Training To Worship
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n our training for service, we need
to remember that ALL members of the body of Christ, both men and women, need to
train ourselves to worship. The word of God informs us that God specifies the
way He wants to be worshiped. This was true under the Old Testament as well as
in the New. Just think about the many laws that were associated with the
Tabernacle and Temple in service to God.
New Testament Worship
In
the New Testament, there are fewer laws given, but the principle is the same!
God demands obedience in worship! The Father was pleased with His Son because
He was an obedient Son.
“though
He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb. 5:8).
God
also wants His children today to learn obedience, and this is true in all areas
including worship. In fact, Jesus taught that worshiping in truth (as well as
in spirit) is the ONLY acceptable worship to God!
“God
is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
False Attitudes Toward Worship
Unfortunately
there are many false attitudes toward worship that oppose the teaching of God’s
will. Please observe some of these.
* Some believe that worship involves just being present.
Certainly this is important because it is wrong to forsake the assembly (Heb.
10:25). However, true worship is more.
* Others feel that worship involves just
pleasing the worshipers. There is nothing wrong in being pleased with our
worship to God. In fact, it should thrill our hearts to praise Him in songs,
talk to Him in prayers, remember His Son’s death, to be cheerful givers, and to
hear His pure word proclaimed. But this is not the main focus in worship. Our
aim must be to please God! Those who set out to only please themselves will not
receive anything else.
* Then there are those who believe that what one does in
worship is not important. These feel that anything done is acceptable if the
worshiper is sincere. Who would deny that sincerity is important, but so is
worshiping in truth. Jesus did not say that one “may” worship in truth, but
said those who worship Him “must” worship in truth (John 4:24). In fact, Jesus
classified all worship other than truth as being doctrines and commandments of
men.
“And
in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the command-ments of men” (Mk. 7:7).
True Attitudes Toward Worship
All
the above false attitudes must be avoided and then develop the biblical
attitude toward worship. Please consider some of these.
* Make every
effort possible to worship God in truth. The only way to know truth to guide
pleasing worship is from the word of God. The doctrines of men may be tempting
and may even attract outsiders to attend, but for what purpose since it is
empty and vain worship?
Therefore,
the acts of worship must be God approved to be acceptable to Him. We need to
study often the acts of worship found in the New Testament church. This should
remind us of their importance, and to make sure that we are following God’s
truth in worship.
* Make every effort possible
to worship God in spirit. We need to be continually reminded that it is not
enough to carry out the specified acts of worship, but they must be carried out
in the right spirit. The same Jesus who taught that true worship must be in
truth also said it must be done in spirit. God will NOT accept worship that
does not come from the heart.
The
nation of Israel learned from time to time the importance of having their
hearts right in worship. When they turned to idolatry and sin, God turned from
them. The prophet Isaiah taught them a powerful lesson on this subject.
“Behold,
the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that
it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your
sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isa. 59:1, 2).
God
still demands worship in spirit—worship from the heart. Remember, this is an
important part of worship that must be controlled only by individuals. The
elders can make sure that the true acts of worship are done correctly, but they
cannot control individual hearts.
Therefore,
how do we train ourselves to worship God in spirit? Here are some suggestions:
(1) Recognize the
sacredness of worshiping in spirit and the fact that we are in the presence of
God. With this thought in mind, we will make every effort possible not to do
anything that would detract others or ourselves from serious worship.
(2)
Try hard NOT to be a “mind drifter” during worship. Since our lives have been filled with
so many activities during the past week, it may become a real temptation to
think about things other than worship. When this happens, we need to discipline
our minds to return to the song, prayer, Lord’s Supper, or sermon. This is a
very important area of training.
(3)
Prepare before time to worship. Preparing our minds and bodies the day
before can do this. We need to get
the proper physical rest (when possible) the night before. We need also to pray
for God to help us worship Him in spirit and in truth. He has promised to help
His children in times of need. Surely, being able to worship God in an
acceptable way is our greatest need.
Remember,
when we train ourselves to worship, we will experience
a closer relationship with God! —BBBristow