Reasons For Worship

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   We have been studying about God’s reasons for worshipping Him. As we study this, we understand that God wants us to worship Him in a certain manner. Are we worshipping God in the manner He wants? What does acceptable worship look like? Let us study from John 4 and answer this question.

                   John 4 records the occasion when a Samaritan woman met Jesus at the well where He was resting. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, He told her, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Christ made it clear that those who are going to worship God, “must” do it in a certain way. Our worship “must” be “in spirit and in truth”, without exception!

                   To worship God “in spirit” means to worship God with the right attitude. To worship God “in truth” means that we worship according to what God has revealed. Notice that God has commanded both in worship to Him! Specifically, every aspect of our worship must be done “in spirit and in truth”, therefore, our singing, our prayers, our preaching, our giving, and our partaking the Lord’s Supper must be done “in spirit and in truth” (Acts 2:42, 20:7; Eph. 5:19; I Cor. 16:1-2). When we understand this, then perhaps we can see why it is so repulsive to God when folks turn aside from His commands to do something that God says is, “vain worship” (Matt. 15:8-9)! Let us learn this lesson well!

Reasons For Worship

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   Yesterday, we began a study that focused on why God wants men to worship Him. Let us continue this study.

                   Let us remember that our worship to God is just that, it is worship “to God”! If we are guilty of worshipping anyone or anything else, then we are in sin. Worshipping other things besides God is not an unusual thing with man. Jesus condemned the Pharisees and told them their worship was in vain because they had laid aside God’s commands in order to do what they wanted (Matt. 15:8-9). In like manner, we cannot think that we are going to please God in worship if we are not following His prescribed method for worship, as we studied yesterday.

                   Friend, worship has always been something that God mandated. We know this was the case with Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1-7), and we also see this in the Law of Moses. The books of Exodus and Leviticus describe the way God wanted to be worshipped in those days.

                   In the New Testament, this fact has not changed. God commands our worship be “in spirit and in truth” and offered to Him through preaching, prayer, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, giving of our means, and singing (Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19; Jn. 4:24). Therefore, our worship is “to God,” for He is the one who told us what He wants! When folks stray from this pattern, their worship is no longer “to God,” but instead is vain!

                   “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” These words were spoken on the day of Pentecost following the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. On this day, when the Jews were rightly accused of killing Christ (Acts 2:23), they then asked what they could do (Acts 2:36). Acts 2:38 is the answer to this question, and by extension, the answer to our question when we ask what we must do to be saved from our sins! Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized? If not, why not? Repentance and baptism is necessary to remit (forgive) your sins and put you in a right relationship with God. Why are you waiting?

- Jarrod Jacobs

“Truth: Its Necessity”

Jarrod Jacobs

                   When we think about truth, I wonder if we realize just how deeply woven truth is into the very fabric of our lives. There are “truth in advertising” laws in our country so that the consuming public is able to trust what is advertised in the media. Even deeper than this, we expect the truth to be told to us daily. For example, if we go to a restaurant and order a meal, we expect that meal to be cooked for us and that we will be charged the price listed on the menu. When we see a city sign, we believe that this sign has the truth written on it! When we read road signs, we take it for granted that those sign have truth printed on them as well.

                   The attribute of honesty is something that is still taught in families. In fact, a lot of people still expect politicians to be honest, especially if they are people we know and grew up with! Yes, “truth” is very much in the fabric of our society!

                   When we consider God’s word, we see that it, in fact, is truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). The Bible can be trusted, for it instructs us in God’s will (II Tim. 3:15). It is inspired, and tells us what is necessary to get from earth to Heaven! Have you read your Bible today (Eph. 3:4)? Why not spend time today reading the truth from God? Let it change you for the better!