What To Do During Worship Service

WORSHIP ARTICLE
Jim Mickells | Lewisburg, Tennessee

As we open our New Testament and begin to read we see that worship is an integral part of the Christian’s life. God desires for us to worship Him. Yet worship must be as He instructs. Jesus, in His conversation with the woman at the well, gives some vital information about one’s service to Jehovah. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). Notice at least three essential elements in our worship: (1) worship must be directed toward the Father; (2) worship must be with the right attitude – in spirit; (3) worship must be in the right way – according to truth.

I would like for us to study a couple of verses in the book of James and apply them to our worship. It is my hope and prayer as we do so, it will help us to improve our devotion to the Lord.

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:21-22).

What to do before the sermon – “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.” We must put off anything which will defile, any residue of sin remaining prior to our conversion so we can come before the Lord with pure hearts. Paul told those at Colosse to put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, etc. (Colossians 2:8-9). Then he tells them to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, love, etc. (Colossians 2:10-14). Worship by those who practice sin is not met with God’s approval. The Psalmist says, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3-4). Jesus told His disciples, if they remembered their brother (religiously speaking) had something against them, first go be reconciled to them, then come offer their gift on the altar (Matthew 5:23-24).

Donald Fream, in his commentary, gives this outline on how to “Prepare Yourself To Hear” the sermon.

1. Get ready physically. Proper rest, preparation the day before. The state of your physical body has much to do with your spiritual attitude.
2. Get ready intellectually. (1) Lay aside worries (unpaid bills, Sunday dinner, etc.). (2) Determine in your heart you will listen (plan it). (3) Prepare to take notes (have Bible, paper, pen ready).
3. Get ready spiritually. (1) Lay apart filthiness (all ungodly attitudes). (2) Pray beforehand. (3) Expect something big in your own heart (“Sir, we would see Jesus.”)”

(Donald Fream, A Chain of Jewels From James and Jude, p. 58).

What to do during the sermon – “receive with meekness the implanted word.” It is time to put the intellectual preparation into practice. We need to bring the mind in from the world, from the job, our family, and the restaurant we are planning to eat lunch, etc. and center it upon the word of God. Our hearts need to be open and receptive to the things taught from the Bible, so we can put those things into practice. The apostle Paul commended the church at Thessalonica for not only receiving the word he taught them as being from God, but also because they allowed that word to work effectively in them (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The key to allowing the word to be sown in our hearts is meekness. Vine says of this word, “It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting; it is closely linked to the word humility” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pp. 737 & 738). The servant of the Lord who worships as instructed wants to know what the Scriptures teach and listens attentively and searches diligently to be sure all the truth is taught. Our attitude must be “If God said it, I believe it and I am willing to receive it!”

What to do after the sermon – “be you doers of the word.” There comes a time when we must put into practice what we have been taught. Three times in James 1 we find the word “doer,” vv. 22, 23, & 25. Each time it is contrasted with the word hearer. God expects more from His children. It is good to hear but to please Him we must be doers as well. There are a number of verses which make this very clear. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). One must confess Him as Lord, yet to show you really believe this and for it to benefit you, you must be a doer of the Father’s will. The writer of the book of Hebrews says, “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). Will He be the source of eternal salvation to those who do not obey Him? No! He promises to save only those who will submit to Him.

Some years ago, I held several meetings with a church which meets just north of Nashville, Tennessee. One of the things which I remember very vividly is a sign they had placed just above the door before exiting the building. It read “Leaving to Serve.” As we assemble with the people of God, we should stir each other to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25) and go forth and practice the things we have been taught.

May the Lord help us see the seriousness of our worship which is to be offered to Him. We are not just “playing church.” We need to come before our God with pure hearts and clean hands, ready to listen to His word, offering our worship in spirit and truth, and leaving ready to serve our Creator. Is our attitude like that of the Psalmist? “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). Do we have a heart of humility like the tax collector in the parable stated by Jesus in Luke 18:9-14? Finally, are we willing to become great in the eyes of our Lord by serving Him and others (Matthew 21:25-28)?

Seriously consider what the Psalmist says in this great psalm of thanksgiving: “Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5).

What kind of worship are you offering to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?

18.07.03 | GROW magazine