Worship:
The Heart Or The Acts?

KERRY DUKE

"It doesn't matter what you do in worship. God wants your heart when you worship. He is not concerned with the outward acts of worship."

This idea is common. It is utterly false. Nadab and Abihu discovered that what they did mattered when they died for offering strange fire (Leviticus 10: 1-2). Jeroboam sinned when he changed what God had commanded in worship (I Kings 12:26-3 3). We must have the right heart and motive as we sing, pray, give, preach, and observe the Lord's Supper. But we must do these outward acts, no more and no less. Those who contend otherwise have learned nothing about authority in worship from the Old Testament.

People who press this idea usually don't practice it. I am speaking of people inside and outside of the church. If they really believe that what is in your heart is all I that matters in worship, then why can't they worship God just as acceptably and beneficially by doing exactly what the New Testament says? If this idea is true, then they should be able to praise God in song just as spiritually as they worship him with an instrument. After all, they are the ones who say constantly that the outward act doesn't matter. If this idea is true, then they should be able to worship God just as heartily by simply singing as by clapping their hands and swaying in the pews. Clapping and swaying are outward acts, aren't they? So, according to this idea, these acts certainly are not needed to make worship more spiritual and vibrant. And why is there a push for drama to replace preaching? Why is this change needed if only what is in your heart, not how a message is presented in outward form is all that matters? If their worship is not as "spiritual" as they think it should be, then, according to this idea, the remedy would be a more concerted effort of the heart, not in something new as far as the outward act is concerned.

These people don't practice what they teach! For as their actions show, outward acts do matter to them! Just listen to them and watch them. Notice how they push for and demand the freedom to do these things. Their words clearly show that they actually practice the opposite of their claim that only the heart matters! As you listen to them, observe that their contention is that by having instruments our worship will be more spiritual. Listen to members of the church, especially younger ones, and notice that they argue that our worship is dead because of strict adherence to biblical authority. To make our worship more "spiritual." they push for hand clapping and swaying! Wait a minute! Aren't these outward acts? Isn't it what is in your heart that counts?

The truth is that to these people, what they do in worship is extremely important! If You don't believe this, just question whether they should do these things. Just oppose them. Just try to stand in their way. They are not satisfied with the ancient order. Anyone who would keep them from engaging in their precious outward acts will discover this: what they do in worship actually matters most!

Personal Work Group
The Personal Work Group is scheduled to meet tonight after the evening worship services in Assembly Room "B". All group members should plan to attend.

Tonight!
All members are encouraged to meet with us at 5:30 in classroom #3 for a time of prayer and supplication before God.

The parents of our youngsters are reminded to have them here at 5:40 for a short time of story and song in the auditorium before the evening worship begins.

Christian father, when you stand before the glass partition of a hospital nursery and see you newborn child, you thank God for this life that has been given you. Christian mother, when the nurse places this innocent sleeping child in your arms, you pray that God will help you realize this isn't just a mouth to feed, a baby to cuddle, but a living soul to train. -- Proverb 22:6.