CHAPTER 22: Of Religious Worship and the Christian Sabbath
(Parts Four through Six)

When the devil “tempted” Jesus to worship him (Matthew 4:8-9), Jesus refused, replying, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” (v.10) The word translated serve is not merely the menial work a servant does for a human master. It is a word that denotes religious service, homage, or worship. In fact, that Greek word is translated worship in at least three places in the New Testament. So apart from the first of the Ten Commandments—and numerous other places throughout the Bible that command worship of none but Jehovah God—from Jesus own lips, we are reminded that worship is to be given to none but God.

None but God—exclusively. Not angels, or saints, or relics, or doctrines, or churches, or even worship itself. Worship is to be directed to God alone. Any worship of anyone or anything else is sin of the first degree. It doesn’t matter if one is worshiping someone or something instead of God, or alongside of God. Any worship that is not to God alone is false worship and an insult to God.

The Confession also reminds us that the only acceptable worship, even to God, must be presented through a mediator, and there is but One Mediator, the God-Man, Jesus Christ. He is the only High Priest through whom we are to worship God. There are two New Testament priesthoods: (1) The supreme priesthood of our Great High Priest: Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16); and (2) the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5 & 9). Apart from these, there is no special category of priests who mediate for us. No priests. No saints or angels, and no, not even Jesus’ earthly mother, Mary. Adding any other mediator is no less blasphemous than worshiping another god.

(Part Five)

Believe it or not, all people, not just Christians, are commanded to worship God. That is why the Ten Commandments begin with the subject of worship (Exodus 20:1-11). Those who do not worship God are breaking four of the Ten Commandments and are therefore sinning. According to Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin” (all sins, not just the “big ones”) “is death” (God’s wrath, not just physical death). Therefore, all who do not worship God are lost and bound for perdition. Clearly, a lot of people are in trouble because a lot of people simply do not worship God.

So are all who worship God in good standing with God? Not a chance, since there is only one kind of worship God accepts. The only worship God accepts is offered by the worshiper who knows God personally and intimately (John 4:22). Acceptable worship is offered in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Spiritual worship is not fleshly. Truthful worship is guided by God’s Word which is truth (John 17:17). Worship accepted by God is offered exclusively through Jesus Christ, who is the Truth and the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

Think of it this way: any so-called worship that comes from those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; that appeals to the flesh; that is not informed by and based on God’s Word; that is not offered through Jesus Christ, is not acceptable to God. That is how serious this matter of worship is. We must be careful not to offer “worship” that is unacceptable to God, since no matter how sincere and heart-felt it may be, it is sin.

(Part Six)

Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of worship, is required by God of all men (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). But for that worship to be acceptable, it must be made in the name of Jesus the Son (John 14:13-14), aided by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18), and according to the will of the Father (1 John 5:14-15).

We must pray with understanding (rather than mumbling repetitious, meaningless prayers that are not prayers; or in a supposed “prayer language” that we do not understand).
Prayer is to be offered reverently and humbly, not forgetting to “Whom” we are speaking.
Prayer must be offered fervently as though all depends on God, because ultimately—it all does.
Prayer must be offered in faith, believing that God hears, that He cares, and that He acts in response to prayer.
Prayer must be offered in love because we are addressing the One who loves us.
Prayer must be offered perseveringly since we dare not give up simply because God does not answer according to our timetable.
We are to pray only for what is biblical, for people living, or who will live, but never for those who have died.

Prayer in these ways is worship of God.