Introduction

“When we say that we should sing the Word, we mean that our singing ought to be biblical.” – Ligon Duncan

In the book of Hebrews, we are exhorted to offer acceptable worship to God, but what does that practically look like? Ligon Duncan not only answers the “what” of acceptable worship, but also the “how.”

Worship is defined as “glorifying and enjoying God forever,” which is done in two ways:

1. Gathering to worship with the body of Christ.
2. Worshipping God in all of life, with everything we have.

These two elements of worship work together, ensuring that we are not hypocrites with our hearts far from God as we enter the assembly of worship, and encouraging us, while in the assembly, to also worship in private.

Most importantly, Duncan reminds us that acceptable worship is worship according to the Scriptures—it is filled by the Word and framed by the Word. Not only do we read God’s Word, but we pray it, preach it, and sing it. And we do it all with a heart of gratitude. This is what acceptable worship means.