Freedom In Worship: What Does It Mean?

As worship leaders, we talk a lot about freedom. We want our churches to be free to worship. But what does it actually mean?

Is freedom the liberty one feels to wield a “Lion of Judah” flag across the front of the church? Is freedom a boisterous dance? Is freedom the right to be crazy? What does it mean?

We all love to quote 2 Corinthians 3:17:

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.”

We’ve taken that to mean, “When we are in church we can do whatever the heck we want. Run, dance, shout, sing, sway, moan, & groan.”

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with letting go of hindrances to expressive worship. But expressive worship on its own isn’t anything particularly Christian. Other religions worship expressively.

Remember Elijah and prophets of Baal? Here’s what happened as they called upon their god:

And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.”

What are the grounds for our expression in worship? Any human being with breath can dance, sway, sing, and lift their hands to a catchy Christian pop song. That’s called being human.

But if the Spirit of Lord is present, there is freedom. What is that freedom and how does that influence our worship?

What Freedom in Worship Really Means

Here’s my humble attempt to answer:

1. Freedom to Draw Near – Before Christ, we had no business approaching the throne of grace. Matter of fact, it was impossible. Because of the cross, we have freedom to approach a holy God without shame. Access is now possible.

Check out Hebrews 10:19-22:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.”

What does this understanding bring to our worship? We don’t walk flippantly into a gathering. We don’t taking singing to Jesus for granted. We don’t cast our cares on the Lord lightly. It’s the highest honor and privilege that was only opened because of the shed blood of Jesus.

I love how Psalm 2 says it:

Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.”

So as children of God we come. We come with confidence. We come with boldness. But we also come with trembling, grateful hearts.

2. Freedom from Sin – When we worship, we don’t need to be held back by our past sins. We aren’t just free to draw near but are free from the tyranny of sin, our previous ruler. We have been liberated by the King of Glory and can step into new life.

Consider Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Christ set us free to walk in freedom. But this verse reveals that it’s possible to be slaves again. We need to stand firm. Corporate worship is a means by which we stand firm – day after day, week after week. The songs we sing ignite our faith in the face of doubt. We learn to sing in the midst of our suffering. We learn to trust in the midst of our trial.

So when you worship, remember that you have been set free. It’s not something you need to cry out for or ask for. It has already been done. You just need to receive it. We’re fighting battles in the midst of a war that has already been won. Rise up in your identity.

Some people might call you crazy, but here’s an idea: every day slap on a name tag that says, “Hello my name is FREE.” Or, Hello my name is forgiven, redeemed, set apart, child of God.”

3. Freedom to Gather – In many countries, freedom to gather as the body of Christ is not welcomed. It is outlawed, punished. I’ve never been in such a situation, but I can only imagine after worshiping with the underground church you’d never approach any gathering the same. We take it for granted and argue over petty differences while believers in China risk their lives coming together.

Hebrews 10:24-26 puts it like this:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The gatherings we experience are a tremendous privilege. Let’s not forget those who gave their lives to make it so.

Freedom. Feel it. Believe. Deep down in your bones. This isn’t just a ploy to get a room hyped up and moving around. This is the work of the Spirit in our hearts, mobilizing a generation to live free, pray free, and worship free.

Let these 3 points influence your dancing, your singing, your banner waving Charismatic craziness. Be expressive. But let it all be rooted in the fact that Christ has made us free.

What do you think? What does freedom in worship mean? How are you fostering freedom in your gatherings? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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