Did you know we have a document expressing what it is we as a denomination believe worship to be? It’s called the Directory of Public Worship, and you’ll find chapter 1 below. During a season where we have had our physical gathering as the people of God hindered, why should we care? Why does physically gathering to worship matter? God has revealed some beautiful particulars about his desire for our worship of Him. I hope that in this series of devotions on public worship, you will grow in your yearning to physically gather again as the people of God at Centennial.
Chapter 1 is a call, and we live in a society where it is so easy to “screen” calls. But this isn’t a 21st century problem, it’s a humanity problem. We have screened God’s call since the fall of Adam and Eve. Remember that first missed call? “But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9). But even with the missed calls, God’s mercy, grace, and steadfast love shines brightly on his people’s behalf. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12). Be blessed by this small portion of our denomination’s Constitution.
CHAPTER 1—THE CALL TO WORSHIP
“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honor of his name: Make his praise glorious.”
“The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good and doeth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.”
“Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever. ”
1. By the works of His hands, and the word of His mouth, God calls all mankind to worship and serve Him. In His being and works God is most worthy of worship. He is the creator and sustainer of all who live; therefore, every person should honor Him as God and give Him thanks (Psalms 95-96). Indeed, whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). By the mercies shown to them, those redeemed in Christ are especially called to worship and serve God (Rom. 12:1, 2).
2. Each moment of every day belongs to God and is to be lived before His presence, in submission to His lordship, and to His honor and glory. It is also necessary that a due proportion of time be set apart for offering to God that worship which He has commanded all people to give (Psalms 95-100). Such worship is to be given individually, in families, and in corporate gatherings of public worship (WCF 21.7).
3. From the creation of the world, God has set apart one day in seven as holy to Himself (Gen. 2:1-3, Ex. 20:8). It is therefore imperative for all people, especially the people of God redeemed in Christ, to gather together in public assemblies for offering to God the worship He is pleased to receive and has revealed to us in His Holy Word (Deut. 12:29-32, Matt. 15:8-9, John 4:23-24, 2 Tim. 3:16-17).