Worship Style Vs. Substance

C. Worship is expressed in our self-sacrifice

We must sacrifice our bodies to Christ. Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (NAU) Every desire, every whim, every plan, every feeling must be surrendered to Christ.

We must also be willing to give of our material things. Mark 12:41-44 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” (NAU)

D. Worship is expressed in our love for others

Mark 12:31 “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (NAU)

We can’t love God if we don’t love what God made. 1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. (NAU)

Many people ask, Why do I have to go to church to worship God? I can worship God in my living room. The better question is, Why don’t you want to worship God with those who want to worship God?

The Bible says that when groups of Christians (the church) get together it becomes a holy place of worship.

Ephesians 2:19-22 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (NAU)

E. Worship is expressed in music

Psalm 145:7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. (NKJ)

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. (NAU)

Jesus sang:Matthew 26:30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (NAU)

Much of the so-called “Christian” music of today is light and frothy. A great deal of this music is utterly contrary to Scripture, and still more is so similar to the world’s “pop” and rock that it is a discredit to the name of Christ.[MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Col 3:16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.]

Colossians 3:15-16 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; [There shouldn’t be different music for certain groups within the church] and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, [music should be saturated with God’s Word] with all wisdom [vain repetition is not wise according to Jesus] teaching and admonishing one another [music should teach us and motivate us to greater holiness] with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (NAU)