Moment of Meditation: Lip Service (Matthew 15:8-9)

Original Broadcast: February 2010

Monthly Theme: Second Commandment

[Jesus said:] "This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
(Matthew 15:8-9)

Lip Service

The greatest misuse of God's name is simply giving lip service to God. This is one of the great complaints made by people against churches who have a rich liturgical heritage. Those churches that have the order of service printed in their hymnals and used week after week are accused of misusing God's name by rote repetition that just gives lip service to God instead of actual worship.

The problem with these complaints is that those making the complaints are doing exactly what the Pharisees did in Jesus' day. They want a break from the traditional, historic view of the worship service and teach their own views as the doctrines of God.

A great understanding can come from this passage in understanding worship as Gottesdeinst, "Divine Service". Worship is God coming down and serving us with His Word. This is why the historic church had a liturgy that comes strictly from God's Word. We hear God's words of Law and Gospel and we respond with His Word in thanksgiving for all He has done for us in Christ Jesus.

Worship taken straight out of the Bible isn't lip service. It is the right usage of God's name as He reveals His Word and gives His blessings to us. Think about that as you worship this weekend. Amen.