Category: Church & Worship

Biblical teaching about the church, worship, ministry, and Christian service.

  • “I Didn’t Get Anything Out of It…??!”

    I have encountered people who have left worship services with a negative attitude, complaining about various aspects that did not suit their preferences. They may have thought the singing was not perfect or that the sermon delivery had shortcomings. Others might have felt that those leading the worship service—whether in prayer, communion, or announcements—were not flawless. For whatever reason, some individuals leave a worship service saying something to the effect of, “Well, I didn’t get anything out of that service.” This is an absolutely poor way of approaching worship. 

    It’s Not About You

    In the scriptures, we learn important truths about our attitude toward worship. Worship is not about us; it is to always be about the Almighty God, first and foremost (Matt. 4:10; John 4:24; Rev. 14:7). As we gather, we should focus on God as the object of our worship. It is Him that we aim to please, always (Rom. 15:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:9-11). When we pray together, we are praying to Him (Acts 2:42). When we sing together, we are offering Him the fruit of our lips in praise (Eph. 5:17-21; Col. 3:15-17; Heb. 13:15). When we observe the Lord’s Supper, we remember His sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16; Matt. 26:26-28; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-29). When we give of our means, we are cheerfully offering back what He has already blessed us with (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 9:7; Phil. 4:17-20). When we engage in the apostles’ doctrine through the study and application of His word, we honor God by striving to divide and apply the scriptures to our lives rightly (John 8:31-32; Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 3:14-17).

    Worship Is About Giving, Not Getting

    First and foremost, we must therefore understand that a worship service is about honoring God. It is not about what we can gain from it. Some might argue, “Yes, it is about God, but it is also about my edification.” However, we should be cautious here. Hebrews 10:24-25 instructs us to, “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (New King James Version, emphasis mine).  

    God is to be the object of our worship; we aim to please Him. And even after that, it should not be about my personal gain, but rather, about edifying our brothers and sisters in the assembly. I want to be the person I can be in the worship assembly, encouraging others toward love and good works. I should want my fellow believers to be built up and strengthened! 

    Shift the Focus

    Worship is about giving God glory—and extending encouragement—to others. It was never meant to be self-centered or focused solely on ourselves. My worship of God must be intended to please Him and positively influence my fellow man. By putting my all into such efforts, I will inevitably therefore benefit from worship. So, instead of focusing on how things were presented or how they fell short, we would all do better to glorify and honor God, and to improve the atmosphere to support our fellow worshippers (working from the inside out). 

    In doing so, we shift our focus away from ourselves and our own attitudes and work outwardly to edify others. Worship is not “about me” and “what I get out of it;” rather, it is about God and what we put into it.

  • Modern Temple Worship

    While it's wise to take care of our bodies, we should not "worship" the "temple" itself.

    During the reign of Josiah, the temple in Jerusalem required extensive repairs due to severe neglect (2 Chron. 34:10). Fast forward to the days of Jesus, when the Herodian temple stood in all its splendor. Many were proud of the temple’s presence, but they had not learned from past generations who believed that the temple alone would provide them with spiritual security (Matt. 24:1-2; Jer. 7:1-11). 

    Christians are to abstain from actions that would defile our bodies, and that involves recognizing our bodies as temples of God (1 Cor. 6:19-20). It’s essential to take care of our bodies. Yet, we must be cautious about the tendency to “worship” the “temple” God has given us. 

    It is significant to remember that our bodies are to be used for God’s glory, and we should strive to use what He has entrusted to us as instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:13). And it’s wise to consider the long-term use of our bodies; for instance, maintaining good health can help us keep up with our children, grandchildren, and beyond. Having strength and endurance enables us to care for ourselves and make the most of our time on earth. 

    But, while I abstain from things that would defile, I wonder if some people have unhealthy obsessions with their bodies, to the extent that they almost worship them. For example, if I become hyper-focused on what I eat or constantly work out to achieve a certain appearance, could that be a result of pride or vanity? There’s nothing wrong with trying to look and feel our best. However, fixating on our physical health can become an unhealthy obsession. 

    The fitness and entertainment industries are booming. While it’s wise to take care of our bodies, we should not “worship” the “temple” itself. Let us labor for the food that never perishes, concentrating our efforts on spiritual strengthening and endurance (Jn 6:27; Eph. 6:10; Heb. 10:36). If our focus is in the right place, we will care for our bodies in a way that brings glory to God (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

    6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 

    7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 

    8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

    ~ 1 Timothy 4:6-8

  • In Season and Out of Season

    It does seem that Christianity waxes and wanes in popularity. Though the world at large will always reject the truth of the gospel (John 15:18-21), there are times when many people obey the gospel in clusters. Or perhaps, it SEEMS as though (outwardly) more people are being responsive to the proclamations of the gospel, as opposed to other times, when there aren’t as many outward, favorable responses to teaching and preaching. We can and should be encouraged when more people seem to be responsive (Luke 15:7, 10, 32), but we must also strive to be consistent in our daily efforts, regardless of the number of daily conversions.  

    1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 

    2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

    3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

    4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

    5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

    ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-5

    Holy God and Father in heaven. Hallowed be Your name. I am thankful for the positive responses of conversions, restorations, and faithful people who identify with Your local churches. It is very encouraging, and I pray that Your kingdom continues to grow. May more and more people respond positively to Your message of mercy, grace, and hope through Jesus, Your Son. Moreover, may we sow, plant, and water with confidence, expecting an increase by Your hand (1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Please continue to bless Your saints with encouragement as You see fit, and regardless of the season of harvest, may we be diligent in working in Your vineyard. I ask for all of this so that You may be glorified and that our fellow men and women may come to know You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • Our Daily Offerings

    We can be thankful for the fact that we live under the New Covenant, the one Jesus consecrated with His blood (Matthew 26:28). For within it (the Law of Christ), we no longer must offer daily animal sacrifices as was instructed under the Law of Moses. Yet we may learn some valuable principles from the Old Testament that will help us in our daily devotions to God today. For example, whether it be reading Scripture, praying, or praising God through singing, we should “be careful” to present our offerings. We want our devotions to be a “soothing aroma” to God (E.g., Ephesians 5:1-2; Philippians 4:18). We also may think of setting some time aside in the first part, and the latter part, of our days to start and end the day well. In giving our bodies as a living sacrifice in service to God, we want to be well pleasing to Him in all things (Romans 12:1-2). We must not offer daily animal sacrifices to God; but let us be careful, throughout our days, to offer unto God that which will be pleasing to Him (2 Corinthians 5:9).

    1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 

    2 “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time.’

    3 “And you shall say to them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs in their first year without blemish, day by day, as a regular burnt offering. 

    4 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, the other lamb you shall offer in the evening,

    5 and one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil. 

    6 It is a regular burnt offering which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord. 

    7 And its drink offering shall be one-fourth of a hin for each lamb; in a holy place you shall pour out the drink to the Lord as an offering. 

    8 The other lamb you shall offer in the evening; as the morning grain offering and its drink offering, you shall offer it as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

    ~ Numbers 28:1-8

    Holy God and Father in Heaven. Thank You for sending Your Son as my sin-sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21). May I see more clearly the significance of what that means for my soul’s salvation, and may I also consider HIS SACRIFICE as I RENEW my mind, DAILY (1 Corinthians 15:31; Colossians 3:1-17). May I be careful with all things concerning Your word, with astute awareness that You alone are the One in whom I strive to please. I want for Your will to be done in my life, even TODAY! And I wish for EVERY DAY to be that which I aim to glorify You! May my DAILY readings of Scripture, prayers, devotions, and service to others in Your name, be pleasing in Your sight, O God. Thank You for Your word that has given me insight into Your will for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. 

  • By Those Who Come Near

    Immediately before Nadab and Abihu’s death, their father (Aaron) was “careful to do as the Lord had commanded Moses” and did things “according to the prescribed manner” (Leviticus 9:10, 16). Their disobedience towards God’s instructions about sacrifices shows that God punished them FOR DOING WHAT HE HAD NOT COMMANDED, which is AS BAD AS DOING WHAT HE HAD SPECIFICALLY FORBIDDEN! This passage highlights the importance of carefully following God’s commands and the consequences of neglecting them. Although God didn’t continue to strike priests dead every time they disobeyed, this sin occurred right after the consecration and at the beginning of their work. If God had not made His point clear at this stage, then the negligence would have spread rapidly. There is no doubt that God had the right to punish those disobedient priests and destroy them.

    1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

    2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 

    3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’” So Aaron held his peace.

    ~ Leviticus 10:1-3

    Holy God. You are my Rock. The God of my salvation. May I learn from the lesson of Nadab and Abihu and always approach You with reverence and holiness, especially during worship. Please grant me wisdom to understand Your commands, examples, and inferences as they are revealed in Your word. I never want to offer service to You in a presumptuous manner or go beyond what is written. I am grateful for Your word and the blessings that come with abiding in You, but I am also aware of the great responsibility that comes with it. Please help me to maintain a sober and focused mind in these things. I also ask that You help me communicate these needs to my neighbors so that together we can honor and glorify You acceptably. In Jesus’ name I pray these things, amen.

  • As the One Who Serves

    Among children, I find it easy to humble myself due to their innocence and purity. It is humbling to perceive these traits within them, as I know that these same traits within myself have been tainted through years of sinful conduct. Older people are also easy to humble myself before, as they have lived a long life and have a wealth of experience and wisdom to share. However, the real challenge when it comes to humility is being around our peers, those who are our contemporaries. We tend to compare our own experiences and ways of thinking and doing things with theirs, and this can be a dangerous thing. Our egos must be held in check because the Lord does not want us to compete with our peers to achieve a greater position over them.

    24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 

    25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 

    26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 

    27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

    28 But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 

    29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 

    30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

    ~ Luke 22:24-20

    Holy God and Father in heaven. Thank You for the lessons gleaned from Your holy word concerning pride and humility. The Apostles argued about who among them was the greatest. You reminded them that the desire for greatness is common among worldly leaders, but that is not the behavior You expect from Your servants. I desire to emulate Your Son and serve others with a humble spirit. Please help me cultivate a servant’s heart! I am grateful for the progress I have made in my journey with You so far and ask for Your continued blessings. May I be content with what You provide in my life and remain closely connected to You through your Son, Jesus. May that connection be the driving force in how I conduct myself among others! Amen.

  • Safekeeping of Shepherds

    Paul emphasizes that shepherds must be well-informed so that they can stop false teachers, who are so destructive, that they can destroy entire families. Therefore, elders have a grave responsibility to watch for the souls of the flock, and they will be held accountable for how well they carry out their responsibilities.

    5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— 

    6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 

    7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 

    8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 

    9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 

    10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 

    11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 

    12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 

    13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

    14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 

    15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 

    16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

    ~ Titus 1:5-16

    Holy God in Heaven, I want to thank You for placing godly leaders among Your people. I pray that they will be good stewards of their responsibilities for Your glory and the good welfare of Your flock. Please give them strength, wisdom, and courage to take a stand and defend Your truth! Help them to be well-informed and resolute in their convictions. I promise to follow Your ways and rebuke those who spread evil. I know that people’s souls are at stake, and am willing to confront evil to protect them. Please guide me and strengthen me in every way so that I can carry out the grave responsibilities You’ve entrusted to us, with honor. Thank You for leading and directing us in all things. Amen.