Our Vision - Moving Up Through Worship

Our Vision - Moving Up Through Worship

Westhill Community Church

Sun 28 Mar 2021

Reading: 1 Chron 16: 23-31

Today we are considering the third aspect of our church vision, that of worshipping God. We believe God has called us to fulfil the great commandment and the great commission. The great commandment is to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. The great commission is to go into all the world making disciples and teaching them to obey all that Jesus has taught us. Our church logo depicts this purpose, symbolising our determination to move in through fellowship, out through evangelism and up through worship. This week our focus is on moving up through worship.

On previous Sundays we have considered those aspects of moving in and to moving out. The NCD survey recently carried out indicated that these aspects of our church life and ministry have many areas of strength, and this encourages us to build on this foundation. The survey also confirmed that in many ways we are encouraging one another to move up and to strengthen our relationship with God. In particular many of us testified to the power of God transforming different areas of our lives, and motivating us to share our experiences of God’s grace with others. Many of us also testified that God’s Word, the Bible, is a powerful guide for us. But there are also aspects of our worship of God, particularly when gathering together in God’s presence, that don’t feature so strongly. For example, not all of us find it easy to connect with God in a meaningful way when we gather together. And not all of us find it easy to prepare ourselves for our times of worship in God’s presence.

Now of course this survey was carried out during the restrictions on public worship made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and no doubt this will have had some influence on our responses. I think it is safe to say that such restrictions will not be re-imposed, even if there is another lockdown. This week the Supreme Court Judge Lord Peter Braid ruled that the Scottish Government's closure of churches during the Covid-19 lockdown was unconstitutional and a disproportionate interference of Article 9 of the European Convention on Human rights (ECHR) - the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. In his judgement Lord Braid said that the Government "had failed to recognise that manifestation of religious belief was a fundamental right and freedom, and had erred by treating it as if it were a non-essential activity, when it was not.” He added, “Churches could be operated with better regard for public safety than, say, supermarkets, which had been allowed to stay open.”

This is a very important ruling by the Supreme Court. We must acknowledge the debt we owe in this matter to the relatively small number of clergy and others that raised this in court. And I have to ask myself whether I acquiesced too quickly to the government ban on worshipping God together, without challenging it.

I am sure it is not accidental or by chance that this week we are focusing on worship, and particularly considering how we might worship God more effectively as a body. In fact we are committing two weeks to this important topic of worship. On the Sunday after Easter Charles Cole will be sharing with us on the first of our six G-values, and how we might each bring glory to God through a lifestyle of worship.

This morning I want to point out four important principles about worship.

1. Worship is the duty of each of us individually.
2. Worship is an act we must engage in together.
3. Worship involves the declaration of God’s majesty and power.
4. Worship involves our submission to God’s authority.

The first three I will consider just briefly, and will devote more time to the final point.

1. Worship is the duty of each of us individually.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks this question: what is the chief end of man? And the answer is: man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

[For those of us who may be unaware the Westminster Shorter Catechism, along with the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism were formulated in the 1640’s by the Westminster Assembly, a synod of theologians and church leaders aiming to bring the Church of England into greater conformity with the Church of Scotland. The resulting very significant documents have had a profound and lasting influence to this day on all protestant denominations across the entire world.]

Jesus’ response to Satan’s temptation to worship him was this:

Away from me, Satan! For it is written: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” (Matt 4: 10)

And this tells us two important things: firstly our duty and responsibility as individuals is to worship God alone; secondly how vulnerable we are to the temptation to worship something other than God alone, whether it be person or object.

2. Worship is an activity we must engage in together.

Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. (Psalm 149: 1)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Pet 2: 9)

Worship is an activity that we engage in corporately, as a group, as a gathered company. That is why the writer of the letter to the Hebrews said,

Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another (Heb 10: 25).

We’ll encounter this emphasis on encouragement again.

3. Worship involves the declaration of God’s majesty and power.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9: 1-2)

Notice how David’s worship focuses on who God is and also what he has done, speaking it out, singing it. Notice also the effect this has on David: gladness and joy. The writer to the Hebrews reminded us that our times of worship should be encouraging (Heb 10: 25).

4. Worship involves our submission to God’s authority.

Now when we gather together for what we call “church services” we actually engage in many different activities. What is this like, thinking particularly of when Covid-19 restrictions are not in place? We spend time greeting one another and catching up on news; sometimes this involves consoling one another, encouraging one another, thanking one another, praying for one another. We spend time teaching from God’s word, explaining those principles that should guide us in our life’s choices. We encourage any who do not know Jesus to choose to follow him. We spend time singing together; and like most others in our society we find singing familiar songs significantly lifts our spirits. We communicate notices of things we should be aware of and prepare for. We pray to God together, thanking, praising and interceding on behalf of others. We regularly share communion together. We give money to jointly facilitate ministries of various kinds. We partake of refreshments together in a more informal setting. And many of us spend a good deal of time doing things to make sure all of these work smoothly and effectively.

So tell me, what of all this would you describe as worship of God? Singing and praying will probably feature highly, but what about the notices, or the chat before and after the formal part of the service, or things like organising the handing out of leaflets?

Actually it is quite possible for God to view none of it as worship. Listen to these words that Isaiah expressed to the people of Israel.

The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. (Isa 29: 13)

You’ve got it all well organised, said God. You have developed a set of procedures and a correct liturgy to follow. But it isn’t true worship, because your hearts are set on something other than on me.

On the other hand, it is quite possible for all of it to be worship, as we learn from what the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3: 16-17)

What significant plural word do both Isaiah and Paul use? The answer is “hearts.” Our hearts can be far from God, or alternatively whatever we do can be motivated by an attitude of love for God in our hearts. The greatest commandment, Jesus reminded us, involves the heart.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (Deut 6: 5,6)

Yes, as the psalm we read today makes clear, worship of God may involve singing, proclaiming, declaring, ascribing, sacrificing, even trembling, but it is not these outward expressions that determine whether or not worship is taking place; rather it is the attitude of our hearts.

So what does worship really mean? Is it effectively the same as love? If we love someone or something does that mean we worship them or it?

The Hebrew word for worship in the Old Testament is Shachah, and its meaning is to bow down low prostrate on the ground. It describes a physical act that depicts our total humility and subservience before the object of our worship. And from this it is clear that worship and love are not the same. A father or mother will love their child, but will still insist on their child’s submission to their will. And God loves us, of course. Worship, on the other hand, recognises the absolute right of the one venerated to have our full submission and allegiance.

This is why the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship” (Rom 12: 1).

Familiarity can easily lessen the impact of these words. “Living sacrifice” is an oxymoron – a phrase in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. How can a sacrifice be living? Once it has been sacrificed it is dead, isn’t it? Yes it is, and, said Paul, that is what you are if you belong to Christ. He wrote to the church at Colossae, “You are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3: 3). His own testimony, expressed to the church at Galatia was, “I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2: 20).

To worship God in spirit and in truth means to bow myself down totally before him, to relinquish all my own ideas and ambitions, dreams and intentions, will and purpose, and surrender fully to his authority and will. It is not just to acknowledge that he is the sovereign Lord over all, it is to voluntarily and fully submit myself to his authority. Like Isaiah of old we say, “here am I, send me.” And God’s desire, his purpose and intention, is that this submission to his authority is not out of compulsion, but out of love for him.

I quoted just now from Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae: “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Now that phrase “in the name of the Lord Jesus” is not some kind of mantra that we append to what we say, as if it somehow attracts some kind of supernatural power. It is as if we carry a letter with us, on the headed notepaper of the throne room of heaven, saying, “Tom, Harry, Sheena – whatever our name is – is acting under my authority; provide them with everything that’s needful to enable them to complete their mission for me. Signed, Jesus.” I don’t often write cheques nowadays, but when I do eventually in some bank office somewhere a bank employee on the strength of that cheque in my name transfers funds out of our account into somebody else’s. To do something in someone’s name means that you do it on their behalf and with their full authority. You can’t do something in someone else’s name if they haven’t asked you to do it; if you tried it you’d be guilty of fraud. Do everything in Jesus’ name, said Paul. In other words, do what he authorises you to do, be fully engaged in his purposes

Now in this we encounter both an enormous challenge and a remarkable blessing. The challenge is this: am I willing to submit completely to Jesus’ authority in all areas of my life, or do I want to retain some control for myself? The blessing is this: when Jesus has full control the burden of responsibility for our lives is totally lifted from our shoulders and carried instead by him. In Matt 11: 29 Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Being fully under Jesus’ authority releases us from worry and fear and enables us to rest.

Many years ago I remember reading a story about a man who invited Jesus to stay in his house. When Jesus arrived the man took him to his guest room, which was splendidly furnished. "This room is yours, Jesus!” he said. “Here is the key. Please stay as long as you like and use this room entirely as you wish."

Later that night the man was awakened by a loud knocking at his front door. When he opened it he was attacked by three demons who tried to gain entrance to the house. After a long battle the man eventually managed to push them out and shut the door again. He returned to bed exhausted. His last thought before he went back to sleep was, “I wonder why Jesus didn’t come to my aid? O well, he must have slept all through the commotion.”

The next night there was another loud banging on the front door. Once again the man went to the door. This time seven demons tried to barge their way in, and gave the man a dreadful beating for what seemed like hours. Eventually he managed to drive them out and shut the door on them. Once again he went back to sleep wondering why Jesus had not come to his aid.

The next day he decided to ask Jesus about it. “Lord,” he said, “didn’t you hear all the commotion the last two nights. I had an enormous fight to keep some demons out. I just don’t understand why you didn’t come to help me.

Jesus replied, “You can be sure no demons came into this room. I wouldn’t let them touch anything you’ve asked me to look after.”

“But they nearly got into the house,” cried the man wildly. “And they keep coming back in greater numbers. I’m not sure if I can keep them out next time they come.”

"I would love to help you,” replied Jesus, “but I can only protect what you have asked me to look after.”

In that case please make this entire house your own,” said the man. “Here are the keys to the front door and all the rooms. Please take full control.”

Later that night there was another thunderous banging on the door. “I’ll go,” said Jesus, who was sitting with the man in the lounge. When he opened the door the devil was standing there, with a hundred demons behind him. “Sorry to have disturbed you,” said the devil, bowing low. “I was expecting someone else.” And he turned to leave. “I’m quite sure you won’t make that mistake again,” said Jesus, shutting the front door firmly.

A simple parable, but teaching a very deep lesson. We often speak of inviting Jesus into our lives. So can I invite you to consider this question. Is Jesus just a lodger in your life, or even perhaps just an occasional visitor? Or have you handed over to him the keys and the title deeds and told him that what he says goes from now on? This, you see, is true worship. To prostrate yourself before him and acknowledge his rule over every part of your life. Not because he forces you to submit, but because you love him and would do anything for him.