Spurgeon is right that true worship does not forget that the veil is torn, and we are beckoned to come to God as a child draws near to a father. Corporate worship needs to be blended: solemn reverence for God and affectionate joy in God.

If you spend enough time in a church, the issue of worship “style” will inevitably come up in some form or fashion. Of course, one might assume that if you attend a church focused on the ordinary means of grace, that there is no debate over worship style. Yet, there is a word that even the most committed soul to the regulative principle of worship needs to hear. In a sermon entitled, “The Rent Veil,” C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) provided some sound wisdom that all need to hear when it comes to worship. Spurgeon stated, “I can admire the solemn and stately language of worship which recognizes the greatness of God; but it will not warm my heart nor express my soul until it has also blended therewith the joyful nearness of that perfect love which casteth out fear, and ventures to speak with our Father in heaven as a child speaketh with its father on earth.”^[1] Spurgeon’s description of “blended” worship is one to take to heart.

Corporate worship within a church needs to blend a solemn reverence for God while also being marked by a lifegiving joy rooted in adoption. One does not have to search very hard to find evidence for rather cringe, irreverent, and shallow forms of corporate worship on Sundays. So many things are ushered into a sacred space on the Lord’s Day that are revolting and should make believers nauseated. When we assemble each Sunday for worship, there is a real sense of awe that should fill our hearts. Men and women, boys and girls are gathering together to approach the thrice holy God who was, who is, and who is to come. Corporate worship in many evangelical churches needs a heavy dose of the holy and the solemn. This is not a spectator sport we are engaging in when we sing, pray, and hear the Word of God proclaimed. Our worship needs to attempt to display how great, holy, and majestic we believe God truly is.

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