True Worship

Readings for today: 1 Kings 13-14, 2 Chronicles 11-12

God cares about our worship. He expects, even demands, His people worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He expects us to enter into worship focused solely on bringing honor and glory to Him alone. Worship that honors God is faithful to Scripture. Music that honors God has little to do with style and everything to do with the words being sung. Prayers that honor God are humble and contrite. Liturgy that honors God connects us with the saints who have gone before us and we join them even as they worship now around God’s throne. Preaching that honors God comes straight from the Bible and has little use for human opinion. The way we shape our spaces and gatherings and experiences in worship is critical and must be focused on drawing us close to God and to each other. All of these things have been hallmarks of worship for God’s people down through the ages going all the way back to ancient Israel. And while the ceremonial laws governing worship surely have changed - and even been fulfilled in Christ - it still doesn’t release us from the responsibility of giving God the worship He deserves and demands. Anything less and we run the risk of engaging in what the Bible calls “abomination.”

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel. And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah." So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, "You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt." And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. And Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made. He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart. And he instituted a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to make offerings.” (1 Kings‬ ‭12:25-33‬)

Yesterday, we read about Rehoboam’s folly as he refused to listen to wise counselors and instead took his advice from fools. The result was the dividing of a nation. God had ordained Jeroboam to take over the northern kingdom of Israel. Ten tribes were entrusted into his hands. God was with him. God had established him. God had raised him up to be king. But Jeroboam was scared. Afraid of what might happen if his people returned to Jerusalem for worship. He was afraid their hearts would return to the house of David and he would lose his kingdom. So he makes a tragic mistake. Rather than trust God, he creates his own system of worship. Rather than give God the worship He deserves and demands, Jeroboam makes idols. Establishes his own priesthood. Built his own temples and high places. Established his own feasts. To be sure, these things paralleled the system laid out in Scripture. They had the same forms and functions. They seem to accomplish the same purpose which was the worship of Yahweh. But they were not the same and the consequence for falsely worshipping Yahweh is utter destruction. The northern kingdom of Israel will be wiped off the map. The people will be scattered, never to return. It’s a painful reminder of how deeply God cares about His own glory. Worship is about Him, not about us. 

This story serves as a sobering reminder of how dangerous it is to bring our personal preferences into worship. This is something that afflicts so many churches in America today. I can’t tell you the number of conversations I’ve had over the years about the style of music, the shape of the liturgy, the personality of the preacher, the color of the carpet in the sanctuary, you name it. I can’t tell you the number of preachers I know who uncritically adopt secular communication methods, employ gimmicks, or even seek to manipulate the worship experience in order to elicit a particular emotional response. Worship is not entertainment. It’s not a TED talk. It’s not a concert. It’s not a spectator sport. It’s not a religious “good” or “service” that we consume. Worship is about God. It’s about coming before God and offering all that we are and all that we have back to Him. It’s about gathering with God’s people to offer praise and thanksgiving for what He has done. Worship happens under trees, in dark basements under threat of persecution, in soaring cathedrals, auditoriums filled with the latest and greatest technology, humble storefronts, living rooms, or simple sanctuaries all across the globe. Worship is accompanied with organ, guitars, drums, keys, and most of all, the human voice. It doesn’t have to be on key. The amplification doesn’t always have to work. The songs may be strange or unfamiliar. All that matters is that the music leads us to God. Worship is led by preachers and pastors and priests and laypeople who do their best to interpret God’s Word. They may be young or old. Dynamic or dull. Humorous or boring. Energetic or lethargic. The main point is that they speak God’s truth to God’s people to the best of their limited ability. This is true worship and anything less runs the risk of falling under God’s judgment.

So let me be a little bold. If you find yourself in worship thinking about how much you hate the music and refuse to sing...you are in sin. If you find yourself dis-engaged in worship as the gospel is being preached...you are in sin. If the primary reason you attend church is to be entertained or to be emotionally moved...you are in sin. If you jump from church to church without ever committing your gifts, talents, wealth, and abilities to a local church family...you are in sin. If you go to church to “be fed” rather than to give God the honor and praise He deserves...you are in sin. If you attend worship flippantly, casually, or only when it’s convenient for your schedule...you are in sin. You must repent. You must ask God to forgive you and grant you a heart for true worship. Neglecting the worship of the Living God is serious, friends. Make sure your heart is right before God. 

Readings for tomorrow: None