Night of Worship - Becoming a Worshiper of God

Last night was an amazing night of reflection in Word and song upon our glorious God. I'm told that over 300 were here in attendance. PTL for a wonderful turnout, but wishing that our entire church family had been there. Perhaps the seed was sown with enough to start a movement at Grace as we seek to move beyond "religion" toward faithfulness and worship in all areas of our lives. I have entered my sketchy notes from the night as blog entries for this week. I'm hopeful it will bless some... S

A few months ago, I blogged about the evolutionary journey that I have been on spiritually. You see, there was a time when I referred to myself as a Christian, sort of like a club you might join. Then, I realized that there were some fundamental, foundational beliefs that should be in place for any person who claimed to be in Christ, so I began referring to myself as a believer. But, as I grew in my faith, I began to understand that beliefs, if they are truly believed, should produce behaviors that are consistent with the character of Christ. To remind myself of this, I started calling myself a follower of Jesus. However, over the last few years, I realized that it was possible to have the right beliefs in God and to do the right things, even though my heart was in the wrong place. If I’m brutally honest for a moment, there are times when I act more from the realm of obligation and duty, not from genuine faith. There are times that I’m just going through the motions, following “religion” and not seeking God and His Kingdom with all my heart, soul, mind & strength. So, I have begun seeing myself as a worshiper of God.

So, why try to become a worshiper of God? Well, that what God says He wants. In Mark 12:30, Jesus says that loving God and people is more important than offerings and sacrifices to God. What He’s saying is that religious activity is not what God desires. He is looking for people who strive to know and love Him better.

“But isn’t worship what happens on Sunday morning, or maybe on a night like tonight?” Well, worship is not singing, although it might include songs. Rather than an activity, worship is a posture. And if we’re to be brutally honest for a moment, there are many times when we come to church on Sunday morning with something far removed from a worshipful spirit. Maybe we’re distracted by family issues from the morning. Maybe we have worries or concerns over our current circumstances. Maybe we have allowed bitterness or pride to create distance between us and God. Maybe, we’re not even sure that Christianity is anything more than some nice guidelines for having a better life.

So, tonight we’re going to start with the basics. We are going to participate in a corporate worship experience. Hopefully, each of us will be able to set aside the problems of life for the next hour and together enter into the presence of the Holy One. Tonight, through Scripture and song, we are going to be reminded of who our God is and proclaim His worth. Tonight, even as Psalm 22:3 says, may God be enthroned on the praises of His people.

Psalm 150
Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 96
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

Psalm 134:1-2
Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

Psalm 117
Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.