Reverent Worship

When the preferred styles of worship espoused by the people sitting in the pews on Sunday contrast with each other, myriad reasons are given to advocate one style over another. Traditionalists decry what they see as the shallowness of newer songs, while they pontificate about the deep meaning found in the lyrics of their favorite hymns.

Those with a preference for a more contemporary worship style complain about the outdated language used in older hymns, and the lack of excitement shown by the more traditonal worshipers. They insist that the worship style of the traditionalists change to match their style.

Granted, there are a number of older hymns that convey deep spiritual meanings. We can still benefit from these hymns.

Granted also, there are a number of newer songs that convey deep spiritual meanings. We can benefit from these songs as well.

One slant to the worship argument that gets tossed into the fray is the "whole-reverence-thing." One group will look at another group and say, "their style of worship is not reverent." Signs of irreverent worship according to those who use this argument include: 1) clapping, 2) greeting those around you after the "worship" has begun; 3) singing while participating in the Lord's Supper; 4)guys wearing hats inside the church building; and 5) attenders not dressed in their "Sunday best" (code for traditional garments like suits, ties, or dresses).

Concerning the "reverence-in-worship-argument," there is one verse from the New Testament that immediately comes to mind: "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire'" (Hebrews 12:28-29).

The Greek word most often translated as reverence is eulabeia (the English version of the Greek word). This word appears also in Hebrews 5:7, "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."

This word is akin to the word piety (religious devotion).

So what determines if an action in worship is reverent or irreverent?

For some, clapping is an inappropriate activity during the corporate worship because it displays a lack of reverence for God and the particular moment. However, when someone like the President of the United States gives a speech, there is usually clapping before, during and after the speech. Is the crowd being irreverent? Most of the time, no. The crowd is tangibly expressing reverence (and sometimes agreement with the words spoken) for the individual speaking.

Clapping, in and of itself, is not irreverent. But what if someone began to clap in the middle of a prayer? Such action would probably be distracting, and depending on the individual, could prove to be irreverent. Yet that is the kicker -- "depending on the individual."

What about someone who is a Christian, but has never really surrendered his life to Christ? Is his worship reverent or irreverent? In choosing not to live for Christ, he shows irreverence for God on a daily basis. Does simply going through a particular congregation's prescribed formula for worship practices make his worship reverent?

Reverence requires a right heart. Without the right heart, all worship is irreverent, even when it remains unchanged from practices hundreds of years old.

The writer of Hebrews writes that Jesus was heard "because of his reverent submission." What does this submission look like? Go to Calvary. Stand in the shadow of the cross and see what reverent submission looks like (also read Philippians 2:1-11).

Sunday morning worshipers who are not people of the cross engage in irreverent worship regardless of their congregation's worship styles.

We worship God acceptably, according to Jesus, when we worship in "spirit and truth" (John 4:24). We worship God acceptably, according to the author of Hebrews, when we worship with "reverence and awe." Whoa, did you catch that last word? Awe. Short for "awesome." Worship with the awe that is only inspired by an awesome God.

Well, I think I've just opened the door to more questions (which is not a bad thing)that the next few posts will attempt to address. What is "awe" and how do we worship with it? What does it mean to worship in "spirit and truth?"

Be not afraid of the questions.

Be afraid when you no longer have any questions.