WORSHIP

The one purpose for which we gather in the assembly of the saints is to worship the Lord our God as he is revealed in Holy Scripture. If you read the scriptures carefully, you cannot help noticing that throughout the Old Testament the people of God took much care in preparing to worship. With them, worship was serious business; and it ought to be with us (Read Eccles. 5:1-2). God cannot, and will not, be worshipped by people who flippantly come before him in whatever slipshod manner they please, without care and thoughtfulness.

Our worship consists, basically, of three things: prayer, praise, and preaching. In prayer we seek God's glory, his presence, and his blessing. In praise we sing the honor of his name, celebrating his glorious attributes, his mighty works, and his abundant mercy. And in preaching we declare unto men the Word of God, proclaiming the free-grace of God in Christ and instructing men in the faith of the gospel. And all is done to the praise of the glory of his grace, as it is revealed in the Person and work of his Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. True worship requires from us reverence, faith, submission, and godly fear. God, grant that we may worship Thee today, in the power of Thy Spirit, for the glory of Thy Son, and in accordance with Thy Holy Word. Amen.