The Nature of Worship
Corporate worship is the formal gathering of God’s people in the court of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We come as one body and many parts to hear the voice of our God and to present ourselves to Him. Worship is to be God-centered. Our focus is not to be on what we get out of it or what we give to it, for God does not desire our sacrifices and offerings, but the heart that brings them (Psalm 51:16-17; Hebrews 10:4-10). Rather, our focus is to be on Christ; therefore, the worship of our God is, and historically has been, centered in the proclamation of the whole counsel of God; the rehearsing of His law and of the blessings and cursings of the covenant; the good news of our salvation; our hope in Jesus Christ; and the call to repentance, faith, and service.