Extravagant Worship

Extravagant Worship: Moving Beyond Religious Routine to Genuine Love for God

When it comes to worship, many of us fall into treating it like a means to an end rather than an expression of pure love and devotion to God. We often approach worship thinking about what it will accomplish - opening our hearts to hear from God or building our faith. While these are good outcomes, they shouldn't be our primary motivation.

What is True Worship?

True worship is about celebrating God and allowing Him to celebrate us. It's an authentic expression of joy in our beloved Creator, not just "putting oil in the machine" to keep our spiritual life running smoothly. When we make worship primarily about its practical benefits, we miss the heart of what worship should be.

The Cost of Extravagant Worship

In John 12, we see Mary pour out an extremely costly perfume worth a year's wages on Jesus' feet. While Judas objected to this "waste," Jesus defended her act of extravagant worship. This story illustrates how true worship often appears wasteful or impractical to those who don't grasp God's infinite worth.

Why Do We Struggle with Pure Worship?

We often divide ourselves into two camps:

1. "First commandment" people who focus on worship but neglect serving others

2. "Second commandment" people who emphasize good works but minimize worship

However, Jesus taught that loving God wholeheartedly should come first, with love for others flowing naturally from that primary relationship.

How Does God View Our Worship?

Scripture reveals that God rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3). He's not waiting to criticize or condemn, but eagerly anticipates our presence. When we truly grasp this reality, worship becomes something we can't wait to engage in rather than a duty to fulfill.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to approach worship differently

1. Set aside time specifically to delight in God's presence without agenda.

2. Enter church services expecting to encounter a God who celebrates you

3. Express worship extravagantly without concern for others' opinions

Ask yourself:

1. Am I approaching worship as a transaction or as an expression of love?

2. What holds me back from worshiping God more freely and extravagantly?

3. How might my worship impact others around me, especially my family?

Remember: God isn't interested in our religious routines - He wants our hearts fully engaged in genuine love and adoration for Him.