THE LORD'S DAY WORSHIP (EXODUS 20:8)

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

The Lord’s Day Worship

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

God tells His people in the days of old that “Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work” Exodus 20:8-10a. The people of God were commanded to set aside their worldly occupation and pleasure in order to gather together to worship God on the Sabbath day. Today, the Jews continue this practice on the Sabbath day.

With the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are now in the New Testament age, where the Sabbath day is now the first day of the week or known as the Lord’s Day. God’s people, the Christians are to continue to set aside their worldly occupation and pleasure to worship God on the Lord’s Day.

What is your understanding of the Lord’s Day? Prayerfully, without hesitation, all Christians know that the Lord’s Day is a day when all Christians are to come together in a local Church to worship God. It is commanded by God not man!

What is Worship? Worship is when we give our deepest affections and highest praise and adoration to God for who He is “The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 115:17-18. Our voices are to be united and raised to sing songs and hymns of praise and adoration to God as we worship the one true and living God.

We need to start with our hearts. If we don’t love God from the heart, then nothing else matters. True worship of God is when we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is when we reverence and esteem God above everything else and put Him first in our hearts. “The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Order of Worship: Our God is not a God of confusion (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33). We are to worship God in spirit and in truth. In CJBPF, there is an order of worship. The worship begins at an appointed time at 08:30 and 10:15 for the Chinese and English congregation respectively. The worship service will only conclude with the singing of the “Lord Bless You and Keep You”. It does not end with the conclusion of the preaching of God’s Word neither with the conclusion of the announcement. So, do not leave the sanctuary before the singing of the “Lord Bless You and Keep You”. Do not miss out the blessings!

Congregation’s participation: The congregation is encouraged to say aloud “Amen” at the end of the Chairman’s and the Preacher’s prayers. In addition, the congregation is expected to read aloud in the responsive Scripture readings and in the singing of hymns. It is good to praise God aloud with our voices in unison when we say “Amen” to the prayers, reading of Scriptures and in singing of songs and hymns of praise to praise, adore and glorify God. We shall praise Him by making “… a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Psalms 100:1-2

No distraction in Worship: The congregation is to give full focus in mind, body, strength and spirit in worship. There should be no distraction in worshipping God. For God is God. The Psalmist says “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” Psalms 86:10-12. Let us learn to reverence, love and to fear His name. No talking to one another, no using of mobile phone for surfing etc. during the worship service.

Offerings: The Bible also teaches that Christians should not appear before Him empty-handed but “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7. Like a certain poor widow with two mites, God will also bless (cf. Mark 12:41-44). Christians must know that giving back to the Lord is also worship. Thus, non-believers are not to give if they do not understand the meaning of “giving”.

Self-check: A self-check would help to reveal whether we have the right understanding of worship. If not, we have to take corrective measures.

Conclusion: May we echo the Psalmist “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalms 84:10. Let us resolve to come early and punctually to Church Worship Service. Punctuality in worship is honouring God. Let us participate actively, with our voices raised, in the Church worship as directed and led by the Chairman and the Preacher. Let us also respect the sanctity of the Worship. Let us worship God and bear good testimony to one another. Let us pray that as Christians we strive to be better and more like the Lord Jesus Christ each day. Let us continue to love one another and pray for one another that we have godly and righteous lives. Let us join the Church Fellowship groups and also to serve in the Church. Amen.

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng