What Does It Mean To Experience FRESH WORSHIP?

There is a short story in the Old Testament of the Bible that on the surface is rather confusing. It’s the story of Cain and Abel in the Book of Genesis, chapter 4. In this story, the Bible makes it clear that although both brothers made offerings to God, only one of the brothers offering was pleasing to God. Why was one offering acceptable, and the other offering unacceptable? It was Cain’s offering that God had a serious problem with. Cain offered, "…fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD” (Genesis 4:3). The problem God had with Cain’s offering is explained by God to Cain with only the words, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:7).

It is easy to think that God was expressing a mere dislike for carrots and potatoes as offerings. But there is a theme that runs somewhat deeper in the story, and throughout the Bible. It is the theme of right religious actions do not make right worship in God’s eyes. There is something more important in worship than ritual exercise. It is the heart of a person, and the life that they live, that matters in worship to a much greater extent.

At Spokane Church, lifting to God an “acceptable offering” of worship is of great importance. When Paul was trying to teach about real worship he said, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you. TLB

In other words, God is pleased with our worship when there is a “fresh newness” in our living, thinking and worship of Him. A freshness that supercedes any stale liturgy, tired prayers or worn-out hymns. Our aim is to encourage everyone onto the path of experiencing a real relationship with God so that each one may go on to “experience how His ways will really satisfy you.”