“Faithful Worship”

SERMON Title: Faithful Worship
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 6:1-11 ESV

Introduction

Good morning, church. It’s truly an honor to share God’s Word with you today. Every time I stand here and see God’s people faithfully gather to worship, my heart is stirred. I’m especially thankful for Reverend John—my dear friend and a faithful servant of the Lord. We bonded years ago in Edmonton through shared trials, and I look up to him as a spiritual heavyweight. As for me? I’m more of a spiritual featherweight—so lower your expectations and be gracious with me! But here’s my confidence: our God is too great to be contained by one preacher, and He is faithful to speak through every messenger. So let’s open our hearts—because I believe God wants to meet us.

Let me begin with a question: What matters more—purpose or efficiency?

If I phrase it differently: effectiveness (doing the right thing) or efficiency (doing it the fastest, cheapest, most convenient way)? Now bring that into worship: Is the purpose and goal of our worship more important, or is efficiency what truly matters? Are we trying to do worship right, or merely to do it easily?

Family, worship is non-negotiable. God promises to meet us when we worship Him—whether alone or gathered—but He calls us to worship on His terms. If there’s one thing we must do rightly as a church, it’s worship. Today isn’t about accusing anyone; it’s an invitation to introspection. How have I been worshiping? Where might I have drifted?

From the very beginning—think Cain and Abel—God showed that worship has to be done His way. Yet in our time, the church is tempted to trade God’s intention for convenience, popularity, or what appears welcoming. We tell ourselves it’s loving or efficient, but slowly the center shifts. And when we begin to compromise God’s design in small ways, it spreads like leaven through the whole loaf.

I showed a clip of the “Sparkle Creed” from a church service—speaking of a non-binary god, of Jesus with two dads, of a rainbow spirit. Church, that’s not merely a difference of style—that’s a redefinition of God and the gospel. But hear me: the core issue I’m naming today is not primarily sexuality or cultural pressure; the core issue is compromised worship—a willingness to reshape God’s commands around our preferences. Small compromises for efficiency or social acceptance snowball into full theological distortion. That’s what happens when we stop letting God define worship.

Open your Bible with me to 2 Samuel 6. Israel had lost the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines because of disobedience. When David becomes king, he longs to restore God’s presence to Jerusalem—a good desire. He gathers 30,000 chosen men, forms a grand procession, music and dancing fill the streets—and he puts the Ark on a cart pulled by oxen. When the oxen stumble, Uzzah reaches out to steady the Ark and is struck down by the Lord. Tragic. Why?

Because good intentions aren’t enough when we ignore God’s instructions. God had clearly commanded that only Levites carry the Ark on their shoulders (Num 4; 1 Chr 15). David, in his passion, followed the Philistine method instead of God’s method. He adopted a pagan delivery system for a holy object. Church, that’s the point: no matter how extravagant, exciting, widely accepted, or efficient our worship appears—if it isn’t obedience, it isn’t pleasing to God.

Some object: “Isn’t that harsh? Uzzah was trying to help!” But the text forces me to reckon with this sobering truth: when leaders disobey, the innocent suffer. My choices as a worshiper and leader affect others. That puts a holy weight on me: I must worship God on His terms, not mine.

The good news? David reassessed, searched the Scriptures, corrected course, and then brought the Ark God’s way—and God blessed it. That’s the invitation for us today: reassess and return. If you’re encountering God week after week—praise the Lord. Keep going. But if something feels off—if worship feels thin, distracted, or man-centered—it may be time for adjustment.

So let me offer three premises—three plumb lines—to re-evaluate our worship:

1) Am I worshiping in the truth?

R.C. Sproul wrote that worship is far too important to be shaped by preference or marketing; it must be informed at every point by the Word of God. In other words, is my worship Christ-centered and gospel-grounded? Am I coming by the blood of Jesus, conscious that only His atonement makes me acceptable to God? When I’m busy serving on Sundays—soundboard, music, kids’ ministry—am I still beholding Christ, not just executing tasks? The Old Covenant priests approached at the risk of their lives; Christ has opened a new and living way—but it is still a holy way. Is Jesus truly at the center of my worship today?

2) Am I worshiping selflessly?

Billy Graham said the highest form of worship is unselfish Christian service. Worship is not about my favorite songs or my preferred preacher. It’s Romans 12:1—a living sacrifice. Does my worship train me toward humility, or feed my preferences? Am I laying down my comfort, my schedule, my image, my will—so that Christ is magnified? Am I a living sacrifice to the Lord?

3) Am I worshiping missionally—before the watching world?

Tim Keller reminded us: God calls His people not only to worship but to sing His praises before the nations. Everyone worships something; the world is starved for the real thing. When the church worships in Spirit and truth—obediently, joyfully, sacrificially—we display the gospel. Our gathered worship becomes a public witness that God is worthy. Does my worship point beyond me—to the Savior who satisfies?

Church, God promises: “If you worship Me, I will meet you.” If lately you haven’t sensed His nearness, it’s a grace to ask: Am I putting the cart before the horse? Have I adopted worldly methods for holy things? Where have I chosen efficiency over obedience? Today, let’s reassess and return.

Reflection

Close your eyes for a moment. How am I carrying the Ark today? On God’s shoulders—His way—or on the world’s cart—my way? Is there compromise I need to confess? Is there obedience I need to embrace? Lord, realign our worship to Your Word. Recentre us on Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Make us a people who worship in truth, selflessly, and missionally—for Your glory and for the life of the world. Amen.