Worship and Entertainment Part 2 Last week, we established the concept that modern worship has been corrupted by our thirst for entertainment. This was done through the model of Sesame Street (it’s impact on “education” through entertainment). This time, let’s ask and answer some difficult questions related to the unholy mixing of entertainment and worship…. Temple of God, or of Idols?

The Purpose of Worship- is it really “all” about Him? It’s too easy to say “True worship must be about Him, not us”- though such is certainly true to a degree. How so? Consider closely passages such as Eph.5:19 and Col.3:16: >both passages emphasize the duties and benefits to “one another” that singing in worship to the Lord presents. >So the dual purpose of worship is highlighted- God is praised and the worshipper is taught and admonished. Likewise, isn’t there a benefit “we” derive from partaking of the Lord’s Supper, cf. 1Cor.10:16; 11:30? Thus, some consideration of the worshipper is necessarily involved in true worship.

So how do we properly combine true, meaningful worship and the benefits intended for the worshipper? First, we have to identify exactly what constitutes “worship”. What is the difference between an “act of worship” and “entertainment”? Some would say “purpose”- but that’s too subjective. Anything (and everything!) can be, and is, classified as “worship” if the standard is only that we intend to praise God. That’s how we got into this mess of modern worship in the first place! >As always, the standard has to be the authority of the scriptures. >We must reject our own wants and wishes for what God has specified. So, what has God said is “worship”?

The New Testament, the covenant we are under today, utilizes the term “worship” some 70 times. Get that: 70 references to “worship” (in the NASV)! >Sounds great! The problem is that among these 70 references to “worship” none specifically lists “the acts of worship” as such. >The passages refer to “worship” in the general sense (as in John 4:20-24), refer to it as an O.T. practice (as in Heb.9:1,6,9), or refer to other forms of “worship” not possible for us here and now (such as Rev.4:10; 5:14). But there is no N.T. passage that specifically lists all the “acts” of worship approved by God! So how do we know what is or isn’t worship (and therefore delineate between “true worship” and mere “entertainment” for ourselves)?

There are two plausible ways for one seeking to be a “true worshipper” to determine what God wants in worship: 1) Note specific instances in which a specific act of worship is mentioned; and 2) Note what churches, under the guidance of the Apostles and/or the Holy Spirit, did in the N.T. when they worshipped. >Both of these require effort- we have to look at all of the New Testament. There is no “quick and easy” solution. >We have to be discerning- vigilance against “seeing” what we want to see must be given. We have to honest and fair to the Text. Though certainly not a comprehensive study of the subject, let’s take a brief look at what God specifies as “worship” in the N.T. by this criterion.

What was either specified by God or practiced by His people in the New Testament as “worship”? 1) Weekly partaking of the Lord’s Supper. >Specified, Matt.26:26-29; 1Cor.11:20-34 >Practiced, Acts 20:7 2) Singing Songs of Praise & Encouragement. >Specified, Eph.5:19; Col.3:16 >Practiced, 1Cor.14:15,19; Heb.2:12 3) Contributing Financially. >Specified, 1Cor.16:2 >Practiced, 1Cor.16:1; 2Cor.8:1-5 4) Prayer. >Specified, 1Tim.2:1-4 >Practiced, Acts 2:42 5) Preaching. >Specified, 2Tim.4:2 >Practiced, Acts 2:42; 20:7

If this comprises what God specified for and was practiced by New Testament Christians as approved worship, and it does, what does that make such things as: Praise Dancing? Dramatic Readings & Plays? “Special” Music? Other “Presentations”? It makes them clearly to be “entertainment” of and by us, rather than true worship of and for God! While it may not be always right to impugn the motive behind someone else’s practice, it is without question that these “acts of worship” originated with man and not God, for God nowhere specified them- nor did true worshippers of His practice them in the New Testament!

God’s authority must be respected in all areas of faith and practice. We are not “free” to worship anyway we please anymore than we are free to be saved anyway we please, Gal.1:6- 8; 2John 9; 1Cor.4:6. Honesty and sincerity in worship are a must, but do neither supplant nor replace authority in worship, Luke 6:46; John 14:15. In our next lesson on this subject (next Sunday morning), we’re going to take a hard look at some “fine lines” in the worship choices that “we” make. Such as: When do sermons become “entertainment” (humorous stories, visual aids, etc.)? Are our bible classes educationally entertaining, or vice versa? Why do we sing the songs and the way we do? Is it really for us or for Him? Should our worship services be an evangelistic tool?