The Heart of Worship

Psalm 95:1-7

Why have we come to church today? Is it out of habit, or because that is what we do on Saturday or Sunday? Are we drawn by the music, the preaching, or the programs? Do we come to visit with friends and socialize? Are there some items we avoid because we do not care for them, like the songs we sing, or a worship leader, or those who serve during a particular service, so we arrive late? There are many similar questions we could ask, but if any of them are applicable to us, then the reason we came is for us. We have come to meet our needs, or to satisfy our wants. If that is true, are we here for the right reason?

When the Body of Christ meets corporately, there are benefits we receive, but the reason we meet is to give glory to God and worship Him. The purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. John Piper puts it this way: “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.” As we worship today, take some time to clear your mind of the problems you may have encountered getting here or of the personal preferences that may get in the way as you worship Jesus Christ. He is the reason we meet today. He is the only one worthy of our praise. His name is above all others. At His name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. It is into His presence we come, our merciful High Priest Who understands and paid for the sin of mankind.

Regardless of where you turn in your Bible, whether to the Old or the New Testament, worship has never been about you or me. It’s never been about “what’s in it for me?” Worship has always been and will always be about God and His glory. Man was made in God’s image. He was made to have a relationship with God. Man broke that relationship when he disobeyed God’s command, bringing sin and death upon us all. But God bridged the gap caused by our sin and granted us grace, mercy, forgiveness, and freedom through the precious blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Clarence Edward Macartney, in his book of illustrations, writes:

“The Jews have a legend that when Abraham started on his journeys he saw the stars in the heavens and said, “I will worship the stars” but ere long the stars set. Then Abraham saw the constellations – the Pleiades and the rest of them – and he said, “I will worship the constellations.” But the constellations also set. Then Abraham saw the moon sailing high in the heavens and he said, “I will worship the moon.” But the moon also vanished when her season was over. Then Abraham saw the sun in all his majesty, coming out to his chamber like a bridegroom and rejoicing as a strong man to run a race. But when the day was spent, he saw the sun sink on the western horizon. Stars, constellations, moon and sun – all were unworthy of his worship, for all had set and all had disappeared. Then Abraham said, “I will worship God, for He abides forever.”

God alone is worthy of your worship. Whatever else you worship – ambition, money, appetite, beauty, affections, friends – all of them, one by one, like the heavenly bodies, set and disappear. But God remains. Jesus Christ remains. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Give Him first place in your life. Give Him your devotion, your strength, and your love.”

This is the reason we meet, to worship God in spirit and truth. Anything less is a waste of time.