by Richard Mansel

Worship is an innate human trait. We will worship something even if it is ourselves, wealth, or fame. Whether we will worship is not the issue, but whom, and with what goal.

Worship is a centerpiece of the Christian life. Scripture is filled with admonitions to worship. In 1 Chronicles 16:29 we read, "Give to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!" (NKJV). Jesus said, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). Worship was joyously praised by David in Psalm 122:1 when he rejoiced, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the LORD.'"

Understanding the concept of worship will be well served by examining the three main words used in the New Testament for worship. In doing so, we will discover some important truths and realities about worship.

The most often used word is "proskuneo," which is defined as "kissing the hand, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence."/1 "When the New Testament uses (proskuneo), the object is always something, truly or supposedly, divine."/2

Usage of this word does not mean that we must worship on our knees, but that we should have the same attitude expressed here.

The second most often used is "latrueo," which is to "render religious service or homage, to worship; to perform sacred services; to offer gifts; to worship God in the observance of rites instituted for worship."/3

The third most often used word is "sebomai" which stresses the "feeling of awe or devotion" toward the object of our worship./4

From these studies we learn that worship always involves action and reverence.

First, worship involves action. This stands in stark contrast to the attitudes of many during worship. Elton Trueblood said that "worship may be the greatest spectator sport in the world." Someone else has said, "Most evidently people do not enjoy coming to worship: they are so late in coming, so early in leaving, and so bored while there."

Worship cannot be boring if we are performing it as the New Testament prescribes. Worship always involves participation. We are not a theatrical audience surveying the scene with a critical eye. We are to be actively involved on a personal level.

Yet, this is rare, as evidenced by the frequent complaint, "I don't get anything out of worship." The studies above powerfully show that we must be fully engaged mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in order to worship properly. This disallows boredom.

We must plan for worship and be ready to begin, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We are coming before God when we worship him. Attendance must never be equated with worship. We draw near to God, not the building (Matthew 15:8).

Second, worship involves reverence, which means "an attitude of deep respect, honor and deference."/5 A reverent attitude also involves "obedient actions that naturally flow from it."/6

Reverence literally means, "to turn in upon oneself."/7 It requires deep thought and soul-searching. It is, therefore, never passive. We must seek to become a better person through worship, as we open our hearts and minds to God. We give God the respect due his Lordship, and nothing less.

/ 1. Joseph Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 548. / 2. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament 6:763. / 3. Thayer, 373. / 4. W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, 4:235-236 / 5. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 4:177. / 6. Ibid. / 7. Vines, 3:293.

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Matthew 27:1--26

Sad Words

Jesus has now endured six trials all in one night! He is standing before Pilate, who has the political authority and the military might to release Jesus and to protect Him, but that is not what the governor does. Listen to some of the saddest words of the Bible,

26 Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified (Mat. 27:26).

Pilate makes the choice to save Barabbas, but to scourge and crucify Jesus. What a decision! Pilate knew what was right, but in his attempt to pacify an angry crowd, he compromises, and orders the torture of an innocent man. Pilate was not in an easy position, yet God had placed Pilate in that position, because he was capable of rendering justice.

In what position has God placed me? I have the ability to do what is right. Am I doing what is right?

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Leviticus 15 and 16

Spiritual Laws Are Like Natural Laws

The Lord speaks to Moses, warning him,

2 Tell Aaron your brother not to come at simply any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat (Lev. 16:2).

Perhaps someone says, can God not make an exception for Aaron, after all, he is the high priest. If Aaron steps off a one hundred foot high cliff, the law of gravity will operate the same on him as it does on you. A law is a law. So, it is with spiritual laws. The Bible is clear on what God wants from us. Let us get busy and do it.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This evening read Matthew 26:51--75

The Father Would Have Fulfilled Jesus' Request

As Jesus is arrested, Peter draws a sword, and attacks one of the men arresting Jesus. The Lord rebukes Peter, and then asks this question,

53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels (Mat. 26:53).

Evidently, although there was a plan to save man, yet, if Jesus decided to take action against the people arresting Him, the Father would have gone along with Jesus! The Father did not send Jesus joyfully to His death, but there must have been some great reluctance on the Father's part. Therefore, if Jesus were to ask for heavenly help to stop the arrest, the Father would not have resisted.

Yet, Jesus did not make the request and the Father did not step in to stop this whole thing. The Father above allowed His Son to be arrested by mere men. Why did He allow this? Meditate on that today.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100

by Don Ruhl

Read the Bible in a Year This morning read Leviticus chapter 14

Distinguishing the Clean From the Unclean

Leviticus chapter 14 shows how people and homes were cleansed when they were infected with leprosy or similar diseases. The chapter ends, saying,

54 This is the law for any leprous sore and scall, 55 for the leprosy of a garment and of a house, 56 for a swelling and a scab and a bright spot, 57 to teach when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy (Lev. 14:54--57).

The children of Israel have to know when something is unclean or clean. This is an issue for Christians also, although not of the same matters as the children of Israel. Galatians 5:19--21 says that uncleanness is a work of the flesh. Do I know the things that make me unclean? They are the things that make my spirit dirty. Mark 7:14--23 shows what defiles us.

Let us be clean in the spirit that the Lord may accept us.

Don Ruhl Church of Christ 220 NE Savage Street Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-1310 541-476-3100