0.3. Introduction

INTRODUCTION

If the title of this book is correct, as we believe it is, then the importance of the subject will be obvious to every child of GOD. A great deal of confusion exists in Christendom as to just what constitutes worship. It is often confounded with listening to a sermon; with service for the LORD on behalf of others; with testimony to CHRIST’s saving and satisfying grace; with the preaching of the Gospel; with ministry of the Word to believers, and with prayer.

Many Christians put the emphasis of their lives on service for GOD, to the exclusion of the worship of GOD. Others swing to the other extreme, and so stress the importance of worship, that service for the LORD is viewed as being of little or no consequence. We must beware of lopsidedness, or of seeking to push one truth of Scripture to an extreme the Bible does not warrant. The believer must seek to maintain the truth of GOD in its proper perspective and correct balance. The words of our Lord JESUS CHRIST give the proper order of precedence. In His reply to Satan’s temptation, He said: "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10). That quality of worship which does not result in service, and that service which does not flow from worship, both come short of the Divine ideal. The order in which the heroes of faith are mentioned, in Hebrews chapter 11, is not without significance. The first name is that of Abel, who, by faith, "offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" (vs. 4). This surely speaks of worship. The next is Enoch, whose life was characterized by a walk of fellowship with GOD which delighted His heart. The third is Noah, who, in response to GOD’s revelation, built an ark to the saving of his house. This certainly illustrates the work of faith. Thus the order of Divine precedence is here suggested: the worship, walk and work of faith. To a great number of people the word, "worship," only connotes the respectful and formal recognition of GOD, at a distance, on certain stated occasions, in accordance with an ecclesiastically prepared ritual, usually in buildings particularly designed for the purpose, and generally through the mediation of specially selected, theologically educated, and humanly ordained clergymen.

One sometimes sees signs outside a church building inviting all and sundry to: "Come and worship with us." On entering such a place, all one would hear would be a preaching service, with a sermon which might, or might not, lead the hearer ultimately to worship; but the mere fact of listening to a sermon, even though it may be on the subject of worship, is not worship. The distinction between ministry and worship can be simply stated as follows: Ministry is that which comes down to us, from the Father, through the Son, in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, and through the human instrument whom GOD has gifted for this purpose. Worship is that which goes up, from the believer, by the HOLY SPIRIT’s power, through the Son, to the Father. Thus ministry is that which descends from GOD to us; while worship is that which ascends from us to GOD.

We shall consider the subject of worship under the following ten headings:

1. Its meaning, or definition.

2. Its importance.

3. Its authority.

4. Its object.

5. Its ground.

6. Its power.

7. Its manner.

8. Its hindrances.

9. Its places.

10.Its results.

Grateful appreciation is due to my very good friend and brother in CHRIST, George M. Landis, of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, for his kindness in reading the manuscript, and writing a foreword to this book. A detailed outline of the subject will be found at the beginning of the book. This brief analysis will enable the reader to grasp the argument as a whole, and also facilitate quick reference to any particular part in which he is interested. May it be ours, as we study this important subject, not only to gain an intellectual apprehension of what the Bible teaches regarding worship; but to so adjust our lives to this knowledge that we shall be found amongst those who "worship God is spirit and in truth." By this we shall not only be enabled to bring glory to His name, but also delight to His heart.

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