Category Archives: worship

Don’t Worship The Image Of Gold

Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold on the plain of Dura. It was commanded publicly that when the appropriate signal was given that all would “fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:5-6). God’s people at this time were in captivity and subjected to the rule of Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel, and three young Hebrew men named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had risen to prominence in those trying times and in those trying conditions (Daniel 1:17-21). It was found that their wisdom and understanding were ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm (Dan. 1:20). These three young men, whose names were changed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, but Daniel sat in the gate of the king” (Daniel 2:49).

These young Hebrew children were also faithful to their God. God had said in His law “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me” (Exodus 20:3-5).

Because they were faithful to Jehovah, there arose a conflict in their lives. Should they obey the command of the King, who told them not to worship Jehovah as Jehovah had said or should they obey their God, Who told them not to bow down to man-made idols? For them, there was really no conflict at all, no trouble in deciding which way they should go. Not even when the king commanded in spite that the furnace to be made seven times as hot as normal (Dan. 3:19).

They responded boldly to Nebuchadnezzar: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Daniel 3:16-18).

There was no compromise on their part, no wavering even in the face of death. No fear of the retribution promised by earthly dignitaries. Only a solemn determination to follow the commands of their True King, Jehovah God. What an example of courage. What an example of faith. Oh that God’s people would have such courage. Oh that they would have such faith today.

These three Hebrew children were not alone. Daniel found himself in a similar situation under Darius the Mede. Daniel was appointed by Darius over all the princes of the kingdom. But those jealous princes connived a way to attack Daniel by getting Darius to pass a law, by playing to his pride, which would have cast into the lions den anyone who prayed to anyone except the king. Daniel knew this law was put into place and yet he chose to obey His God instead of the king. God protected him from the lions when the king reluctantly carried out his arbitrary, man-made laws.

The apostles faced a similar situation when they were commanded by the authorities not to teach or to preach at all in the name of the Lord. What do you think the apostles would do? “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men'” (Acts 5:29).

Brethren, the application of the lesson is clear. Don’t fall down and worship the image of gold. We ought to obey God rather than men.

Eric L. Padgett

Practical Suggestions For Worship

Worship is an important and necessary part of the Christian’s life. However, some Christians complain that they don’t get anything out of worship. We must remember that worship is not primarily for us, but for the Lord. But here some basic, practical suggestions to make worship mean something to us, too,

First, get some sleep and be rested for the morning worship and Bible study. It is hard to worship God and study God’s word when you are struggling to keep your eyes open (Matt. 26:40,41). There are so many distractions in our lives these days and many of them are very important. But there are none as important as obeying the Lord and worshiping Him. We make certain we get our rest when we know we have to go work. How could the Lord’s work and worship be any less important?

Second, don’t bring your family problems to worship. If your mind is on your disagreement with your wife or husband or on the children’s behavior, then it is going to be difficult to meditate on your worship to God. The same is true of any other problem that you may be facing (Matt. 5:22-24; 6:33,34).

Third, don’t become distracted with the internet or Facebook or texting while worshiping God. Our technology today can be a great blessing. Many people use a Bible app on their phone (Heb. 12:1,2). However, there are also many temptations available to the person who uses their phone this way. There is always a temptation to read your mail or look at Facebook or some other site instead of focusing on the subject of the lesson. If you must use a phone Bible app, make an effort to not become distracted.

There is also a benefit to carrying a Bible to church and Bible study. Carrying a Bible allows people to know where you are going when they see you lave your house. It is a simple but effective way to be an example to others.

Fourth, know what you are going to wear to services Sunday morning before Sunday morning gets here. If possible, lay out the clothes you are going to wear to services on Sunday the night before, so that you will not be in a rush to try and find something that fits or that is clean. And wear clothes that are fitting to the occasion of worshiping the God of heaven. This will also increase your sense of worship and awe before the Lord.

Fifth, follow the song leader as he leads the songs. Don’t try to lead from the pew. Keep in time and follow his lead (I Cor. 14:33,40).

Sixth, while good singing can be very pleasing to the ear, the song service is not for your entertainment. It is for the worship of Almighty God. Sing enthusiastically as if you were before His throne because you are! When you sing, understand what you are singing (I Cor. 14:15,26).

Seventh, if you know the subject of the class, be prepared. If there is any scripture reading given in advance, have it read before you get to the building. If your children have Bible class work to be done, help them get it done before the class begins.

Finally, keep your children off the electronic devices while worshiping. While having them play games on a tablet may keep them quiet, it does not teach them the importance of worship. It is o.k. if your children become restless during services. You can correct that through discipline. But they must learn from an early age the importance of worshiping God (Prov. 22:6).

Eric L. Padgett

Suggestions for Worship

Psalm 5:7 – But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Worship is not just something we do that is pleasing to us, though sincere and heartfelt worship is that, but it is directed to the God of all Creation and should be approached with great reverence and fear. As we worship, we should “give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name” and “worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). Jesus said true worship is done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). If our heart is not in our worship, if our minds are wandering on things other than the worship of God, then we are offering vain worship to God.

There are things we can do to make our worship better. Though not original with me, I offer these “Suggestions For Worship” for your consideration.

  1. PREPARE FOR WORSHIP – Start preparing for worship before it begins.  The night before worship, lay out the clothes you will wear to worship, study the Bible lesson for the class, bring your Bible, pray for the worship service and those leading it.
  2. COME – Never miss a worship service unless it is absolutely necessary. Of George Washington it was once said: “No company ever kept him away from church.”  Heb. 10:25.
  3. COME EARLY – Rushing into the assembly at the last minute is not conductive to worship … neither for you nor the other worshipers.
  4. BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY – The worship hour is not a convention to which you may simply send a family delegate.
  5. BE SEATED CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM – Leave the back seats for those who may arrive late and for mothers with small children.
  6. BE REVERENT – The meeting house is not a theater of place of amusement. You have come to worship God, not to laugh, whisper and visit. The worship service deserves our utmost reverence.
  7. BE CONSIDERATE – Don’t make a haystack of yourself at the end of the row and expect others to crawl over you to reach a seat.
  8. PARTICIPATE – Join in the worship service. Be a good listener during the sermon. Be sure to sing. Don’t just sit as a spectator.
  9. BE THOUGHTFUL OF VISITORS – They are our special guests. Treat them with the same courtesy as you would if they should visit in your home.
  10. CONTRIBUTE GENEROUSLY – God loves a cheerful giver. Freely ye have received; freely give. Remember YOUR OFFERING IS TO GOD.
  11. LINGER – Never rush for the door after the closing prayer as if the building were on fire. Speak to others, be friendly.
  12. BE PRESENT – Don’t stay away from services because you see imperfections in the church. How utterly lonely you would feel in a perfect church.

Worship

Worship is an important element in the life of the Christian. While it is a command of the Lord to worship Him (i.e., Rev. 22:9), it should also be an automatic response of a grateful soul for the blessings of life and salvation. Indeed, in all human beings, whether they openly profess to be religious or not, there seems to be a tendency to worship. However, most direct their worship to the wrong object. Some worship their ancestors, others worship the heavens, some worship an object crafted by their own hands and others worship themselves (Rom. 1:21-28). While the desire and need to worship is there, the knowledge of Whom to worship and how to do it is not. God’s word teaches us about the proper object of worship and the proper way to do it.

First, only God is to be worshiped. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Ex. 34:14). Because all other objects and persons are created by God, only He is worthy of worship (Ps. 100; I Chron. 16:25,26). Since Jesus is also God, and, along with the Holy Spirit, was involved in the creation of the world (Gen. 1:1,2; John 1:1-3), He is also worthy of worship (Mark 5:6; Rev. 4,5). Many, however, often without even realizing it, worship things other than God. Some worship wealth or possessions and others worship fame and status. But Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve God and mammon and be acceptable to Him (Matt. 6:24). God is the only authorized object of worship.

Second, reverence must be exhibited when approaching God in worship. When Moses approached God in the burning bush, God told him that the place whereon he stood was “holy ground” and that he should remove his shoes as a sign of reverence (Ex. 3:5). Today, of course, we do not show reverence by removing shoes, but we should show reverence in the way we approach God in worship by the way we dress, by the way we conduct ourselves and by the way speak. David said he would not offer to God that which cost him nothing (II Sam. 24:24). We should be willing to sacrifice in order to come before God. Like the four and twenty elders before the throne, we should cast down our crowns before the Lord (Rev. 4:10). Our attitude toward God will be manifested by how we present ourselves before Him (I Chron. 16:29; Psalm 92:2).

Third, God must be worshiped according to His will. Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” God must be worshiped both in spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). To worship God in spirit is to worship Him with the right attitude or disposition of heart, which we just mentioned. But God wills that we worship Him according to truth as well, which means it must be done the right way.

For example, when Abel offered the wrong sacrifice, God was not pleased (Gen. 4:4,5). Cain chose to offer that which God had not commanded and was condemned for his unfaithfulness (Heb. 11:4; Rom. 10:17). Likewise, Nadab and Abihu offered the wrong fire in worship, a fire which God had “commanded them not,” and were destroyed because of it (Lev. 10:1,2). God said He was going to be sanctified in those that come nigh Him (Lev. 10:3). The world attempts to worship God in it’s own way, and God will have none of it. Ignorant worship is false worship and is not acceptable to God (Acts 17:23). Jesus condemned this kind of attempt to worship God when He said, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).

Fourth, scriptural worship of God consists of specific actions which God has authorized. Some have said in the past that all that we do in life is worship. Such a view is completely without scriptural support. For example, when Abraham obeyed God’s command to offer Isaac, Abraham said “abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship” (Gen. 22:5). Abraham was not worshiping as God commanded until He went to the place and performed the actions God had commanded. Abraham lived during the Patriarchal dispensation when God spoke directly to the fathers (cf. Heb. 1:1,2). Today, however, we live in the Christian dispensation and we are to listen to the Lord and the Lord only (Heb. 1:1,2; Matt. 17:1-8).

Under Christ, worship consists of five specific acts: Teaching/preaching, prayers, singing, giving, and the Lord’s supper. Very early on in the inspired account of the establishment and growth of the Lord’s church we are given a list of things in which Christians strictly continued and these five items are subsumed under them. Acts 2:42 states: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” While we cannot here go into detail about each of these avenues of worship, a brief summary will suffice to show the example of the first century church.

The book of Acts records that upon the first day of the week, the early church gathered to hear the gospel preached, which was the equivalent of the apostle’s doctrine being taught (Acts 20:7). The apostles doctrine involves teaching/preaching. This passage (Acts 20:7) also states that they partook of the Lord’s supper, or broke bread, on the first day of every week (I Cor. 10:16). Prayer was also an important and mandatory part of the services of the Lord’s church in the first century (Acts 12:12). On the first day of every week, first century Christians were commanded to lay by in store as God had prospered them (I Cor. 16:1,2). Finally, singing was a part of the worship of the assembled church (Heb. 2:12; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; I Cor. 14:15). Singing was also a way of “teaching and admonishing” which is referred to in Acts 2:42. Anything more than these adds to the worship and anything less, on the Lord’s day, takes away from God’s commands and corrupts the New Testament pattern.

God demands our worship be pure. Therefore, “let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker” (Ps. 95:6) and let us “give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (I Chron. 16:29).

Eric L. Padgett