If I use the word, "worship" in a phrase like "worship service", you'll likely have some images in your head. There are friendly faces, warm songs, probably a plate being passed. The pastor will give a good sermon and, hopefully, you will be "warmed and fed". You'll feel comforted and bolstered and ready to face the week. That's what likely comes to mind.
One might be tempted, while looking into worship, to look at what it looks like in the Bible. That is, what does God think it looks like? Look, for instance, at the glorious worship service in Isaiah 6. There are "songs" -- the magnificent "Holy, Holy, Holy" of the seraphim. But there's no "congregation" except Isaiah himself, and he's not exactly "heart-warmed". Or how about the sequel in Revelation 4 and 5. Now here we have a congregation. There are creatures and angelic beings and elders; quite a crowd. And it is indeed uplifting. But, you know, it's not what we imagine in our worship services.
The first thing you will notice in every biblical worship service is that the focus, the primary focus, practically the only focus is God. His glory, His character, His holiness, His majesty, it's all about Him. There doesn't seem to be any need for "relevance", entertainment, comfortable seating, even a plate to pass.
Maybe, just maybe, there's something there that we might want to learn. While we're trying to attract the unchurched and compete with the world's entertainment and provide for seekers, maybe what we really ought to be aiming at in our worship service is ... God. Well, at least, you and I can do that, right? Because if there is anything we can surely agree on, it's that He is worthy of praise.
1 comment:
Good post indeed! When I hear my pastor, or anyone else, speaking about why people come to church, or our church or any church, the list of reasons can be lengthy. But rarely do I hear among those reasons the whole point of a Sunday service...to worship God. What lure must there be in order to entice anyone to do that? Apparently the mere worship of He who is responsible for our very existence is not enough. That's a shame.
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