Honoring the rules of God’s house – Part three

In response to the unexpected sinking of the Titanic, and the exorbitant loss of life by many aboard, maritime laws were enacted requiring all sea-faring vessels over 100 tons to have sufficient life-saving equipment for every passenger on board. A few years later, in an effort to comply with these newly passed federal laws, the SS Eastland, known as the “Speed Queen of the Great Lakes,” added numerous lifeboats and life-vests along its already top-heavy upper decks. The ship then took on about 2,500 passengers, primarily families of Western Electric Company employees, intending to ferry the large group to an annual company picnic along the shores of Lake Michigan. Tragically, the Eastland never even made it out of dock. On July 24, 1915, immediately upon launching, the vessel listed to port, took on water, and rolled over at the wharf’s edge. Some survivors could simply climb over the starboard rail, walk on the upturned hull and step off onto dry land. Sadly though, below decks, over 800 passengers, mostly women and children, drowned.

Inarguably, those who added the weighty lifeboats to the ship, did so with the best of intentions. However, their execution or implementation was disastrously flawed; thereby, leading to loss of life. This tragedy teaches us a valuable lesson. While one’s goals may be good and their purposes pure—still doing things the right way is vital. As the passengers, lawmakers and owners of the SS Eastland learned, good intentions are not enough. There is a right way, and a wrong way to do things. This is true in the physical world, and it is true in the spiritual world.

Any student of Scripture can confirm, since the dawn of time, God has taken a keen interest in not only the motives of men, but also whether their actions match His directions. In the Old Testament, God made clear to His chosen nation the manner in which He was to be worshipped. Whether the ordered feasts, sacrifices or ceremonies were convenient, conventional or even popular, did not matter to the Almighty. There was (and is) a God-ordained way to rightly honor the Lord. Failure to comply with God’s prescribed pattern always ends poorly, regardless of how pure one’s intentions might have been.

If then, as we have stated previously – the church is the house of God, or the dwelling place of God, then we ought to honor the rules of God’s house. At the risk of nauseating redundancy, let me state one more time; church is not about you. Worship is first and foremost about what pleases God. Therefore, when God’s people assemble on the Lord’s Day, it should be their humble singular objective to bring honor and glory to the Savior. Thankfully, the Lord has given us ample clarity about how He is to be worshipped in our New Testament economy. As mentioned in the earlier articles, the accurate preaching of God’s Word should hold prominence within our worship services. As should singing Scripturally-saturated, God-centered, gospel-rich hymns and spiritual songs. God delights in music, so too should His people.

According to New Testament teaching, also included in our worship should be a time of giving. Yes, giving (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:1-7). I know many people don’t like to hear preachers talk about money, but the truth is (as arrogant as it sounds) I don’t really care. The minister who only mentions those things that please men, doubtlessly fails to please God. Jesus talked about money, and often. So, if you have trouble with your pastor teaching on giving, perhaps you might first examine your own heart. Then consider your preacher is simply following the example of Christ! Friends, giving is an act of worship.

But not only should there be preaching and singing and giving, worship should include a time of giving of thanks. Or, of prayer. Too readily do churches dismiss the blessing of corporate prayer. The Bible teaches over and over again, the vital role that public intercession has in the life of a church. Prayer should not be some inconvenient chore simply tacked on to the end of the service, in which every member is anxiously awaiting the last Amen. Instead, public corporate prayer is medicinal for a church body, which is one reason God designed it as part of worship.

I am sure more could be added to this list of God-ordained behaviors that honor the Lord in His house. Yet, we must remember, it is not the church’s role to entertain and amuse. While we must strive not to be overly legalistic, nor play the role of the Holy Spirit, God has made it clear, things in His house are to be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Regardless of how well-intended some congregations or their leaders may be, there are just some things that don’t belong in the Lord’s house. Therefore, when we hear stories of preachers and churches doing the most outlandish stunts in the name of worship, it should grieve us. Even with the purest of motives, the end does not justify the means! Jesus Himself said, God must be worshipped in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

I readily concede, our motives matter. However, there is a right and wrong way to do things, both physically and spiritually. If you doubt that, ask the folks who boarded the SS Eastland a century ago. Or if you really want to know if God is serious about how things are done, ask a man named Uzzah.

I close with this question; if you are a confessed follower of Christ, are you seeking to honor God in His house? In the way that He has prescribed? If not, why not?

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