Worshiping and the place of worship have always seemed important to people of all ages. Many attractive churches, large beautiful temples and magnificent cathedrals have been built to express man’s interest in religious worship. But we learn from the conversation of Jesus with the Samaritan woman that in the Gospel age the place of worship is not as important as the attitude in which man worships God. Jesus said that the true worshipers of God are those who worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23). The term, “Worship in Spirit and in truth,” suggests that the worshiper is not regulated by outward rules or practices, by ceremonial or traditional rites as in times of old, nor by attending services in a magnificent building, but by service from the heart—having a new heart, expressing thanks to God for his abounding grace, as well as imploring Him for guidance and sustaining grace. This is done by singing and praying and by preaching and giving testimony. It is a heart and mind service, speaking the whole truth from a new heart, instead of lip service and a show of form often heard and seen of some worshipers.
“For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Usually a church or a meeting house for worship service has been dedicated to the Lord. That means it is set apart for religious purposes. It is dedicated to the Lord, therefore considered sacred. It is a place where God is to be honored. The place and building should be respected, and a godly reverence should fill the hearts of those approaching it. This is pleasing to the Lord.
Jesus tells us that certain worship customs and traditions are improper and should be avoided (Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18). Let us carefully consider the following: drumming, handclapping and dancing, frequent standing for some services, public kneeling for personal prayers, loud and oft repeated “Amens,” and other noisy or distracting behavior done mostly “to be seen of men.” Jesus indicated that such show of religious display is traditional and of a selfish, honor-seeking motive. Jesus said one time, “ How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44).
The Lord commanded Israel to build Him a sanctuary that He might dwell among them (Exodus 25:8). The sanctuary was a specially dedicated and holy place in the temple. From this sacred and secret enclosure God revealed Himself through Israel’s leaders and prophets by commandments and counsels (Amos 3:7).
God is a Spirit and cannot be seen by mortal eyes (Exodus 33:20). Therefore sinful and mortal man cannot impress God with outward religious display of ceremonies and traditional rites (Luke 16:15).
Jesus came to reveal the Father to us (John 14:9-10). “For in him [in Jesus] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Jesus promised his disciples that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). The number of people present for worship is not as important as humbleness of heart. Though the Lord’s presence is not seen, He nevertheless is present in Spirit. Those who have the Spirit of the Lord will recognize his presence (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). In this unseen Presence the worshiper “in spirit and in truth” waits with reverence and expectancy for the direction and blessing of the Lord. He may ponder how he found himself a lost sinner and how he found salvation through the preaching of the Gospel or by some other channel of God’s mercy and grace.
The simple plan of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21) has changed his life completely, giving him a new and living hope. He is a new creature in Christ Jesus with new desires, new tastes, new appetites, new interests, new friends, new opinions, new judgments, new fears and hopes. He has learned to abandon self and accept the Christian life. This brought another problem which causes him grave concern—the old self must be denied and brought into subjection to the new life. This is no small task, for he finds that this new life is against the flesh and the flesh is against this new life. A constant battle is on within himself. He has found the sanctuary a wonderful place for light and instructions. Here he finds the source of his inspirations and victories—food that feeds the soul. Therefore he sits with rapt attention in a solemn attitude to receive every word the minister speaks. These words are light and life to him, and they nourish his soul. After the message is brought, liberty is given for testimonies. If the Lord so convicts, he arises with joy in his heart to proclaim, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16).
The following Scripture references may offer some help for proper worship attitude.
“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God” (Psalm 84:1-2).
“Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth” (Psalm 26:8).
“I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good” (Psalm 122).
“Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil” (Ecclesiastes 5:1).
“I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked... My feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped... Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end” (Psalm 73:3, 2, 17).
“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:1-2).
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6).
“If there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (James 2:2-4).
“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Of the early Christians it was said that they “were of one heart and of one soul” (Acts 4:32). They were born of the selfsame Spirit of God. They had experienced the forgiveness of sins and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. They had received what their souls longed for. They loved each other, helped one another where needed, prayed for one another, and spoke to unconverted friends to accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior. They were a light for Jesus that shone wherever they went. And daily souls were saved.
The poet says,
“Be silent, be silent, For holy this place;
This altar that echoes, The message of grace.
Tread softly, tread softly, The Master is here,
Tread softly, tread softly, He bids us draw near.”