Elders as Shepherds

by Charles Brackett
 

A shepherd is literally one who feeds. He is a pastor. In Bible times, the typical shepherd tended his own flock, or delegated the work to his children or close relatives. By virtue of ownership, he was highly motivated to the work. No sacrifice was too great for his sheep. He sheltered them when cold, searched for them when lost, and bound up their wounds when hurt. With only his dog and staff, he protected them from wolves that were always crouching just out of sight and scent. A hireling would not be so diligent. He would not watch with the same degree of love and concern as the shepherd who cared for his own or his father's possessions.

Most of the shepherd's time was spent feeding and watering the flock. He was the shepherd, the feeder. Sheep were not fed in a pen as a farmer might feed his pigs, but in open pasture. The shepherd constantly moved his charge from hillside to valley searching for better grazing and plenty of good water. While there were occasions when searching or binding or protecting was necessary, the shepherd's continual duty was to feed and water, feed and water. And when that duty was done, he watered and fed.

God has always looked at His people as sheep. He cares for them with the tenderness of a shepherd who gathers the lambs in his arms and gently leads those who are with young (Isaiah 40:11). Further, God has always considered those in positions of leadership over His sheep as shepherds. Overseers of the Lord's church are shepherds. Their position and their responsibility are put clearly in focus in 1 Peter 5:14 when Peter reminded elders to "shepherd the flock of God which is among you..."  For those who discharge their responsibility well, Peter extended God's promise of "an unfading crown of God's glory" when the "Chief Shepherd" appears. On the other hand, God is against shepherds who "do not feed the flock" (Ezekiel 34:8‑10). His words against negligent elders in Ezekiel's day were unmistakable. "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost but with force and cruelty you have ruled them" (Ezekiel 34:4).

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When the Kingdom of God Appears to Fail

by Larry Rouse
 

How often has a child of God despaired thinking that the kingdom of God was going to end with his generation? Elijah had concluded that he “alone was left” of the people of God and because of that God should take his life and end this lost cause (1 Kings 19:4, 10). God quickly reminded him that he had 7,000 who were faithful to him and then put Elijah back to work. (1 Kings 19:18).

Asaph, after looking at the prosperity of the wicked and the hard plight of the few that were righteous, was ready to conclude that serving God was not worth it. He said, “Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence” (Psalm 73:13). Fortunately, when he entered the sanctuary of God to worship, he saw the world as God did. Because of this eternal view he was now very thankful to be part of the faithful few. He writes, “When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end” (Psalm 73:16-17). 

God’s Promises an Eternal Kingdom

When we look to the scriptures, we find strong promises concerning God’s kingdom. Concerning the church Jesus would build, He plainly stated that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18). When Isaiah prophesied of the coming Messiah and His reign, he plainly stated that this kingdom would never end. He writes, “And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isa 9:6-7).

Gloom and Doom—Cases in Point

Over the years I have heard brethren lament the dwindling of a local church, or the departure of a new generation into apostasy, or even the general worldliness of the professed Christians they have observed. I have heard some say that “churches of Christ are going to become extinct!” In another case I heard a man who had left the Lord’s church quoting growth statistics to convince others that a return to the Bible alone would not work. He boldly proclaimed that “these churches are dying on the vine because of their legalism.” Should we become discouraged by our own impressions of the church around us? Should we surrender to the spin of men with self-serving agendas?

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The Lord's Supper

by Tom Edwards
 

It's really ironic: members in the church of Christ are often accused of not believing in the blood of Jesus, while those who make this accusation might observe the Lord's supper only one to four times a year.

As Christians, we realize the need to remember that precious blood by which the atonement was made. Without the Lord's life-saving sacrifice, sinful man would remain in a lost and hopeless condition, heading inevitably to an eternal separation from God Himself.

But now through Jesus Christ and by our faith and obedience, we can contact the blood of the Lord and enjoy the benefits of having our sins washed away and the beginning of a new life in the Christ. Actually, the church itself is the ``saved''; and the ``saved'' are simply those who have been ``bought by the blood'' of the Savior.

This lesson has been designed to show that the Christian should take of the Lord's supper every first day of the week in order to remember the death of Jesus and be pleasing to God. Acts 20:7 is the only passage that specifies the first day of the week as being the day in which early Christians met to partake of the communion, but this one passage is enough to suffice.

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Where Do Elders Come From?

by Paul Earnhart
 

The scarcity of functioning elders (bishops, pastors) in local churches has led some Christians to conclude that they are a rare breed with rare qualities. Otherwise, they reason, why would they be so difficult to come by? Contrary to this rather discouraging view, elders do not have to be imported from outer space. They are generated from ordinary human beings from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation," and perhaps it will help identify the reason for their scarcity if we trace, step by step, where elders originate.

First of all, and elementally, elders come from strong Christians, men and women who by the power of God have been radically reborn (John 3:3‑6). Now, here are some remarkable people. They have given up everything for the Lord's sake, claiming not even their breath as their own (I Corinthians 6:19‑20; Romans 2:1‑2). Theirs is a life of utter trust in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20). Why should we be surprised that something special should arise in the characters of folk like this? They will love God supremely and care about others in a self‑sacrificial way.

Secondly, elders (Greek presbuteroi, older men), by definition, originate from Christians who are men. There is nothing special or remarkable or difficult here. From the outset, men as well as women have been touched by the appeal of the gospel (Acts 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 8:12; 17:12,34) and we can logically anticipate that wherever the gospel is preached, this will continue to be so.

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The Preachers of Doubt

by Steven Harper
 

Even as the Israelites were being delivered from Egyptian bondage, they found reason to doubt. Having just seen the power of God demonstrated so thoroughly by the plagues which decimated Egypt, they should have known that God had the power and will to deliver, yet when they stood at the edge of the Red Sea and looked back to see Pharaoh's approaching army, some complained to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness" (Exod. 14:11, 12). Despite the recent evidence to the contrary, some of the Israelites doubted the power of God would deliver them and complained that they were going to die in the wilderness.

Just three days after God delivered them from that seemingly hopeless situation, they complained about water at Marah (Exod. 15:22-24); about six weeks later, they were complaining again while in the Wilderness of Sin (16:1-3); and they complained again at Rephidim (17:1-3). This was all before they even reached Sinai! When they traveled up to Kadesh-Barnea, they sent spies into the land of promise and 10 of the 12 came back with a bad report, saying, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are" (Num. 13:31), and the people complained again, ready to appoint new leaders and head back to Egypt (14:1-4). It seems that for all God had done and for all they had seen, they still found reason to doubt and, by doing so, impugned the character of God by implying that He was not able to do these things.

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Rumors: How They Fly!

by Dee Bowman
 

Reporting is hard business. It takes a disciplined mind. It's hard to be objective. A good reporter must divorce himself from all his pre-suppositions, prejudices, pre-conceived notions. He has the responsibility to his readers or viewers to report facts as best as he can determine them. He has no business reporting hearsay, opinion, or other part-truths unless he identifies them as such. It takes concentration and a high regard for truth.

Distributing any truth requires the same integrity as that which is necessary for the good journalist. It, too, calls for intense concentration, an unbiased mind, a desire not only to know the truth, but to use it for good whenever and wherever possible. No person has the right to distribute untruth, hearsay, gossip.

The Scriptures assign an attitude for those who would dare speak of things to others publicly. For instance, ``If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God'' (1 Pet. 4:11), addresses the tendencies to report opinions and is God's warning against such. ``There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak'' (Eccles. 3:7) speaks to the tendency to want to speak more than the occasion calls for, a constant problem for all of us it seems. ``But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine'' (Titus 2:1) calls to mind the necessity of adorning the doctrine of Christ with a disposition toward correctness, making sure that you do not speak opinion or promote your own surmisings.

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Catechismal Christianity

by Jonathan Perz
 

Having faith and understanding your faith are two entirely different matters in modern Christianity. Many profess to have faith, and even show signs of that faith in various aspects of their lives, but have little or no understanding of the faith they cling to so tenaciously. What is the explanation for this phenomenon?

Is it possible that the faith of many is not based in God’s word, but in catechisms? A catechism is defined as an oral instruction; a manual for catechizing; specifically a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers; a set of formal questions as put as a test; something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary).

Catechisms exist in every denomination. They are sometimes called statements of faith, creeds, tenets of faith, and even testimonies. Some have written catechisms, which are occasionally modified and updated, as need requires. Others rely upon oral catechisms, handed down from generation to generation, teacher to student, preacher to convert. Catechisms even exist among those who are “non-denominational.”

Why are these catechisms so dangerous? Why must we be concerned with them? How can we avoid catechisms’ slippery slope?

Catechisms Become Creeds

Over time, all catechisms become creeds. These creeds usually replace the teaching of God’s word and often undermine the very word they are supposed to uphold. For example, many believe that salvation is by faith alone, but after careful consideration are forced to acknowledge that this teaching is not founded in Scripture, but in the creed books of men. Because this catechism is so deeply engrained, those who will not acknowledge the truth believe the lie (2 Thess. 2:11). Therefore, their faith is in their creed, not in God’s word (Rom. 10:17).

Students of God’s word are not solely to blame, as teachers of God’s word often reinforce the catechism by not speaking as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). Instead of emphasizing Scripture, they emphasize their synopses of Scripture. Instead of quoting the passage and then expounding upon it, they quote their catechism and then buttress it with proof texts. There is a world of difference between the two.

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Four Flaws in the Four Spiritual Laws

by Mark Roberts
 

Have you read the tract "The Four Spiritual Laws"? It was written by Dr. Bill Bright, the president of Campus Crusade for Christ. Approximately 1.5 billion copies of this tract have been printed and distributed all over the world. It was written to quickly and efficiently teach people how to be saved.

Unfortunately, "The Four Spiritual Laws" tract is badly flawed. A simple comparison between its teaching and the teaching of scripture reveals that "The Four Spiritual Laws" simply does not teach God's plan of salvation.

Here are the Four Spiritual Laws:

1. Law 1: God loves you and offers a wonderful Plan for your life.

2. Law 2: Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life.

3. Law 3: Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.

4. Law 4: We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.

What exactly does the tract mean "receive Jesus Christ?" How do you do that? We are not left to wonder:

1. We Must Receive Christ - Jn 1:12

2. We Receive Christ Through Faith - Eph. 2:8-9

3. When We Receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth - Jn 3:1-8

4. We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation - Rev. 3:20

The tract goes on to say "You Can Receive Christ Right Now By Faith Through Prayer" and even includes a suggested prayer to ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life and receive Him by faith alone.

What could be wrong with this? A study of the Bible shows these laws are terribly flawed.

Flaw 1: "The Four Laws" forgets that faith works.

Read Genesis 6:13-14. Did Noah have faith? Yes! But did his faith alone save him? Could he have been saved by merely believing God without building the ark? Of course not. Noah's faith led him to obey God ( Gen. 6:22; 7:5, 16).

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Does Baptism Wash Away Past Unlawful Marriages?

by H. E. Phillips
 

"Does baptism wash away past unlawful marriages?" That is the subject assigned to me for this special issue. I first heard of this idea many years ago, but not much was said about it until the last few years. Some men have always done what they wanted to do, regardless of what the Lord said. Any practice that transgresses God's word and involves a lot of people will somehow be "justified" by those who want to continue in it. A complicated research program will begin amassing "evidence" to prove that the Bible does not mean what it obviously teaches. Thus, justification is found to do that which God's word does not allow.

The Nature of Marriage

"Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled" (Heb. 13:4). In the beginning God instituted marriage and regulated it by his word. He did not plan for marriage to be dissolved except by death. Marriage is a physical, fleshly union; it is not a spiritual union. They are no more twain but one flesh (Matt. 19:6). Death ends all marriages (Rom. 7:3). Baptism has nothing to do with our marriage, but it is essential to our spiritual bond in Christ.

Adultery and fornication are sinful just as lying, stealing, murder and idolatry are sinful. These sins are equally applicable to those in Christ and those in the world. Jesus taught that divorce and remarriage results in committing adultery. If a man puts away his wife for fornication, she is guilty of sin (adultery). If he puts her away for any other cause and marries another, he commits adultery; and he causes her to commit adultery. Any man who marries that one who is put away, commits adultery, and there is no exception clause (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Mk. 10:11, 12; Lk. 16:18). Any twist or perversion of Scripture that contradicts, modifies or invalidates these plain statements of Jesus is false doctrine.

Now some are teaching that baptism "washes" away all previous unlawful marriages, and the one with whom he/she is married at the time of baptism is the scriptural spouse for the rest of their lives. There is no way that can be true.

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The Family Together

by Dee Bowman

Family. There's something warm and inviting about the word. It floods the mind with thoughts of home and hearth, of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, grandma and grandpa. It conjures memories — memories of togetherness, of commonality, of all being in one place at the same time. It calls to mind picnics, ball games, holidays spent with loved ones. Family. It just says something special. And the thing it most especially says is "together."

Together. There is no such thing as family without together. No matter how the word is used — whether in regard to biology, or mathematics, linguistics, or physics — family always suggests something held together by a common bond.

The church is the family of God (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19). God is the Father, saints are His children. We are referred to as "sons of God" (Galatians 5:5-7).

There are things that bind families together — things like common goals, common interests, and even common struggles. The church is the same. All these things are both recommended and common in the family of God. Worship brings the family of God closer to the Father. Worship is filial (fatherly) devotion, an attitude of reverential respect, of love and high regard for the one who has given us life. When we direct our love toward our common Father, we become stronger in both our devotion to Him and our devotion to one another. We are told to "worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). While this may refer to the attitude we are to have when we worship Him, I believe there is more to it than that. I believe He means we should reach down to the very depth of who we are and accord to Him the most reverent feelings of that inner being. In the ultimate reality, worship is the adoring reverence of the creature for the Creator, and that means our most fundamental feelings of love and devotion must be extended to Him. When that is the case, it is axiomatic that we also come closer to one another.

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The Futility of Communicating With Subjectivists

by Tim Nichols
 

Those who are frequently "misunderstood" are also those who frequently misrepresent. This is a principle that is taught in the scriptures (1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 3:6-7; 4:1-5; Tit. 1:10-13) and observed in the real world. It is the result of a breakdown of rational thinking more than simply a deterioration of communication skills. It is the fruit of subjectivism. Words are assumed not to actually signify anything in these days of relativism. As a result men feel free to construe the words of others in any way they choose. They are frustrated when others attach fixed meanings to their own words. These are two sides of the same coin.

In "the old days" two men would approach a question or a problem with something in common. They both believed that truth existed and they usually believed that the truth they were seeking could be found. They may have differed widely concerning just what the truth was, but they both believed it was out there, independent of what they chose to think. They both disputed about the evidence with the mutual hope of finding the truth. Today, many in our culture have been "educated" (propagandized may be more accurate) to believe that all truth is relative. When we who yet know that truth exists and can be found attempt to speak with those who have lost this awareness we are simply not on the same page. When we present evidence for the existence of God, the inspiration of the Bible, the truthfulness of specific Bible doctrines, and the rightness and wrongness of certain human actions, we are met with befuddled looks by those who stand on no foundation and believe that none exists. While we love those who are thus adrift without anchor or rudder we are often frustrated in our attempts to find some "common ground" that will serve as a basis for study and communication.

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We Are Simply Christians!

by Dale Smelser
 

We read with interest the reports on every hand of the growing disenchantment with present religious forms which originated in the middle ages and have become meaningless to most. We hear of displeasure with denominational structures and their pronouncements which reflect only the preferences of an influential elite and ignore the convictions of the rank and file. Because of these aspects of modern religion some have decided that Christianity is not relevant to this day and age. We believe they have so decided because they are not sufficiently acquainted with the scriptures to be able to distinguish between the relevant gospel of Christ, and what men have added to religion since, and which truly are not relevant to serving God.

If some of these things have troubled you and you have felt an urge, or even a yearning, to return to the simple, uncomplicated religion of Christ, and if you have felt the desire to strip away all nonessential elements of religion and simply abide by the truths of Christ, truths which alone can transform the soul and bind it to God, let us suggest that such a possibility actually exists.

Let us begin with one essential fact. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. His coming, His mission, and His new message were all foretold in the Old Testament (Gen. 49:10; Isa. 53; Zech. 6:13; Jer. 31:31-33), which Jehovah used to govern Israel until the Christ should come and establish the New for all humanity (Gal. 3:19, 23-24).

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Learning to Yield to One Another

by Tom Edwards
 

Let me first of all say that in matters of the faith -- such as in God's plan of salvation, the elements to be used for the Lord's Supper, or the proper view toward stealing, for examples -- there is no room for compromise; but in some matters of indifference, one must be willing and able to compromise at times.

I read a little illustration recently about two children who had been in a squabble. The mother, trying to put an end to their commotion, said, ``Hush! You two children are always quarreling. Why can't you agree once in a while?'' In response, her wrangling son explained, ``We do agree, Mama. Joan wants the largest piece of cake and so do I.''

Undoubtedly, Joan and her brother were in need of learning a lesson about compromise -- to have the willingness to give in to the other's wishes.

I've often heard people say to others, ``You always must have your own way.'' When the real irony to this is that those who say such are usually totally unaware of all the times in which that person had respectfully bowed to the whims, plans, or desires of others.  I would imagine this often happens in the marriage relationship --but how often is it overlooked?

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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

by R. J. Evans
 

Edward Gibbon authored a six-volume series of books between 1776 and 1788. In this series he covers the deteriorating conditions of the Roman Empire from 180 A.D. to 1590 A.D. He points to five major factors in which he attributed to the fall of the Empire. Let’s list the five reasons for Rome’s fall, and then make some comments and observations as applied to America today:

1. The rapid increase of divorce; the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society.

Right now in America, one out of every two marriages (50%) are ending in divorce. It is becoming more and more common to talk to individuals who have been divorced three or four times. Then we have a large number of our population who do not bother to get married, they just live together—in the sin of fornication. (Col. 3:5-7) And if that is not bad enough, the sin of homosexuality is gaining acceptance, and “same-sex marriages” are becoming legal in some states. (See Rom. 1:26-28) But just because some sin or vice is legally right, that does not mean that it is morally or biblically right! "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter" (Isa. 5:20).

Concerning the undermining of the sanctity of the home, we live in a time when husbands and wives are ignoring and giving up their God-given roles in the family. Many homes today are run by children, which is appalling!

2.  Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.

Consider all the debates that are now being considered over tax issues. Christians are to pay their taxes (Rom. 13:6-7). But there is so much controversy over tax hikes and where Americans' tax dollars are to be spent. Part of the discussions over the new health-care bill involved tax payers' money being used to fund abortions. In fact, it was included in the Senate bill until the president signed an executive order to stop it. If funding abortions with tax payers' money ever starts (and many want to see that happen), it will be the first time in American history. While abortion (the murder of the unborn) has been legal in this country since 1973, that still doesn't make it right in view of such passages as Psalm 139:13-16.   How tragic for a nation to even allow abortion in the first place! And, of course, "the right to choose" (or "choice") sounds so much better than killing or murdering unborn babies.

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Borrowed Arguments

by Larry Rouse
 

I recently was asked by a brother to look over an e-mail discussion he was having with a friend who was also an experienced preacher. As I looked at the discussion I was impressed with how the preacher had steered the study away from an honest application of Bible authority to a series of emotional and disconnected statements and arguments that would do little more than confuse and intimidate. This preacher was not a man that understood Bible authority. He was not committed to giving “book, chapter and verse” for his practice. In fact his words were very strange when taken in the context of the immediate discussion. He kept bringing things up that seemed to come from “out of the blue” making extreme charges about what a position would lead to and making sweeping generalizations about the beliefs of others.

Why would a man do such a thing as he attempted to discuss the Bible with another? In this particular study, I knew this man was reading material and debates from a series of controversies in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In many debates the goal of the debater was to make the opponent’s position look so absurd and confusing, that the listener would just turn off their minds to the discussion. This was a particularly effective technique when you had “power” from a political and numerical side of a question. If a majority of members, churches, preachers and influential institutions wish to continue practicing something without authority, then the easiest way to keep others “lined up” is to shut off the discussion by these approaches.

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The Search for Assurance

by Paul Earnhart

It was a discussion between preacher friends.  We were wrestling with the question of how  confident Christians ought to be, moment by moment, about their salvation. Some were arguing for an absolute assurance, others for a more cautious one. There is perhaps no concern which weaves its way so pervasively through the history of God's people as does the desire for assurance in one's relation ship with God. Christians seem to vacillate between two contrasting themes of Scripture—assurance (1 John 5:3) and warning (1 Corinthians 10:12).

The subject of assurance has been hotly debated down through the centuries, especially in the Calvinist‑Armenian controversies. Are all who have been converted to Christ unconditionally assured of their eternal salvation, or is the life of a Christian one of probation in which his relationship to God is conditioned on faithfulness? Nothing is more clearly established in Scripture than the possibility of apostasy. As certainly as the wicked can turn and be saved, so can the righteous fall and be lost (Ezekiel 18:21‑26). A Christian's fellowship with his Father is dependent upon an ongoing spirit of obedient faith (Romans 11:19‑22; 1 Corinthians 15:1‑2; Colossians 1:22‑23; Hebrews 3:6, 14).

Does this mean that we must live our lives in daily uncertainty about our relationship with God? Are we never, on this account, to experience any moment‑by‑moment assurance of our hope? This is a question which troubles many Christians and deserves study.

 

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Turning the Grace of God into a Carnal Weapon

by Larry Rouse
 

All who know the Lord understand the power of His grace! Those who have seen the blackness of their own sin and were then melted by the message of how God gave His Son for them, can attest to the life-changing power of the gospel. We do not deserve salvation. We cannot earn salvation. In our sin we were once active enemies of God. Still, God, by His grace, gave us the greatest gift that has ever been given (Rom 5:6-8)!

Those who have been changed by this grace, find their hearts and their lives defined by it. Paul plainly proclaimed “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10). When Paul converted some Jews and proselytes to God he urged them to continue “in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43). Our true spiritual growth is measured by our increase in “the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

The perversion of God’s Grace

Satan hates the grace of God, for by it men are rescued from his clutches. Being the cunning adversary that he is, Satan has encouraged many to serve him under the banner of the grace of God! There were those who preached a doctrine of “grace” that left men’s hearts untouched by the teaching of the Spirit of God. Men were told that they could “continue in sin that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1). Others found under this banner of “grace” that in their hearts they could hate their brethren and exalt themselves over these “inferiors” in their pride (1 John 3:14-15). Jude proclaimed that these men had in fact turned “the grace of our God into lewdness” (Jude 4).

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Delighting in God

by Gary Henry
 

The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. Never have I stood before its awesome vastness and its exquisite beauty without being moved spontaneously to say, however inadequately, how glorious it is. And I have never failed to hear others burst forth in words of wonder. Indeed, one would pity the person who either failed to delight in such grandeur or was incapable of sharing his delight.

C. S. Lewis has reminded us, in his inimitable way, that enjoyment not only overflows into praise, but that the praise is an important part of the enjoyment. Delight is incomplete until expressed, as any young lover knows. And the worthier the object, the more intense is the desire to enjoy and praise. Since God is the most worthy of all praiseworthy objects in the universe, we have here a clue to the joy of worship.

It may well be true that the chief end of man is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” If so, God’s command to glorify Him is actually an invitation to enjoy Him, since the glorifying is part of the joy. If the enjoyment of the Grand Canyon is somehow not complete unless we praise it, how much more is that true of Him who could make the Grand Canyon! Thomas Carlyle has said that “wonder is the basis of worship.” He was right. And one would be pitiable indeed who either was not filled with wonder before God or did not experience joy in the expressing of that wonder through worship.

How exactly would we define “worship?” It is the expression of loving reverence and honor, the combination of adoration and veneration. As we have already hinted, it has very much to do with God’s worth. Interestingly enough, our English word “worship” descends from the Old English word “weorthscipe” which literally meant “worth + ship.” Practically speaking, worship is the expression of tribute to God’s “worth” – His praiseworthy nature, attributes and works. The worshipper praises God, glorifies God, honors God.

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