Worship that is Pleasing to God Part One By: Ptr. Jesse Amiel A. Ramoso

Worship That is Pleasing to God

               

          There are many debates about styles and ways of worship. Some debated even day or time of worship is particular. In the Old Testament postures and furniture were very significant; many items incorporated in worship were carefully examined like quality control for animals as an offering. In our generation, we incorporate coffeehouse and mini bars, band, lights and sounds and entertainers in our sanctuary just to make new comers feel welcomed and entertained. While in the other churches they would not to  talk or smile to one another because they choose to bow and prostrate to their God, some church are more noisy, shouting, jumping etc and that is their worship. It is not in my prerogative to judge their worship because these are all expressions; however I acknowledge that we have so many ways to express our worship to God but only a few were accepted as pleasing to God. There are so many definitions and time when to worship, how to do worship, but the most important is that, to examine what is “worship that is pleasing to God.” I think all churches agree on this principle, “Worship that is Pleasing to God”. If we blame we cannot worship because the band is noisy, the power point is destructing, the curtain is awful, the song-leader is out of tune, musicians are bad, preacher is bad accent and poor grammar, paulit-ulit ang topic etc, and then you know where you belong after reading this article. Worship is not about us, it’s not even about our church program and church leaders and it is not about the person next or beside you who look at you if you raise, clap or wave your hands but its all about God. This article will lead us to see how much love relationship to God matters most.

            In the Old Testament, Moses outlined Ten Commandments as Law of God, and the obedience to commandment was attributed as Worship to God. Though in the Old Testament they observed many feasts and celebrations, ordinance and laws, but fulfilling these duty was an expression of their love to God. Jesus' definition of worship must be carefully observe and study, because He is the one that accepts worship and if without Him there is no forgiveness of sins. Therefore let’s put value on Jesus’ statement regarding worship. In Matt 19:18-22, Mark 12:30, Matt 22:37 are the verses where Jesus redefined the Ten Commandments of God and summarized it into one big word, “LOVE”. Love God above all things and Love your neighbors as yourself. The common word we can read is the word “LOVE”; love of God, Love of Self and Love to our Neighbors/enemies. When Jesus was challenged by the experts of the law and was asked....”who was my neighbor,?” Jesus answered it with parable of the Samaritan in Luke 10:27. It is important to know that Samaritan was the enemy of Jewish from Jerusalem, yet Samaritan guy helped the man who was a victim of robbery. This man was from Jerusalem and it was assumed he is a Jewish from Jerusalem. To illustrate the meaning of “love your neighbor” from this parable, Jesus extended it from the ordinary description of neighbor which a man from next door, to a neighboring country (Samaria) a mortal enemy of Judean resident. It is interesting to know that it was the lawyer who asked Jesus “who is my neighbor”? This question intentionally asked to justify himself (the lawyer), or if Jesus pointed out his neighbors he can also says (I did that), or just said I really love my neighbor “next door" which is probably a lawyer or Levites? But to their surprise, Jesus pointing out their neighbors to Samaria, (a neighboring country of Judea mortal enemy of Jerusalem resident). The lawyer cannot rebut Jesus because everybody from crowd knew that Judean/Jerusalem people hates Samaritan people. It was also interesting to know that Jesus ask the lawyer who is the neighbor to the man who was the victim of robbery, the lawyer cannot say "Samaritan". Out of two great and famous worship leaders in Jerusalem the “Levites and Priest" both resides in Jerusalem”  did not even care to their real neighbor who was robbed instead the one that helped was the man from Samaria? This is embarrassing story to point out that great worship leaders did not love their neighbors therefore they are guilty to the commandment of God. That's why when Jesus ask the lawyer who is his neighbor he cannot even pronounce the man from Samaria instead, the man who helps them. The statement of “Love your neighbor does not only clear the issue of Love obedience to God but obedience to love the enemies,  this is how Jesus redefined worship perspective. Now worship does not anymore limits to the temple and animal sacrifices and even Sabbath day, worship now is observed twenty four seven? Same as with our generation, worship does not start and end in our church...? continue reading: Relationship to God Matters in worship...