Our primary source for learning how to worship Christ must be the New Covenant Scriptures (i.e. the New Testament), because they contain the full and final revelation of Christ. They are the substance of which the Old Covenant Scriptures are but shadows and types. They reveal the teaching of the Lord Jesus regarding what our worship goals and objectives should be in light of the gospel of His grace. We should not draw our approach to worship from the Old Covenant any more than we should draw our approach to pastoral ministry from the Aaronic priesthood. They are different designs, in different covenants, intended for different purposes. God's prescriptions for worship under the Old Covenant are not intended to be the blueprints for New Covenant corporate assemblies.

Here are the elements and goals of worship as laid out in the New Testament:

Singing (Eph. 5, Col. 3).

This is to be done toward one another and to the Lord.

The musical offering is to be sincere, from the heart, rather than the mindless pronouncing of meaningless words.

Singing is to be a means of teaching and admonishing others; therefore, not every song has to be entirely directed to God in order to be pleasing to God.

Thanksgiving (Eph. 5, Col. 3).

We are called to give thanks in all things. This would include our sorrows as well as our joys, struggles as well as our victories, weaknesses as well as our strengths, losses as well as our gains.

Thanksgiving must not be confined to a Thursday in November, especially by the recipients of God's prodigious grace.

Thanksgiving should be prominent in the assemblies of God's people.

Teaching, learning, exhorting (Acts 2, 1 Cor. 14).

When the early Church gathered, the first thing on their agenda was the apostles' teaching. The later Church should follow this precedent.

Teachers are given to teach; all are called to learn.

Head knowledge is not the ultimate goal. Love is (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5). Therefore, exhortation to love Christ and others are the appropriate application of our learning. Christ-centered corporate worship services will include regular encouragements to faithful devotion to Christ.

Edification (1 Cor. 14).

The summary statement is 1 Cor. 14:26, "Whenever you assemble...let all things be done for edification." Building up one another in Christ is the overarching purpose of our gatherings.

The goal of preaching is to exalt Christ and His gospel, and to build up the saints (Eph. 4). The goal of attending church is not to attend, but to participate. Active listening and learning about Christ is the responsibility of the worshipper. Song selection should be made based upon what will be most glorifying to Christ and edifying to the body (not on what is merely popular or attractive).

This gives meaning and importance to the dreaded "announcements." If they are intended to communicate information about a ministry opportunity which will build up others, they are worthy of their time in the service.

The question that should be asked of every element of the service is, Does this edify believers, building them up in their love for, and obedience to, Jesus Christ?

blog comments powered by Disqus