Worship, much like church, is a lifestyle, not a designated time. Church is not the place that we gather. We do not go to church. We are the church. The church assembles, dissembles, and lives as individuals in a lifestyle of being the church. That is church. So too is worship.
Worship happens at all times. It is not just the singing part of the gathering, but it is that too. It is not just the hearing of the sermon, but it is that too. It is not just the bringing of the tithe and offering, but it is that too. It is the attitude with which one approaches life. Holy worship is the state of heart that says, "I put God and the work of his ministry as my primary goal. I do this not for my sake, but for his." That is worship. It is honoring the things that God honors, loving the things that God loves, and responding in obedience to the Holy Spirit.
Singing songs is not where worship begins. Singing songs is not where worship ends. I tell you truthfully that if you are down on your knees, weeping before the presence of God while singing the emotional and power-chord driven songs of contemporary worship, but you do not tithe, bring your offering, study scripture to learn more about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, or make time for fasting and prayer, then your heart is not for worship. In such a case, your heart is for music and song. Your heart is for emotional connection. It is not a complete picture of worship.
That being said, I don't want to sound much harsher than I feel. Sanctification and discipleship are processes that are never completed this side of eternity. These disciplines may be worn by the disciple (Christ-follower, Christian, Jesus Freak, Believer), and will be put on over time. These disciplines will outlive changes in worship music style. These disciplines will outlive powerpoint. These disciplines will outlive inter-denominational conflict, church-splits, and hurt feelings. These disciplines will result in a fuller understanding of who God is, and what he wants from us.
From singing, to fasting, to praying, to studying scripture, as you wear these disciplines, you will witness lives changed. You will witness the needs of the poor being met. You will witness the hungry be fed. You will witness the sick be healed. You will witness the lost turning to Jesus. And this will happen in your own life. And your testimony will move others. And you will witness these things in the lives of people who said that they were Christians. And you will witness these things in the lives of people who were never told of Christ before. And you will see the wolf lie down with the lamb. And you will see shalom. Amen.
©2010 Adam Jennings Posegate
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