God has called the church to worship him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4).
What does that look like?
1. Worship goes where you go
In the Old Testament there were regulations for worship (Hebrews 9).
But Jesus said “the time is coming and has now come”, in reference to the implications of his atoning work on the cross, when we will no longer worship God at a singular location.
Rather, Christ’s death on the cross and the subsequent tearing of the temple curtain gave and symbolized direct access to God for all who he chooses to reveal himself to.
2. We praise Him in light of revealed/proclaimed biblical truth
In today’s church culture we have dumbed worship down to setting the “mood” in the auditorium. (Dim the house lights and turn on the lasers, close your eyes and get lost in the world of your own feelings).
That’s not worship.
In many respects that could qualify as idolatry.
How? You say…
Matthew 15:8 - This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me
This form of worship often isn’t done in light of the TRUTH of God’s Word, but rather the comfort of our own preferences.
We have become the object of worship.
It’s about our comfort, our style, our mood.
What does Gods word say?
Ephesians 5:19 - be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Notice it tells us to sing to one another.
But when the lights are off we can’t do that!
When the laser is hitting me in the eye, I can’t see my brother anymore!!!
Doxology without Theology is Idolatry.
Misdirected worship will miss the mark every time. The shift may be subtle, but the results can be catastrophic.
Only properly directed worship can satisfy the soul!
Not to mention That God ought to be our primary audience in worship (Psalm 96)
As long as we’re concerned about us, we’ll never be satisfied in Him.
We are fully satisfied in worship when we worship as God prescribes!
3. The truth of God’s word ought to move the affections of the heart
Charles Spurgeon said, “God does not regard our voices, he hears our hearts, and if our hearts do not sing we have not sung at all.”
When you read of:
· God’s Majesty / Your Inelegance
· God’s Wisdom / Your Stupidity
· God’s Power / Your Inability
· God’s Justice / Your Crooked Thinking
· God’s Love / Your Bitterness
· God’s Grace / Your Lack Thereof
· God Splendor / Your Clumsiness
When you read about who God is in light of who you are, the heart of the church can’t help but praise!
Psalm 103
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.