Barriers To Worship #2
A Narrow Theological Perspective
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
The year was 1994 and I was asked to speak at a PK men’s event in Ontario, Canada. Shortly before I arrived a spiritual revival broke out there at the Airport Vineyard Church—they called it, The Toronto Blessing. My Pastor at the time was Jack Hayford and he encouraged me to visit and check it out.
I was amazed and confused on so many levels. I witnessed every manifestation of worship you could possibly think of—people yelling, quacking like ducks, wreathing on the floor and others just sitting in silent reverence. Upon my return I remember Pastor Jack asking me what I thought. I told him I was not sure—I think I saw a whole bunch of flesh and a lot of the Holy Spirit…I am just not sure I could distinguish the difference.
I share that story as an example of the myriads of worship forms present in the church today. If there was one thing my pastor taught me back then it was not to judge—that is God’s job. I can also admit that even today—that is hard. To me, form over substance has no place in our expression of worship and praise. When our expression is performance or style driven I am convinced we grieve the Holy Spirit and can actually stifle His working.
In over 35 years speaking in literally hundreds of churches in almost every denomination, I can tell you I have seen it all. Today, every time I am asked to speak, I insist on praying with and over the worship team before we start the service. I always say the same thing. I want you to know that what you are about to do is way more important than what I am about to do. Let me tell you—that gets their attention. We do not honor and encourage our worship teams enough.
I go on to say, If you do not help us usher in the presence of the Holy Spirit into this place…then nothing I say is going to make a difference. As they are nodding in agreement, I go on to say: If you are successful in ushering in God’s Holy Spirit…then nothing I say is going to matter. They think about that and usually always laugh—it is not about us it is all about focusing our hearts upon Him.
So, a narrow theological perspective about worship can hurt us in two ways. The first has to do with our inappropriate tendency to judge the way others choose to worship. If I am thinking about old Charlie over there raising his hands today, I am not worshipping God. You and I cannot know what is in the heart of those who may choose to worship God in ways we may not like. Nor should I think less of someone who is just sitting quietly with their head bowed. We must not be caught up in any of that thinking—it is truly between the worshipper and God.
The second way our narrow perspectives on worship hurt us has to do with our definition of what worship is. At a recent pastor conference, I asked a room filled with a large group of pastors from many different backgrounds a question—if we took away from this platform all the accoutrements, instruments and the musicians and singers, what would worship look like? Crickets—I mean seriously, deer-in-the-headlights looks across the room.
Then I asked another question: what if there is a table set up right here in front of all of us—and on that table there is a piece of bread and a cup of juice representing the body and blood of Jesus…is that worship? What do you think? The obvious answer is yes—perhaps the most profound form of worship ever to come upon planet earth.
Dear friends, we must broaden our ideas about what God is looking for in our worship of Him. The Bible tells us our lives need to be a continual sacrifice of worship. It is not that 30 minutes once a week at the beginning of a church service—it is so much more. Throughout history we see just how central to the life of a believer true worship is. Look at this recent post from one of Pastor Jack Hayford’s daily devotionals:
Breakthrough Starts in Worship
Now when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. 2 Chronicles 20:22
In this text, Judah is about to be overwhelmed by a confederation of three opposing armies. Its armies are hopelessly outnumbered and face certain defeat, but God has a plan… Worship!
Worship puts God in His proper place as Creator of the universe, Redeemer of our life, and Provider of everything we need. Because we know whom we worship, our worship releases the Lord to perform His purpose within us. Worship is not blissful ignorance or vain superstition in the face of present need. It is confirming God’s desire to work in the lives of His people. Spiritual power is released through praise! Here the enemies of Judah are confused and begin to slaughter each other as the people of God begin to sing and worship. Jehoshaphat, Judah’s king, never sends the army to fight, only the choir! The Lord promises that if we face each challenge with praise, He will confuse and scatter our enemies. Whatever today may bring, no matter how large the obstacle, the beginning point of breakthrough is praise and worship. -Jack Hayford
In a loud voice they were saying: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! Revelation 5:12
I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3
Please enjoy this 12-minute powerful session from the Men On Target curriculum on Praise