Worship by the Book | The Regulative Principle of Worship
Every act of worship rests on a hidden question: who gets to decide how God is approached? In this series, Worship by the Book, we examine the biblical conviction that God alone holds the authority to define acceptable worship, not because he is difficult to please, but because he is holy and has graciously told his people plainly rather than leaving them to guess. Over the course of this study, we trace this truth from Israel poised at the edge of the Promised Land, through the sobering account of unauthorized worship in the tabernacle, to the mediated access secured for us in Christ.
Throughout these messages, we will see that the elements, manner, and purpose of worship are not matters of arbitrary preference or personal taste, but a gift entrusted to the church for her good. Ultimately, this series calls us to lay aside the impulse to invent our own way to God, and to receive instead the deep freedom of worshiping him as he has commanded, through the mediation of Jesus Christ, our great high priest.
Week 1: The God Who Commands Our Worship
📖 Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:29-32 & Leviticus 10:1-3
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📒 Read the Devotions
Week 2: The Elements of Worship
📖 Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 & Colossians 3:16-17
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📒 Read the Devotions
Week 3: The Manner of Worship
📖 Scripture: John 4:19-26
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📒 Read the Devotions
Week 4: The Purpose of Worship
📖 Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-29 & Revelation 5
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📒 Read the Devotions
Worship by the Book FAQ
This FAQ draws from the four-part sermon series "Worship by the Book", covering the Regulative Principle of Worship.
What is the Regulative Principle of Worship?
It is the conviction that God alone decides how he is to be worshiped. The church worships him in the ways he has commanded in Scripture, not in ways that seem fitting, effective, or moving to us. The phrase sounds technical, but the idea is simple: we want to worship God as he desires to be worshiped. This is the focus of Week One, "The God Who Commands Our Worship."
Isn't this legalistic?
It isn't when it is understood rightly. God did not give instructions for worship to weigh his people down. He rescued them and then told them plainly how to come near him, rather than leaving them to guess. That is a gift, not a burden. It also isn't about dress codes or reciting exact phrases. It is about receiving what God has given. Week Three looks at how the heart matters more than the checklist.
Does this still apply under the New Covenant?
Yes, though much has changed. The sacrifices and temple rituals have ended because Jesus is the once-for-all sacrifice. God is still holy, and he still tells his church how to gather. Hebrews 12 says we worship with gratitude, reverence, and awe because we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. We don't worship rightly out of fear. We do it because of what Christ has done. See Week Four for more.
What are the elements of worship?
Acts 2:42 and Colossians 3:16 point to the Word read and preached, prayer, the Lord's Supper, and the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. These are not decorations added over the centuries. They are what God gave the church to gather around. This is the focus of Week Two, "The Elements of Worship."
What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth?
Jesus told the woman at the well that true worship is no longer tied to a mountain or a temple. To worship in spirit means the heart is engaged, not just going through the motions. To worship in truth means we are shaped by what God has said about himself, since sincerity alone can still be wrong. This is the focus of Week Three, "The Manner of Worship."
Why does worship happen together?
Worship forms us as individuals, but it also shapes us together as the people of God. Revelation 5 shows worship already underway around the throne, and each Lord's Day we step into it alongside other believers. This is the focus of Week Four, "The Purpose of Worship."
Join Us on Sunday
If this series raised questions about worship, we’d love to talk. Join us Sundays at 9:30 a.m. at First Reformed (EPC) in Edgerton, Minnesota. Plan your visit to see what to expect, or send your questions to web@edgertonfrc.org.
Listen and Watch
Listen or watch all of the Worship by the Book series on Spotify or YouTube, or explore the sermon archive for other past series.