seeing you worship may cause them to do the very same and begin to open up to God. Following the example that you have laid. Or they may ask you of the hope you display despite the difficulties of life. Allowing you to offer an answer and point them to Jesus.
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Scripture shows us the effect that worship can have on others. Once while Paul and Silas were in prison they continued to praise God loudly for all to hear. An act that had an outcome they may have never even imagined. As the building shook and all the jail cells were opened. Ultimately leading to the Philippian jailer who heard their worship recent salvation.
Acts 16:25–33 (ESV)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
On their way to the temple, one day Peter and John came across a lame man whom in the name of Jesus Peter healed. The man immediately began to run, jump, and praise the Lord. Which drew a very large crowd and gave the opportunity for the Gospel to be preached. That day about five thousand people were saved.
Acts 3:6–11 (ESV)
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.
Acts 4:4 (ESV)
4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
The worship of these people mattered then and yours matters today. There is no telling what kind of effect just being able to witness you worshiping God could have on someone struggling. It could help the lost see what God is able to do in someone’s life. Or inspire the Christian who hasn’t praised God in some time to start thanking Him again for all they have been blessed with. Paul wrote that a believing spouse should remain married to an unbeliever because there is no telling the life-saving effect they could have on them. In the same way you never know what you worship can do for someone else.
1 Corinthians 7:16 (ESV)
16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
When lost people come to your church they are taking everything in. They want to know if this whole faith thing is really the real thing. When they see a cold dead church where no one outwardly praises God. They question why everyone seems so down if they truly believe they are forgiven of all their sins and are going to live forever. But when they come in and see people overjoyed worship the Lord. They begin to wonder if there really is something to this. When people who work like them, struggle like them and live like them are able to still be thankfully through everything.
Jesus referred to Christians as a light in the world. Teaching that we should let our light shine before all men. Worship is just one more way of letting that light shine brightly before all people. So don’t try to hide the light by choosing to not worship or only worshiping in your heart. Follow the example of scripture and lifted hands to the Lord with vocal praises. You may even begin to realize just how much it matters to you and to God when you do.
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
Psalm 134:2 (ESV)
2 Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!
Lamentations 3:41 (ESV)
41 Let us lift up our hearts and hands
to God in heaven:
Don’t worship just to be seen by others. Or believe that just by worshiping you are fulling the call placed on every Christian to spread the Gospel. But remember two things anytime you don’t feel like worshiping. First and foremost that no matter how you feel or what you are going through God is still worthy of praise. No Christian is ever without a reason to worship the Lord.
As well as the fact that your worship matter and is having an impact on others in your church. Praise inspires praise. Showing others their need to give glory to God. While causing others to wonder about the hope and joy you have in the Lord. Which can play a much larger role than you ever know. Your worship matters so don’t let one service go by where you don’t give God all the glory He is worthy of.
Psalm 96:4 (ESV)
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
Psalm 150:6 (ESV)
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 113:3 (ESV)
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.