____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ June 16, 1996 ____________________________________________________ Improving Our Worship by Mark Mayberry Worship is a central part of Christian service. God demands that his people worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Every disciple must worship God regularly and in an acceptable manner (I Peter 2:5,9; Hebrews 13:15). Furthermore, it is impossible for one to fail in this duty and still be pleasing unto God. Why has God made worship such a central part of Christian service? The purpose of worship is twofold: First and foremost, worship honors and magnifies God; Secondly, it strengthens and builds up those who participate. How wonderful it is that God designed worship so that when we glorify him, we also edify ourselves! Since it is such an important part of the Christian life, how can we make our worship services and Bible classes better? Rather than becoming complacent or satisfied, we should ask, ``How can I improve in the fine art of worship?'' Be Present Acceptable worship demands regular and faithful attendance (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25). Disciples are built up as they commune together in observing the Lord's supper, as they life their voices in prayer and praise, as they contribute into the common treasury, and as they study and meditate upon the Holy Scriptures. Participating in Christian worship increases our knowledge, improves our character, and intensifies our zeal. Those who forsake the assembly rob themselves. They cut themselves off from the encouragement and example of fellow Christians, and deprive themselves of a delightful spiritual feast that God has prepared for his people (Luke 14:16-24). As we consider the value of attendance, we must also realize the importance of continuity. Each class builds on the one that precedes it. The public school system has strict rules regarding attendance. We ought to be equally serious about our Bible class attendance. Hit and miss attendance destroys the effectiveness of our classes. Let's all strive for consistency. Be Prepared As with any worthwhile endeavor, acceptable worship requires preparation (Matthew 25:1-13). Of course those who direct the worship should be prepared, but so should every member who is present. Since worship involves thought and attention, we should come to church with an alert mind. One who is physically or mentally exhausted is in no condition to worship God. We sometimes joke about those who sleep in church, but I doubt that God thinks it funny. Consider a man who has been rude, impatient and short-tempered toward his wife. Finally, seeing the error of his ways, he takes her out to a romantic, candle-light dinner. He sits there, apologizing for his shortcomings, telling her the depth of his love, and then falls asleep. How is she going to feel? She probably is going to whack him over thee head with a soup bowl! How does God feel when we fall asleep during worship, which supposedly is an expression of our love and devotion toward him? Sometimes circumstances are beyond our control. A person might be taking medication that causes drowsiness. A parent may have stayed up all night with a sick child. An employee may have had to work an extra shift before coming to church. Then there are those like the good ol' boy who said, ``When I plays, I plays hard. When it eats, I eats well. When I sits, I sleeps.'' I have no complaint if people sometimes have trouble staying awake due to extenuating circumstances. However, there are those who habitually sleep during services. Often this reflects misplaced priorities and/or a lack of interest. This problem could be overcome if we would get sufficient rest beforehand, and then concentrate on the meaning of the worship as it takes place. Avoid late hours and fatiguing activity before periods of worship. Get a good night's rest on Saturday evening so you will be alert on Sunday morning. Be physically and mentally prepared to worship God. Still another aspect of preparing for worship is to put yourself in the proper frame of mind before the services begin. We often don't leave enough time to get ready. We gulp down our coffee, wolf down our food, rush to get dressed, break the speed laws getting to the building, and still dash through the door five minutes late. By this point, flustered and upset, we are in no mood to worship God acceptably. Instead of this, we should plan our activities so that we leave with time to spare. Study your lesson ahead of time. Lay your clothes out in advance. Before you leave the house, sit down and offer a brief prayer. Ask God to be with those who lead the services, to help each person participate in an acceptable manner, to open the minds of those who are not yet Christians, and to bless the entire occasion so that it may accomplish the purposes for which it was designed. As you enjoy a leisurely drive to church, observe the beauty of God's creation. When you arrive at the building, enter the auditorium and quietly take your place. Before the services begin, read your Bible, meditate on the words of a song, or offer a silent prayer to God. Now, with proper preparation, you are ready to worship God. Be Attentive Acceptable worship also requires thoughtful participation. Sometimes people think of worship as a spectator sport. That is, the congregation looks on while a few men perform. This is not God's plan. Those in the audience participate in worship just as much as those who take a leading role. When Christians come together to worship, God should be the only spectator. Everyone else should take an active part in offering the sacrifice of praise to him. Thoughtful participation means that we must concentrate on the meaning of everything that we do in worship (Psalm 111:1). As we speak unto one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, let us make melody in our hearts unto God (Ephesians 5:18-19). As we partake of the Lord's Supper, let us focus our attention on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (I Corinthians 11:23-29). As we give of our means on the first day of the week, let us do so with a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving (II Corinthians 9:6-7). Concentrate on the prayers that are offered so that you can give a hearty ``Amen'' (Philippians 4:6-7). Listen attentively to the lessons that are presented from God's word so that you can apply it to your life (Acts 2:42; 10:33). Concentration on these things means that we will not allow other thoughts to invade our minds during worship. We must learn not to be distracted by insignificant and trivial concerns. Don't think about the ball game scheduled to start at noon. Don't worry about the roast in the oven, or that big presentation you have to make on Monday morning. Don't wonder how the fish are biting out on the lake. Don't daydream about killing that big 10-point buck. If you catch your mind drifting, snap back to reality. Think about what you are doing. Children can be another possible distraction. Parents should bring their children to worship so they can be trained from infancy on how to behave at church. The rest of us should let parents take care of their children. Don't get upset if a child happens to cry a bit. Don't turn your head and watch when a mother has to carry her little one to the nursery. Don't try to entertain the baby in the pew ahead of you. Ignore their tears, their smiles, and their various antics. Instead, focus your attention on the activities of the hour. We should also allow others to worship without distraction. Don't do anything that would be disruptive. Avoid talking, whispering, joking, passing notes, smacking chewing gum, clipping nails, playing with children, getting up and down unnecessarily, etc. To act in this manner is rude. It disturbs, not only the one who is speaking, but also those who are trying to listen. Finally, let me say a few words about coming in late and leaving early. All too often, a group of late-comers will walk through the door after the services have begun. This can be quite disruptive. It's hard for the teacher to make his point when all heads are turned toward the door. Equally distracting are those who walk out during the invitation song. The invitation is an extremely important part of the service. It is the moment of decision. I have seen people struggle with themselves while the invitation song is being sung. It doesn't help if two or three families get up and walk out. What is so important that our service to God has to be short-changed? If someone can sit through my long-winded preaching, surely the can sit through a final song and a brief prayer. Be Reverent Acceptable worship demands a spirit of reverence. Remember that we are assembled in the presence of Jehovah God, the Creator and Sustainer of life (Psalm 33:6-9). Worship is an activity of the heart and mind that expresses our praise and adoration to God our Maker. Every act of worship should be a sincere expression of our devotion to God (Psalm 96:1-9). Be Obedient Acceptable worship requires a spirit of obedience. This is the fruit of worship (Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8). Many people think that sermons apply onto to someone else. I've had people walk out the door, shake my hand, and say, ``Preacher, you really let them have it today.'' Sadly, they needed the lesson worse than anybody else! Don't fall into this trap. Look for ways to apply it to your own life. Ask yourself, ``How can this lesson help me? How can I apply these principles to my life?'' As you hear God's will, determine to obey it (James 1:21-25). Conclusion Attendance is a blessed privilege, an opportunity to grow in love, faith, and devotion. The worship assemblies play an important part in our effort to reach heaven. Faithful attendance gives us energy to keep on keeping on, to endure hardship, to press on in the face of adversity. It keeps us close to God and one another. Let us seek to grow in the fine art of worship! -- Via Gospel Truths, June 1996 ___________________________________________ Just Happened? "The atheist's position that the universe just happened with no creator behind it, is a position difficult to uphold in the face of all the evidence around us. Without exception, we find that 'nothing comes from nothing.' Are we to believe that the universe in its entirety is an exception to this universal law? Whatever force that brought our universe into being, we call God" (Dr. Merritt Congdon, a natural scientist). ______________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net ________________________________________