This article was posted with express permission from Dr. Hugh Morgan, editor and author of Hugh’s News.
The Bible tells us that God dwells in the midst of the praises of His people. Therefore, the ministry of the church centers in worship–the preaching of the Word of God and the singing of hymns and songs of praise and adoration to the God of Holiness. It is in the context of worship that we submit our lives to God and service to others. When worship occurs, God’s people experience the pure joy of magnifying the One who alone is worthy of our praise, and God’s love for us and others is demonstrated.
We were made for this purpose–to glorify God, to adore Him, and rejoice in Him forever. When we magnify the Name of God, and celebrate His glory, our souls partake of God’s greatness and are satisfied in His presence.
When a church worships God with all their hearts the church will attract people who do not know Him, but desperately need Him. The saints will be encouraged and new energy and strength will be given so we can do the work of the ministry of the church. Faithfulness and loyalty will be experienced as a dynamic sense of excitement of expectations fill each heart. The people will look forward to coming back to church the next time the doors are opened for worship.
The Bible admonishes us to “make a joyful noise to the Lord . . . Come into His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:1-2). There was a time in the early Church when Christians could be identified by the sound of singing that came from their homes. Wouldn’t that be wonderful if that would happen today?
It was recorded of a story about General Stonewall Jackson during the Civil War he was told that some of the soldiers in the camp were singing loudly. He asked what they were singing and was told they were singing hymns. “What’s wrong with that?” the general asked. A soldier who was complaining replied that “the articles of war say that those who make unusual noise should be punished.” Whereupon the general replied, “God forbid that praise to God will ever be an unusual noise in this camp.”
We all know or should know that worship doesn’t have to be unearthly loud and deafening to the ears. But, when a church is alive their worship will cultivate the spirit of praise and adoration among her members. May God grant that all of our churches will give the praise and worship time something that glorifies God and bolsters the spirit of the people.
When the church worships, it provides the motivation for service, especially in bringing the Kingdom of God to people hurting in body and soul. It produces a love for Jesus that constrains one and all to go to minister to others (2 Corinthians 5:14). In the highest sense, ministry is an offering of praise to God.
Dr. Hugh Morgan is a retired Air Force chaplain with the title of Lieutenant Colonel, as well as a retired civilian pastor. Dr. Morgan spends his time acting on various military committees and projects, as well as producing Hugh’s News, a monthly e-update and commentary on the happenings of the IPHC worldwide. Presently Dr. Morgan and his wife, the former Melvine Stewart of Eden, NC, reside in Winder, Georgia. They have two adult children, Greg Morgan, an educator, and Stephanie Morgan, also an educator who passed into the presence of God on August 3, 2012.
