I often hear that worship is more important than service. What Scriptures teach this?

Good question! We first need to define what worship is. According to W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary, worship means "to make obeisance or do reverence to." It is used in the Bible when referring to an act of homage or reverence to God, Christ, man, or the dragon and the beast (Matthew 2:2; 4:10; 18:26; Revelation 13:4). Although worship is not defined in the Bible, it can be expressed as the overflow of the heart to God.

Worship is illustrated for us in the gospels by Mary who took the alabaster box of very precious and costly ointment and anointed the head and feet of the Lord Jesus. The disciples considered Mary's act to be a waste, but the Lord said that wherever the gospel would be preached, this act of hers would be told for a memorial of her (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8). In the worship described in heaven, we read that the twenty-four elders fall down before the Lord and worship Him (Revelation 4:10; 5:8-14).

Now, let's look at the importance of worship. In John 4:23,24, the Lord Jesus tells the Samaritan woman, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." The Father is not seeking servants or workers but true worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. This worship is important for us as individuals and is especially important for the local assembly.

What meeting of the assembly is it which predominantly leads to united praise and worship more than any other meeting? It is the breaking of bread meeting which is often called the remembrance meeting. What does the Bible tell us about this meeting? Paul, who was not present at the institution of the Lord's supper, tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:23,24: "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me." Notice how the Holy Spirit through Paul introduces the subject, "For I have received of the Lord." I do not know of any other truth that is prefaced in that way. These instructions must be important for the Lord to give it to Paul in this way.

The early church certainly saw the importance of worship. We read in Acts 2:42, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." In fact, it was so important to them that this was the reason that they came together on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). We come together in this meeting as priests to remember Him and to praise Him. The purpose of the meeting is not to hear a sermon but to remember Him in His death. We come to give not to receive.

Regarding worship versus service, Paul speaks of the remembrance meeting in 1 Corinthians 11 before he speaks of the different ways we can serve the Lord by the gifts He has given to us in chapter 12. This shows us that though worship should precede service, service should follow worship. Where worship and praise are real, we will be led to serve the One whom we praise. Service will become a form of worship. This is best expressed by the words of a hymn we often sing:

"When we survey the wondrous cross
On which the Lord of glory died,
Our richest gain we count but loss,
And pour contempt on all our pride.
Were the whole realm of nature ours,
That were an offering far too small;
Love that transcends our highest powers,
Demands our soul, our life, our all."

In summary, God wants the worship of our hearts before He wants the service of our hands. Let us not rob God and the Lord Jesus of the praise and worship which belong to them. The Lord Jesus said of the ten lepers which He cleansed, "Where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger" (Luke 17:11-19).