“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” – Hebrews 12:28
It’s so easy for us to complain and criticize isn’t it? I find myself doing it all the time. It’s a trait I wish I was more gracious about. I can nitpick to a fault… mostly because either, A) I don’t understand or B) because I think my way is the right way!
Can you relate? As a worship pastor, I’ve heard it all. The drums are too loud. The music is not loud enough. The lights were too bright, the lights weren’t bright enough. There wasn’t a semi colon after the third line or the word God was spelled with a lowercase ‘g.’
Whew… I don’t intend to offend or poke fun at anyone, but hopefully we can all find a little tongue in cheek humor here. Did you know that when it comes to worship through singing and music, there’s really no right way to do it. There is, however, a wrong way and it has more to do with our attitude and lack of participation than it does with the drums and lights.
Beyond the lights, drums, and worship slides… are we following Hebrews 12:28 when the writer commends us, in light of our rescue in Christ, to have grateful worship that’s acceptable with reverence and awe? Are we approaching the throne of grace with humble reverence? Do we even begin to see that God is the creator of awe?
Or Do We
Or do we come into our worship services we attitudes completely focused on what we can get, or what we like? No matter, regardless of how we perceive what our worship should look like, it’s usually derive from some preconceived notion we have either become accustomed to, our personal preference, or what some of the ‘hip’ churches are doing. And when our church fails to produce this type of service, we are unhappy.
And while I’m appreciative of the kinds words concerning song choices or lighting cues, it really doesn’t change my prayerful intent on crafting a worship service that will bring honor to God and give the church an opportunity to worship together.
The Real Enemy
Let’s be honest… the church is under attack (Eph. 6). The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He isn’t coming to make friends or play nice. His intent is on destruction and the church is his biggest enemy. So why do we play along with his game? Why is it so hard for us to humbly submit to the leadership that God has placed over us and ultimately trust in Him?
This heavenly kingdom, this otherworldly kingdom that we are called to be a part of cannot be shaken although we certainly try our hardest at times. If Hebrews 12:28 is indeed true, then we must get past our personal preferences and lovingly worship together in spirit and truth, and approach the throne of grace with reverence and awe and nothing less.
My friends, this is where we need to start…
