Loving God supremely means acquiescing to His will (Matthew 7:21 22:37–38 23:23 John 7:17). The important thing is not what draws a crowd but what pleases God. The danger for any church is to make worship entertainment oriented. Man is not at liberty to select a worship form that appeals to him. We have no authority to put words in God’s mouth, or to ignore words from His mouth (Matthew 4:4 Revelation 22:18–19). We must examine ourselves before worshipping (2 Corinthians 13:5).Ĭollectively, God only accepts “in truth” worship, which means according to His Word (John 17:17). Individually, God only accepts worship “in spirit”-that which comes from proper attitudes, such as reverence, thanksgiving, and humility (Hebrews 13:15). True worship is done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). He does not like vain worship (Matthew 15:9), which (in the context) ritualistically continues human traditions ignorant worship (Acts 17:20–23), which results from not seeking God’s Word on the subject and will-worship (Colossians 2:23), which offers what we want instead of what He wills. God has always rejected worship He did not like (Genesis 4:4–7 Isaiah 1:13). We must not assume that God automatically accepts anything we offer. Individually and congregationally, worship is either accepted or refused by God. How one approaches God in worship is of fundamental importance. The relevant question is not, “Do we have a voice?” but “Do we have a song?” God loves to hear His children sing. A sincere song from a faithful child pleases Him. We may not think we have a good voice, but God looks at (listens to) our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). You could say God gave each of us a musical instrument to use in His worship. It is when we say thanks for His “unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15) and put a smile on the face of the one who puts a song in our hearts. In those few minutes, we have God’s undivided attention. A God who has everything is in the market for little, but He seeks worship (John 4:23–24). Regardless of a congregation’s size, worship always has an audience of one. Instrumentals, choirs, and solos hinder all-member participation. As a holy priesthood we offer spiritual sacrifices to Him who called us out of darkness (1 Peter 2:5, 9).Įvery faithful member can participate in worship. In the New, all Christians are priests-a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:6). In the Old Testament, believers offered sacrifices through priests. It is a privilege to worship-more specifically, to be one from whom God accepts worship. Os Guinness observed, “The modern world has scrambled things so badly that today we worship our work, we work at our play, and we play at our worship.”Ĭhurches of Christ aim never to “play at worship.” Worship is the most important thing humans do. The practice comes from our understanding of worship and priesthood. Going back to the Old Testament for study is helpful in understanding many things, but going back to the Old Testament for any practice obligates one to keep all its ordinances (Galatians 5:1–3 James 2:10). The Old Testament is written for our learning but not for our law (Romans 15:4). He spent more than six thousand years completing His plan for the church (Ephesians 3:11 Galatians 4:4–5) so nothing was left to happenstance. God always meticulously planned worship (Exodus 25–40 Leviticus 1–27). He kept unleavened bread, the fruit of the vine, prayers, and singing. In the changeover, God omitted such things as burning incense, golden vessels, colorful tapestries, dancing before the Lord, bitter herbs, and instruments. Worship is not conducted by a special class of priests blood is not sprinkled on a mercy seat and unusual ceremonies involving goats, red heifers, and burnt animals are not required. Christians no longer offer animals, keep the Passover, observe Sabbaths and new moons, or avoid pork and catfish (cf. Christ came to take away the first law to establish second (Hebrews 10:9).Ī new law changed humanity’s response to God.New effective after Christ’s death (Hebrews 9:16–17).Change in priesthood required change in law (Hebrews 7:12 9:11).Separating wall removed (Ephesians 2:14).“Engraven in stones” law abolished (2 Corinthians 3:7–14).“Christ is the end of the law” (Romans 10:4).Loosed/delivered from the law (Romans 7:1–7).Preach gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20).

The New Testament records this transition: Its rule of faith and practice is the covenant Jesus delivered by the Spirit (New Testament), not the Law delivered to Moses at Sinai (Old Testament). The church is a New Testament institution, purchased on the cross and established on Pentecost (Matthew 16:18 Acts 2:1–47 20:28).

War of the gods instrumental