Dear Church Family,
Does it really matter how we worship?
Assuming that we are worshipping the right God and not some pagan idol, as the First Commandment in the Decalogue mandates, does it matter how we go about offering worship to the God of our salvation?
Well, this is the exact question answered in the Second Commandant. While the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3) deals with the exclusive worship of the one, true and living God–Israel’s Redeemer who had graciously rescued them from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 20:2)–the second of Sinai’s holy laws deals with the correct worship of Yahweh (Exodus 20:4-6). That is, it forbids the false worship of the only true God.
As I am sure most of you know, the subject of worship has been the source of no small degree of controversy and disagreement within the broader Evangelical Church. Even in our own denomination there are divergent views of what we should do and should not do in the corporate worship of our Lord. For example, dotting the landscape of our community you’ll easily discover a number of Church signs advertising the time and the ‘style’ of their services. One that I have in mind right now has a ‘Traditional’ service at 8:30 AM, a ‘Contemporary’ service at 9:45 AM, and a ‘Blended’ service at 11:00 AM. And then, there are those that follow a very orderly liturgy (like ours), and others that seem to follow no discernable pattern at all, or at least a very loose one. Then there are the elements, or the composition, of the worship services. Here you’ll discover a broad spectrum of worship practices. Some involve very elaborate stage productions, lighting, and technological innovations that might rival the local theatre. Some seem to focus upon extended times of corporate singing led by professional quality musicians. Some have jettisoned the hymnal in favor of a more contemporary soft rock sound, while others sing only from the Psalter, unaccompanied. Some have pulpits, and others have Plexiglas podiums. Some preachers, or speakers as the case may be, derive their messages directly from the Bible and ‘preach’ expository sermons each week. But there are others who only make simple references to Scripture when appropriate for their ‘talks.’ Some Churches kneel in prayer. Some have Communion every quarter. Some recite the Creeds and Confessions. Some worshippers dress casually. Others dress up.
Well I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. When it comes to worship there appears to be no real consensus as to what we should do and how we should do it. Perhaps we have all arrived at the conclusion that it doesn’t really matter. You know, ‘Different strokes for different folks.’
But is this assumption correct?
On Sunday, we will begin a two-part look at the Second Commandment. As we investigate the meaning of this sacred command we will discover that the Lord has not left us in the dark about worship, what it is and how we should engage in it. He has given us very explicit instructions that must be followed when the New Covenant community gathers for worship.
In preparation for the sermon let me encourage you to read Exodus 20:4-6 along with Exodus 32:1-35. And let’s pray most fervently that the Lord will teach us what true worship really is.
I love you all so dearly, and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
Mike