April 2026 – Worship – Part 1

WORSHIP

Dear Friend in Christ:

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, “Spring has sprung,” as flowers and trees blossom in all of their glory, snowpacks melt and slake the thirst of rivers and lakes, and birdsong echoes across hills and valleys. Wherever you are in the world, I pray you are having a good season. Of course, this month we are celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus and the fact that He lives and reigns today.

In this letter, I am beginning a three-part series which I will resume in next month’s letter. It’s about the “three ships” of our walk with Jesus: Worship, Fellowship, and Discipleship. I invite you to read and to share these with your friends.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christ followers in Rome presents a high view of God and His ways. His Sovereign Grace is recognized and extolled with joy and awe.

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 11:33-12:2).

In light of all of God’s mercies to us, Paul tells the followers of Jesus Christ, that we ought to gladly present ourselves as “living sacrifices” to God – He says it’s our “reasonable service.” This doesn’t mean some kind of pagan ritual where we are killed by God, others, or ourselves. It means we say to Him with our whole hearts, “I belong to You, and I’m living for You now.” When we truly recognize Who He is and what He has done for us, such a response is totally logical and reasonable. In the New International Translation of that passage, it reads, “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—which is your spiritual worship.”

We often refer to our singing of songs to God as “worship,” and that is certainly a very important part of what worship is. And, we often call our church gatherings “Worship Services” as if sitting on a pew and spectating was somehow actually doing work. But we need to understand this: Worship is much more than music and service is much more than gathering. Let us understand clearly here at the outset that the words “worship” and “music” are not synonymous; the second should serve the first.

Let’s really dig into Romans 12 further, as Paul writes:

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.

Therefore: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:3-21).

A MEASURE OF FAITH
Keep in mind, Paul had just finished writing that all of this is our “act of worship” – our “reasonable service” to God in light of all of His goodness and mercy towards us. Then Paul says in verse 3 that each person has received a measure of faith. He further notes that a body has many parts, and though the parts have different functions, all the parts are vitally important; the body needs them all to function. In a church setting, it implies that every member is called to be a minister. The very word “minister” means “service.” Then, in verse 9, Paul moves into describing how specific lifestyle behaviors are part of our worship. “Let love be without hypocrisy.”

I am reminded of the statement regarding worship that Jesus made in conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well:

“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

Here is the commentary that the late Pastor Jack Hayford wrote about this passage:

“What matters is not where one worships, but the attitude of heart and mind. True worship is not mere form and ceremony, but spiritual reality, which is in harmony with the nature of God, who is Spirit. Worship must also be in truth; that is, transparent, sincere, and according to biblical mandates.” Jack Hayford (The Spirit Filled Life Bible)

Here is a very important life truth: worship apart from obedience is not true worship, it’s deception. True worshippers are more than just good singers or enthusiastic hand wavers … they are certainly not or grumpy pew warmers, habitual gathering skippers, apathetic shoulder shruggers, cynical eye-rollers, or irresponsible finger pointers.

Let me humbly offer this definition of worship: Worship is life lived in joyful adoration, submission, and service to God and people.

WHY WE WORSHIP
Worship begins by understanding Who we are worshipping. Next month, we will look at Isaiah 6 and behold with Isaiah the majesty of God and the simple response of a true worshipper. For now, let us consider again Paul’s words in Romans 12, where he calls us to worship in light of God’s goodness, His mercy, His power, and His mighty acts in our lives. Offering our whole lives to God, in light of Who God is and what God has done is our only rational response.

Paul is implying that it’s not only our recollection of God’s past mercies that cause us to worship, but it’s the ongoing, daily, active mercy of God that calls us, draws us, and enables us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. We worship at God’s initiative.

Worship is not something we can accomplish in our own strength, but it’s a gracious response that God empowers us to give to Him. Worship is where God’s mercy and our gratitude meet and embrace.

As we understand by the Holy Spirit all of the many ways God has been merciful to us … as we remember how He has delivered us and how He continues to deliver us, how can we keep from singing? How can I not offer my life to Him as a living sacrifice?

In the Old Testament, sacrifices of animals were made to God in order to atone for sins. But in the New Testament order, the sacrifice for sin has been made once and for all by Jesus Christ. We don’t have to die to atone for our sins, nor do we have to kill an animal as a sacrifice. Instead, we now offer up the sacrifice of praise and give our lives in joyful service to God’s wonderful purpose.

Worship is a journey. It is not about emotions that feel good to us or our circumstances or how we feel that day. Worship is based on Who God is …

He is the Creator and Sustainer and Ruler of the Universe
He is the King of kings and Lord of lords
He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Three-in-One; Blessed Trinity
He is Savior, Redeemer, Healer
He is the Lion of Judah
He is the Lamb once slain
He is good and His mercy endures forever

His reign is eternal and He is worthy of praise 24/7/365. I’ve often heard Dr. Pete Sanchez say, “Worship is responding to all that God is with all that we are.” Worship is not just singing to God or talking to God; it’s allowing His Spirit to take us on a journey to a place where we can behold Him and hear His voice.

BLESS THE LORD
“Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name!
For he has done great things, bless His holy name!”

I’ve had this classic praise chorus, inspired by Psalm 103, on my heart these days. When you are going through challenges, is good to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness. The harder the circumstances, the greater the need for gratitude and praise. Worship raises our vision off our problems and limitations and fixes our eyes on the Lord: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Merciful, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace … our Deliverer, Provider, Sustainer, Savior, and Friend.

In the midst of significant challenges, opposition, and transition over the past 30 months, those of us on the CSM Team have not only cried out to God, but we are remembering to praise Him for the great things He has already done. Would you please continue to pray for us and keep us in your budget this month? Your financial support is especially critical in these days. Giving options are listed below. And, check us out on social media and our website: csmpublishing.org. Thank you so much for your prayer, friendship, and support. We love you and remember you in our daily prayers.

In Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Simpson