I don't think any of us are starving. None of us are naked. None of us walked to worship services this week (unless it was by choice). We all left and ate a wonderful lunch. Then we might even have taken a nap in the comfort of our home.
Beyond those things, those of us who have obeyed the Gospel had that nap in peace knowing that God has forgiven us of our sins, through Christ's blood (cf. Revelation 1.5)
While considering God's salvation, the Psalmist penned these words:
"What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?" (Psalm 116.12, NKJV)
The answer to that question comes in verse 17:
"I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord." (Psalm 116.17, NKJV)
If you or I had performed for someone else even a fraction of what God has done for us, wouldn't we seek appreciation? Wouldn't we want thanksgiving, and adoration from the person we had helped? Of course we would.
God wants the same from us. He wants our praise and adoration. He wants our thanksgiving. He wants our worship.
But we as a culture want OUR worship.
The "Supermarket"Mentality
Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has their preferences. Supermarkets reflect this fact.
Walk into a supermarket and you'll find fourteen different brands of pasta, 30 different flavors and brands of soda, and at least a hundred different options for ice cream in the freezer section. Oh, and try to pick out a candy bar.
Imagine having a "Worship Aisle" at the local grocery store. How many options would there be? Well, the first question is, big church or small church? From there, would you rather have traditional or contemporary? Then there's ritualistic and ceremonial, or "spirit-filled," exciting, edgy, and emotional. What instruments do you want in the band? Do you want a band? Do you want an organ? What songs do you want them to play? Do you want your worship to have some sort of gimmick to it, like catering to bikers or cowboys? Believe me, there's an option out there to suit YOU!
But in all of this, the only question that actually matters fails to get asked: What does GOD want? After all, worship isn't supposed to be focused on the worshipper, but rather, the object of worship: God!
In this lesson, I want to explore three ideas which will, if need be, clear up your thinking about worship.
#1 - Worship is Desired by God.
Very few times in scripture do we read about God seeking someone or something. That means when we find it in the scriptures, we'd better pay attention to what God says He is seeking.
In John 4.23, Jesus tells the woman of Samaria that God is seeking "true worshippers." Verse 24 tells us how to identify and to be what God is seeking. The "true worshipper" worships "in spirit and in truth." Very simply put, this means that a "true worshipper" worships God from their heart, and likewise, according to the truth. When we consider Jesus' statement in John 17.17, that God's word itself is Truth, then we come to understand that God is seeking people to worship Him with all of their heart, and according to what the Bible says He wants.
God wants worship so much that it's not only desired, but it is required! Consider 1 Peter 2.9, where we find that one of the purposes God's "own special people" (i.e., Christians, the Church) is to "proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
God desires and requires our worship because he is worthy of it. David writes in Psalm 18 about how God is his strength, rock, fortress, and deliverer. He makes this statement in verse three:
"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised..." (Psalm 18.3a, NKJV)
The Hebrew writer writes:
"Therefore by Him, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13.15, NKJV)
We know God wants it, and deserves it. But what qualifies as true worship?
#2 - Not Everything You Do is Worship.
We live in a peculiar time as it relates to sports and religion. Superstar athletes like Tim Tebow, Lolo Jones, and Gabby Douglas are all known for their faith. Tebow famously painted "Phil 4:13" on his eye black, which could lead one to believe that it's by Christ's power that he plays football. Is he worshipping when he scores a touchdown (e.g., "Tebowing")? Is Gabby Douglas praising God when she sticks a landing? I certainly can't speak for what Tebow and Douglas actually think, nor will I seriously accuse them of claiming such things.
But I do know that some people are convinced that their own jobs, art, sports performances, and pretty much every action in their life is an act of worship (a misunderstanding of Romans 12.1). If that's the case, then it suggests that anything goes in worship to God.
But it simply isn't the case, and it comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of the meaning of worship. In Matthew 4.10, Jesus helps us to realize that worship is different from our “every-day” service to God. As Satan tempts Jesus with all of the kingdoms of the world if he will only fall down and worship him, Jesus says:
"Away with you Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" (Matthew 4.10, NKJV)
Notice that Jesus uses two different words: Worship, and serve. Not only are these words different in English, but they are different in the Greek, too. "Worship" is translated from the word proskyneo, which simply means "to prostrate oneself before." The idea is one of falling face down in front of someone to pay homage to them. Obviously, this is something that can't be done if someone is standing in the pride of their own opinions and preferences!
The other word, "serve," is translated from the Greek word latreuo, which refers to actual religious service, i.e., what we do in our lives every day in service to God. This same word is found in Hebrews 9.14 in reference to serving God. It refers to the "day-to-day" sort of service, like being benevolent, visiting the sick, and telling others about God. But worship, proskyneo, in our assemblies together is something altogether different, and special. Since it is special, God has specific ideas about how he wants it done.
#3 - Worship to God is Regulated.
Regulations aren't foreign to us. Most people readily accept them in every facet of life... except religion. For some reason, the Federal and State Governments, City Hall, and the corporate home office carry more weight with some people than the Creator of the universe! I pray that isn't the case with you.
You see, worship is a reflection of the one being worshipped. What if someone who adored you decided to worship you by robbing banks to give to the poor? What if they slandered others "in your name." Would you want others to look at this "follower" of yours and think you stood for those things? Of course not!
The same is true when it comes to worshipping God. It's for that reason (among others) that God has decided to regulate how He is worshipped. It was the case in the Old Testament (examine Exodus through Deuteronomy), and it’s certainly the case under the New Covenant!
Therefore, part of being a true worshipper is worshipping "in truth" (cf. John 4.24), i.e., according to God's Word (regulations). God’s desires for our worship to Him are not uncertain and open to debate. He has told us exactly what He wants.
Consider the following:
- Singing - Colossians 3.16; Ephesians 5.19
- Prayer - 1 Timothy 2.1-3; Philippians 4.6
- Communion - 1 Corinthians 11.23-26; Acts 20.7
- Giving - 1 Corinthians 16.1-2
- Preaching - Acts 20.7; 1 Corinthians 1.21
Of course this question arises: Since these verses are spread all over the place, and don’t always seem to refer to the worship assembly, then how do we know that our worship assemblies are limited to these things?
There’s a simple answer for that: We take a look at what a first century assembly looked like!
The church in Corinth gives us a complete picture of the acts of worship.
We read in 1 Corinthians 11.18 that Paul is dealing with some problems that existed when they all came “together as a church.” Paul is going to expend a lot of effort fixing some problems which were happening in that assembly (the worship assembly). For us, not only do we see what to avoid, but we see what was a part of their assemblies!
The Lord’s Supper was a part of what they did (cf. 1 Corinthians 11.20-34). Also, there was teaching and preaching (consider 1 Corinthians 14.29-31). Paul mentions the importance of praying and singing with the spirit and understanding (cf. 1 Corinthians 14.15). Then Paul gives the command to “lay something aside,” (giving) on the first day of each week (cf. 1 Corinthians 16.1-2). While tongue speaking is mentioned in chapter 14, chapters 12-13 (especially 1 Corinthians 13.8) show that it was only a first-century phenomenon. These were the things done in their assemblies, and if we are going to be what they were (the Church), then we must do no more, and no less, in order to be pleasing to God.
Worship is Not an Accident
I want to leave you with one more thought: We can’t accidentally worship. Worship is something that is entered into intentionally (cf. John 4.24, “in spirit”). You aren’t worshipping God by virtue of the fact you are sitting in a pew on Sunday.
True worship comes from not only the acts themselves, but from the disposition of the heart. In that vein of thought, realize that true worship can only come from true Christians.
Are you a true Christian? Is your heart right with God? Is your worship pleasing to God, or just to you? I'd love to talk with you more about this subject.
-Daniel
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ReplyDeleteThanks, Ray!
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