n the Adventist family, numbering some 11 million around the globe, we worship in many different languages and cultures. More important than the number of worshipers is the truth that because of Jesus we can worship in the same place at the same time. Under the banner of Jesus, there is no east or west, no north or south. Because of Jesus, the rich and the poor can sit together in the same place of worship. Because of Jesus, people from different tribes can stand side by side to sing and pray. Because of Jesus, young and old can praise God together. Because of Jesus, those who were once enemies can offer forgiveness to each other and share the Communion service. And those whose people have suffered injustice for centuries can turn the other cheek, because Jesus lives in their hearts. It is a miracle!

God’s Word, the Bible, tells us the good news about Jesus, the Word of God. Scripture leads us to the foot of the cross. It points us to the Son of God, the one who gave His life for us.  The one who made it possible for us to have eternal life! It is at the foot of the cross that we see our own sinfulness. It is there that we unite in exclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!”

Yes, the Word of God invites us to the foot of the cross to see our Saviour. There we worship, united in heart. It’s possible to carry on business together, claim the same doctrines, and even enter the same building for worship without being united in heart. But it’s not possible to truly worship and yet stand apart from one another.

Pause a moment. Is there any tribe, race, or nationality whom you cannot embrace? Are you estranged from any person or family? Do you hold a grudge against your spouse or parent or child? Can you accept Jesus’ forgiveness without offering forgiveness, and even love, to your fellow beings? Can you praise God, from whom all blessings flow, without blessing your neighbor?

You see, when Jesus on the cross comes into our hearts, miracles of forgiveness take place. When Jesus’ forgiveness ripples out as we forgive those who have wronged us, we sense the wonder of Jesus’ gift. Then our voices are truly raised in worship. Then we bow together at the foot of the cross, look into the face of our Lord, and worship . . . united.

A Living Experience
What is worship? Worship is not merely attending a church service, even if in the service you sing and pray and read the Bible . . . and even if you keep the right day. It is possible to attend a church service but not to worship while you’re there. The prophet Isaiah describes worship for us. You can read about it in Isaiah 6:1-8. These verses describe something that Isaiah experienced. They explain why we are brought together in unity under the cross.

[Read Isaiah 6:1-8.]

According to Isaiah, worship is an experience with God. It’s a real event. Meeting the God of heaven, the Creator of all the universe, the Saviour of humankind, creates within us a sense of awe at His majesty and power.

Isaiah’s response is the same response that takes place in us. Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (verse 5).

Following Isaiah’s confession, the assurance of forgiveness was sent by the angel, “having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar” (verse 6). He said, “Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged” (verse 7).

Immediately the worshiper heard God’s call, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (verse 8). Anyone who has just seen God, who has confessed his or her sin, and has been forgiven is absolutely compelled by their own heart to offer as did Isaiah, “Here am I; send me” (verse 8).

Adventists are brought together in unity through worship . . . not because of a doctrine, not because of a voted church decree, not just because it is good to do. We are brought together in unity in worship because of Jesus—because of what He has done for us and is doing in us.

Beyond Externals
One day I visited a church with my aunt. As we were leaving the service, she began to comment on the clothing she had seen. She could, in fact, tell me about what everyone was wearing. She had not worshiped. Worship is not about wearing certain clothes, whether plain or fancy. Neither is worship displaying talents or going through a ritual. No. Worshiping is being with Jesus.

As Isaiah sensed the presence of God he could hear angels. They too expressed awe as they cried out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (verse 3). There is no place in worship for personal pride, no glory in personal accomplishments. In the presence of the God of heaven there is room only for humility. We kneel before God with our fellow worshipers to praise His name. All focus is totally on Him. From time zone to time zone the sound goes up in hundreds of languages—

“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, Amen.”

All eyes look to heaven. All thoughts are on God. While we are thinking about Him—His majesty, His power, and His sacrifice—there just isn’t room for negative thoughts about others. It is easy to understand how Paul could say, “I am chief among the sinners” (see 1 Tim. 1:15). We all feel that way when we compare ourselves to God and His perfect standard. The American Negro spiritual says,

“Not my sister, nor my brother,
But it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.”

Sometimes I have looked at other members and questioned their spirituality. Sometimes I have questioned, oh, maybe their style of music. Sometimes I’ve considered their background, or nationality, or ethnicity; or I’ve wished they’d support the church better. Sometimes I’ve felt the preacher wasn’t performing as well as I wished. But none of that can occupy my mind when I’m face to face with Jesus, and saying, “Thank You for giving Your life for me.” At that moment I’ve met only fellow pilgrims standing at the foot of the cross.

We leave our place of worship together. As we walk out, our hearts are compelled to sing, “Redeemed! how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” We are not boasting, because Jesus has done it all for us. We are united in our happiness for what He has done for us.

And then it happens. We hear the voice of Jesus calling, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” We can’t refuse. We jump at the chance. After all, Jesus has done everything for us, including giving His life for us. We must tell others the good news. The Adventist Church is united in its goal to tell the world about a loving, forgiving, and soon-coming Saviour. We must tell our own neighbors. We must tell everyone in our own country, everyone who speaks our own language, everyone in the world. It is a part of our worship. We are united in spreading the message about Jesus. That is why we are united in our support for the missionaries going to unentered territories. That is why we are united in the idea of planting churches among every people group on the face of the globe.

Dear Father, dear Jesus, thank You for being my God. Forgive me for the times I have felt that I was more of a Christian than someone else or was better than another member. And Lord, I thank You for the forgiveness that You offer. With others of Your children and with eagerness I say, “Here I am! You may send me to those who don’t yet know!”

And, oh, what joy there will be when the work is done and we go in with the redeemed of all ages through the pearly gates, when we are part of that vast throng made up of angels and elders and every living being, saying in chorus, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. . . . Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (Rev. 5:12, 13).

Questions for Sharing:
1. How can diverse international groups come together in common worship? What brings them together? And what’s the glue that holds them?

2. What lessons can we learn from Isaiah’s experience in worship (Isa. 6:1-8)?

3. How does true worship affect our mission?

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Don Schneider is president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, with headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.