As mentioned in the previous sermon by Dr. Pipa, worship is corporate and participatory. The two questions answered in this lecture deal these two points of worship. In corporate worship, the leadership must be representative - thus, who's going to do it? Worship is participatory - what are some biblical ways to help us as people with bodies, and not just souls, to worship better?
Corporate worship implies that what we are doing, we are doing together and not individualistically. An example of this is the lifting of hands - we should be doing this corporately.
If worship is corporate, there has to be a leader acting on behalf of all. The question is, who is going to do it? Who is supposed to? As stated in verses 8-12, it men and not women who are to represent the congregation. Not because of chauvinists, but because God has appointed men to lead in corporate worship. If we delve deeper into the text, it is obvious that it is not just all men that are to lead, but approved men. It's quite clear that there's a special class of men that are to lead. First of all, they must be men approved by the church to have godliness and theological discernment. This is important because the congregation is to give their hearty assent to the prayer, yet how can we truthfully do that when what we have just heard isn't biblically sound? The man also has to have had authority placed on him from Christ, through the church, to lead the congregation. Finally, they must have a certain giftedness - "apt to teach", as Paul states it. We must keep in mind that the gift of public speaking do not come naturally for everyone.
Covenant worship is participatory, whether we are serving God as we follow the leader or in exercising further acts in unison, our hearts and minds are to be engaged in faith, love, and understanding in each act we do. We are worshiping God even as we are listening to His word being preached. We are to be exuberantly participating in worship. Too often there is a dullness in what is being done due to a lack of biblical, thoughtful order in worship.
We worship as bodies, and no just souls, thus our bodily postures in worship are important. Sadly, posture is often the most neglected point even in the most well-ordered churches. There is a tight string that connects our physical body and our soul - when we are depressed or excited, does it not affect our appetite? It is because of this connection that fasting is such an effective spiritual discipline. If the soul can affect the body in the such ways, the body can certainly affect the soul. Fasting creates an intensity for the soul to seek God more intently through prayer. So what are some things in the Bible that God has appointed for us to do with our bodies in worship?
One is the corporate amen after prayers and singing. 1 Corinthians 14:16 and Nehemiah 8:5 are scriptures that reference the corporate amen, which is the congregation's way of giving hearty assent. Since you will be called upon to give your hearty assent, you will pay close attention so that you may give it honestly. The corporate amen is like an exclamation point and has been described as a peal of thunder rumbling through the congregation.
The universal practice of the church has been to stand during the reading of God's Word as a sign of reverence. Regarding prayer, there are many references in the scriptures to standing, kneeling, or lying prostrate (though the first two are more commonly for corporate worship). Sitting during prayer is a more modern invention. To clarify, by saying it is in scripture does not mean that it is demanded or that to not do it is a sin, but to recognize that it a biblical, profitable and preferable means. Elders must exercise godly prudence for what is right for their congregation. The point is not for young people to go home and try to change their churches, but to keep in mind for the future. Yes, one can share with your elders and ask them to think about it, but that is the end of it. The purpose is not to become rebels.
Looking up is another posture. In all reality, there is not scripture reference for us to close our eyes. It may help to rid us of distractions, but if we are looking up it also helps to remove distractions. In the presence of the Supreme Ruler of heavens and earth, sometimes a bowed head is an appropriate sign of humility.
On the corporate lifting of hands, the bible is full of instruction for the congregation to do so. It is a good posture for prayer, both corporately and privately. It may be done representively, as the pastor lifts his hands on behalf of all. However, it is not to be done at the expense of sensitive souls.
Young people are the future leaders of the church. We need to learn about these things now, so we will have that knowledge when it is our turn to be the leaders in the church.
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