Podcast Summary: "Principles for Worship" – Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson

Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson (Ligonier Ministries)
Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

In this devotional episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson reflects on the essential principles that govern Christian worship. He addresses the importance of distinguishing between the elements of worship that are universal and those that are variable, the need for biblical guidance, and maintaining a God-centered focus in all church gatherings. Drawing from personal anecdotes and theological foundations, Ferguson guides listeners in discerning how to shape church worship that both honors God and edifies the congregation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Setting and Introduction to Worship

• Sinclair reminisces about worship at St. Andrew’s Chapel, highlighting the congregation's unique singing tradition focused on the holiness of God.
  • “It’s the only church that I have ever attended, where the congregation sings ‘Holy, Holy, holy, Holy is the Lord ... Blessed Three in one.’” [00:15]

The Regulative Principle in Worship

• Every community has a regulative principle—an underlying logic or set of rules guiding their worship (whether formal or informal):
  • Some base it on preference or cultural appeal, which can shift the focus toward human desires instead of God.
  • True worship should ask: “What does God tell us He likes, what does God tell us He wants, and what does God tell us will be most helpful to us to come into His presence and to praise Him?” [01:43]
• The need to search the Scriptures is emphasized:
  • “There’s only one way to discover the answer to those questions. It’s by searching the Scriptures and reflecting on and applying their teaching to the churches to which we belong…” [02:00]

Constants (“Elements”) and Variables in Worship

• Constants (Elements) of Worship:
  • Should appear in every service, regardless of place or size:
    • Singing praise
    • Praying
    • Exposition of Scripture
    • Baptism
    • The Lord’s Supper
  • “There are certain constants in worship…these are or should be in every service, no matter who we are, where we are, or how many or few of us there may be.” [02:26]
• Variables in Worship:
  • Aspects that can appropriately differ by context or culture:
    • Time of day for worship (e.g., the historical tradition of 11:00 AM services to accommodate farmers’ chores)
    • Choice of hymn tunes
    • Whether the congregation stands or sits
  • “The Scriptures don’t tell us what tunes we need to use to sing God’s praise. The Scriptures don’t tell us when we should stand and when we should sit.” [03:43]

Applying Principles When Scripture is Silent

• Not every detail is prescribed in the Bible; in such cases, it is right to use sanctified wisdom:
  • Decisions “ordered by the light of nature” may differ across cultures (citing the Westminster Confession of Faith).
  • Danger in thinking “if God has not given us clear instructions, then we can do whatever we want.” [04:18]
• Even in non-explicit matters, we must apply general biblical principles:
  • Paul’s guidance in 1 Corinthians suggests evaluating by two questions:
    1. “Is this really going to be edifying for the church?”
    2. “Is this really going to be for the glory of God?” [05:01]
  • The second question (“for the glory of God?”) should always dominate.

The Temple Hymn as a Litmus Test

• The recurring hymn—“Holy is the Father, Holy is the Son, Holy is the Spirit, blessed Three in one”—serves as a paradigm for Trinitarian, God-centered worship.
  • “What is most going to tend to the glory of God? What is most going to enable us to sing Holy is the Father...?” [05:45]
• Worship that seeks God’s glory will help the church to authentically “worship Him in spirit and in truth.” [06:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On everyone having a regulative principle:

  • “Sometimes it’s more obvious, and sometimes, alas, it’s a regulative principle that seems chaotic. And we need a regulative principle, otherwise every single one of us would end up starting his or her own denomination.” [00:47]

• On the biblical anchor for worship:

  • “Our basic regulative principle for worship is: what does God tell us He likes, what does God tell us He wants, and what does God tell us will be most helpful to us to enable us to come into His presence and … praise Him?” [01:43]

• On the application of biblical wisdom:

  • “Even in areas of life and worship where God has not given specific instructions, we are called to apply general biblical principles to every one of these specific occasions.” [04:38]

• On worship’s ultimate question:

  • “What is most going to tend to the glory of God? What is most going to enable us to sing ‘Holy is the Father, Holy is the Son, Holy is the Spirit, blessed three in one?’” [05:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15 – Introduction to St. Andrew’s Chapel’s Trinitarian hymn
• 00:47 – Every congregation’s regulative principle (even if “chaotic”)
• 01:43 – The right question: What does God desire in worship?
• 02:26 – Elements (constants) of biblical worship outlined
• 03:43 – Variables in worship practices discussed (culture, “light of nature”)
• 04:38 – Applying general biblical principles where Scripture is silent
• 05:01 – Two questions for evaluating worship practices (edification and God’s glory)
• 05:45 – The ultimate test: Is it for the glory of God?
• 06:05 – Concluding encouragement: Worship “in spirit and in truth”

Conclusion

Sinclair B. Ferguson’s reflection offers a clear and scripture-rooted framework for assessing Christian worship. By sorting out the constants from the variables and keeping God’s glory at the center of every decision, the church can avoid both rigid legalism and aimless innovation, instead pursuing worship that is biblically grounded, spiritually enriching, and Christ-exalting.