Tag: Worship

Christ’s Finished Work: Worship

29 December 2023 blogpastor Leave a comment

I remember that in the days of paper dictionaries the words before and after “worship” were “worse” and “worst” respectively. Worship keeps the “worse” from getting to the “worst”!

Worship under the old and new covenant

Worship of God under the old covenant was a tedious, costly and bloody affair. The bull, sheep, or goat had to be taken to the priests for checks. They had to be without defects to be accepted. Those who could not afford such costly sacrifices could offer doves instead. Once they pass the checks, the worshipper will kill the sacrificial animal and the priest will offer the best parts, or all the parts on the altar fire to be burnt as an offering to God to atone for the worshipper’s sins. The innocent life of the animal sacrifices paid for and covered the sins of the worshipper. Under the new covenant, animal sacrifices are no longer needed as Christ became the ultimate and sinless Lamb of God who was sacrificed on the cross to take away the sins of the world.

Under the old covenant, during the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place once a year with the blood from two sin offerings. The blood of a bull is atonement for his sins. The blood of a goat is for the sins of the nation of Israel. In this way, he made atonement for himself and the sins of Israel. He did this year after year. This annual ceremony pointed to a future coming of the Messiah who would be both the greater high priest and sacrifice.

Under the new covenant, we have a better high priest and a better sacrifice. Jesus himself was the ultimate High Priest and the ultimate Sacrifice. Hebrews 9:12 describes this finished work of Christ: “he did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” It was a once for all sacrifice that obtained our eternal redemption. It meant all our sins were forgiven and we have right standing with God and continual access to him. We do not worship to attain peace with God or right standing before God. Instead, right standing and peace with God have been achieved for us who put our faith in Christ. Our worship is therefore a grateful response to the finished work of Christ that secured our salvation.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy (Christ’s finished work), to offer your bodies (instead of animal sacrifices) as a living sacrifice (instead of dead animal sacrifices), holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV– my comments bracketed)

True and proper worship springs from Christ’s death and resurrection. We do not worship to obtain favours from God. It is a grateful thankfulness that Christ has already obtained and earned salvation for us. It is not mainly singing songs of praise to God and thanking him in a worship service or private prayer. These are important but one of many expressions of gratitude to God. In essence, worship has to do with fully surrendering our whole lives to God. We live our lives in gratitude and surrender and this pleases God. The process of surrender takes time as we let God renew our minds and transform our whole selves (all that we are and have). When I allow God to rule my life more and more in all that I do, be it studying, serving National Service, working in the marketplace, raising a family, or serving among God’s people, I am a true worshipper.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and truth” (John 4:23,24 NIV). When the good news of Jesus’ finished work is preached and people respond in faith to the message, they are born again by the Holy Spirit and will be able to worship in the Spirit as they ponder over the wonderful truths of salvation. Without the finished work of Christ, there is no true worship! Without worship, our life moves from “worse” to “worst”.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for sending your Son as our High Priest and ultimate sacrifice so that our sins can forever be dealt with and we can then worship you with gratitude and surrender. Empower us to live our lives more and more fully in this path of pleasing you. Amen.

How To Worship Without Singing

30 January 2021 blogpastor Leave a comment

We are currently in phase 3 of Covid-19 guidelines. I see the worship leaders singing and preacher speaking without masks but with social distancing strictly adhered to. The congregation participates in worship but without singing. How do you worship without singing? I suggest a few ways to do it.

Firstly, get it clear. Worship may include singing but singing is not worship. Worship is essentially surrender of our whole selves as a living sacrifice to God, for him to use or lay aside or dispose of as he pleases (Rom 12:1,2) . Without this essential heart posture whatever you do, and whatever use of bodily expressions, including singing, is not worship. So first things first: begin with a prayer of surrender, for example, “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” or “Lord, here I am, your servant is listening” or “Lord let it be done to me according to your word” or “Father, not my will but your will be done” or “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.” I think you get the idea.

Use all your senses. With your eyes look at the lyrics and scriptures and notice the words, phrase or image that strike you. With your ears listen to what is being sung, said, or played and notice what it stirs in you. Mouth the lyrics or scripture under your breath, under your mask, or even quietly speak or sing in your prayer language. Let your feet move and body sway as the worship leaders sing, and use your uplifted arms as an expression of surrender and praise to God. Take out your wallet or mobile when its time to give of your finances to the Lord.

As the preacher speaks, take note of what desires, ideas, memories or feeling are stirred in you and respond to them in appropriate ways, whether to repent, commit yourself, resolve to trust, or take a certain action, to follow an inspiring example or to give thanks and pray for yourself or others.

Follow all the instructions and precautionary guidelines diligently. This is part of worship. Smile. They cannot see your mouth under the mask, but your eyes does smile, and give eye contact because eyes communicate warmth too.

Top all these with a meal together with others, and share about the ups and downs of the past week, and what God has done for you and in you. This too is part of worship for in our sharing we praise God and others who hear our thanksgiving, join us in their amens.

New worship songs and older members

13 October 2016 blogpastor Leave a comment

One of the tensions faced by young and older members in the same worship service together is that of the introduction of new songs. Young people are quick with picking up new tunes. They are passionate with singing songs that resonate with their heart. They keep tabs with the latest in Hillsong and Bethel worship. The worship team knows this and gives to them what they want. So they introduce new songs after new songs. A few may get sung again and again, and become part of the church’s repertoire and worship memory. Many fall by the wayside and are forgotten.

To resolve the tension, we need to take heed to wise heads like C.S. Lewis. He mentioned that like dancing, worship works best when you do not have to think about it.

“As long as you notice and have to count the steps, you are not yet dancing, but only learning to dance.”(C.S. Lewis in Letters to Malcolm)

Thus the more familiar you are with a worship song or hymn the more likely you will be able to focus on God’s presence, instead of trying so hard to follow the tune, and catch up with the lyrics. Thus in worship, familiarity enhances, enriches, empowers the God encounter.
Does it mean then that we do not learn new songs? New songs are important as they express our adoration and need in ways that the children of each generation can relate to and identify with as their voice. This is a powerful way by which God’s presence nourish young people’s minds and moves upon their hearts.

The best way then is for us to introduce new songs intentionally and systematically. This means order and discipline is needed. Sing it over several Sundays till familiarity breeds worship, not contempt. Worship then becomes “like dancing”.