I’m throwing a celebration in your honor! We’re going to have a party, and the whole day is all about YOU! Aren’t you excited?
I’m inviting all of my closest friends and family. They’re great people. I’m sure you’ll love them!
I’m having the event catered! We will be serving all of my favorite foods (you like Mexican food, right?).
What is the entertainment you ask? Well, I’m going to get this band that I just LOVE to play. I’ve been on a punk-rock kick lately, so I’m getting a band that can bring the house down! You like punk, dontcha?
At this point, you may have a few questions. You may be wondering, since this celebration is supposedly for you, why I didn’t bother to consult with you as to what you’d like. In fact, you may think that this party sounds like it is for ME, rather than for YOU! After all, it seems like everything I’m doing is to please ME, to cater to MY likes, to make sure that I am the one who is happy.
This is how so many approach worship to God. I was the same way for so long – what do I get out of the sermon? What do I like to hear in regards to music, etc. I think one problem is that since so many of us are geared to think that way, we never stop to really think about our worship, and specifically who it is intended for.
John 4:23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Jesus makes it clear that God is the object of our worship. Our worship is not about what WE like, what WE enjoy, what WE want – it is about what HE wants! If we love Him, we will seek to do what He wants, the way He wants it, and we won’t try to make it suit us. This may involve completely changing the way we view and practice worship. Notice that God commands both Spirit and truth. This isn’t and either-or situation.
Go to your New Testament and look at what God wants in worship. Are you doing those things and only those things? Have you added things that God never spoke of? Have you removed something that He asked for? If so, then it is time for a change. It would be absurd for me to plan a celebration that is supposedly in your honor, yet never consider your likes or dislikes in the planning. It is far more absurd to think that God will accept the worship of men without regards to what pleases Him! God alone is the object of our worship. Let us strive to please Him, rather than ourselves.
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October 1, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Larry Short
Worship together is commanded by “do not neglect the assemby”, rather than “give God His hour once a week”. While we should be forever mindful of Who we worship, it is a fellowship of the saints. We can worship alone.
First rule; love God, second: neighbors. So at least part of the assembly is love of fellow worshipers. This can mean singing in a way that’s touches their hearts, and in a way they can do well. It means reaching to the new attender and something for the regular.
Hopefully, a visitor would leave knowing these are friendly, good people who love God and learned that God loves them.
The assembly is not just a party for God, its His people getting together to celebrate Him, His gift (communion) and His saints. Actually, at most weddings the bride (church) has more show and influence that the groom (Jesus Christ). He choose the analogy not me!
October 5, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Randy
I agree in theory, but doesn’t this boil down to personal growth in the Word? Some honest sincere people seek such direction and arrive at different conclusions, but does this mean they aren’t party of the Body? And, who is to say that we might be wrong on some things too? Even the churches of Christ have split over many issues raging from doctrine ( Indwelling of the Spirit; MDR ) to matters of Judgment ( Carpet color; Kitchens; Fellowship halls ) and we accept each other. We seem to have a set rules for us and another set for those in the “denominational world.” We often fellowship with other brethren who differ on doctrine (Indwelling of the Spirit; MDR ) and then exclude the denominational world for using Music in worship. How does Music become a dividing line when we accept others who disagree over more weightier issues?
October 5, 2009 at 2:57 pm
coreydavis
It seems that readers are misunderstanding the purpose of this article. It really isn’t as deep as you might think it is. I’m simply saying that if I wanted to throw you a party, the proper mindset in the planning and execution would be to consider what you would like, not what I would like.
If we’re going to worship God, the same would hold true. Whether it is private worship, or the assembly of the saints, we need to keep in mind that God is the object of our worship. If we keep that in mind, we will seek to do what we know pleases Him. I’m encouraging people to try to think in a different way. I think the natural inclination is to say, “what would I like?” rather than “what would God like?”
We need to change our thinking in the way we approach worship. That is the point of the article.
October 5, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Randy
I guess my point is that we always aren’t sure what pleases God. If so, we wouldn’t have so many groups reaching different conclusions resulting in different forms of worship.
I am strongly considering attending a ‘nondenominational group’ because I see no difference in their inconsistencies that I see in the churches of Christ. I informed the preacher that I plan to hold to what I believe about Baptism and other things and he agreed to accept me on the terms., which is more than I once said for him. Ironically, this is one of the men I have debated with a few times on Baptism.
Their group is made up of people who admit that they disagree and have reached different conclusions and that I find inviting. They are seeking to worship God as God desires them, but all haven’t reached a place where they all agree —- and if we are honest, we have those same people in the churches of Christ. The only difference is we have to conceal this to keep from getting the boot. But, anyways, I understand your points.
October 5, 2009 at 11:40 pm
lee
he who comes to me i will in no wise cast out.
October 6, 2009 at 12:12 am
Randy
My kin are Native Indians on both sides of my Family. I love the Native Indian and that was the first time such has happened. I enjoy their drumming, dancing and always viewed it has entertainment. But yesterday, when the Chiefs Wife lead prayer, she stated this was not merely a pow-wow, but Church and celebration. I stood because everyone was standing, but then they let me know I was disrespecting them with my hat on, so I sat, which made matters worse. I love my Heritage and it is hard to treat them as I did, but I could not partisipate in a prayer to Creator and Mother of Earth. Should I disrespect them or God?
October 6, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Jeff
Corey, I think you make a good point.
In American culture today, the idea of submitting one’s will to someone else is taboo. Yet, as Christians, that’s exactly what we are to do. We submit ourselves to God. We submit ourselves to elders. We submit ourselves to each other. Or we should.
Very few differences in collective worship boil down to someone saying “God says we must do X” and someone else saying “God says we must not do X.” Inevitably, at least one side is actually saying “I like it, we’re going to do it, and if you don’t like it, leave” (or the reverse).
Not exactly the example of submission to God and each other we have in the New Testament.
October 6, 2009 at 7:07 pm
coreydavis
Jeff – I’m glad you “got” it! I agree 100% with all you said.
October 6, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Randy
Come on Corey, I think Lee and I “got” it too.
I said I agree with you, that meant I “got” it. ttyl
October 16, 2009 at 2:44 am
ProdigalKnot
Romans 14, brothers!
Follow your own conscience about things, but don’t impose it on others. At the same time, people need to respect each others consciences and not have the attitude of “Well, it doesn’t bother my conscience, so he’ll just have to deal with it!” It is all about attitude toward God and our fellow travelers.
I always remember the disciples having an issue with a guy who was “not following with us” and Jesus said to not stop him from doing anything in the name of Jesus (Luke 9:50). I think we’ll find out, one fine day, we have many brothers and sisters in a lot of places we can’t accept right now.
October 16, 2009 at 4:16 am
lee
not according to the coc mr knot.
……and really that has always been my point.
lee
October 16, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Randy
Lee, I wouldn’t bag all Church of Christ together with Johnny and others that you have seen. I know a Church of Christ preacher/assembly in my area who totally disagree with Johnny’s actions.
Matter of fact, I plan to assemble with these folks.
All Conservative brethren to not act like the ones you see in our area. I know others who strongly disagree with the actions of the men here.
Randy