Who are we singing for in the "worship service?"

I often hear people say, "We sing for God, not ourselves. In the worship service, He is the audience, not us!" This is usually coupled with a quote from Ephesians 5:19, and it's at least partially accurate. It errs in a couple of ways, but I'll address the deep, subtle, yet important misunderstanding of God at the end.

1st, there is no such thing as a "worship service," and the verses immediately prior to and after verse 19 speak of a "daily walk," and instruction that is for us "always," and 2nd, we are told, "speaking to one another in psalms...making melody with your heart to the Lord." Here, God identifies two audiences: us to one another, and us to Him.

The more subtle misunderstanding of this is that it sees God as requiring a "worship service" to appease Him, when God has mentioned our assembly as being for our own edification. In 1 Cor 14:26, He says, "What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."

Jesus had to correct a Jewish misconception that was very similar and He chided them saying, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:23-3:6) Likewise, the assembly is for the saints, not the saints for assembly. Edification and equipping of the saints for the work of service is the goal—making ourselves strong, spiritual warriors for Christ, not just rulekeepers of technicalities.

It's illegal to use a banjo in a worship service 'cause ya ain't singin'.

"The Bible only says to sing! Using a banjo is unauthorized." Is a person playing a guitar while making vocalizations somehow not singing? Check this out from God's word:

"Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre!" (Psalms 33:2)

God never defined singing as "without an instrument." In fact, He instructed us to sing Psalms, and the above is one.

Musical instruments in worship services.

If you make a special hour called a "worship service," which God never did, you can end up with some worship service weirdness, because you have to make more rules to flesh it out. It's a lot like a web of lies: tell one, then have to tell another to support it, and one to support that...and it goes on.

I've copied this Q&A from a great website which suffers from some misunderstanding, leading to the following confusion by both the asker and evangelist answering. Check out how man's rules complicate God's simple principles in the Law of Liberty.

--Question:

Someone asked me this question and I would like your opinion. I looked on your great web site but didn't see it addressed.

A young lady asked me if it is okay to listen to "Christian rock" or instrumental ("Christian") songs outside of worship. I would appreciate you opinion. Thanks for the good work you do.

--Answer:

"I've known brethren to argue both sides of this issue. Those for it argue that it is better than the trash available on many other stations. While they won't join it and sing with the instrumental music, they prefer to hear decent words and lyrics that are focused on praising God. The other side points out that many of these songs are worship songs but set with instrumental music. Since worship is involved, then the one being worshiped is the one who sets the rules. Since God did not authorize instrumental music for His worship in the New Testament, then we should not seek to add it to ours, whether it is congregational worship or personal worship.

Thus the core issue is whether listening to someone else sing songs that can be used in the worship of God constitutes worship or not. It is an issue that I am not certain I can settle. I usually ask the person whether they consider it to be worship or not and work from there. Personally, I don't go out of my way to listen to such music. I won't change channels on a station necessarily if a religious song comes on. I have even heard and admired some of the thoughts expressed in some songs set to instruments and wonder if we could get a hold of an a-capella arrangement for the congregation. But I definitely don't allow myself to sing along with such songs because it focuses my mind on God and I would rather worship God as He wants to be worshiped.

We also ought to be careful of the music branded as Christian music. I've heard numerous songs that might mention God, but what the song teaches is contrary to the teachings in God's word. Filling our minds with erroneous teachings is bad whether it is from secular or religious sources. In some ways a religious source is more dangerous because we are at least on our guard for false teachings from a secular source."

The eunuch and the worship service.

If you pay attention to Acts 8, you'll notice something that's missing. In this chapter, Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch who is returning home from Jerusalem and Philip preaches Jesus to him (29-35). Pay close attention to this part:

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.  And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (35-37)

The obvious part is that preaching to a person who is not Christian includes Jesus, and the response is belief and a desire for immediate baptism. But the less-obvious part is the missing bit. IMMEDIATELY after this takes place, Philip vanishes and the Ethiopian goes back to Ethiopia rejoicing (39).  Do you know what is missing? Philip never told him how to have a worship service! 

And oddly enough, the concept of the "worship service" is missing from the entirety of the New Testament writings. It exists 0 times. Whatcha think? 

How many times does God mention a worship service?

: How many times does God talk about a worship service and how it is to be conducted? Do you know the things that have to be done in a worship service? 

Interestingly, God talked about worship services only 0 times.  Although people have devised ways to make a "worship" service through things which can be counted on five fingers—preaching, singing, praying, communion, giving money (don't worry about Bible class, that happens before the worship)—the New Testament never calls these acts of worship nor are they ever enumerated as such. 

The New Testament does mention assembling, such as when Paul chastised the Corinthians, saying "But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse...when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper!"  (1 Cor 11)