Worship in Truth

There comes a point when we must examine or evaluate our worship experience. In yesterday’s post it was noted that worship is to serve and pay respect to God because the Lord is worthy. The heart of worship is to please God.

Because God is our Master, the Lord gives us instructions. “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)

Jesus reinforced this by saying "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

True worship gives importance to the things God has asked us to do. When we enter the sanctuary we must evaluate if the activity is about us … or about pleasing God.

One thing I have noted in some churches (and from some people) is that we do not want children bothering our worship. Jesus would say to us: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14) He said this for good reason. Moses said, “Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the LORD your God.” (Dt 31:12-13)

It is of more importance to pass our passion and love for the Lord our God on to the next generation than to enjoy the ambiance of a worship service or home devotions ourselves.

Another detractor of worship in today’s churches is music (whether contemporary or traditional). Many feel music should be about what the individual enjoys … even (look around!) to the exclusion of others. Jesus said, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (John 4:12) Paul said, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Again, (Deuteronomy 31:12-13), God wants all people to be present in our worship services. Generally congregations should include young adults, senior adults, children, youth and parents. Music should draw all in the church together (rather than drive a wedge to push generations apart).

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:5-7)