A liturgical church is not simply one that uses a formal style of worship on Sunday morning. In fact there are many parishes that use a “liturgy” but remain anything but liturgical in nature. Instead a liturgical church is one that embraces the Biblical principle of worship and sees it extending to the whole life of the church- be it the Sunday morning service, the various programs and ministries of the church, or the daily life and witness of its members.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.In each case the church is the interconnected body of Christ and in each case every member of that body is called to actively worship and serve God.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.Notice then that threefold Biblical principal of worship may be summarized as follows:
• God’s people are called to worship and serve God in all they do.Therefore, the liturgical church is one that sees the whole life of the Church as the work of the whole people- clergy and laity, each according to their own order, each working together, and each dependant on the other for success.
• Each believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit to fulfill His share of the ministry.
• We need each other to faithfully fulfill the work that God has given us to do.
As such the liturgical church is not priest driven to the exclusion of the laity. Rather the liturgical church faithfully reflects the priesthood of all believers, meaning the liturgical church promotes each layman’s call and duty to personally undertake the ministry of God’s people.
Revelation 1:6 He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father;Thus, it is not the priest who sets the agenda for the parish. Rather, God sets the agenda. It is not the priest’s will that is served or implemented by the parish. Rather it is God’s will that is sought and served. Finally, it is not the priest who grows the church. Rather, God grows the church through the spiritual gifts and faithfulness of each and every member.
On the other hand, the liturgical church is not a lay driven democracy. Rather, the liturgical church faithfully reflects the spiritual authority, leadership, and oversight God has given to the shepherds of His people.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.Thus, it is not popular opinion or the desires of large contributors that set the agenda for a parish. Rather God sets the agenda. It is not man’s will that is served by a parish. Rather, it is God’s will that is sought and served by a parish. Finally, the laity does not view the priesthood as hired hands employed by the parish to do their religion for them in the way they want it to be done. Instead, God has appointed His Shepherds to lead His people in active service according to God’s desire and God’s call.
The result is that each member comes to church expecting to serve. That is, the whole church takes responsibility for God’s house and its various ministries. The shepherd’s job is to nourish, protect, and lead God’s people. The layman’s job is to prepare for service and contribute his best to the ministry and well being of the flock. Such then is a liturgical church. Such then is a parish where the each member ministers according to his God given order and call.
II. The Sacredness of Worship
Sacred- that which is set apart for and uniquely associated with God and the worship of God.
A] There is a sacred people (priesthood of all believers)
Revelation 1:6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father;
1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
B] There are sacred times (times set apart for corporate worship)
Exodus 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
Matthew 12:8 "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
C] There are sacred places (places set apart for corporate worship).
Deuteronomy 12:11 then it shall come about that the place in which the LORD your God shall choose for His name to dwell, there you shall bring all that I command you:
Note: in the New Testament, the sacredness of place has not been abrogated. Rather, it is no longer exclusively limited to a single location. Instead, it is found wherever God’s people gather for regular public worship under God’sJohn 4:21 Jesus *said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; 1 Corinthians 1:2 to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:duly appointed ministers.
D] There are sacred persons, offices, and duties
Acts 20: 17 And from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Acts 13:2 And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
E] Danger of privatizing Worship and the Sacred
Leviticus 17:2 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, and to all the sons of Israel, and say to them, 'This is what the LORD has commanded, saying, 3 "Any man from the house of Israel who slaughters an ox, or a lamb, or a goat in the camp, or who slaughters it outside the camp, 4 and has not brought it to the doorway of the tent of meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD, bloodguiltiness is to be reckoned to that man. He has shed blood and that man shall be cut off from among his people. 5 "The reason is so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they were sacrificing in the open field, that they may bring them in to the LORD, at the doorway of the tent of meeting to the priest, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD.
Conclusion: The particular theology of a people defines what you see when you enter a church, including the way they behave while in God’s house. Before worship, the sanctuary is to be a place of preparation, meditation, and prayer. It is not the time or the place for chatter and commotion. Therefore, enter quietly and prepare your heart reverently to worship God.
