Uplifting Worship That Glorifies God
Worship is an act of reverence and adoration directed to God. God wants acceptable worship done “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). This “truly spiritual” worship must be with the lovingly attitudes and proper acts that glorify God (Acts 2:42-47). In worship, we must seek to please God first and not just ourselves. The proper “spiri”t is joyful reverence and thankful adoration (Colossians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:7). “In truth, “ we “come together” (1 Corinthians 11:19) to engage in the proper acts of worship that are prescribed (authorized) in the New Testament (Colossians 3:17).
1. Weekly Partaking of the Lord’s Supper. On that solemn night of Jesus’ betrayal, He instituted a simple memorial feast of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, which represents His crucified body and shed blood given for us (Matthew 26:26-29). He says, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). The early disciples, by apostolic authority, were regularly gathered together on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 2:42, 20:7). Every week has a first day, which is the day of His triumphant resurrection (Mark 16:9).
So, we should partake of the Lord’s table as often as the first day of the week occurs. This is a unifying family memorial, as we remember together and publicly proclaim to the world all that Jesus did for us on the cross (1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:26). We sincerely examine ourselves and lovingly rededicate ourselves to Him and His great gospel cause, to which He gave that ultimate measure of devotion (1 Corinthians 11:27-28).
2. Prayers in Jesus’ Name. The Jerusalem church continued steadfastly at all times in “the prayers” (Acts 2:42; 4:24-31; 12:12). Jesus taught us to approach God through Him, who is our mediator (John 14: Praying together “in one accord” (Acts 4:24) draws us together before God’s mighty throne at the center of the universe (Revelation 4:2-11; 8:3-5). We express common devotion and pour out our common concerns. We all stand in need of God’s help.
The elements of prayer are: praise of God (Matthew 6:9), thanksgiving to God (John 6:11), confession of sin (Ezra 10:1), intercession for others (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and supplication for our needs (Philippians 4:6). Prayers should be from a heart of firm faith that God hears and answers prayer (Hebrews 11:6)
3. Singing to the Lord. The early church was together “praising God” (Acts 2:47). Together, we “with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6). In our congregational singing, we are “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in your hearts to God” (Ephesians 5:19). The instrument we use is our heart, which makes melody when reflecting on all the great things our great Lord has done for us. Singing is the rousing music of the soul, the enthusiastic outpouring of a grateful heart to God. Vocal singing is the only music in worship specified and thereby authorized by the New Testament (Acts 16:25; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Hebrews 2:12, 13:15; James 5:13).
The apostles and the New Testament church never used mechanical instrumentals of music in worship. “There is no record in the New Testament of the use of instruments in the musical worship of the church” (Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia, p. 1163). “A cappella” comes from Latin meaning, “in the style of the church.” Historian Curt Sachs observed, “All ancient Christian music was vocal. `We need one instrument: the peaceful word of adoration, not harps or drums or pipes or trumpets,’ said St. Clement of Alexandria around 200 A.D.” (Our Musical Heritage, p. 43). Mechanical instruments of music were used in the Old Testament Temple worship, along with animal sacrifices and the burning of incense (2 Chronicles 29:25, 26:18; Psalm 66:13 ). The old Jewish covenant was done away with by the new covenant of Christ (Hebrews 7:11-12; 8:13; Galatians 3:24-25). Hence, there is no authority in New Testament worship for mechanical instruments of music. We are content to do Bible things in Bible ways, limiting musical worship to vocal music in song.
4. Preaching the Truth. The early church heard the proclamation of God’s word in their assemblies (Acts 15:30-32; 20:7-11; 2 Timothy 4:2-5). Faithful preaching includes “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). When we listen to gospel preaching, we bow in our hearts before God’s living voice in Scripture. We should listen to God with worshipful respect, in awe and reverence (Nehemiah 8:2-6). “Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2) is the mandate of every faithful gospel preacher, not the opinions and philosophies of men to tickle the ears of unspiritual listeners.
5. Giving to God. The early church pooled their material resources and “laid them at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:34-35). Contributions into the local church treasury are taken up every first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2). The NT doesn’t legislate tithing (giving 10%) like the OT. A Christian has given up “all his own possessions” (Luke 14:33). We’re simply stewards of our material possessions that God has given to us to enjoy and use to His glory. Jesus is Lord of our pocketbook.
Generous giving to support the Lord’s work is the fruit of those who have “first given themselves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5). How liberally we give is a direct indication of how much we appreciate all the Lord has done for us (2 Corinthians 8:9). We give of our freewill “as each may prosper” (1 Corinthians 16:2), knowing that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Supporting the Lord’s work is investing in spiritual treasure, which can have eternal effects (Matthew 6:19-21).
The pooling of funds in the church treasury is used to support only what a local church is authorized to do, in doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way. For example, Paul limited who the church could support out of its treasury (1 Timothy 5:9-16).
A church supports the preaching of the gospel by sending support directly to preachers (Philippians 4:10-18; 2 Corinthians 11:8). There is no authority for one church to turn its money over to another church to do evangelistic work for the sending church. A church may buy goods and services to help it fulfill its authorized work of assemblying for worship and teaching the truth.
Also, we read that a church’s benevolent work out of the collective treasury is limited to the temporary relief of needy saints (Acts 2:45; 3:6; 4:34-35; 6:1-6; 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1). Individual Christians have the broader benevolent duty to help all men who have a benevolent need, as opportunity and resources permit (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27).