Acts 17:16-23, 22…Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:”
Paul encountered very religious Jews and Gentiles in Athens. They worshipped gods (unknown), not the true God who had not been introduced to them. They were zealous, but they lacked knowledge and Paul introduced them to Him by preaching.
True worshippers of God must worship Him in spirit (human spirit, zeal) and truth (God’s truth). These two go hand in hand, for a willing heart must be accompanied by truth or else anything goes and that is dangerous. God has magnified His Word above His name (Psa 138:2) therefore true preaching empowers our worship. The preaching of the word exalts Christ, the God of the Bible, rather than the god of our choosing or making. The Word is preeminent to every other form of manifestation. “Preaching is not the end for those who are hearing, but the means to worship.” (Paul Washer).
2 replies on “The Nature Of True Worship”
When it says God has magnified His Word above His name. Does that mean God the Father exalts God the Son? Because that’s what I’m reading. Then it say therefore true preaching empowers our worship. So preaching the message of Christ enables us to truly worship? Perhaps the word preaching means more?
Remind me to explain on Tuesday