How Does God Desire To Be Worshiped?
For most people, such a question in and of itself presents something of a paradigm shift in their heart. We are so prone to thinking about life in terms of our own interests, preferences, and desires that we have scarcely noticed that we have brought this same attitude and approach with us to the worship of the Almighty God.
Throughout God's Word, he often expresses how he is to be worshiped, as well as how he is not to be worshiped. Perhaps the most notable example is found in Leviticus 10:1-3 where two sons of Aaron decide to worship God on their own terms. That such an approach to worship is unwelcome in God's eyes is shown forth by the outcome which those two men received.
We would do well to ask ourselves: If it is God who we are truly worshiping––and not ourselves––shouldn't our concern be to offer God those things which he finds pleasing rather than to order our worship around our own satisfaction? Sadly, in our modern day, verses like those referenced above have been widely overlooked, explained away, deemed unimportant, or conveniently hidden from view in favor of more 'attractional' approaches. At the same time, however, those few churches who have sought to uphold greater purity and faithfulness in their worship of God have often presented themselves in a cold and uncharitable manner. Whatever they may possess in terms of deeper theological understanding they seem to be lacking in joy in the Lord and compassion for others. It seems that as recovering sinners, we are prone to wander into the tangled and briery forests which exist on both sides of the valley of God's resplendent grace. Is there a better way?
The Regulative Principle of Worship
Historically, this subject has been an important discussion within the Church. Whether God is (1) to be worshiped according to the clear teaching which he has set forth in his Word, or if he is (2) to be worshiped in any way man chooses so long as it is not expressly forbidden in his Word, is the essential crux of the discussion. To put it another way, the query is this: Do we offer to God that worship which he himself has told us he desires or do we offer to God whatever worship we desire to offer him?
The first view—which we desire to do our best to uphold at Covenant Grace Church—is called the Regulative Principle of Worship. According to this view, the elements and structure of our corporate worship of God are to be governed by the clear commands and examples provided within God's Word. Conversely, this means that the elements and structure of our worship are not ultimately to be defined by our own ideas, preferences, or cultural norms. This can sound too restrictive and confining to some people at first, so it is helpful to provide a clarifying example of both what this means and does not mean.
As one element of worship, the Scriptures clearly teach that God is to be worshiped by making music and singing songs of praise which are comprised of truth and directed to him, (Psalm 96). According to the Regulative Principle of Worship, this means that musical worship is pleasing to God and should be included in our corporate worship. But, some have wrongly thought that the Regulative Principle also tells us how we are to play the music and sing. This is not true.
We can play all kinds of instruments in a variety of styles, and we can sing all kinds of "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs", (Eph. 5:19). The Regulative Principle does not restrict us to a certain invariable form of song singing––as in traditional or contemporary––but rather affirms that the singing of truthful and glorifying praises to God by the voices and instruments of his people is a welcome chorus before his heavenly throne, (Rev. 7:9-12).
Wondering About Worship (Article Series)
Over the coming weeks, I will be taking time to write a handful of short articles explaining the basics of the biblical foundation which stands behind our order of worship at Covenant Grace. In speaking privately with a number of members with widely varied religious backgrounds, I have been encouraged that this investment will be a helpful and fruitful one. I have several prayerful goals for how God might be pleased to use these articles:
First, I hope these articles will serve to deepen our congregational joy in our participation in the various elements of our public worship services.
Second, I hope the articles will provide greater fervor in our hearts for the God whom we are privileged to know and worship.
And third, I hope they will furnish a fresh lens of clarity on the value and importance of the various elements of worship in which we participate when we are gathered corporately on the Lord's Day each and every week.
Some of the subjects I hope to cover will include:
What is a Call To Worship?
Why do we sing the Doxology every week?
Do we really need to confess our sins each time we gather?
What songs should we sing in worship?
And a handful more...
May God be pleased to use these simple articles to encourage our hearts and to help all of us grow in our love for God and our worship of his holy name!
With great joy in Christ's service,
Pastor Tom