I get a lot of push back on the subject and I am sure this post may cause a few waves, but that okay if it creates a healthy discussion on the topic. We are currently in a series on God's Spirit (Holy Spirit). This series has created some good discussion as we gain a better understanding of the most often neglected and/or mis-represented part of the Holy Trinity. One discussion has been on worship and what does real worship look like? This is an excellent questions, but before we start looking at potential answers; let's start by asking some other questions.
Have you ever been frustrated when on a Sunday morning the best "so called" worshipers leave church and live a very un-Christian life the remainder of the week? What does singing a song have to do with worship? And if we have a good worship time at church, does it impact every other part of our lives? Please do not misunderstand me, I am not diminishing the importance of this part of our service or even downplaying it. However, when we have a better understanding of what we are and are not doing, it helps us to move into a deeper place with God. This part of a service to me is a celebration as we praise God for all that He is, what is doing and what He will be doing in our lives. God deserves our praise and adoration. He is God and has provided His Son Jesus as an atonement for our sins. That alone and nothing else deserve our praise. In Luke 19:40, Jesus makes this statement..."if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." So, praise to our God is a very important part of what we do. Worship holds an even more important part. One of my favorite Scriptures is Romans 12:1-2. This Scripture gives a very true interpretation of what worship to God should look like. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship." Your life... Ahhhh... That's how we worship God, through our lives. Our lives are to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God... This is YOUR TRUE AND PROPER WORSHIP. My take on that Scripture goes like this, "Because Jesus intentionally died for me, I will intentionally live for Him." And that doesn't just mean when it is easy or convenient to be a Christian, but every moment of my life. In all honesty, I wish I could say I get it right a 100% of the time. The truth is... all have sinned and all have fallen short of the glory of God. That includes me. So, by no means am I placing myself on a pedestal, but thank God for His grace. When we put so much focus on something that we call worship on Sunday and downplay what we are supposed to do the rest of week, it is no wonder we stumble. When there is more emphasis on a small part of our worship experience like singing songs and less on living for Christ, we find ourselves in trouble. Real Worship is how you live your daily life. Sunday is a celebration of God we do corporately, but it does not take the place of sacrificial living for God. That happens moment by moment. On a side note, I believe when we examine our life actions and decisions on moment by moment basis; we do a better job of living a life that is holy and pleasing to God. So what would worship service look like on Sunday's if there were no music? Hmmmm... Let's celebrate and praise our God together... corporately... and let's let our lives be the worship He deserves. A life lived in the reflection of His glory, mirroring Jesus Christ!
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AuthorPaul is a Christ Follower. He has been married to his beautiful wife Rebecca and they have two beautiful children, a dog, two cats and a turtle. They love being together as a family and doing the adventure that is ministry. They love the outdoors and enjoying all of God's creation. Archives
October 2019
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