Lord’s Day, Vol. 2 No. 29

Centrality of Worship in Christian Living

In worship, the child of God focuses on communion with God, giving praise and honour to His Name. This is the lifeline for blessed a Christian living. A vibrant Christian will always have worship at the centre of his life.

(a) Worship in the Old Testament

It began as a family altar where the head of the family led his family in worship. Job was such a one who neglected not the family altar. Noah established worship when he and his family first stepped on dry ground after the global flood. Abraham built the family altar where he made sacrifice to God. So did Isaac and Jacob.

When Israel came out of Egypt and en-route to the Promised Land, God established worship in the wilderness. The Tabernacle constructed out of the free will offerings of the people, was a visible picture of God’s presence with His people. The tribes were encamped around the Tabernacle. Within was the Tabernacle and without was the barrenness of the wilderness. Looking to God, there was assurance of His protective care.

When Israel entered the Promised Land, God gave command for the building of the Temple for Israel’s worship. When the king and the people were focussed upon worship with pure and sincere heart according to His Word, there was blessing. But when the people turned away from God and went after idols, trouble came upon Israel. God sent the Assyrians in 722 B.C. to destroy the Northern Kingdom because they had departed from true worship. And in 586 B.C., the Babylonians came and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple as a judgment from God. Israel spent 70 years in exile.

After the exile, the foundations were laid for the re-building of the second Temple. Despite opposition, the Temple was finally rebuilt. There was spiritual renewal when the people put away their sins and approached God in repentance and worship.

However, the worship of God deteriorated because of a compromising priesthood and a compromising people who allowed sins to run their lives. They paid lip service to God by their false piety. God saw through their hypocrisy.

In the inter-testament period, the Greek rulers who controlled Palestine sought to influence Israel to imbibe the Greek culture and religion. Antiochus Epiphanes made a systematic desecration of the Temple, including the erection of “the abomination of desolation” (Dan. 11:31), probably a statue of the Greek god Zeus with the features of Antiochus. Torah scrolls were destroyed. Sabbath-keeping and circumcision were forbidden. Swine’s flesh were forced upon the poplulation.

Eventually, Judas Maccabeus restored the Temple for worship. The Jews celebrated the event at Hanukkah (“Feast of Dedication”).

(b) Worship in the New Testament

During the time of Jesus’ sojourn on earth, worship has become a mockery. It became a moneymaking business. Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers within the Temple premises for they were making mechandise of God’s House and God’s people. Though the people worshipped in the Temple, their worship was merely an outward orthodoxy without the heart. Jesus rebuked their insincerity.

After Jesus’s crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension, the New Testament church was established during Pentecost when 3000 were converted in a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. True worship was re-established. A description is given in Acts 2:42, 46-47.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers… 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

We are a New Testament church founded upon the doctrines as recorded in the New Testament Scriptures. On the first day of the week, Sunday, we gather with our family to a local church for worship. There, we are brought in communion with God through the singing of hymns, reading of Scripture, giving of our tithes and offerings, listening to the Word of God speaking to us in the sermon, to draw close to God.

(c) Conclusion

May we not neglect this great privilege that God has given to us to worship Him – Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. May we urge our family members and friends, far and near to come to His house to praise His great Name. Amen.

Yours lovingly in Christ,
Pr. Lek Aik Wee