“Audience of One.”
That may have been how you have heard worship defined. I have said it countless times. This is not a post denying that. In fact, it is probably just the opposite. Yesterday, I wrote this post and asked a lot of questions. (It was even entitled “Questions”). I found myself busy all day with barely enough time to okay comments. Nothing challenging really. Until overnight I received a comment that stopped me in my tracks. I approved it and then responded. But space prevented a more complete response. Please understand I am not angry…at all. I respect the person who made the comment. I respect his right to make it. I respect his thoughts. I would simply like to elaborate on mine.
First, please read this passage. First, I probably can guess what you are thinking. “What a yawner!” Or maybe you are a little more open and say, “What the heck is that all about?” (Using that word here will be about as crude as I get). Huram, the subject of this passage, chose to build a masterpiece where no one will ever see. Except One, of course. I know me and I know that I would have had the tendency to say, “Shoot, no one is ever going to see up here. Shortcut time.” But Huram did not take that approach. Instead, he chose to do finite work, he chose to do his very best, even though no one would ever see it. Except One.
This is not a discussion/treatise for excellence in corporate worship. There is enough of that already. My post yesterday was written in a bunch of questions because it is time for the church to ask them! Too often we gather together and our gatherings are nothing more than social clubs. We go to see our new friend. Or that babe/hunk who turns our eye. Or the “show” put on by our team. Multiple reasons too numerous to mention here.
I CONTEND THAT OUR WORSHIP GATHERINGS ARE A WASTE OF TIME IF WE DO NOT COME WITH AN EXPECTATION THAT GOD WILL SHOW UP IN A BIG WAY.
I am not saying “a big way” as in dazzling array of sound and light. Matt Redman’s song, The Heart of Worship, was written after a season of no music in corporate worship because his pastor felt they had lost sight of God’s glory. They had lost sight of why they came. That is no different than “my” church, “your” church, or any other church around this globe. Perhaps the church in North America suffers it more since we are enamored by bright lights, and making an impact, and “reaching” Tom, Dick and Harry with “Sermon Lite and Music done right.” I’m not against excellence, but I sure am against excellence if it replaces the expectation for God to “show up.” I want to have an encounter with Him. I want others to experience the same. Have I mastered it? Not on your life! But I pray each time we gather for us to go beyond the show, the hype, the glitz, the glamor, and for us “to see Jesus and Jesus only.”
I try to keep my posts to 500 words or less and my counter tells me I am above that now. So, I will stop for now and leave my thoughts with you. But I would like to hear what you have to say. Feel free to express them-agree or disagree.
God shows up in a big way each and every Sunday at our church.
Maybe it’s not big enough for some…but He’s there in His Word, and in His sacrament (doing His will in the life of the believer), and that ought be good enough.
You are right that He shows up when His Word is preached, etc.
Hi Bill,
What keeps God away I think according to what I have read in scripture is: sin, insincerity, dishonesty, falsehood, lies, pride, unrepentance, disrespect, unwillingness, hatred of God, disobedience, etc.
Solve these, and I think the church will be well on the road to experiencing God.
No question sin will do it…in all people, not just the pastor or leaders. But in spite of that God can still show up. Since there will be imperfect people there…
“Where two or three are gathered together…” Just because we aren’t aware at times does not mean that Jesus hasn’t shown up. We sing a praise song at communion sometimes that starts, “I come expecting Jesus to meet me in this place….” That is the heart I want to have each week. I don’t always. I want it to be.
i reckon I have not explained myself very well Susan. I do believe He shows up whenever His people are together. We have trouble seeing it when we fail to honor Him.
I have read this post a couple of time this morning. I think that you and I share many of the same thoughts on this subject. My last church had started to become more about entertainment and the “wow” factor and growth metrics than about feeding the flock. I am not a number. I am a follower of Christ with all of my fears and failures. I need constant shepherding.
You and I would have fun talking together Daniel because this is exactly what I am talking about.
I’ve witnessed the presence of God many times, I feel His hand daily, but true life changing miracles happen when hearts are surrendered to God and urging His interaction. I’ve seen it in dirty one bedroom apartments, in nature, at a filthy city bus stop. God is where our pride isn’t…
No question his life-hanging miracles can be seen anywhere and everywhere. Love your last line.
That is a great passage and example of worshipping and adoring God. Very cool. That is love.
It makes me think of all the discoveries that we humans “find”. Things never seen before whether it is in the depths of the ocean or some distant planet. Everything we find is finished, complete, unique and beautiful. God made it that way because He is perfect and made a complete universe. There is no place that is unfinished or thrown together. That is His nature.
Huram found a way to give that back to God in his small way. That IS worship.
Thanks for getting me thinking this morning.
There are so many more discoveries we can make and will make DJ. Hope I didn’t make you think too hard too early.
Our corporate worship should be an outpouring of our private worship.
I think a lot of times, our corporate worship experience fails to ‘deliver’ for us because we have failed to make worship our personal lifestyle – the fine filigree artistry evident even in those places where no one but God can appreciate it.
Worship is not just the songs and the reading/hearing of the Word…
Worship is our lives lived in service to God.
But I’m preaching to the choir.
preach on Dusty!! You said a mouthful here. What a change would happen if we would see worship as 24/7 not just for an hour or so on Sunday.
“I’m not against excellence, but I sure am against excellence if it replaces the expectation for God to ‘show up.’” Amen! I’m constantly convicted and reminded to be dependent on God’s Word to speak and His Spirit to prompt, as opposed to pretending the rise and fall of a worship service depends solely on me. Great words today, Bill.
As a lead worshiper Stephen, I am excited to see you “get it.” I have this sneaking suspicion that to “sit under” you leading worship would be to be ushered into His presence.
Bill,
It’s possible something else such as a wicked spirit is involved in the difficulties church is experiencing too.
We see the trinity of politics that has had to reveal itself to average people since the beginning of the new millenium (year 2000). 1. political leaders and rulers 2. World bank 3. International Monetary Fund.
Other than political leaders and rulers the others were hidden for many years from people. We heard rumors that they existed, but there was no ‘outing’ of these entities.
The same for the antichrist. He’ll have to reveal himself eventually.
I’m thinking the worldly church has the same situation happening. It makes sense that there would be a trinity here as well. A hidden and subtle behind the scenes type of thing. We obviously see the 1. church leaders 2_________? 3._______?
Of course it is more than just worship. but then again it may either be the symptom or the cause.
I want and crave His presence. Not as much as I should, mind you, but I do nonetheless. If He isn’t in it, I don’t want to do it. Like Moses told God, “I’m not moving unless you go with me.” I think we can easily fall into the mentality of “the show must go on” and we plod along not realizing God didn’t come with us. I’ve been guilty, but I know when He gets my attention and I return, He’s ready to lead me into the hope and life He promises. He is good and faithful. Thanks Bill.
That is an excellent story using Moses Jason. “Unless you go with me I am not going.” what a difference that would make if we took that stance. Thanks for the comment.
it is very possible to mistake the lights and hype for God “showing up”. I guess my thought is this: does your life bear Spirit-filled fruit? or the church you attend?
that is what we are supposed to be about. Bearing fruit. Not putting on a show. Doesn’t matter the type of worship. God’s presence isn’t determined by stained glass or fog machines.
Are we bearing fruit?
Are people getting saved?
Is there growth?
Are people serving?
Your fruit will tell you how God is showing up.
You hit the nail on the head Craig. we most definitely mistake it for God showing up.
I couldn’t agree more. I think we sometimes lose sight of the simplicity of Christ. We often become too enamored with all the flash and theatrics. An exciting service can leave you feeling good for a few hours. When Christ shows up you feel good all week.
Good thought Mike. I do think we have made Jesus too hard to understand and “get to.”
Hey everyone! Thanks for making comments even though i was unable to respond for a good part of them. Ministry is like that sometimes and the best laid plans… i so appreciate all of you taking the time to comment.
Worship can be a touchy subject for some. Not sure why. For me, I just close my eyes and find God. He shows up no matter the style, lights, instruments and so on.
Worship for me is about spending time with God. Giving Him the praise He deserves, honoring the sacrifice with the cup & loaf, listening to, soaking in & applying what I hear to my everyday life, singing songs to glorify Him. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of going to church as a social outing, I just don’t think like that. Only just now am I realizing that the people surrounding me in church are my encouragers & shepherds. Great post Bill. The passage you shared goes great with your post.
This is a hard one to fully express in words, but I see where you are headed. Great few last posts man. Hope you are well.