Yesterday, I preached part 2 in a sermon series on Worship. Included in the sermon, I read the article that follows, which I wrote back in February 2003.
Have you heard the “catch phrases” that are used to describe today’s worship services…traditional, blended, contemporary, seeker sensitive and seeker driven? Some worship services feel stiff and formal, while others have a club atmosphere. Some appear “churchy,” while others have the appearance of a Broadway show. These services are held in everything from pristine chapels to storefront buildings. In spite of the different atmospheres and meeting places, they have a common purpose – to worship God.
Have you heard the terms used to describe today’s worshipers…Senior Saints, Seekers, Boomers, Busters and Gen-X? Other terms include formal, free, rigid, and relaxed. Some of these worshipers wear suits and ties, while others wear jeans and T-shirts. Some like hymns, some like Southern Gospel and others like contemporary music. It’s amusing to hear people debate the various styles and defend their preference as the one that most impresses God. Although the worshipers are very different, the object of their worship is the same – God.
Too often, these worshipers begin to focus on their different worship styles, rather than on their common purpose. They begin to look at each other, rather than looking to God – the object of their worship. Those who are more formal in their worship wonder why the free crowd is so irreverent and lack respect in the way they approach a holy God. Those who are more free in their expression of worship wonder why the formal crowd is so dead and show no enthusiasm about their salvation. Many ask which style is right; but when given a biblical answer, the facial expressions are perplexing. People seem to be looking for someone to advocate their preferred style. So let me ask you, “Which approach to worship is the right one – formal or free, rigid or relaxed?”
Before we can answer this question, it is necessary to understand what the Bible says about worship. Consider Deuteronomy 5:7-9, Hebrews 1:6, Matthew 4:10 and Revelation 4:10, just to name a few. The Bible teaches that the object of our worship is God and that He is to be the central focus of our worship. Worship is the response of an individual as he is being transformed into Christ-likeness. It is the believer’s response of all that he is to all that God is and says and does! It carries with it the idea of submission… of one who places himself beneath another who is greater. The original Hebrew word for worship conveys the idea of a little dog humbly approaching its master and gently licking his master’s fingers. In its purest sense, worship is the submission of the human soul to its Creator.
Although it would seem that real worship should bring God’s children closer to each other as they focus on their Heavenly Father, the issue of worship has and continues to divide many “believers.” Churches have bought into Satan’s lies and confusion. They prefer to focus on “how” one worships, rather than on “Who” he worships. Some “believers” have divided Christ’s body over issues of dress, musical styles, types of instruments, orders of service, times of service and less. They seem to have forgotten that God’s chosen people wore tunics, danced, lifted their hands and used a variety of instruments including drums, tambourines, cymbals, lyres, harps, flutes and more. Some Christians are arrogant enough to say that God only likes one dress style, one musical style and one Bible version… and it just so happens to be their preferred style in each of the above mentioned categories! Formal and free styles are not why we worship; rather they are just means to worship. Worship is not about what we like; it is all about Who we serve! God is the object of our worship! Stop for a moment to consider who receives glory when God’s children fight over how we worship. God is not blessed by our selfish bickering. He is not the author of confusion, so we must conclude that Satan is ecstatic over his success in dividing God’s family.
So which style, formal or free, is God’s preferred style? The answer is both! Worship involves a sense of awe, respect and reverence, as seen in Job 42:5-6; but it also involves a sense of joy, gladness and exuberance, as seen in Acts 2:46-47 and Psalm 100:4. Those from a more formal background base their style on verses such as Hebrews 12:20-29 and Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God...” Those who are more free base their style of worship on Psalm 47:1, “Clap your hands…shout unto God” and Psalm 5, “…be glad and sing for joy.” The fact is that we need both formality and freedom in our worship, if we are going to experience true, biblical worship.
One can assume that variety honors God. Just look at the variety found in the plant and animal kingdoms, and then look at the diversity He created among human beings. Examine the diversity of the disciples and those found in the genealogies of Christ. Pastor Chuck Swindoll stated, “Legalism requires that we all be alike, unified in convictions and uniform in appearance. Grace finds pleasure in our diversity, encourages individuality, and leaves room for differences of opinion.” As we consider the differences in our worship styles, realize that God does not desire that we become “cookie-cutter” Christians. The church should enjoy unity and diversity in worship. It should not only incorporate a diversity of gifts (1 Corinthians 12), but it should also tolerate a diversity of opinions (Romans 14).
Putting the issues of style aside, true worship should impact the worshiper in at least five ways. Our worship ought to inspire us to SERVE God, to LIVE for God, to GIVE to God, to SHARE God and to DESIRE God. In every case, true and authentic worship will cause us to take our eyes off of ourselves and to focus them on God. The more we focus on Him, the closer we will be drawn to Him. The less we demand that things be done in accordance to our preferences, the more we will begin to understand the truth of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world…” in all of its diversity. In the midst of all the diversity, the object of our worship remains the same – God and God alone! For you see, worship is NOT about us… it’s ALL about Him!
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