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The Bible shows that God does not accept all worship that people offer Him. God has even asked some worshipers not to worship Him anymore until they make some needed changes!
(Malachi 1:6-10) A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. 9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. 10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
God also punished two religious leaders in the Old Testament for worshiping Him through means He had not commanded.
(Leviticus 10:1-2) And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
Human beings need to worship God in Whose image we are created. True worship brings dignity to our lives. We need to know how to worship God according to his will or else our worship will be in vain.
"Worship" is the adoration of God. Acceptable worship must consist of appointed acts which are motivated by respect. Jesus came that we might worship God "in spirit and in truth". One can find out about such worship in the New Testament. It is the only reliable source of information!
(John 4:23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Early Christians met together to worship God at various times in addition to their regular assembly on the first day of each week, or Sunday which came to be referred to as "the Lord's Day".
(Acts 20:7) And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
(1 Corinthians 16:1-2) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
(Revelation 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
This was a different day of worship than what had been used in the Old Testament period. The Israelites had been commanded to observe the Sabbath day (Saturday). However, the New Testament teaches that we are no longer under this law. Sabbath observance passed away with the Old Law.
(Colossians 2:13-17) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
(Hebrews 8:13) In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
(Hebrews 7:12) For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
The will of Christ is our authority and we must look there to learn of what worship ought to consist. Many will be surprised to see how worship has changed over the centuries. But the critical point is this: no one had the right to change worship of God at all! If our worship is to be acceptable unto God, then it must be according to His will.
(Matthew 15:9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
(Galatians 1:8-9) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
One reason that disciples met upon the first day of each week was to "break bread" or partake of the memorial supper as Jesus had commanded. It was a very solemn occasion indeed. We must not change that which has been revealed to us concerning its observance.
It was appointed by Jesus Himself
(Matthew 26:26-29) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Its purpose was to help us remember how He gave His life for our salvation and to proclaim our faith in Him
(1 Corinthians 11:23-26) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
The items of the supper consist of the bread and the fruit of the vine. These symbols remind disciples of His body as it hung on the cross and the blood which flowed from His wounds.
(Luke 22:19-20) And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Under the guidance of the apostles and by the will of God, the early church would come together on the first day of the week to partake of the supper.
(Acts 20:7) And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Disciples would meditate about the sacrifice of Christ and what it meant to them. They would commune with the Lord and be strengthened in the week to follow.
(1 Corinthians 11:27-29) Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Prayer has always been a vital part of the everyday lives of God's people. Early Christians also prayed as they gathered together to worship. Prayer is communicating with God.
As Christians we pray "in Jesus' name" which simply means by His authority. We cannot approach God through any other mediator.
(1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
(Hebrews 4:14-16) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Prayer's purpose is to assist us in building our relationship with God. It is not to inform God of something which He may not be aware of or to try to convince Him to love us. He already knows our needs and He has certainly shown his love. We trust Him to do what is best even when we fail to see the results for which we had hoped.
(Matthew 7:7-11) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
(Ephesians 3:20-21) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Proper prayer includes having correct attitudes and must be according to God's will. Selfish or self-righteous prayers are not acceptable.
(James 1:5-8) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
(James 4:3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
(1 John 5:14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
God's children worship Him in song, both privately and when they assemble together. The purpose is to glorify God and to build up one another.
(Ephesians 5:19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
In the New Testament the music offered unto God by His church was purely vocal. This continued to be the case for centuries until musical instruments gradually began to be accepted in more and more places. Of course, the real question is whether any of us have the right to make changes in what God has appointed in the doctrine of Christ.
Early Christians sang psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as they lifted up their voices in praise of God
(Colossians 3:16-17) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Christians also spent time contemplating God's word together as they received instruction. This would help them know more about God's will and character and how it ought to affect their lives.
Disciples continued steadfastly in the teaching of the apostles. They had great confidence in the Scripture as God's Word and as a completely reliable guide for life.
(Acts 2:42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Teaching took the form of reproof, rebuke and exhortation; all with the purpose of encouraging faithful living on the parts of the hearers.
(2 Timothy 4:1-5) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Members of the Lord's body were instructed to give. Specific guidelines were given and ought to be observed.
The work of the church involves financial considerations.
(2 Corinthians 8:1-4) Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
(Philippians 4:15) Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
The method of providing for these needs was to take up a collection from among the members of a local church on the first day of the week. Disciples were not commanded to give a specific amount or percentage, but simply told to decide in their own hearts and according to how God had prospered them.
(1 Corinthians 16:1-2) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
They were also told to give cheerfully.
(2 Corinthians 9:6-7) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
The command to worship God is not without purpose. By doing so we glorify God...
(Revelation 4:10-11) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
dignify ourselves...
(Philippians 3:3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(Philippians 3:13-14) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
and express our faith.
(Hebrews 13:15) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Worship that God finds acceptable takes place in the heart of the individual as he expresses his love for God through the actions which God Himself has appointed.
LESSON #9 is entitled "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH" and deals with how Jesus fulfilled this promise and exactly what it was that He built.