TRUE WORSHIP "But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23, 24).
1. Who is to be worshipped? The answer is God the Father in heaven. Here we are told that "God is Spirit". He is the one who "is above all, through all, and in you all" (Ephesians 4:6). God is eternal, immortal, invisible, all knowing, all powerful, and all prevailing. Nothing is hidden from God (Psalms 139:1-18). "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (Hebrews 4: 13).
He is the first cause, himself uncaused, the Creator and Sustainer of everything that exists. He is also personal, knowing every one of us and wanting our praise, service and dedication.
2. Just What is worship? A bowing before God with:
A. An awareness of the presence of God. Isaiah said "I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is filled with His glory!" (Isaiah 6:1-3). We sing, "Lord we come before thee now; at thy feet we humbly bow".
B. A consciousness of sin and unworthiness on the part of the worshipers. When Isaiah saw God he said, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of Hosts." (Isaiah 6:5).
C. A sense of cleansing and forgiveness. Isaiah was told when the Seraphim touched his mouth with a live coal, "Behold; this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged." (Isaiah 6:7). I John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
D. A response of the soul with reference to doing God's will. Isaiah's response to God's call for who would go for Him, "Here am I, send me." (Isaiah 6:8).
3. What is involved in a public worship service where all are come together?
A. A meditating upon God's word in sermon or scripture reading. The Psalmist said, "Blessed is the man... .that delights in the law of the Lord and on His law meditates day and night." (Psalm 1). Our attitudes ought to be, "Speak Lord your servant hears, Command and I will obey." Every worshipper ought to "test all things; hold fast that which is good." (I Thessalonians 5:21).
B. The singing of Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs making melody in our hearts to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19). In those songs Addressing God such as singing "How great Thou art". Also to ourselves and fellow Christians singing "To the work, to the work we are servants of God." Admonishing Christians and sinners as in "Sinners Jesus will receive; sound this word of Grace to all". In desire and prayer to God as in "Purer in heart, O God, help me to be, that I thy Holy Face one day may see".
C. Praying to God through Christ. Showing respect and reverence to our God; acknowledging our unworthiness; asking for forgiveness where we have sinned; making petitions for our needs; asking for God to heal the sick; praying for understanding hearts; and praying for peace in the world just to name a few points in prayers.
D. Observance of the Lord's Supper in memory of the death of Christ. (I Corinthians11:23-30).
E. The giving of money, goods, and services for the propagation of the faith and the relief of human needs. (I Corinthians 16:1, 2).
F. In all these items of worship doing so from the heart so that the worship will be in spirit as well as in truth.
4. There are two ways to worship God:
A. As God directs. It is impossible for man to approach his Creator in worship, except as God has directed. Jesus quoted Isaiah saying, "In vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). God is a pattern God and as He told Moses, "See that thou make all things according to the pattern" (Hebrews 8:5). Prayers (Acts 2:46), Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7), Giving (I Corinthians 16:2), Proclaiming of scriptures (Acts 2:42), Singing (Colossians 3:16) are all according to the pattern.
B. Or as Man wants to worship. This is called "self imposed religion" in Colossians. 2:23). It would be impossible to name all the changes made in the years of history by people of Christianity but here are a few: Auricular confession, baptizing of images, baptizing of bells, baptizing of infants, baptism of desire, baptism for the dead, burning of incense, canonization of saints, celibacy of the clergy, communion under one kind, elevation of the host, extreme unction, invocation of the saints, lighting of blessed lamps and candles, Lenten feasts and ceremonies, monasticism, orders of monks and nuns, societies of Jesus, purgatory, prayers for souls in purgatory, paschal candles, priestly robes and vestments, holy paraphernalia, penance, redemption of penances, pouring for baptism, sprinkling for baptism, the rosary of the Virgin Mary, the sale of indulgences, the sacrifice of the mass, instrumental music in worship, etc.
God seeks for worship His way. C. D.