Ever since Willow Creek and Saddleback became “seeker-sensitive/seeker-driven” churches there has been a tension in the church community about whether worship is for believers or unbelievers. The answer is NEITHER. Worship is for God. However…
Both Old and New Testaments assume that when God’s people worship they witness. Paul summarizes it well in Romans 15:8ff. There we see the call of God on His people to be worshipers among the Gentiles (unbelievers) so that the unbelievers will become worshipers. Our worship given to God becomes our witness to those who observe and see it. Paul will also say in 1 Corinthians that our worship should be understandable to unbelievers so they too will join in the worship.
The context of 1 Peter 2 brings clarity to our worship as witness also. V9 identifies us and gives our purpose, to “declare the praises of him who called you…” V12 then says, “they [pagans] see your good deeds and glorify God…” Unbelievers see our worship (often in the form of good lives) and they want to know God also.
So, all worship is witness. When those who don’t yet know Jesus show up and share in our worship, they are “hearing” the witness of God’s people. They are observing the object of our loyalty, affection and devotion. When they see our lives lived as acts of worship before God–in the marketplace–the observe the object of our loyalty, affection and devotion.
Many believers are intimidated to speak. But they do…they speak…through their worship. So, keep worshiping and keep witnessing.
