The Importance of Acceptable Worship

     There are at least four kinds of worship alluded to in the New Testament: (1) ignorant worship (Acts 17:23); (2) vain worship (Matthew 15:9); (3) will worship (Colossians 2:23); and (4) spiritual and true worship (Romans 12:2; John 4:23-24). In Hebrews 12:28, it says that worship must be done “acceptably.” One reason the Lord’s church exists is so Christians can come together and worship God (1 Corinthians 11:18, 20, 33-34; Hebrews 10:25). God demands that we worship Him and

Him alone (Matthew 4:10). In Revelation 22:9, the angel admonished John to “worship God.”

     But what does the Bible say regarding acceptable worship? What is God’s will on the matter? Worship is either right or wrong depending upon God’s will. The only right worship is that which is authorized by God! “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). Notice the word “must.” What does this say about how we worship? We are to worship God “acceptably with reverence and godly fear (awe)” (Hebrews 12:28). Worship must be “in spirit,” that is, the worshiper must genuinely engage his spirit in the worship activity. He must be mentally and emotionally involved. “I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1).

     Also, worship must be “in truth.” God has always required that man approach Him “in truth,” according to the divine commands which he revealed to man. In Genesis 4:3-7, we have the account of the worship of Cain and Abel. God accepted Abel’s worship but rejected Cain’s. Why? Because one did the will of the Lord while the other chose to disobey God’s instructions. We know that God told them what to offer as sacrifice from the reading found in Hebrews 11:4: “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” “By faith” is the key. That simply means that Abel was told what to do, then believed and obeyed the instructions. Furthermore, Cain was also told what to do, but for some reason chose not to fully obey the instructions of the Lord. As a consequence of his conduct, God rejected his worship. God plainly told him, “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him” (Gen. 4:7). Partial obedience is not obedience, but disobedience!

     In Leviticus 10:1-2, we read of another example of not worshipping God in truth. We can learn the importance of worshipping just as God instructs from the example of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2). What was wrong with their worship? They “offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them.” What happened to them? “There came forth fire from before Jehovah and, devoured them, and they died before Jehovah.” Paul wrote, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). So, what does Leviticus 10:1-2 teach us? We must not add to or take away from God’s word (Revelation 22:18-19). We must abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). We do not have the authority to decide how we are going to worship God. We MUST worship as He instructs! (Colossians 3:17).

     Unfortunately, the current atmosphere in the church tends to treat worship as a time for entertaining the worshiper and catering to the worshiper’s wants. People have lost the deep, reverent mind-set that approaches the worship assembly with a strong sense of respect and careful meaning to please God. Worship is important! It is not intended to be entertainment, but it is the act of paying reverence to God. To worship as one desires, without regard for the Lord’s will, is to be guilty of “will worship” (Colossians 2:20-23). Instead of attempting to entertain people in our worship, we need to develop our appetites for pure, New Testament worship!

     What ways do men worship God acceptably? When the church came together for worship, “Paul preached unto them” (Acts 20:7). Preaching and teaching God’s truth is involved in worshipping God acceptably (Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 4:2). The lessons and sermons are designed to teach God’s word so as to encourage obedience by those who listen.

     What ways do men worship God acceptably? Paul said, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). We pray, not only to praise and thank God, but also to ask for our needs and the needs of others (1 Timothy 2:1-4). The early church continued stedfastly “in prayers” (Acts 2:42). We are to pray to God, in the name of Jesus (Luke 11:1-4; John 14:13).

     What ways do men worship God acceptably? Again Paul said, “speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). The entire assembly joins in singing gospel songs. There is no choir or special groups, but simple congregational singing.

     What ways do men worship God acceptably? The Lord’s Supper is to be observed every first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ, (1 Corinthians 11:23-29), prior to His death on the cross and was observed by the Lord’s church. The supper consists of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine as memorials of the body and blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:20-36).

     What ways do men worship God acceptably? By giving to the cause of Christ!  “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). The work of the church is wholly supported by Christians freely giving on every Sunday. These are the five items which are to be done in worshipping God. These are acceptable to Him when we do them in “spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

     Brethren, all worship problems share at least two traits in common: one, rejection of the principle of God’s authority, and two, a desire to feel one’s religion through manmade attractions. May God help us to be strong and committed to His ways and have a “Thus saith the Lord” for all we say and do; “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour” (1 Timothy 2:3). “Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).