“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
-Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV
You probably agree that it matters who you worship, but does it matter how we worship?
The Ten Commandments are exceptionally clear that we must worship God. We shouldn’t worship anything or anyone else except our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But does it matter how you worship?
I would argue, yes, it matters how you worship. There are many reasons and many Scripture references that relate to this subject. But the one that we will examine today is Hebrews 12:28-29.
The author of Hebrews writes, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29).
Let’s dissect it a bit.
The word “therefore” is an inference. We should look before it to see the reason that the author gives for this statement: “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship . . .” (v. 28).
But first, let’s look at the statement itself. We should be grateful, and we should offer God acceptable worship. The word “worship” can be translated “worship” or “service.” Many times in Hebrews, and in the rest of the New Testament, the word means worship at a particular time and in a particular place. For two examples,
- Luke 2:37 (ESV) | and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
- Acts 7:7 (ESV) | ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’
Okay, so why? If you look at the verses before, the author discusses that God will one day shake heaven and earth, and all of the idolatry and impurity on this earth will be removed. But for those who have faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, they have received an eternal kingdom which cannot be shaken.
Now, let’s return to our verse. Hebrews reports we should be grateful for that eternal, unshakable kingdom, and we should offer acceptable worship to God (unlike the idolatrous worship of a golden calf by Israel). And the author provides more information about what this acceptable worship should be like.
The worship should be “with reverence and awe” (v. 28). There should be a cautious and respectful godly fear in our worship.
Additionally, there should be such a fitting level of honoring God with our worship that we can describe it as “awe.” Why? The author gives a reason: “for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29).
Worship should infiltrate our entire lives, but let’s now make a few practical applications to our weekly church worship.
First, let’s be careful to avoid any form of idolatry mixing into our worship. Worship, by definition, is Godward. It is not human-centered. Undoubtedly, there are aspects of worship services which shape and form believers and evangelize nonbelievers. But worship is directed to God. Put simply, it’s not something we receive. It is something we offer to God. (This is one reason I’m concerned about the shift in terminology of describing our worship gatherings. Many are now using the term “experience.” This seems human-focused rather than Godward. Also, there is a shift that has taken place concerning what we call the place of worship. Many used to call it a sanctuary, but now it’s an auditorium. Likewise, the pastor’s room in a church used to be called a study [where the pastor studies and prays], but now it’s often called an office. I’m not automatically saying these terms are wrong, but perhaps we should reflect on why they’ve changed and the significance behind them.)
Second, let’s pursue profound thankfulness. We can be grateful for receiving a kingdom that is unshakable and eternal. It will last. Life is hard sometimes, but we can be grateful that we are in a kingdom which cannot be shaken.
Third, let’s worship in a manner that is acceptable to an infinitely powerful and holy God. Let’s be theological and thoughtful with our worship. According to these verses, there is a type of worship that is not acceptable to God. Let’s pursue reverence and awe of the one, true God. He is worthy of our worship.
And, lastly, let’s get excited about the worship to come! In Revelation 22:3, John writes, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.”