THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 29 Four Possibilities For Worship

“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest” (Revelation 15:4). KJV

Loved ones, worship is another area the devil distorts in our Spiritual Battle. From the beginning of time God has called His people to worship Him. Abraham, David, and Daniel all bowed in humble worship to Elohim (plural for God, Genesis 1:1).

Jesus, while in the form of a man, humbly bowed Himself to His heavenly Father (Luke 6:12). Jesus even quoted Moses in Matthew 4:10 saying, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord Your God, and Him only shall you serve.”

Jesus, of course, understood the importance of worshipping Jehovah. He had the habit of going into the synagogue every Sabbath day (Luke 4:16). He taught the people to offer unto God the things that are God's (Luke 20:25).

He taught the Samaritan woman that in order to worship God she "must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24). Jesus knew that this woman was not worshipping God correctly. He said to her in verse 22, "You worship what you do not know..." Not all worship is acceptable to God.

Cain and Abel both offered worship to God. Abel worshipped correctly and was accepted. Cain's worship was rejected because it was not of faith (Genesis 4:1-5; Hebrews 11:4). King Saul's attempt to worship was rejected (1 Samuel 13:9-14). The fact is, God alone decides how He should be worshipped. It is man's duty to conform to God's revealed will in the matter.

1. Some Worship the Wrong Way with the Wrong Spirit.

God had blessed King Uzziah. However, his heart was "lifted up" with pride so that he took it upon himself to go into the Temple and offer burnt incense in worship (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). God had specified that only the priests were to offer this worship. Because of his disobedience, God struck Uzziah with leprosy.

In Acts 17:23, Paul taught the people about "the Unknown God." The Athenians were ignorant about this God and certainly did not worship Him according to the Scriptures. They had to change their ways and their spirit from worshipping many gods before God would accept their worship.

2. Some Worship the Wrong Way with the Right Spirit.

Apollos was an eloquent and powerful preacher (Acts 18:24-28). He was a man full of zeal for God. Yet, the baptism of John which he was teaching had come to an end when Jesus declared that baptism was to be in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Apollos changed his ways when Aquilla and Priscilla taught him about the right baptism.

In Romans 10:1-3, Paul affirmed that the Jews had a zeal for God (right spirit), but their zeal was not according to knowledge. Paul labored tirelessly, trying to get them to change their ways.

Worship in this category can also be classified as “will-worship (READ Colossians 2:23). Will worship, also known as "self-imposed worship" or "voluntary piety," refers to a form of religious practice that is based on human will and invention rather than on divine command.

It's characterized by self-imposed rituals, traditions, and practices that may appear wise or spiritual but ultimately lack Biblical authority, true value, and connection to God. In essence, it's a worship that is not based on what God has commanded or revealed, but rather on human choice and preference.

3. Some Worship the Right Way with the Wrong Spirit.

In Matthew 15:3-9, the Jews had been worshipping God in the right way, but their hearts were far from God. Jesus called them hypocrites and declared that their worship was vain. In Matthew 23:26-28, Jesus said that outside they appeared righteous, but on the inside, they were full of rottenness and dead men's bones.

Paul declared in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 that in the last days there would be men who would have a form of godliness, but they would deny the power of God. From such, he warns - turn away.

Those who worship God with the wrong spirit are simply "playing" church. Brethren who are redeemed by the blood of Christ and who are partakers of the Holy Spirit often become guilty of living in the world six days a week, only to slip into their Sunday clothes in order to "play" church, soothe their consciences, and fool the brethren.

They are like actors on a stage, learning their lines, wearing a costume, and going through the motions of playing a role. Merely acting like a Christian will not make one a true Christian! Someone has well said, "Sitting in church will no more make one a Christian than sitting in a hen house will make one a chicken." How true that is!

Playing church is incredibly sweet when the player is only 3 or 4 years old, but not when he is 14 or 24, and so on. Assembling with the saints and participating in the work and life of the congregation should be enjoyable, but it is not a game! The child of God should be involved wholeheartedly in the worship to God and the work of His church.

Is your Sunday suit or dress just a costume to disguise your six-days-a-week true identity? Then, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).

Do you pray without confidence, study absentmindedly, eat and drink the Lord's Supper thoughtlessly? Is your contribution but a gesture and no more a sacrifice?

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works...” were the words of Jesus to the church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:5)

If you are of age and understand what is being preached, you should stop "playing church" and with the right spirit start loving the Lord God and His church with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). You should echo the sentiment of the Psalmist, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1).

Look in the mirror… are you merely going through the motions? Are you just playing church today? Christians - let's not play church, but let's live it out in our worship and every other facet of our everyday lives!

4. Christians Worship the Right Way with the Right Spirit

Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Here it is clear that both the spirit and form are to be observed. Love is the right heart which motivates us to the right actions (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). The way that Jesus demonstrated to the world His love to the Father was by keeping His commandments (John 14:31).

God has revealed to us the one and only right way to worship Him. In Acts 2:42, the disciples continued in the apostles' doctrine (preaching God's word) and fellowship (assembling together as the church, Hebrews 10:25).

Every first day of the week they came together to break bread (the Lord's Supper, Acts 20:7). They continued in prayers (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Every Lord's Day they joined their voices together in song, making the melody in their hearts to the Lord (acappela, Ephesians 5:19). They were also commanded to give of their resources for the saints each first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

God is seeking people who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). To be pleasing to the Father, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Paul calls upon us to "test all things" and to "prove what is that good and perfect and acceptable will of God" (1 Thessalonians 5:21; Romans 12:2).

Cain failed to do this, and his worship was rejected. On the other hand, Abel offered his worship according to faith and it was accepted by God. It is written, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).