Going back to the Word

In details, Jeremiah Burroughs expounds the subject of worship based on Leviticus 10:3: “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” Burroughs notes that in God’s worship, “there must be nothing tendered up to God but what He has commanded. Whatever we meddle with in the worship of God must be what we have a warrant for out of the word of God.” (Sermon 1, y11) If we do not, it’s at our own peril. From the story of Nadab and Abihu, Burroughs indicates that how we approach the Lord in worship is important- if not to us, certainly to God.This is in contrast with what many worship leaders who are practicing pragmatism in their worship, which takes the place of the Word and rather focuses on our wants and needs.

Burroughs also shows us a God who is truly worthy of your worship and adoration  “The reason why we worship God in a slight way is because we do not see God in His glory.” God’s majesty is clearly exalted by the way Burroughs instructs his hearers as to their behavior when worshipping God: “Look upon the Lord lifted up in glory, not only above all creatures, but above all excellencies that all angels and men in heaven and earth are able to imagine.”(Sermon V) Continuing with his exaltation, Burroughs exhorts his hearers, “Look upon the Lord as having all excellencies in Himself, joined in one, and that immutably. Look upon Him as the fountain of all excellency, good, and glory that all creatures in the world have.” (Sermon V) Furthermore, Burroughs yearns, “Look upon the Lord every time you come to worship Him as that God whom angels adore and before whom the devils are forced to tremble.” (Sermon V)

The examples above are some profound and basic thoughts and observations by Burrough, which should be heeded by worship leaders today in their local churches.

Moreover, Give Praise to God notes the importance of the saturation of Scripture in worship. Sound theology should shape everything we do in worship and primarily the Word of God, rather than culture, should influence the worship practices. I am reminded constantly throughout this course that the Word is how we know about God, and therefore it is the foundation of our worship.