Worship

The word “worship” means “to adore” or “to pay homage.” Worship is not about me and what God does for me. Worship is all about Him — recognizing that I am for Him.    Worship is to glorify and exalt God.   In Mark 12:28, Jesus was asked, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  Jesus tells us that true worshipers will worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This means we worship from the heart and the way God has patterned for us. The New Testament describes five specific acts of worship for the Lord’s church.  These are:

  1. Prayer – The word, which means “a pouring out,” is a significant avenue of worship. The early church was a praying church (Acts 2:42). Prayers are to be understandable, fervent, reverent, and with God’s Holy Will in mind (I Cor. 14:15). We pray in the name of Jesus (Jn. 14:12; 1 Tim. 2:5) to the Father (Matt. 6:9ff).
  2. Singing – This singing is to speak, teach, and admonish (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). It is to be done with the whole heart (Eph. 5:19; I Cor. 14:15). The common term of singing, psallo in no way authorizes anything but vocal praise. It is a historical fact that instrumental music was unknown to the church for its first 300 years!
  3. Giving – The early church supported good works through the generous giving of its members every first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-3). This giving is to be done cheerfully and lovingly (2 Cor. 9:7). We are instructed to give as we have been prospered (I Cor. 16:2).
  4. Teach – Imparting the gospel message is an essential part of worship. Paul told young Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). This word is never to be compromised (2 Tim. 3:16, 17)
  5. The Lord’s Supper – Every first day of the week, Christians are to remember the Lord’s body and blood through the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). This is a simple memorial the Lord Himself instituted (I Cor. 11:23-29). We are taught to concentrate on the cross and our Lord’s great sacrifice for us.

 It is our mission to share the world’s greatest message:

God loves us so much that He gave His only Son for us on the cruel cross of Calvary and that without the shedding of his blood, we would be lost, without hope.                        

Come and share a simple, but scriptural and loving experience of worship, devotion, and study.  Come and see us at the Oak Hill church of Christ!