On My Mind...
What a privilege to gather every week for worship. Think of it. Every week we enter the presence of the true and living God to sing His praise, to set before Him our prayers and petitions, to hear His word and commit ourselves to live for His glory. The God we gather to worship, spoke and a universe came into being. By His word came everything from nothing. It isn’t that He rearranged what was there. It’s not that He fashioned from existing materials, what we now enjoy. There was nothing, “no thing,” other than the triune God. He was complete, in himself. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in perfect love, harmony and fellowship needed nothing. He didn’t need to be completed. He didn’t need someone or something to love. He chose to create to display His glory, to share His love. Majestic, different, transcendant and yet, loving, gracious, merciful and approachable. Do you see what a privilege it is to enter His presence? Do you understand the wonder of such condescension? Does any of this enter your mind as we gather for worship? To think about these things is to guard against trivializing worship. If you think about this God, if you realize He is present, you cannot be casual in your attitude. You are not settling into your seat for a concert. You are not anticipating the openning kickoff, you have an audience with the King of Glory, the Creator of heaven and earth. Such a thing should not be taken lightly.
If you were granted an audience with the mayor, the governor, or the president would there be a sense of, “This is kind of a big deal?” Would you wonder if there is a protocol? “What’s expected of me? Do I shake their hand? Do I bow? What is appropriate for such an ocassion?” Would you give some thought to that meeting? Would you rehearse what you might say? I think all of those things would happen, and I think that’s appropriate. So, why is it we give little or no thought to worship? Why don’t we “prepare” for worship? The problem is we are too comfortable with the sacred. We’ve grown accustomed to the holy. Been there, done that. I want to encourage you to give thought to worship. For a few weeks, we’ve been including in the email of the service folder a worship planning guide to help you prepare. The goal is for you to get ready for worship. When does worship begin? The answer is not 10:50 am on Sunday. Worship begins long before we gather. Worship begins as you anticipate our gathering. Worship begins as you prepare your heart and mind. I encourage you to use the planning guide to read over the passage to be preached. Read/sing the hymns. Ask questions about the text, about the songs. Come to worship having already given thought to the themes and elements of worship. Give thought to your needs, the needs of your family and those who will be with you in worship. Give thought to the greatness of God, His kindness and mercies extended to you during the week. Come expecting God to speak to your needs, your hurts, your weaknesses and failings. Coming knowing He is here and He is not silent. Maybe the music won’t be to your liking. Perhaps the sermon will leave you flat but He will never fail you. He will meet you and being in His presence with the people of God will be enough. Have a blessed week, and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
If you were granted an audience with the mayor, the governor, or the president would there be a sense of, “This is kind of a big deal?” Would you wonder if there is a protocol? “What’s expected of me? Do I shake their hand? Do I bow? What is appropriate for such an ocassion?” Would you give some thought to that meeting? Would you rehearse what you might say? I think all of those things would happen, and I think that’s appropriate. So, why is it we give little or no thought to worship? Why don’t we “prepare” for worship? The problem is we are too comfortable with the sacred. We’ve grown accustomed to the holy. Been there, done that. I want to encourage you to give thought to worship. For a few weeks, we’ve been including in the email of the service folder a worship planning guide to help you prepare. The goal is for you to get ready for worship. When does worship begin? The answer is not 10:50 am on Sunday. Worship begins long before we gather. Worship begins as you anticipate our gathering. Worship begins as you prepare your heart and mind. I encourage you to use the planning guide to read over the passage to be preached. Read/sing the hymns. Ask questions about the text, about the songs. Come to worship having already given thought to the themes and elements of worship. Give thought to your needs, the needs of your family and those who will be with you in worship. Give thought to the greatness of God, His kindness and mercies extended to you during the week. Come expecting God to speak to your needs, your hurts, your weaknesses and failings. Coming knowing He is here and He is not silent. Maybe the music won’t be to your liking. Perhaps the sermon will leave you flat but He will never fail you. He will meet you and being in His presence with the people of God will be enough. Have a blessed week, and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod