Worship, Pure and Simple | Exodus 20:22-26

If you’ve ever been to King’s Park to watch the Sharks or the Springboks, you will know that there is a whole build up to the game itself. There are typically a variety of performers, fireworks, smoke and lights, dancing and plenty of loud music. It’s meant to get people in the mood for the big game, hype everyone up, get people excited for their team. That’s all wonderful and probably entirely appropriate for a big rugby game.

The problem though is when churches feel the need to mimic our culture’s way of entertainment with the supposed purpose to make people feel more comfortable during the worship service. Much of contemporary worship style borrows heavily from the latest fads – it sees the worship service as a performance, a slick, well-oiled production. In fact some churches even have “production teams” which oversee the lighting, audio and video arrangements. Creativity in worship is encouraged – with the service often designed to engage all the senses – striking visual displays, dramas, videos, good-looking people on the stage in the worship band, who sing well-rehearsed, catchy and emotive songs.

In this text, God instructs his people on how he desires to be worshipped. He does not want his people to copy the flashy, ornate and slick methods of worship that the surrounding pagan cultures employ. Instead God’s people are to worship God how he desires – purely and simply, in obedience to his Word. The heart of biblical worship is not to make us feel comfortable, or have a pleasant experience. Instead, the focus of biblical worship is about God, his glory and his desire to meet with his covenant people. What we’ll see in this sermon is that because Christ offered himself upon God’s altar, we have been reconciled in peace to him.

Preacher: Rev. Antonio Coppola.

For more information about Covenant Waterfall Presbyterian Church, please check out our website: https://covenantwaterfall.co.za or email us: info@covenantwaterfall.co.za. We'd love to hear from you!