Studies in Christian Worship
by David Tucker

Study 3 WHEN AND WHERE DO WE WORSHIP?

Chapters 1 – 11 of Romans are mainly doctrinal. Paul has laid a foundation. Now in the closing chapters he is practical. He appeals to his readers on the basis of what has gone before. He is reminding them that this is how they should live. We need the reminder as well.

The basis of his plea in chapter 12, verse l, is in view of God's mercy. That is His kindness, His patience, His love and His grace in meeting us in mercy.

The thrust of his appeal now is that this sovereign, divine mercy calls for a life of complete dedication and wholehearted commitment. Animal sacrifices will not do! Paul says that we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Calvin puts it, "Not only our skin and bones, but the totality of which we are composed. He adopted this word that he might more fully designate all that we are, for the members of the body are the instruments by which we carry out our purposes." These sacrifices must be living, proceeding from the new life inside us. They must be holy, the result of the Holy Spirit working within us. They must be well-pleasing to God. Is He well-pleased with the offering of our bodies as living sacrifices? And what is this offering? It is our spiritual worship.

1. WHEN DO WE WORSHIP?

• When we've been born again of the Spirit of God. God lifted us up out of a pit of sin, of despair and of death. He took off the chains that bound us and set us free. He put our feet on a rock, forgave our every sin and brought us into His family. He has promised us an eternal reward in Heaven through Jesus Christ. He has put a new song in our mouths and we're to open them in spontaneous, responsive worship. Galatians 3:23; Ephesians 2:l-10; Psalm 40:2,3.
• When we recognise who God is, and who Jesus is. When we are captivated by who God is, His greatness, His power, His majesty and dominion, true worship is drawn forth. It is not whipped up, but comes out of a heart deeply touched. The thought expressed in those lines, "Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus", is not sentimental; it's asking for a vision of Christ that we might worship Him. The 24 elders in Revelation worshipped Him because of His dominion and authority. Look up Revelation 4. They worshipped Him because He is worthy to receive glory and honour and power.
• When we realise our utter dependence upon Him. Don't let humanism creep in. Don't let the pattern of this world squeeze you into its mould and push out the worship of God - this modern idea that man is self-sufficient. We are not. We are utterly dependent upon God Almighty. Look up Acts 17:28. The hymnwriter reminds us, "—all I have needed thy hand hath provided…" The flesh on our bones, the blood in our veins, the air in our lungs, the milk in our 'fridge, the bread on our table, the Bible in our hands, are all from Him. We worship the giver of every good and perfect gift. Look up James l:17,18.
• When He has met with us in some unique way. Turn to Matthew 14:32,33. The wind had died down, the storm had passed, He had met with them and they worshipped Him. There may have been times in our lives when God has met with us, when we've been on our beam ends or at the end of our tether, and He has met with us and brought us His peace. And what ought we to do? Worship Him in thanksgiving.
• When we meet with Him and His people. I once saw a sign in the foyer of a church, "Enter to Worship; Depart to Serve". The purpose of our meeting together in the Body of Christ is to worship God. We should therefore approach the building where we meet in a careful, reverent and prayerful way. Look up Ecclesiastes 5:1. It is a pertinent reminder.
• When Jesus Christ has all of me. The two daughters of a pastor ran to his study to tell him that breakfast was ready. The eldest arrived first, jumped on Daddy's knee and told him. The youngest arrived next, and big sister announced, "I've got all there is of Daddy today." But Daddy looked at the little girl stretched out on his arm and sat her on his other knee, and she said to her elder sister, "You may have all there is of Daddy, but Daddy's got all there is of me!" And when in full and glad surrender the Lord has all there is of us, that's worship. When I offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, that is spiritual worship. Look up Romans 12:1. I may not say a word, I may not sing a note, but it is worship. Has Jesus Christ got all that there is of you?

2. WHERE DO WE WORSHIP?

The short answer is, anywhere. William Cowper has it in one of his hymns:-

'Jesus, where'er Thy people meet,
There they behold the mercy seat;
Where'er they seek Thee, Thou art found,
And every place is hallowed ground."

• We worship Him when we meet with His people in our Church services. We worship in prayer and praise, in singing and in the reading of Scripture and the ministry of the Word.
• We're to worship Him in our homes, where we live. May our homes be places of worship, where Christ is the Head, where prayers are offered and where the Bible is read and studied.
• We should worship Him in our places of work! By example and behaviour our lives should speak for Christ. Let the mundane, run-of-the-mill place be one where we quietly worship Him, live for Him and serve Him joyfully. We need to be what we are, where we are, for His glory. We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices every day and all day, and that is our spiritual worship.