WORSHIP AND SERVICE (EXODUS 20:8)

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

Worship and Service

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8

The Lord’s Day: God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai (cf. Exodus 31:18). Commandment 4 demands all God’s chosen people, the Jews, to set aside a day out of seven to worship Him (cf. Exodus 20:8-11). It was known as the Sabbath which is to be kept holy unto the Lord. It is to be a day of rest to be taken up in public worship. They are to refrain from their own works and their worldly activities and recreations.

From the time the Law was given to Moses by God until the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Sabbath was the last day of the week. However, since the resurrection of Christ it has been changed to the first day of the week, called the Lord’s Day in Scripture (cf. Acts 20:7), and is to be continued until the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath.

Christians today therefore worship God on the first day of the week i.e. the Lord’s Day. God is to be worshipped and Christians are not to be careless, willfully neglecting or forsaking God’s call to public worship on the Lord’s Day.

We know from the Holy Scripture that God is not to be worshipped in any other way than that prescribed by God. Moses was given by God the materials and details for establishing the Tabernacle, the dress codes and assigned roles for the priests to serve Him and the way of worship which is acceptable unto Him. God’s revealed will defines and outlines proper worship that neither the imaginations and devices of men nor the deception of the Devil are to be followed. Worship is to be in a holy, reverential and solemn manner prescribed by God. Henceforth, God cannot be worshipped in any casual manner defined by men.

What Attitude should Christians have: The Lord’s Day should be the best day of the week for ALL Christians. We are to come before God each Lord’s Day in “our Sunday best” and in a solemn manner to worship, pray, praise and thank Him for all His goodness that He showered upon us. Through God’s anointed servant, God’s Word will be preached to feed our souls. Thus, we will never hunger nor thirst spiritually as our God will continue to teach, encourage, edify and comfort us. After the worship service we are to fellowship and encourage one another to live for Christ.

We must not be hearers of God’s Word only but also doers. Let us remember to rejoice and have godly love and care for one another.

Are you looking forward to worship God on the Lord’s Day? Do you look forward to attend the church service or you drag yourself to come on the Lord’s Day? Or you feel obligated because “I have to” or “because I want to please someone”. God forbid. As Christians, we should all look forward with joy to come to the Church on the Lord’s Day as God has commanded us to do so. Obedience is an evidence of knowing and loving God.

Thus, Christians should therefore “keep the Sabbath day holy” (cf. Exodus 20:8) out of their love to obey God and NOT with the purpose of pleasing someone in the Church. They are also not to complain or murmur against a brethren, who for valid reason, is not able to attend the worship service. We need to stop this unhealthy and unbiblical behaviour. Do pray for such a brethren that God may strengthen him spiritually and physically for in-person worship. Be loving and caring. Let us bear godly testimony to one another.

Service to the Lord: Christians are specially chosen people called by God. It is an honour and privilege to be called by God to serve. God calls each one to serve. Not all are called to leadership positions BUT all are called to serve Him within their own respective environment like homes, workplaces, schools etc. Thus, we should serve God well to the best of our ability. We should look to Him and NOT one another when serving. Let us not compare who serves better or who is not serving. Let each one answers to God who sits on the Throne, when one day we all have to give account to Him when we see Him face to face.

Meanwhile, let each one of us serve the true and living God sincerely, willingly, fervently and heartily. Let us look to God when we serve and NOT to man. Do not murmur and discourage others. Let us esteem others better than ourselves when we serve. Let us pray for self and one another to serve God better and more each day. Let the spiritually strong help those who are weak. The weak please accept the hands that reach out to render assistance. Let us serve together with lowliness of mind and humility. Let us magnify and exalt God together. Let God increase and we decrease. To God be the glory.

Provoke unto love and to good works: To be equipped with God’s Word is good for God’s Word is “… a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105. However, we must not be having “head knowledge” only without walking in His Word. Thus, the Bible teaches us to be “… doers of the word, and not hearers only...” James 1:22a. Thus, within the Church let us love one another and encourage one another. Do not murmur, gossip, disparage or slander one another BUT love, edify, build up and provoke one another unto love and good works. Let us be patient and longsuffering for one another as each differs in the depth of faith in God. Brethren whose faith is stronger please help those who are weaker. We need strengthening of our faith daily. Let not the Devil divide us as we strive together for the faith of the gospel.

Conclusion: Christians are to come together on each Lord’s Day to worship God as commanded of Him. It is also a testimony to the world that Christians are God’s chosen people and they are “called out” to be the “light and salt of the earth” to live for Christ and to win souls for the kingdom of God. Thus, Christians are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Let us resolve to have the in-person worship whenever we can unless there are valid reasons not to do so.

After salvation, God allows us to continue our lives journey on earth to encourage one another in Christ and also to reach out to non-believers that they too may be saved. As God calls us to serve, let us serve Him willingly. Thus, if God calls you to serve in Church or in your own surrounding please do so diligently and cheerfully. Do not say “no”.

At the end of life’s journey, when we see God, each one of us must answer to God for our lives of worship and service on earth. Please do not go empty handed. We cannot turn the clock back to make good for what we had not done. So, the only wise and godly thing to do now is to worship and serve Him diligently and willingly with rejoicing heart.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

In Christ,

Eld. Choe Tong Seng