Worship

Part 13 - What are the Parts of Worship?

"Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). Paul tells the Corinthians gathered to listen to his letter, "We are the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:16). Paul uses similar language writing to Ephesus, "You also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22). Peter repeats the emphasis. "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).

This is astounding. As we form a congregation and gather for worship, God privileges us to construct a special dwelling place for Him. God promises to meet with us in this gathering to fulfill His covenant promises. "I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people" (Leviticus 26:11-12, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Revelation 21:3).

This sanctuary is an outpost of heaven by virtue of God's gracious loving presence. It is God's dwelling place. God outlines how we approach Him. We therefore fashion this worshipping body in accordance with Divine dictates. We take our directions from heaven and from Him. We do not follow societal norms or contemporary cultural values. We follow the directions we receive from God in Scripture.

Scripture indicates certain activities should be a part of our worship. We call these elements of worship. As we must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25), we must not forsake the elements of worship God prescribes in Scripture.

Worship involves praise to God. "Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15). Scripture directs praise "with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16).

Paul gives Timothy directions for public ministry. "I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15). "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

In addition to prayer, God commands us to read Scripture in public worship. "Give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching (1 Timothy 4:13). Here we also have the example of Christ and the witness of the Old Testament (Luke 4:16, Nehemiah 8:8). Along with reading, Paul urges preaching and teaching. "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" (1 Timothy 4:2).

Christ commands baptism, a public rite bringing men and women into the visible body (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41). Christ commands us to celebrate the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). We also find calls to worship (Psalm 95:6), salutations (Revelation 1:4-6), invocations (Exodus 33:12-16), and offerings (Genesis 14:18-19, 1 Corinthians 16:2). Finally, in his letter to the church at Corinth, no doubt read in a corporate setting, Paul pronounces a benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14).

When we fashion our worshipping assemblies with these simple elements, we may expect God to meet with us, to bless us, and to fulfill His covenant promises in us and among us. Following the means God outlines we come to the end God designs. Why should we seek another way?