When was the last time you heard, “Worship was awesome today!”
As long as the drum kit didn’t fall over, your band was in the same key, and you didn’t miss every lyric, you probably heard it.
But what makes worship awesome? What makes it meaningful for people? What makes it effective for the gathered people of God?
When I categorize a worship set as “awesome,” it has something to do with a solid band, my favorite songs, well programmed lighting, and hands in the air. There’s a direct correlation between the work we put in and the result that we see.
However, what does God do in corporate worship? What is the Spirit’s responsibility? What activity can we only attribute to Jesus and His work?
A Returning
Let’s pull back for a moment. Let’s not talk about how great worship was on Sunday. Let’s not talk about how powerful that song was. Let’s not idolize our favorite worship leaders.
Let’s talk about Jesus. Let’s return to His majesty, His beauty, the wonder of His Name. Let’s exalt, draw attention to, and celebrate all that He is and all that He’s doing.
Before we immerse ourselves in the weekly responsibility of leading corporate worship, let’s talk about what Jesus does. Because that may just make us better leaders.
The more we see of Him, the less we’ll need to be absorbed in ourselves. Because seeing Him will satisfy and silence every desperate longing for attention. A clearer vision of Christ changes everything.
Jesus…
- Opens eyes that are blind.
- Reveals the heart of the Father.
- Helps us see what God has done.
- Moves in power.
- Leads us into the Presence of God.
- Brings healing.
- Awakens hearts.
- Offers second chances.
- Rejoices over us with singing.
- Shows us what God is like.
- Lifts the broken
- Comforts the widow
- Restores relationship
- Welcomes the outcast
- Encourages the weary
- Speaks truth
- Saves the lost
What we need to do is amplify it, shine a light upon it. We get too caught up in our excellence, our songs, our look, our sound, ourselves.
Beyond our hard work and planning is an ever-present, all-sufficient Savior who can do all things.
Let’s get back to amplifying the greatness and the majesty of Jesus.
Are you with me?
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
I remember seeing a post on what to say when someone compliments like that. I usually just say, “thank you” because it can be awkward.
David, I live your statement, “A clearer vision of Christ changes everything.”
To me, the purpose of public, corporate gathering to worship is
to meet with God, His Word, and His people in such a way that:
the mind is equipped.
the will is committed and
the desire is kindled to the doing of God’s will more and more.
When we understand that more people than not in our local congregation are
1-Doing the Great Commandment (Romans 12:1)
2-Doing the Great Commission (when did I share my faith last–see someone baptized because God used me?)
Then,
we understand worship as what we believe but more-so what we do.
we see that discipleship is more than ankle-deep people “worshipping at their play and playing at their worship.”
Music and set lists have so little to do with what worship becomes when it is obedience and doing my faith. This can sting for me as a musician and as one who plans the liturgy/scripture and spoken Word.
The “result” is when I leave and DO my faith.
Leading in worship is like being a good umpire at a baseball game. You never know I’m there.