First Down and Ten in the Fourth Pew on the Right

T.D. Roberts

For many Americans football is an enjoyable, spectator sport. We are not required to actually play. We just sit and watch, and cheer if we want to. If we are not pleased with the general results, we stop attending the games or watching on TV. Would you agree that football is mainly a spectator sport?

In the United States many seem to treat the worship of God in identical terms. Worship has become like a “spectator sport” in that we just watch and listen, and maybe sing if we want to. If we are not pleased we stop attending worship services. When asked about non-attendance at worship services some say, “I just don’t get anything out of it.” Could this be how you feel at some worship services?

The Biblical view of worship is very, very different. Instead of being a spectator activity, worship is a series of activities done by an individual to please and honor God. Worship is something I need to do — an activity — like playing right guard on the football team. If I don’t “do worship” then I have missed the whole point of attending worship services. What value would you assign to a right guard on the team who would neither block nor tackle, but only watched?

Consider the five acts of worship in this new light, namely, what do I need to do, not “what does it do for me” or “do I enjoy it?” Of course, Biblical worship will always bless the worshipper. God arranged it that way. However, the major design of worship is to direct our efforts toward God, not me.

Singing: Singing is praise of God and admonishing/ teaching of others (Col 3:16; Eph 5:19). It is much like the right guard who has to think about his assignment on each play. I must think about what I am trying to do in song. Sitting in the pew and mouthing words shows only that I have learned to read. Without involvement of the mind I cannot really worship. In team meetings the right guard can read the plays. But on the field he must think about whom to block. When I sing I must participate with my mind in order to worship in song.

Praying: Prayer is the heartfelt outpouring of praise and thanksgiving to God, mixed with requests for blessings and forgiveness. To pray effectively to God I must actively engage my mind in not only what is being said, but in what I need to say to God, and on what I want Him to hear from me. Am I really thankful for my many blessings? Do I really want to praise God? Am I truly repentant so that I can ask for forgiveness? What blessings may I request?

Partaking of the Lord’s Supper: This physical/ mental act should focus our minds on what God did for us and center around our thankfulness for this wonderful sacrifice. What did God do for me? How thankful am I that I do not have to go through the terrible experience of the cross? If this activity is not uplifting, encouraging and a wonderful experience, then my mind has not been focused properly on worship of God.

Bible Study: Listening to the sermon or lesson now becomes an intense mental activity. What is being said? Does it apply to me? Is it true to the “book?” How am I taught to change my life, or my family? Can I teach these subjects to others? Because the Word of God is God speaking great respect is demanded.

Giving: Contributing my money is likewise a mental activity involving a review of the blessings I have received and how I am using them to be pleasing to God. Is this the proper amount to give? Should I be increasing my giving as my prosperity increases? Spectators dig into the billfold for whatever can be found. Worshippers plan to give part of their blessings to the furtherance of the Lord’s work.

The Big Question: It is not “how did I like the worship service?,” but “how did God like what I did?” Believe it because God said it in the Bible!