“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

What is involved in being a follower of Jesus Christ? Through His innocent sufferings and death in our stead — for the sake of His blood shed upon the cross for the sins of the world — believers have forgiveness for all their sins and a place in His eternal kingdom. And, because Jesus died for our sins and rose again on the third day, we as believers can be assured that we also will be raised up on the Last Day to everlasting life with Jesus in the mansions of His Father’s house (cf. John 14:1-3).

But what will it be like for us here in this world as followers of Jesus? Will all be easy and smooth sailing for us in life? Will all our troubles, hardships and heartaches be taken away from us as we live on in this world?

Many modern-day preachers would have us believe Jesus will take away all our troubles in this life and make us prosperous in this world, but we listen to what Jesus, our Savior, said in Luke 9:23-26 after He had spoken of His own sufferings, death and resurrection: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever will save his life, shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in that of his Father, and of the holy angels.”

So what does Jesus say? Each day, we need to deny ourselves, our goals, our ambitions, those things we desire to do, and take up our crosses and follow Him. Yes, He leads and guides us through life with His Word — something we really need to read and study every day. As believers, we hear His Word and we follow Him wherever He leads.

But following Jesus isn’t a “joy-bells” kind of Christianity. Rather, it’s a road that involves a cross and suffering, for we follow one who was rejected by this world — including the outward church — and crucified (cf. John 15:18-21). Following Jesus means giving up and maybe even losing our lives for His sake. And, of what benefit would it be if we gained the whole world and then lost our own souls and all the blessings God has in store for us in His kingdom?

We follow Jesus. We listen to His Word — the Bible — and treasure its teaching in our hearts. We openly proclaim His Word in a dark and dying world where many would rather not hear it. We do not shrink back from Jesus and His words and are not ashamed of them, for we have life through His Word and we await the day of His glorious return and the fulfillment of all that He has won for us and promised to us.

Grant that we hear Your Word, Lord Jesus, and trust in You and Your shed blood for our salvation; and grant that we deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow You, wherever You lead us, and not shrink back. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from Webster’s revision of the King James Version of the Bible.]

Being interested in the history which has shaped the present-day world and in historical events which are of significance to all people, I have compiled a brief list of significant events to which all would do well to give heed. They are events about which most — at least in my generation — have heard but which many seem to ignore.

The most significant events in human history are not the rise and fall of the Greek and Roman Empires. They do not include the discovery of the Americas or the formation of the United States. Important inventions or major medical breakthroughs are not on my list, either. Though certainly important, these and other significant events in human history rank small in comparison to the five events which I share with you in the following paragraphs.

The first event, of course, is man’s creation. All else is hinged to this event. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). And on the sixth day, “God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:26-28).

Genesis, chapter two, describes man’s creation in more detail: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (v. 7).

God created man in His own image and likeness. He gave man life, not only physical but spiritual. Man was created knowing God and God’s perfect will, loving God, trusting Him and seeking God’s honor and glory. Man was perfect and without sin.

And, because the LORD God created man, every one of us is responsible to the God who made us and all things. It is a fact we cannot escape even if we deny it.

The second significant event is the fall of man recorded in Genesis, chapter three. This event, too, affects everything. When Adam and Eve doubted God’s Word and disobeyed God’s command, all was changed. Read Genesis three.

Adam and Eve lost their perfect relationship with God. They were afraid of Him, hid from Him and sought to excuse themselves of responsibility for their sin by passing the blame. As a result of their sin, death came into the world — spiritual, physical and eternal. Adam and Eve lost the image of their Maker. Their knowledge of God and His will was darkened. Their love for God, trust in Him and desire to honor Him was gone. Instead, their thoughts and desires were turned in upon themselves and upon their own sinful longings — evil continually (Genesis 6:5; 8:21).

And, of course, this sin infects us all. The Bible tells us: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12; cf. Psalm 51:5). Each of us, from conception and birth onward, is sinful in that we are self-centered and self-seeking rather than loving God, trusting Him and seeking His will and glory. Indeed, our lives, our families and the world in which we live are in ruins because of our selfishness and sin. Instead of listening to God, we by nature seek our own way and path. And what a mess we’ve made of things! All of creation suffers and is under a curse because of mankind’s sin (cf. Romans 8:19-22).

Life, which was meant to be lived without end in fellowship with God our Maker, ends in death. “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19). And, as the Bible says, the ultimate end of sinful man is everlasting punishment in the fires of hell prepared for the devil and his evil angels (Matthew 25:41).

The third significant event in man’s history is God’s intervention on our behalf by coming into this world as a man to redeem lost and condemned sinners. God Himself took on human flesh and blood and became true man through the incarnation of the Son of God in the Virgin Mary. God the Son, Jesus Christ, became true man, fulfilled all righteousness for us and suffered and died upon the cross, bearing the just penalty for the sins of all mankind, and rose again.

How amazing it is that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son …” (John 3:16)! “Our Lord Jesus Christ … gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Galatians 1:3,4). “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures … He was buried … He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). “He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:6,7).

Because Jesus Christ came into the world, suffered and died for mankind’s sin and rose again, God is gracious toward us and reaches out to us with love and mercy, offering us forgiveness and life everlasting in fellowship with Him! Through faith in Jesus, we can have forgiveness for all our sins and a place in God’s everlasting kingdom!

The fourth history-changing event is the outpouring of God’s Spirit and His gracious working through the Gospel to bring people to true and saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from God’s Spirit, none of us would understand and take hold of the message of the Bible. None of us would see and acknowledge our sinfulness or place our hope and faith in the perfect redemption accomplished for us by Christ Jesus. From the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) to His regenerative work yet today through the preaching and hearing of God’s Word, through the waters of Baptism and through the word and promises connected with the Lord’s Supper, the Spirit of God awakens sinners from spiritual darkness and death to faith in Jesus Christ.

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).

“And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” (Colossians 2:10-14).

As man’s fall into sin shaped the history of the world, with nations rising and falling, and people living for themselves and carrying out their own sinful longings, so also the working of the Holy Spirit shaped much in human history, with Christianity spreading around the globe and casting its influence upon governments, thinking and society in general. And, of course, it has shaped for many of us, our history after this world is done.

The fifth and final significant event in history is yet to come but will come just as surely as the first have come. I speak of the end of this world as we know it and the day of judgment. It is the day “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

It is the day when all who have turned from their unbelief and sin to faith in Jesus Christ will be received into God’s everlasting kingdom of glory, the day when this world and all the works of it are burned up, and the day when all who have not repented of their evil ways and turned to Christ Jesus will be condemned to everlasting torment in the lake of fire, which is the second death (cf. 2 Peter 3:7-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 — 5:11).

This final event will shape all of human history from then forward, for all the impenitent and unbelieving will be forever cast out of God’s kingdom to suffer in hell, and all who have turned to Christ Jesus will dwell forever with the LORD God in a new and perfect creation, never to sin or fall again (Isaiah 65:17ff.; Revelation 20-22).

And what do these significant events mean for us today? Quite simply, it’s time to believe the witness of God’s Word, the Bible, and take it to heart. It’s time to repent and look to Christ Jesus for forgiveness and life! The very reason this sinful world goes on is God’s patience with you and with me. He does not want us to be condemned with the world but to repent and be saved through faith in His Son.

As the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come …” (2 Peter 3:9,10).

And since the Day of the Lord is coming — perhaps much sooner than most expect — we would be wise to consider these significant historical events recorded for us in the pages of the Bible and place our hope and confidence in the Son! On that day, the rest of human history will matter little.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20

It is the responsibility and duty of every Christian to be watchful and on guard against false prophets; for outwardly false prophets may appear to be fine Christian pastors and teachers, but inwardly they are ravening wolves which destroy and scatter God’s flock.

The Apostle Paul, too, warned against such when he said to the elders of the church in Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:28-32).

It will happen. There will be false prophets and false teachers who do not faithfully preach and teach God’s Word. And, they will cause divisions in the church and gain followings for themselves. Instead of building upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets — the Word of God — with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone (cf. Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:1-10), they will build on the sands of false doctrine, on human understanding and opinion, and manmade traditions.

The end result, of course, is that those who do not love the truth and hold fast to Christ and His Word are deceived by the lies of the devil and robbed of the salvation Christ won for them when He suffered and died on the cross for the sins of all.

The Bible tells us: “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (1 Cor. 11:19; cf. 2 Thess. 2:3-12).

That is also why Paul wrote to Timothy: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:12-17).

Thus, for the sake of each of our soul’s salvation, Jesus would have us judge those who preach and teach God’s Word to us. Like the believers in Berea, we should search the Scriptures daily to be sure that what we are being taught is in truth God’s unadulterated Word (cf. Acts 17:10-11). If we don’t, we might easily be misled into unbelief or sin.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16-20: “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

And what is the fruit of a prophet? What does he produce that we might judge? First and foremost, it is his teaching. Thus, we must always compare the teaching of pastors and teachers to the Scriptures, for the Scriptures are the inspired and unerring Word of God.

Isaiah also wrote: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:20; cf. Jer. 23:16ff.; Deut. 13:1ff.). If a pastor or teacher is not speaking and teaching in full accord with God’s unerring Word, he is a false prophet and we ought to flee from him and hear him no more.

What if the error is only a small point here and there? Is it alright to continue to hear such a preacher? Consider how Satan worked in the Garden, causing doubt regarding the fruit of a single tree. Consider that any error and false teaching comes from the devil, the father of lies, and is meant to deceive us and lead us away from Christ and His truth, even if only little by little (cf. John 8:44).

Consider that Jesus, earlier in His Sermon on the Mount, warned against changing the smallest letter or portion of a letter of God’s Word (cf. Matt. 5:17-20). If a preacher will not humbly yield to the clear and plain truth of God’s Word, he is a false prophet — beware of him, Jesus said, for in the end his errors will tear, divide and scatter the flock like a ravenous wolf. Cf. Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 John 8-11; Titus 3:9-11; Eph. 5:11; Jer. 15:19.

If one added a single drop of a deadly poison to a clear and clean glass of water, would you drink it? I dare say that none of us would; for even if that drop of poison were not enough to kill us, it could still do damage and might over time, if we continued to ingest it, cause our death. So why then would anyone wish to continually expose himself to the deadly poison of error and false teaching? Even if it did not immediately destroy faith, it very well might over time. And, even more importantly, why would any believer and disciple of Christ wish to be unfaithful to His Word in any point? Cf. Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9.

A preacher and teacher of God’s Word must also be judged on the basis of his conduct and manner of life — not that any will be perfect and without sin, but there should be the sincere and earnest purpose to live in accord with God’s Word, repent of all sin and error and be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus.

Where one lives in continual disregard of God’s commandments and in open sin, one would not expect to find the good fruits of faithful preaching and teaching of God’s Word and an exemplary life to lead and guide God’s flock in the way everlasting.

Thus, our Lord Jesus, who shed His holy and precious blood for the sheep, desires that none of us be misled and deceived by false prophets and be separated from Him. He desires that we all continue in the true and saving faith revealed to us in God’s unadulterated Word — that we trust in Him [Christ] alone and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for pardon, forgiveness and life eternal. He warns us against false prophets that we might always hear Him and His Word and continue to trust in Him unto life everlasting.

After all, He alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6; cf. Acts 4:12). Only in Him is eternal salvation!

Dear Lord Jesus, Shepherd and Redeemer of our souls, grant that we be not deceived and misled by the many false prophets who have gone out into the world, but hold fast to You and to Your Word unto life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse …” Romans 1:18-20 (Read Romans 1)

Can anyone claim to have an excuse for his sinfulness and rebellion against the LORD God who both created and redeemed him? Can anyone claim, “I didn’t know”?

The Word of God is quite clear when it says that mankind is without excuse for sin and rebelliousness. No one can legitimately say, “I didn’t know.”

Why? Because all of us have a natural knowledge of God written upon our hearts and God has clearly revealed Himself to us in His creation (cf. Rom. 2:14-16; Psalm 19:1-6). The Scripture says, “that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

But what happened to that natural knowledge of God? Though, deep down, people know the truth — that they were created by an almighty and holy God and are accountable to Him — they hold that truth in unrighteousness. “When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (v. 21-23).

People ignore and reject the truth which has been revealed to them. They turn away from the true God and reject His commandments. Instead of living for God and serving Him, they live in accord with their own self-chosen ideals and values. Their foolish hearts become calloused and darkened so they no longer even recognize the truth. They change the truth of God into a lie and worship and serve created things rather than the Creator of all things.

As a result of their rejection of the truth and rebellion, God gives them up to their corrupt desires. They reject not only the LORD God who made them but His purpose and design in creation. Even though they know, deep down, God’s judgment upon their wickedness, they corrupt themselves and applaud others who do the same (Rom. 1:24-32).

While we may be quick to point the finger, the truth is that we are all guilty. We have all turned aside from the truth and followed our corrupt human nature (Read Romans 2). Though we know the truth, we often buy into the lies of the devil, the thinking of this world, and our own sinful longings.

And God’s wrath is being revealed. His judgment is coming. The Scriptures warn us of what we already know, deep down. We have come short. We stand condemned and are guilty before God (cf. Psalm 130:3).

What hope do we have? There is only one hope, and that is in God’s mercy and forgiveness for the sake of His Son, Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all righteousness for us and then bore the full punishment for all our sins when He suffered and died upon the cross and rose again (cf. Psalm 130:4-8; Rom. 3:21-26). Through faith in Christ Jesus, there is forgiveness and life!

O Almighty God, have mercy upon us and forgive us for the sake of Christ Jesus, who shed His blood to redeem us and win for us pardon and everlasting peace. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

Many Christians continue to debate over the question of which form of worship is best, traditional or contemporary. And, as some point out, what is traditional today may once have been considered contemporary when compared to some of the worship forms described in the Bible.

For example, a reading of the Scriptures reveals a variety of instruments used in worship. Psalm 33:1-3 says: “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.” Psalm 150 speaks of praising the Lord with trumpet, lute, harp, timbrel, dance, flutes (translated as organs in the King James Version but not referring to the more-modern pipe organ with multiple pipes), loud cymbals and clashing cymbals.

If we truly wish to speak of traditional worship, we might wish to look at the worship described in the Bible. And, if we look at the hymnal of the Old Testament Church, the Book of Psalms, we see directives for singing the psalms accompanied by music played on a variety of instruments. For example, Psalm 4 includes the instructions for the psalm to be sung with accompanying stringed instruments, Psalm 5 was to be played with flutes and Psalm 6 was to be accompanied by stringed instruments and an eight-stringed harp. Psalms 8, 81 and 84 were to be played on “the instrument of Gath” (Gath was a pagan city in Philistia, and I can just imagine that some might have complained about the use of such a “pagan” instrument in Israel’s worship).

Old Testament worship included choirs and singers, as well as those who played stringed instruments, harps and cymbals (1 Chronicles 25). 2 Chronicles 5:12-13 describes Israel’s worship at the temple: “And the Levites who were the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets – indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever….’”

We read of worship in Israel under Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29:25ff.: “And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets. The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel. So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped. Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.”

And so we see that traditional worship in Old Testament times included singing of the psalms and a variety of songs of praise accompanied by a wide-array of musical instruments and musicians — all to give glory to the Lord God for His mercy and goodness shown to His people.

And what about New Testament worship? Again, no organs or specific liturgical forms are commanded. In fact, the first Christians continued to worship and teach God’s Word at the temple, with the Lord’s Supper (or the breaking of bread) observed from house to house. Acts 2:42,46-47 (following the baptism of 3,000 souls on Pentecost) tells us: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers … So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

And where did the Apostle Paul go first to preach that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior who had died for the sins of all and risen again? He went to the synagogues and preached there until the Gospel was rejected (read of his missionary travels in the Book of Acts). And the New Testament churches were organized in much the same way as the Jewish synagogues, with the reading of Scriptures, teaching from the Scriptures, prophecies, prayers and psalms of praise. Elders were appointed to teach God’s Word and to oversee what others taught and shared in the services (cf. Titus 1:5ff.; 1 Timothy 3:1ff.; Acts 14:23; 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1ff.; Hebrews 13:17).

Perhaps the most detailed descriptions of church meetings in the New Testament are provided in St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says: “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification….” While the pastor or elders certainly read the Scriptures and taught the people from the Word (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1-2; Titus 1:9), it was also clear that other men were allowed to share with the congregation of believers truths and applications of God’s Word and psalms of praise. In fact, Christians are commanded: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). Instructions for the observance of the Lord’s Supper and for the gathering of offerings can also be found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Justin Martyr (100-165 A.D.) describes the Christian worship service in his First Apology, saying that on Sunday, the day of Christ’s resurrection, Christians gathered together, the writings of the apostles and prophets were read, the president of the assembly gave instruction and exhorted the believers to live in accord with the Scriptures just read, all rose and prayed together and, when the prayers were complete, the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist was observed and administered to those who believed the truths confessed and taught in the church and who were baptized, and offerings were gathered to care for those who were orphans or widows or sick or in need for other cause. Also of note is Justin Martyr’s writing about the teaching that Christ gives His true flesh and blood through the consecrated bread and wine.

Until Constantine, in the early 300s, Christianity was subject to persecution and worship was restricted and probably less formal. Following Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, a number of liturgies began to emerge, leading up to the more formalized liturgies used by the churches in both the East and the West for centuries, and still used today in many liturgical churches.

There is certainly a richness in the ancient liturgies which should not be overlooked or discarded. The liturgies include elements of Old Testament worship at the temple and emphasize man’s sinfulness and unworthiness before God and God’s grace and mercy in Jesus Christ — Biblical truths often overlooked in more contemporary styles. And, if a person takes the time to truly consider what is said and proclaimed in the liturgies, they are rich in worshipful theology.

At the same time, those who are quick to condemn all modern forms of worship and use of instruments and styles different from what is now called traditional ought to consider that stringed instruments, flutes, horns and even drums and cymbals were used in Old Testament worship and the singing of the psalms.

Which is the right way to worship? While some would argue for the use of the liturgies used in the churches for centuries and others would argue for the more contemporary styles of our day, the real answer to the question goes back to Jesus’ words in John 4:23-24 “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” True worship is not vain repetitions or the recitation of certain orders or forms (Matthew 6:7); it is true and sincere worship which flows from the heart of one who trusts in Christ as His Savior, and it is worship motivated by the Holy Spirit of God.

Therefore, if worship is in accord with Scripture — the words and message being in agreement with the Bible’s teaching — and is genuine worship prompted by the Spirit of God, it is true worship whether offered up in an ancient liturgy accompanied by a pipe organ, a new song accompanied by a praise band or songs of praise sung a capella. But, at the same time, if Scriptural words of praise do not flow sincerely from a heart which trusts in Jesus Christ for salvation, they are only empty words, vain repetitions and a misuse of God’s holy name.

God has not prescribed a specific form of worship but desires our sincere worship and praise and gives us the freedom to choose how best to express our thanks and praise for all He has done and continues to do for us for Jesus’ sake. Therefore, let your praise be Scriptural, genuine and true!

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]