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| Volume 20 Number 3 March 2018 | Page 9 |
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| Volume 20 Number 3 March 2018 | Page 9 |
What Do You Bring to Worship?
Patrick Morrison
The Old Testament required all Jewish males to appear in Jerusalem three times per year to worship and offer sacrifices. “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty” (Deuteronomy16:16). It was imperative that those who made the journey to Jerusalem to worship God not come before Him empty-handed. The Old Law even made provisions for those who could not afford to offer the customary sacrifice for sin of a lamb or a goat (Leviticus 5:7-11). From the wealthiest prince to the lowliest pauper, all were to come before God in worship with something to offer. Herein lies a fundamental principle of our worship to God: Worship is something that we offer, something that we bring before God, and when done in accordance with His Divine will, we know that such offerings will be acceptable to Him.
The idea of worship has been lost on many within our generation. For most it is a time to be entertained. Worship has become just another spectator sport, a place to be seen or something to check off the to-do list. It is a shame to see those who claim to love the Lord coming to worship with nothing to offer. Some sit as silent as the tomb while praises are being sung to our Heavenly Father. Empty-handed! Some cling tenaciously to the material wealth with which God has blessed them as the time for giving back to Him as He has prospered us comes. Empty-handed! Some pass notes, talk or daydream as God’s Word is being read or proclaimed. Empty-handed! Some slip in, take some unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, thinking they are observing the Lord’s Supper, and slip out, ignoring the rest of the worship of Almighty God. Empty-handed! Some show up every once in a blue moon [infrequently] and expect everyone to notice the effort they put forth to be there. Empty-handed! Brethren and friends, how can we “offer…unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:22)?
Worship is not about man. It has never been about man. It will never be about man. Worship is about bowing the knee in reverence to God and coming before Him with that which we know will please Him. We dare not come empty-handed. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise unto God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple” (Psalm 5:7). “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker” (Psalm 95:6). “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:17). “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm 138:2). “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Psalm 2:8).
The worship of the God of Heaven demands that we come before Him with something to offer, something that all can afford: our prayers, our praise, our time, our talents, our money and ourselves!
Ernest S. Underwood
A sign on a building read, “Trust Jesus.” The question is, “How does one ‘trust Jesus’?” This is not a trick question. If I trust my doctor, I will follow his directions to the letter. Yet, how do I trust Jesus? Now, I know how I express my love for Him. He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
I hear some say that one trusts Jesus by saying the so-called “Sinner’s Prayer.” However, where is the Scripture for this? Others say that trusting Him involves the signing of a decision card. Again, Scripture, please!
Is it wise to trust Jesus? Surely, all will agree that it is. If so, then, Jesus has told us how we express our trust in Him. He said, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). We sing, “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word…” Do you trust Jesus? Are you taking Him at His word?