I have just completed a course on "Worship" - taught by Dr. Derek Thomas (RTS). Overall, it was a wonderful class, and I must say that the initial thought of learning about worship from such an institution may bring a slight yawn and "ho-hum." Those on the practical side of the fence (as opposed to the academic side), will commonly say under their breath, "why can't we just worship? Why such an education? Shouldn't worship be free?" Though the comments are not fully quoted, their gist is implied. You know what I am talking about.
However, after about 20 minutes into the class, I was thoroughly convicted. Our Lord demands that we worship him in a certain way. I found that, I too, was holding on to the delusional rope of neutrality - that the topic of worship and liturgy was a neutral one; and that a person could worship how they saw fit. All those guys in the 16th century that debated the issue were just uptight and didn't really care about what was spiritual or important...wow!
I soon learned and gained a great appreciation for their work and sacrifice for the topic. They fought for freedom - freedom from the commandments of men, which bind the conscience of the weak, and hold them to contemptible forms and elements of worship that God never intended for them to perform. But our Lord is a Lord of liberty. He is gracious in that He has prescribed for us the way in which we should perform that solemn duty - worship. The WCF puts it better than I ever could:
But the acceptable way of worshiping te true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture. (WCF, 21.1)
It is one thing to be present at a worship service; but yet quite another to know why we are present. It is one thing to hear and see an element of worship; but quite another to know why that element is performed. So, as I was studying the "Call to Worship" I was amazed by this small significant part of our Reformed worship. What follows is what I jotted down from"Calls to Worship: A Pocket Resource" by Robert Vasholz.
Call to Worship. The call to worship exhorts God’s people to turn from worldly distractions and to focus hearts, minds and actions on revering him.
We do not invite God to be present. He is already there, calling us to come and worship him. He is always the initiator; we always respond to him.
We are called to worship, not just with our immediate congregation, but to join with the worship of the ages and angels. God’s people are invited to participate in the wondrous praise that already and eternally enraptures the hosts of heaven.
God calls us to respond to him and his revelation. It is a “call” with an imperative. It should beckon action on the part of his people.
The call to worship is redemptive – because he invites us, we know that our worship pleases him. His invitation to worship is itself a revelation of his grace that makes us willing and able to respond to him.
I must say, I will never see the Call to Worship the same again. What a wonderful element of Worship that our Lord has prescribed for our liberty and freedom!!!
