Worshiping God Through the Word

By Dave Jenkins

Theology for Life Magazine — October 2026

Clarity in Worship: Beholding the Glory of God with Understanding

Introduction: Worship Begins with God’s Revelation

The church gathers each Lord’s Day to worship the living God. Christians come together to sing His praises, pray, hear the preaching of Scripture, participate in the ordinances, and encourage one another in the faith. Yet amid these familiar activities, we must remember a foundational truth: God determines how He is to be worshiped through His revealed Word.

Worship is not something the church invents. It is not primarily an expression of personal creativity, cultural preference, or emotional experience. True worship begins with the God who has spoken and who calls His people to respond to Him in faith, reverence, gratitude, and obedience.

Throughout Scripture, God reveals His character, His saving purposes, and His commands. His people are called to receive that revelation with humility and respond according to His truth.

Jesus declared in John 4:23–24:

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

These words establish the inseparable relationship between worship and truth.

The Father seeks worshipers who approach Him according to His revelation. Worship must be sincere, but sincerity alone is not sufficient. It must also be grounded in truth.

This is why the Word of God must remain central in the worship of the church.

Scripture reveals the God we worship, explains the gospel through which we approach Him, and instructs us concerning the response He requires.

When the church neglects the Word, worship becomes vulnerable to confusion, emotional manipulation, and human-centered practices.

But when Scripture governs worship, God’s people are equipped to behold His glory with understanding.

God Has Spoken, and His Word Is Authoritative

The Bible begins with the declaration that God created the heavens and the earth.

Throughout Genesis 1, creation unfolds through the powerful Word of God.

God speaks, and what He commands comes into existence.

The same God who created all things has graciously revealed Himself through Scripture.

Second Timothy 3:16–17 declares:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Because Scripture is breathed out by God, it possesses divine authority.

The Bible is not merely a record of religious experiences or human reflections about God. It is God’s inspired revelation.

This distinction matters profoundly for worship.

If Scripture is God’s Word, then the church does not possess authority to redefine worship according to its preferences.

God’s people are called to listen to what He has said.

The church should not approach worship by first asking what will attract the largest audience, produce the strongest emotional response, or reflect the latest cultural trends.

It should begin by asking what God has revealed in His Word.

This does not mean every detail of a worship service is explicitly prescribed in Scripture. Churches must exercise wisdom concerning matters such as service times, musical arrangements, and other practical circumstances.

This distinction matters because churches must not elevate their preferred arrangements to the level of divine commands. Scripture governs the substance of worship, while practical circumstances should be ordered with wisdom, reverence, and concern for the edification of the congregation.

But the essential elements and governing principles of worship must come from biblical revelation.

The authority of Scripture is not a secondary concern.

It is foundational to the church’s faithfulness.

The Sufficiency of Scripture for Worship

Closely connected to the authority of Scripture is its sufficiency.

God has given His people everything necessary for knowing Him savingly and living faithfully before Him.

Second Peter 1:3 teaches that God’s divine power has granted believers all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us.

The sufficiency of Scripture does not mean the Bible provides detailed instructions for every practical decision Christians will face.

It means God’s revealed Word supplies the truth and principles necessary for faith and obedience.

This includes the worship of the church.

Christians do not need new revelations, mystical techniques, or extraordinary spiritual experiences to discover how to worship God faithfully.

The Lord has spoken.

His Word reveals His character, His saving work, and His will for His people.

Yet throughout church history, believers have faced the temptation to supplement Scripture with practices that promise a deeper or more powerful encounter with God.

Sometimes these practices are defended because they appear spiritually effective.

Other times they are justified because participants report meaningful emotional experiences.

But spiritual experiences must never become the authority by which worship is evaluated.

The church must test its practices by Scripture.

First Thessalonians 5:21 commands believers to test everything and hold fast to what is good.

The sufficiency of Scripture protects the church from the endless pursuit of novelty.

God has not left His people without direction.

He has given them His Word.

Worship Is a Response to God’s Truth

Biblical worship begins with divine revelation and produces a response of faith.

Consider Isaiah 6.

The prophet saw the Lord seated upon a throne, high and lifted up.

The seraphim proclaimed:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (Isaiah 6:3).

Confronted with the holiness of God, Isaiah became deeply aware of his own sinfulness.

He cried out:

“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5).

The Lord then provided cleansing, and Isaiah responded to God’s call.

The pattern is significant.

God reveals His glory.

The sinner recognizes his need.

God provides cleansing.

The redeemed servant responds in obedience.

Worship is not an attempt to create God’s presence or persuade Him to reveal Himself through human techniques.

It is a response to the God who has made Himself known.

The same pattern appears throughout Scripture.

When Israel witnessed God’s deliverance at the Red Sea, the people sang of His power and holiness (Exodus 15).

When David reflected upon God’s works, he called the people to praise the Lord (Psalm 103).

When the shepherds heard the announcement of Christ’s birth, they glorified and praised God for what they had heard and seen (Luke 2:20).

God’s revelation and saving works provide the foundation for worship.

The church should therefore seek to fill its gatherings with biblical truth.

The more clearly God’s people understand His character and saving purposes, the more faithfully they can respond to Him.

Jesus Christ Is the Center of Christian Worship

Christian worship is not merely a response to general truths about God.

It is centered upon the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1–3 teaches that God spoke in many ways through the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken through His Son.

Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature.

In Christ, God has revealed Himself decisively.

John 1:14 declares:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The glory of God is revealed supremely in Jesus Christ.

Through His incarnation, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, ascension, and present intercession, Christ accomplishes the redemption of His people.

The gospel therefore stands at the center of Christian worship.

Believers do not approach God through their own righteousness.

They come through Jesus Christ, the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

Hebrews 10:19–22 explains that Christians have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus and are called to draw near with true hearts in full assurance of faith.

This access is not earned through religious performance.

It is secured through Christ’s finished work.

The church must never lose sight of this truth.

Worship that consistently emphasizes personal experiences while neglecting the person and work of Christ becomes spiritually unbalanced.

Worship that celebrates human potential while minimizing sin and redemption loses the substance of the gospel.

The Word of God continually directs believers back to Jesus Christ.

He is the foundation of our salvation, the object of our faith, and the center of our worship.

The Public Reading of Scripture in Worship

One of the simplest and most important ways the church worships through the Word is by reading Scripture publicly.

Paul instructed Timothy:

“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).

This command demonstrates the importance of Scripture within the gathered church.

The public reading of God’s Word is not merely preparation for the sermon.

It is itself a meaningful part of corporate worship.

When Scripture is read, the congregation hears the authoritative Word of the living God.

This practice also reminds believers that the church’s message does not originate with its leaders.

Pastors and teachers are servants of the Word, not its authors.

The authority belongs to God.

Public Scripture reading should therefore be approached with reverence and clarity.

Passages should be read accurately and intelligibly.

Churches should expose their congregations to the breadth of biblical revelation rather than limiting readings to a few familiar verses.

The Old and New Testaments together reveal God’s redemptive purposes.

The law exposes sin and reveals God’s holiness.

The prophets proclaim His judgment and promises.

The Psalms teach His people to pray and praise.

The Gospels reveal the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.

The Epistles explain the gospel and instruct the church.

Revelation directs believers toward the triumph of Christ and the consummation of God’s purposes.

A church saturated with Scripture is better equipped to worship with understanding.

The Preaching of God’s Word as an Essential Element of Worship

The faithful preaching of Scripture is central to the worship and spiritual health of the church.

Paul commanded Timothy:

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Notice the simplicity of the command.

Preach the Word.

The pastor is not commissioned to entertain the congregation, promote personal opinions, or build a ministry around his personality.

He is called to proclaim God’s truth.

Faithful preaching explains the meaning of Scripture in its context, shows how the passage fits within the whole counsel of God, directs attention toward Christ, and applies biblical truth to the lives of hearers.

This is why expository preaching is so valuable.

When pastors work carefully through biblical passages and books, the congregation encounters the message God has given rather than merely the subjects a preacher prefers to address.

The Word confronts sin.

It corrects false thinking.

It comforts suffering believers.

It strengthens faith.

It encourages obedience.

And it directs sinners toward Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:17 declares:

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

The Lord uses the proclamation of His Word to bring sinners to faith and strengthen His people.

Preaching is therefore not an interruption of worship.

It is an essential part of worship.

As God’s Word is faithfully proclaimed, believers are called to receive it with humility, faith, and obedience.

Worshiping God Through Prayer Shaped by Scripture

Prayer is another essential expression of worship through the Word.

The Bible teaches believers not only that they should pray but also how they should pray.

Jesus provided His disciples with a pattern in Matthew 6:9–13.

The Lord’s Prayer begins with the glory and holiness of God.

It expresses submission to His will.

It seeks daily provision.

It asks for forgiveness.

And it acknowledges the need for deliverance from temptation and evil.

This pattern teaches Christians that prayer should be shaped by God’s priorities.

Prayer is not simply presenting a list of personal desires.

It is approaching the Father through Christ in dependence upon His grace.

Scripture also provides a rich vocabulary for prayer.

The Psalms teach believers to praise God, confess sin, express grief, seek wisdom, and remember His promises.

Paul’s prayers in Ephesians 1 and 3 emphasize spiritual understanding, growth in grace, and knowledge of Christ.

Philippians 4:6 instructs believers to bring their requests before God with thanksgiving.

When the church prays according to Scripture, its prayers become more biblically grounded.

Instead of being governed primarily by immediate concerns, prayer reflects the character and purposes of God.

The congregation learns to pray for holiness, wisdom, perseverance, unity, evangelism, and the advance of the gospel.

Scripture-shaped prayer directs worshipers toward the Lord and teaches them to depend upon Him.

Singing the Word of Christ

Congregational singing is another way the church worships through the Word.

Colossians 3:16 declares:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Paul connects singing with the Word of Christ dwelling richly among believers.

This means the theological content of congregational singing matters.

Songs are not merely expressions of emotion.

They teach.

They encourage.

They reinforce biblical truth.

And they shape how believers understand God.

A church should therefore carefully evaluate the words it sings.

Do the lyrics accurately communicate Scripture?

Do they exalt Jesus Christ?

Do they explain the gospel faithfully?

Do they reflect God’s holiness, grace, justice, sovereignty, and mercy?

Do they encourage biblical faith and obedience?

These questions matter because memorable melodies can cause theological statements to remain in people’s minds for years.

Sound doctrine joined to music can provide encouragement throughout the Christian life.

But theological error repeated through song can also create confusion.

The goal of congregational singing is not to manufacture a particular emotional atmosphere.

It is to glorify God and strengthen His people through biblical truth.

Ephesians 5:19 describes believers addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with their hearts.

Singing is therefore both Godward and congregational.

We praise the Lord while encouraging one another in the faith.

The Word and the Ordinances of the Church

The ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper also belong to the church’s worship.

Both are instituted by Jesus Christ and explained through Scripture.

Baptism visibly identifies believers with Christ and His people.

Romans 6:3–4 connects baptism with union with Christ in His death and resurrection.

The ordinance points toward the gospel and the new life believers possess through faith in Jesus.

The Lord’s Supper likewise directs the congregation toward Christ’s saving work.

In 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul explains that whenever believers eat the bread and drink the cup, they proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

The bread and cup are not empty religious symbols.

They are Christ-appointed signs that direct believers toward His sacrifice and promises.

The meaning of these ordinances must be understood through the Word of God.

Without biblical teaching, they can easily become misunderstood or treated as mere religious traditions.

The church should therefore administer them with clarity, reverence, and faithful instruction.

The ordinances do not replace the Word.

They visibly proclaim the gospel revealed in Scripture.

Together with the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, they serve the spiritual nourishment and encouragement of the congregation.

The Holy Spirit Works Through the Word

Some Christians mistakenly assume that worship directed by Scripture is somehow less spiritual than worship centered upon spontaneous experiences.

Yet the Bible never presents the Holy Spirit and the Word of God as competing authorities.

The Spirit inspired Scripture.

Second Peter 1:21 explains that men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The same Spirit who inspired the Word works through that Word to bring conviction, understanding, faith, and sanctification.

Jesus prayed in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

The Holy Spirit does not lead Christians away from biblical truth into contradictory revelations.

He glorifies Jesus Christ and applies the truth of God’s Word to His people.

John 16:13–14 describes the Spirit’s ministry of guiding the apostles into truth and glorifying Christ.

The church should therefore resist any attempt to separate spiritual vitality from biblical fidelity.

A worship service does not become more spiritual because Scripture receives less attention.

Nor does emotional intensity necessarily demonstrate the Spirit’s work.

The Spirit works powerfully through the faithful proclamation of God’s Word.

The Spirit’s ministry is not diminished when Scripture is faithfully read, preached, prayed, and sung. Rather, believers should depend upon the Spirit to illuminate the Word, convict hearts, strengthen faith, and produce obedience. Biblical worship requires both fidelity to Scripture and dependence upon the Spirit who inspired it.

He convicts sinners.

He strengthens believers.

He produces godly fruit.

He directs attention toward Jesus Christ.

A truly Spirit-filled church will be a church shaped by the truth of Scripture.

The Danger of Worship Governed by Experience

One of the challenges facing the contemporary church is the tendency to evaluate worship according to subjective experiences.

People may describe a service as powerful because the music was emotionally moving.

They may assume God’s presence was especially strong because the atmosphere felt intense.

They may measure spiritual success by visible emotional responses.

Yet Scripture calls believers to evaluate worship according to truth.

Emotions are part of the Christian life.

Joy, sorrow, gratitude, reverence, and love are appropriate responses to God’s revelation.

But emotions are not infallible guides.

Human beings can be deeply moved by music, public speaking, and group experiences without necessarily responding to biblical truth.

This is why discernment is essential.

A worship service may be emotionally impressive while communicating little sound doctrine.

Conversely, a service may appear outwardly ordinary while faithfully proclaiming the gospel and strengthening believers.

The church should not despise genuine Christian affections.

But it must ensure those affections are governed by Scripture.

This also means Christians should not judge the spiritual condition of others merely by their outward emotional responses during worship. Some believers express joy visibly, while others respond quietly and thoughtfully. The question is not whether everyone displays the same emotions, but whether God’s truth is being received with faith, reverence, and obedience.

First Corinthians 14:15 provides an important principle:

“I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.”

In its context, Paul emphasizes intelligibility and the edification of the gathered church.

Christian worship should engage the mind and heart together.

The goal is not to produce experiences detached from understanding.

It is to know God truly and respond to Him faithfully.

Biblical Worship Requires Discernment

Throughout Scripture, God warns His people against worship that departs from His commands.

In Exodus 32, Israel fashioned a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai.

The people engaged in religious celebration, but their worship was profoundly sinful.

Their enthusiasm did not make their actions acceptable.

They had violated God’s revealed will.

Leviticus 10 records the judgment of Nadab and Abihu after they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord.

Their actions demonstrated the seriousness of approaching God contrary to His command.

In Mark 7:6–8, Jesus rebuked religious leaders who elevated human traditions above God’s commandments.

He declared that their worship was vain because they taught human commandments as doctrines.

These passages remind us that sincerity and religious activity do not guarantee faithful worship.

God must be worshiped according to His truth.

The church must therefore exercise discernment concerning its practices.

Does a particular activity agree with Scripture?

Does it communicate sound doctrine?

Does it exalt Jesus Christ?

Does it encourage reverence and obedience?

Does it serve the spiritual good of the congregation?

These questions are not intended to eliminate joy or creativity from Christian worship.

They are intended to ensure that worship remains faithful to the Lord.

The Pastor’s Responsibility to Keep the Word Central

Pastors have a solemn responsibility to shepherd God’s people through the faithful ministry of Scripture.

Acts 20:28 commands elders to pay careful attention to themselves and to all the flock entrusted to their care.

Paul also warned that false teachers would arise and seek to draw disciples away from the truth.

Pastoral oversight therefore includes protecting the congregation from doctrinal error and spiritually harmful practices.

This responsibility extends to the church’s worship.

Pastors should ensure that Scripture is read, preached, prayed, sung, and applied faithfully.

They should evaluate the theological content of congregational songs.

They should explain the meaning of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

They should encourage biblical prayer.

They should also teach church members why the Word of God must govern worship.

Pastors are not called to become religious entertainers.

They are called to be faithful stewards of God’s truth.

Titus 1:9 teaches that an elder must hold firm to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may give instruction in sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it.

A church that neglects biblical instruction becomes vulnerable to confusion.

But a church grounded in Scripture is better equipped to recognize error and remain faithful to Christ.

The Congregation’s Responsibility to Receive the Word

The responsibility for Word-centered worship does not rest upon pastors alone.

Church members must also approach worship with humility and a willingness to receive God’s truth.

James 1:21 instructs believers to receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save their souls.

The following verse commands them to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

This means worship should lead to obedience.

Christians should not evaluate sermons merely according to whether they were interesting or emotionally moving.

They should ask whether Scripture was faithfully explained and how its truth should shape their lives.

This responsibility begins before the worship service. Christians should seek to prepare their hearts through prayer, repentance, and thoughtful attention to Scripture. Coming to worship with a teachable spirit helps believers receive the ministry of the Word rather than approaching the gathering merely as spectators or consumers.

They should listen carefully.

They should examine the teaching according to the Bible.

They should repent when God’s Word exposes sin.

They should trust His promises.

And they should seek to obey what He has commanded.

Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for examining the Scriptures daily to determine whether Paul’s teaching was true.

Their example provides a model for thoughtful, discerning engagement with biblical instruction.

Word-centered worship does not require passive acceptance of everything a religious leader says.

It requires submission to Scripture.

The church grows in maturity when both pastors and congregations recognize that God’s Word possesses final authority.

Worshiping Through the Word in Everyday Life

Although the gathered worship of the church is essential, the influence of God’s Word should extend throughout the Christian life.

Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship.

This does not eliminate the distinction between corporate worship and daily Christian obedience.

Rather, it reminds us that the gospel should shape every part of our lives.

The truths proclaimed on Sunday should influence how Christians live throughout the week.

The Word should shape our speech.

It should guide our relationships.

It should inform our decisions.

It should direct our responses to suffering.

It should strengthen our commitment to holiness.

It should teach us how to love our neighbors and serve our local churches.

Psalm 119:105 declares:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

The Christian life requires the continual guidance of Scripture.

Believers should therefore cultivate regular habits of Bible reading, meditation, prayer, and obedience.

Families should seek opportunities to discuss God’s Word in the home.

Church members should encourage one another through biblical truth.

Christians should examine the messages they encounter in books, podcasts, social media, and other forms of communication.

The Word of God must not be confined to a sermon heard once a week.

It should dwell richly among God’s people.

The Word Sustains Worship Through Suffering

One of the clearest demonstrations of the importance of Scripture comes during seasons of suffering.

When grief overwhelms us, feelings can become unreliable.

When circumstances are painful, questions may multiply.

When prayers appear unanswered, discouragement can deepen.

During such seasons, believers need the unchanging promises of God.

Psalm 119:50 declares:

“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.”

The psalmist finds comfort in God’s revealed promise.

His confidence rests upon the truth of Scripture rather than favorable circumstances.

Christians today need the same foundation.

When facing grief, Scripture reminds us of the resurrection.

When burdened by guilt, Scripture directs us toward the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice.

When afraid, Scripture reminds us of God’s sovereign care.

When weary, Scripture assures us of the Savior’s compassion and intercession.

When suffering seems endless, Scripture points us toward the future glory promised to God’s people.

Romans 8:18 declares that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed.

These promises do not eliminate pain.

But they provide a foundation for hope.

A church that faithfully teaches Scripture equips its members to worship God not only during joyful seasons but also through hardship.

Word-centered worship prepares believers for the realities of Christian life.

The Word Produces Reverence and Joy

Biblical worship should be characterized by both reverence and joy.

These qualities are not contradictory.

Reverence arises from understanding God’s holiness, majesty, and authority.

Joy arises from knowing His goodness, grace, and saving work.

Psalm 95:1–3 calls God’s people to sing joyfully to the Lord because He is the great God and King above all gods.

Later, verses 6–7 call worshipers to bow down before the Lord their Maker.

The same psalm emphasizes both joyful praise and humble reverence.

This balance is important.

A church that emphasizes emotional excitement while neglecting God’s holiness may cultivate shallow worship.

A church that emphasizes solemnity without communicating the joy of redemption may fail to reflect the fullness of biblical praise.

Scripture teaches us to approach God with reverence because He is holy.

It also teaches us to rejoice because He has redeemed us through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:28–29 instructs believers to offer acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

At the same time, Philippians 4:4 commands Christians to rejoice in the Lord always.

These truths belong together.

Word-centered worship helps the church maintain this biblical balance.

The Eternal Worship of God’s People

The Bible concludes with a glorious picture of God’s redeemed people worshiping Him.

Revelation 5 describes heavenly praise centered upon the Lamb who was slain.

The song celebrates Christ’s worthiness and His redemption of people from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

Revelation 7:9–12 portrays a great multitude standing before the throne and before the Lamb, proclaiming salvation to God and offering Him praise.

The worship of heaven is filled with truth.

God’s holiness is proclaimed.

Christ’s saving work is celebrated.

His sovereign reign is acknowledged.

The redeemed rejoice in the glory of the Lord.

This future hope should shape the worship of the church today.

We gather as people who have been redeemed through Jesus Christ.

We hear the Word that reveals His glory.

We proclaim His gospel.

We sing His praises.

And we await the day when faith will become sight.

The church’s present worship anticipates the fullness of fellowship believers will enjoy with the Lord in the new creation.

Revelation 22:3–4 declares that God’s servants will worship Him and see His face.

What a glorious promise.

The God who has revealed Himself through His Word will one day bring His redeemed people into His immediate presence.

Until then, the church is called to worship Him faithfully according to the truth He has given.

Conclusion: Let the Word of Christ Dwell Richly Among Us

The church does not need to invent new ways of approaching God or pursue endless spiritual experiences to make worship meaningful.

The Lord has spoken.

He has revealed His character, His commands, and His saving purposes through Scripture.

He has given His people the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And He has appointed ordinary means through which the church is instructed, strengthened, and encouraged in the faith.

The Word of God should therefore remain central to Christian worship.

We read Scripture because it is God’s revelation.

We preach Scripture because it is His authoritative truth.

We pray according to Scripture because it teaches us how to approach Him.

We sing biblical truth because the Word of Christ should dwell richly among us.

We observe baptism and the Lord’s Supper because Jesus Christ instituted these ordinances for His church.

And we respond in faith and obedience because God’s Word calls us to lives shaped by His grace.

Christian, do not underestimate the importance of worship grounded in Scripture.

When you gather with your local church, come ready to hear the Word of God.

Listen carefully as it is read and preached.

Consider the truths you sing.

Pray with understanding.

Receive biblical correction with humility.

And seek to apply God’s truth throughout the week.

Pastors, keep the Word central in your ministry.

Resist the temptation to replace faithful biblical instruction with entertainment, novelty, or emotional manipulation.

Shepherd God’s people through the truth of Scripture.

Teach them to behold the glory of God with understanding.

And remember that the Lord uses His Word to accomplish His purposes.

The church’s greatest need is not a new technique, a more impressive atmosphere, or another spiritual trend.

It is a deeper knowledge of the God who has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ and His Word.

May our worship be shaped by Scripture, centered upon Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and offered to the glory of God alone.

As Colossians 3:16 declares:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

May this be true of our churches.

May the Word of Christ dwell richly among us.

And may everything we do in worship direct our hearts and minds toward the glory of the living God.