Acceptable Worship

Does it matter how we worship God? Does God expect us to worship Him? If so, how? How should we worship God? Do we need to assemble to worship, or is it ok to worship God alone? Is there an acceptable standard of worship mentioned in the Bible? The writer of the New Testament Book of Hebrews gives us a good picture of acceptable worship before God. 

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NLT) 

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire. 

This biblical standard of worship is given to those who have put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. These are the ones who have received an unshakeable Kingdom, the Kingdom of Christ. By faith in Jesus, we have received a place in His Kingdom, and that truth produces thanksgiving that leads to acceptable worship. 

When the church truly realizes the value and worth of this Kingdom calling of Christ, we will be overwhelmed with thanksgiving that leads to acceptable worship. 

But what does that worship look like? What happens when we approach God to worship Him with thanksgiving for the unshakeable Kingdom of Christ? Holy Fear and Awe should surround us in this time of worship. Holy Fear and Awe, for our God is a devouring, consuming fire. 

King David calls us to purify ourselves and prepare ourselves to encounter God through worship. 

Psalm 24:3-6 (NLT) 

Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 

4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. 5 They will receive the LORD’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. 

Acceptable and Unacceptable worship. It goes all the way back to the beginning of time. Abel bought an offering as an act of worship to God that was acceptable. Cain’s offering of worship to God was unacceptable. God's grace and mercy offered Cain a chance to reset his worship mentality so that he might be accepted. 

Genesis 4:7 (NLT) 

You [Cain] will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” 

There was an acceptable way to worship God in the time of Cain and Abel, and there is an acceptable way to worship God today. Thanksgiving, Holy Fear, and Awe. That’s always a good place to start worship. When we truly realize that we are, by our very nature, objects of God’s wrath and the blood price that was paid to give us the unshakeable Kingdom of Christ. We will worship Him with thanksgiving, holy fear, and awe. 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper 

Lead Minister