Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
December 14, 1967
NUMBER 32, PAGE 3b,5b

Worship In Spirit And In Truth

Harry E. Ozment

As the title of this article implies, I would like to write on two very important phases of our worship to God- (1) the standard of worship (truth); and, (2) the character of worship (spirit).

To get a complete picture of the worship which God desires, we must turn to two passages of scripture. Notice, first of all, Matthew 15:8-9: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Now compare with this what Jesus said in John 4:24: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." The former passage expressed the negative side of our study — the worship which God does not want and which He considers vain. But the latter passage is a positive statement which informs us of both the character and standard of worship which God desires.

Of course, it is important that we have the right standard in worship. Nothing will kindle God's anger more quickly than transgressing His word. In our teaching, we must be especially careful not to go beyond that which is written. John said, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 9). It is right that we emphasize the truth in God's plan for giving. In I Corinthians 16:2, we have a very comprehensive passage on giving:

(1) "Upon the first day of the week" expresses the time at which collections are to be taken.

(2) "Let every one of you" is the source of the church's treasury. Every Christian has the responsibility to give — not just a few.

(3) "Lay by him in store" contains the God-approved method of raising money for the church. Money is to be raised through the giving of its members — not by tithing, not by pie suppers or fish fries, not by "white elephant" sales, and certainly not by greased pig races!

(4) "As God hath prospered him" answers the old question of how much. No certain amount (such as 1/10th) has been set. However, although God leaves this decision up to each man, each individual will answer to God for his decision on how much to give.

The Lord's Supper, another item of the church's worship on the Lord's Day, must be taken at the right time (Acts 20:7) and for the right purpose (I Cor. 11:23-25). Public prayer is to be led by men (I Tim. 2:8; cf. I Cor. 14:35) for all men (I Tim. 2:1-2). And, of course, truth must accompany our song service — or else it would be vain worship. In Ephesians 5:18-19 and in Colossians 3:16, God specifies both the type of songs to be sung (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs) and the type of instruments to be used (mouth and heart).

Yes, truth is important. We must have the right standard in our worship. Without the girdle of truth, our worship would be vain — fruitless... Sadly, however, it can be said in this regard of denominationalists what Paul said of the Jews in Romans 10:2-3: "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." Sad, sad — but true! But brethren, beware! Often, I fear that in our preaching and studying upon this subject, we stress the standard of pleasing worship to the neglect of the character of pleasing worship. The standard should be stressed (God forbid otherwise!) — but the character should be equally emphasized. And from some of the "worship services" that can be observed in some congregations, such is not being done. Brethren and sisters, the character is just as important as the standard. Not to worship in spirit will send one's soul to hell just as fast as the person who does not worship in truth. To worship in spirit means to worship sincerely — from the heart. Now let's bring the lesson closer to home!

When public teaching is being done in the worship service, are our hearts properly prepared to let God speak to us? Some listeners are prejudiced. For example, when the preacher begins to condemn sins of worldliness, he can sometimes see that red blanket of anger cover the countenances of some. And on others, he can see that "I don't care" smirk! How these people can read Matt. 13:15 and still have that attitude, I don't know! "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Other listeners are just not interested — they play with this or that, laugh, talk, sleep, etc. These people don't know what the word "reverence" means. And God will hold parents responsible for not training their children to show reverence (such as letting them get 12 drinks of water and permitting them to use the restroom 11 times — and, by the way, it's no wonder in lieu of the former thing which they do!) The very idea -a person in the Almighty's presence doing this or permitting those in his charge to do this! The inspired writer said we should "serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Heb. 12:28)

Many, perhaps, do not give "in spirit". Some give to be seen of men. This is condemned by Jesus in Matthew 6:1-4. But did you know that a person can give the right amount at the right time for the right reason — and still be condemned because he has the wrong attitude! "God loveth a cheerful giver." (II Cor. 9:7) Attitudes are important in this item of worship as well as in all the others.

Perhaps many do not worship "in spirit" when they partake of the Lord's Supper. God gave all that heaven could give for us -- lowly worms in the dust. God wants us to remember that sacrifice when we partake of its emblems. Do we? Paul said in I Corinthians 11:29, "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."

We should also worship "in spirit" when we pray. Do we realize just who we are speaking to when we pray? Evidently some don't. Some "bellow" at God with a domineering tone of voice. Others speak to God as if they are "ordering" Him to do this or that. Some even forget to thank Him for blessings bestowed in the past! Friends, this does not bespeak an humble attitude. God, the Supreme Being who spoke the universe into existence and could, by the same token, merely speak us out of existence — and we, lowly creatures that we are, speak to God in an irreverent tone. Brethren, I shudder at the thought of it!

Now we come to a soft spot in many places — the song service. Yes, we sing the right type of songs. No, we don't use pianos, organs, guitars, etc. We worship in truth — but do we worship in spirit? One is just as important as the other. Do we really put our hearts into our singing? Do we contribute all we can to the praise of God? You know, "I stand amazed" at the number of loud talkers who are soft singers! Paul said, "I will sing with the spirit and with the understanding also." (I Cor. 14:15) I'm persuaded that the reason for these lifeless song services can be attributed to the fact that many do not mean what they sing. Take, for example, "Where the Soul Never Dies." We should thrill to sing that song:

"To Canaan's land I'm on my way,...

My darkest night will turn to day...

I'm on my way to that fair land,...

Where there will be no parting hand...

No sad farewells,

No tear-dimmed eyes,

Where all is love,

And the soul never dies."

Why, if we mean those words as we sing them, how could we help but give our all to the song service? When we sing "My Jesus, I Love Thee," do we mean it? When we sing "Live for Jesus," do we mean it? Do we lie when we sing "I Want to be a Worker"?

Christians, think on these things.

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