Essential Elements of Christian Worship

Worship means different thing to different people. It differs from denomination to denomination and religion to religion. "Worship can be described as giving Praises, meditating the word of God and interacting on the mind of God" Adeniji L. O., Also, "Worship is the way by which we rever our maker" Funmi Edun

 The word “worship” comes from an old English word “worthship.” Worship is declaring by word and deed that God is worthy of our absolute love, total devotion and complete obedience in every aspect of life (Revelation 5:12). We declare that God is worthy of our total dedication by the way we live daily (Romans 14:8). We demonstrate our love for God by our service to others through evangelism, missions, ministry and efforts to develop a more just and humane world.Our worship must be based on sound, scriptural principles, and as in every matter. Whatever message or teaching or practices that negates this standard must be discarded in its entirety. The acceptable worship must edify the spirit of the worshiper. 

What are the Elements of Christan Worship? There are two basic elements namely, 1. Truth and 2, Spirit

1. Our worship must be in truth. In itJohn 4:19-24,

While Jesus was talkiing with the Samaritan woman at the well that those who worship God "must worship in spirit and truth." We could see the imperativeness of the key elements of worship by saying " But the hour cometh, and now  is, when the true worshippers shall worship  the Father in spirit and in truth: for the  Father seeketh such to worship him. God  is a Spirit: and they that worship him must  worship him in spirit and in truth. " John 4: 23, 24. God will accept no other worship than that which is "in spirit and truth." What is truth? In John 17:17 as Jesus prays that his Father might sanctify his disciples "in the truth: thy word is truth." If the word of God is the standard of truth, this eliminates mere denominational sentiments and personal opinions, etc. as being the standard of truth. Therefore, to worship in truth is to worship according to what the Word of God says.

Doing what you ought to do in God's own way. Apostle Paul says, "And I was with you in weakness,  and in fear, and in much trembling.  And  my speech and my preaching was not with  enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in  demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the  wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1Corinthians 2: 3-5; Matthew 22: 16; Mark 12: 14; John 1: 14; Acts 26: 25; Also in 2Corinthians 6 He says, " By the word of  truth, by the power of God, by the armour of  righteousness on the right hand and on the  left, By honour and dishonour, by evil  report and good report: as deceivers, and  yet true;  As unknown, and  yet well  known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as  chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful,  yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making  many rich; as having nothing, and yet  possessing all things." 7-10

          to be continued

The Hands that Work for Peace and Progress

When we do our best, we will enjoy God’s best. Everyone is expected to do the right thing at the right time with the right attitude. Where this is not forthcoming, desired results become a mirage. As we celebrate our mothers this year, it is appropriate to underscore the importance of the hands that work for peace and progress of the home, the Church of Christ and the nation. 

The Hands That Work Shall Surely Prosper. Several times you hear people complaining of too much works, stress and troubles around us. However, we hardly think on why God made us to be working agent. The Bible reveals to us that working is exemplified in God Himself. “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9: 4. Our Lord Jesus Christ worked  relentlessly while on earth. Hence, He was highly exalted as the Prince of Peace in whom all men were blessed. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2: 10 -11. Every Christian must work for peace and prosperity. No one who is lazy or lukewarm succeed. The Bible says, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” Proverb 10: 4. Apostle Paul said “We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” 1Corinthians 4: 12-13 

Lots of people today run from mountain to mountain, revival to revival looking for prosperity. There is no amount of prayer or fasting that can take the place of practical life of a Christian. Believers are to watch and pray. That is to say we must balance our spiritual fervor with responsibility. The church cannot grow if we refuse to evangelize and care for the afflicted in our society. The nation and the world will know peace when we all admit our responsibility. 

Women are weaker not lazy vessels. They are to work hard to build their homes. Proverbs 31 speaks much on the virtuous woman as industrious, hospitable and responsible at home. “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. Proverbs 31: 10-13.

A hardworking wife is the pride of the family; but lazy woman is a burden to her household. There will always be tension in the home of a lazy woman. The husband will evade the wife and perhaps look out for another woman who would add value to his life. The wife of a lazy man is taken by a hardworking and wealthy man. That is pne major factor responsible for broken homes today. Restive youths are byproduct of irresponsible families. My beloved mothers, let us learn to work hard and bring peace and progress to our families. If you are hardworking every member of the family would want to identify with you and be proud of you.  

My beloved, let us all join together and work for the peace and progress of our country. This can be possible if every family work together for the growth of the church and the church work together for the progress of our nation. As we do this the Lord will open the treasure house of heaven and rain down abundant blessings upon us in Jesus name. happy Mother’s Day!!!

Reverend G. S. Adeyemo

The Senior Pastor

Christ Baptist Church Alimoso
http//abundantgracemi.blogspot.com
e mail: abundantgracemi@gmail.com

Boko Haram agenda is political, religious–Adeyemo | Newswatch Times

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