Faithful and Flourishing

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” ~Hebrews 12:28-29

In last week’s meditation, “Chirping to a Worthy King,” I suggested worshiping the Lord on Sunday is the central privilege of our lives. But have you ever wondered why we worship the way we do? Is God even particularly concerned about the complexion of our worship?  

Writing to Charles V in 1543, John Calvin asked, “Why do we pursue reformation? For two reasons, first, that God may be worshiped as He commanded, and secondly, that people might be acquainted with the source of true salvation.” To the reformers, worshiping biblically was the heartbeat of the Reformation.

Calvin claimed we are to worship the way God commands. We call this the “regulative principle of worship,” i.e. we worship only the way prescribed by God’s Word (Deuteronomy 12:29-32). To measure how important this is to God, read Leviticus 10 (Nadab and Abihu). Perhaps that’s what the author of Hebrews had in mind at the end of the verses quoted above.

To be sure, there may be diversity in style of worship, but the elements of worship are non-negotiable. What are the elements? The Bible makes it clear that worship should primarily include the reading, preaching, and hearing of God’s Word; prayers of adoration, confession, and supplication; singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; and the sacraments. (To study further the biblical basis for each of these, consider reading The Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 21 with the proof texts).

At Christ Covenant our goal is not to entertain people but to glorify God, and we strive to do so by worshiping in a manner that is consistent with His Word. And yet, interestingly, by worshiping in a manner consistent with His Word, we believe God will cause Christ Covenant to flourish. I spent the first half of my life just outside the city of Glasgow, Scotland. In the United Kingdom, many towns and cities have slogans. Glasgow’s slogan is “Let Glasgow flourish.” In reality Glasgow is not flourishing. It’s a grotty city plagued by homelessness, drug abuse, violence, etc. But “Let Glasgow flourish” never used to be Glasgow’s slogan. It used to be, “Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of Your Word and the praising of Your Name”. And I believe that if God’s Word was faithfully preached and His name was praised widely, Glasgow would flourish exceedingly.   

It’s the same with Christ Covenant. It’s the same in our individual lives and the lives of our families. If we prize the preaching of God’s Word, and savor the heartfelt praising of His name, I believe not only will we bring glory to God (which is our chief end), but we will flourish exceedingly.

As we approach worship this coming Lord’s Day, let’s take delight in chirping to our worthy King, but doing so in tune with the elements prescribed in His Word, believing that in doing so, not only will He take delight in our Spirit-filled, heartfelt, Christ-mediated worship, but He will cause us to flourish.   

Rev. Rob Dykes, Pastor of Preaching & Congregational Care