Since Christ’s commission to all believers is to “make
disciples” (Matt. 28:19-20), it’s only reasonable for us to make sure that all
the church’s activities seek to fulfill that commission. Worship is one of
those.
Most the words in the Bible translated “worship” carry the
idea of “bowing down.” What a vivid picture! As believers, there we are in the
presence of God Almighty with our hearts and minds and bodies compelled to
lower themselves before the majesty of the One, the Creator of all. And as we
consider Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection, we respond in worship as did
Thomas when he experienced the resurrected Christ face to face exclaiming, “My
Lord and my God.” (John 20:28) Wouldn’t it be interesting if we said, “Let’s go
to church on Sunday and bow down.” Well maybe that’s a bit radical, but you get
the point.
Disciples are Spirit-born followers of Jesus who have experienced
God’s mercy and grace. Disciples are apprentices of the Messiah, living lives
of love that do justice. And, disciples are worshipers. I’ve come across four truisms
to help me remember what true worship for disciples is all about.
1. Worship is more about meaning than about preference.
We know what we like, and we like what we know. Familiarity
can be our friend and our enemy. Just as we might have a favorite flavor of ice
cream, we might have favorite hymns and songs and Bible verses that help make
life feel comfortable and predictable. But public Christian worship (bowing
down!) is more about retelling the story of God’s great love, grace, and mercy
to us through faith in Jesus than it is having a sing-along of our favorite
hymns and choruses. The weekly gathering of God’s people in praise and
thanksgiving and lament in utter dependence is the reason we meet.
2. Keep first things first
Worship songs cannot usher us into the presence of God. The
death and resurrection of Jesus already has. Music is a wonderful vehicle for
expression in worship, but it’s not the foundation of our closeness to God. Music
is not the “first thing” of worship; Only Jesus is.
3. Worship is our response to meeting with God
We don’t “experience worship,” we experience God. Our
response to that experience is worship. Worship is not a means to something
else. To bow before (worship) the God of our salvation is the reason for the
Church’s existence.
4. Content is more important than the Container
Musically strong tunes never justify theologically weak
words. Music can have a powerful influence: melody, rhythm, phrasing can cause
us to feel great toe-tapping elation. But the truth of a song is carried by its
words. The very best songs used in gatherings for worship are those songs which
have a beautiful synergy of music and lyrics.
If you are a follower of Jesus by God’s grace through faith,
then you are a disciple – and you are a worshiper!
