Worship: The Whole-Life Commitment

North Hills family,

We've been discussing our Biblical path to transformation as WORSHIP (Love God), FELLOWSHIP (Love One Another), and MINISTRY (Serve the Church/Reach the World). I invite you to consciously and prayerfully walk this path with all who call North Hills home.

Today the focus is on WORSHIP, the whole-life commitment to love, magnify, and treasure God above all else (Matt.22:37-38; Psalm 37:4; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:31). This means worship is central, not peripheral, and that it alone gives meaning and purpose to EVERYTHING we do as individuals and when we gather corporately.

Church on Sunday (Corporate worship) is an incredible privilege and responsibility for all those Christ has redeemed and called to praise Him. "Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation." (Psalm 111:1). As we lift up the Lord, we also stir up and encourage one another, a habit the Bible tells us not to forsake (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The Bible clearly calls God's people to meet regularly for worship. Does it give us any clues on WHAT we're supposed to do specifically as acts of worship? Are we free to do whatever we want?

While there isn't one passage that prescribes a perfect liturgy, we do get a clear picture as we read through the New Testament. Historically, we can look to the habits of the early church who, "...devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42). Paul, in his letters, admonishes us to, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16).

One simple way to summarize our responsibilities when we gather is to PRAY (Acts 2:42), READ THE BIBLE (1 Timothy 4:13), PREACH THE BIBLE (2 Timothy 4:2), SING THE BIBLE (Colossians 3:16), and SEE THE BIBLE (The Lord's Supper). This clear, simple pattern is what we will stick with since it is the means by which Christ builds His church.

Personally, regular corporate worship attendance and participation is a gauge to measure our spiritual growth, along with fellowship and ministry. How are you doing? What adjustments might you need to make to keep Sunday worship a priority and a habit? The good news is that God is FOR you and will make a way for you to walk the path that HE has laid out. Be encouraged and be an encourager to those God has joined you to at North Hills.

Walking together with Him,

Jim