True Worship is Simple

Many people are turned off from religion because they become fed up with all of the rituals, ceremonies, and pageantry. They feel like worship assemblies are too cold or distant. "Not a enough substance or meaning" they say. Their reasoning is justified in some cases. Many religious groups have traded in simple worship meetings for extravagant entertainment and "pop" performances. They make these innovations in the name of "spirituality and freshness". But are these "improvements" truly fresh? Or are they just a shiny rotten apple?

True worship is spiritual in nature

When discussing acceptable worship with the Samaritan woman, Jesus stated that, "God is spirit" (John 4:24). This is affirmed elsewhere in the Scriptures (Hosea 11:9). His statement makes plenty of since, knowing that we are made in God's likeness in a spiritual since (Genesis 1:26-27). Paul said that he would sing with his mind and spirit (1 Cor. 14:15). The five senses have no place trying to be pleased in worship to God.

The Lord's Supper

On the night before His death, Jesus ate dinner with His apostles. During that meal, He took a loaf of bread and broke and passed it to them and told them to eat it in His memory. In other passages, He explained that His body was being offered up on behalf of mankind (Matthew 26:26; 1 Cor. 11:23-28). After He took the loaf and they ate it, He took a cup of grape juice and said, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28; cf. Hebrews 9:22). The disciples kept that sacred service every first day of the week (cf. Acts 20:7).

Simple? Yes. The Lord's Supper is a simple memorial for Jesus Christ who offered Himself as a ransom for many people (Matt. 20:28). It is not transubstantiation or a drama from the "Passion of the Christ". It is not a casual observance that can be taken just any day of the week. However, it is a simple service to remember a sacrificed Savior.

Singing

Paul instructed the whole congregation to address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19). He said the purpose of those songs would be for instructing and admonishing (Col. 3:16). James said that is someone is cheerful, that he should sing praise to God (James 5:13). One writer said that praise comes from the fruit of lips (Heb. 13:15). Singing from the heart (Eph 5:19; Col. 3:16) and mind (1 Cor. 14:15).

Simple? Yes. Singing in the New Testament was never crowded out by mechanical instruments. It was never out-sung by choirs or praise teams. Its spotlight was never "stolen" by solos. Singing was always from the heart, to the Lord, in order to build up the church.

Prayer

Jesus was a man of prayer. It is said that He went off and prayed all night(Luke 6:12). The early congregation continued in prayer (Acts 2:42). Paul said to pray all the time (1 Thess. 5:17). We as Christians pray to God our Father through our Mediator, Jesus Christ (John 14:13; 1 Tim. 2:5). In our assemblies, we are led in prayer by godly men (1 Tim. 2:1-2, 8). Through prayer, we lay our burdens on God, and find great comfort and peace (1 Pet. 5:7).

Simple? Yes. Prayer in the New Testament is never directed to "saints" or Mary. Beads are never counted. Special "prayer language" is never uttered. It is just man communicating to his Creator.

Preaching

The Lord told His disciples to go and proclaim the gospel everywhere (Mark 16:15). They did (Col. 1:23). They did not preach their own doctrine, but the gospel, for it alone is God's power to save believing people (Rom. 1:16). Paul preached to Troas congregation until midnight (Acts 20:7). He was probably, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).

Gospel preaching exhorts the brethren, exposes error, and exalts Christ as Lord. It is not showy in the speaker's knowledge or eloquence. Paul said he did not come to Corinth preaching in lofty speech or wisdom. Rather, his whole message was the crucified Christ (1 Cor. 2:1-2; Gal. 6:14). May gospel preaching never intentionally become a spectacle.


God is so kind to draw out a plain pattern for us to follow concerning worship. May we never fall away from the simplicity and purity that is devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3).