April 26, 2026 | Ptr Peter Tanchi
What comes to mind when you think of “WORSHIP”? For some, it may be raising hands, singing, or kneeling. But true worship is our proper response to who God is, what He has done, and what He continues to do. Worship acts like a thermometer—it measures the depth of our knowledge of and relationship with God.
Worship flows from a personal encounter with Jesus, not from mere tradition. It is not confined to one day, but meant for a lifetime. Even before giving the Law (the Ten Commandments), God wanted His people to remember what He had already done for them (Exodus 20:2–3). The Israelites had no way of escaping Egypt on their own, yet God redeemed and delivered them by His power. Only then did He give them His commandments.
We are to worship God in the right way—He alone is worthy of worship, and we must not make idols. But how else do we worship the true God?
HONOR HIS NAME
We are commanded not to take the name of the Lord our God in vain (Exodus 20:7). The word “vain” means empty, careless, hypocritical, or meaningless. God’s name is majestic and holy, and it must be treated with reverence.
We take His name in vain when we use it carelessly—such as making promises in His name and failing to keep them. Leviticus 19:12 warns against swearing falsely by His name. We also misuse His name when we invoke it to support our personal agendas or to gain credibility.
There is also a serious warning against speaking presumptuously in God’s name—false prophets who claim to speak for God without truth face judgment (Deuteronomy 18:20–22).
Another danger is living hypocritically—bearing His name without reflecting His character. If we call ourselves Christians, we must live in a way that honors that name. Scripture warns that God’s name is blasphemed among others because of His people when they live inconsistently (Romans 2:24).
We must be careful not to dishonor God through our actions. Exodus 20:7 also reminds us that there are consequences for taking His name in vain.
Jesus teaches us to “hallow” or honor God’s name (Matthew 6:9). In everything we do, we are to act in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). Even when circumstances are difficult, we choose to honor Him. We do not judge God based on our circumstances; rather, we interpret our circumstances in light of who God is.
God loves us and has good purposes for our lives. Challenges can awaken us or discipline us, especially when we tend to ignore Him during easier times. If we are to live for His glory, we must ensure that our actions honor Him and do not cause others to stumble.
HONOR HIS SABBATH DAY
Honoring the Sabbath is an act of worship. God commands us to set apart a day of rest (Exodus 20:8–10). We are to work for six days, but the seventh day is dedicated to the Lord.
Whatever your “seventh day” may be, it should be set apart as a day of rest—free from ordinary work. This command reflects God’s love and wisdom. In creation, God worked for six days and rested on the seventh, modeling this rhythm for us.
We need this rest—not only physically, but spiritually. True worship is rooted in who God is and what He has done. He is our Creator, and He is worthy of worship. Worship is fueled by truth (theology), not just emotion. The Sabbath reminds us to look back to God and His work.
The Pharisees misunderstood this and became legalistic. When Jesus’ disciples picked grain on the Sabbath, they were criticized (Mark 2:23–28). Jesus corrected them by teaching that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath—and that He Himself is Lord of the Sabbath.
Romans 14:1–6 reminds us not to judge one another over specific practices, but to honor the principle: setting apart time for the Lord. Colossians 2:16–17 also points us to the deeper reality that the Sabbath ultimately finds its fulfillment in Christ.
Worship requires intentionality. Busyness is one of the greatest enemies of worship. If we do not intentionally set aside time for God, something else will take its place.
We must prioritize both private and corporate worship (Psalm 122:1; 95:1–2). Scripture encourages us not to neglect gathering together (Hebrews 10:25), just as the early church regularly did (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
God demonstrated His provision in the wilderness by giving manna daily. He instructed the Israelites to gather twice as much on the sixth day (Exodus 16:4–5). Some disobeyed and hoarded extra on other days, and it spoiled (Exodus 16:20–21). But the extra gathered on the sixth day did not spoil (vv. 22–23). When some tried to gather on the seventh day, there was none (vv. 26–28). God was teaching them to trust Him and to rest.
The Sabbath is not just about time—it is a matter of faith. It declares that God is sovereign, the Lord of our time, and our ultimate Provider. He knows what is best for us.
We are called to delight in the Sabbath and honor it (Isaiah 58:13–14), with a promise of blessing for those who do.
Ultimately, the Sabbath points us to Jesus—the true Bread from heaven (John 6:31–35). Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.” He is our ultimate rest and satisfaction. He invites us to come to Him and find true rest (Matthew 11:28).