Tuesday, January 21, 2020
What does God want to happen to me when show up for "church"
Everyone has expectations when they attend church. Or to be accurate, when they attend the worship assembly. I know there are people who want to leave satisfied that they did worship correctly. Others expect a captivating, inspiring sermon. Some want certain kinds of singing. Some study who leads the worship.
Church leaders spend most of their budget/money on the Sunday morning assembly. Pay the preacher/main preacher/lead minister the most money. Be sure the auditorium is comfortable with enough seating that no one is crowded. Spend on the sound system and the projection system.
Communion is important to some.
Do you know what God wants to happen in our assemblies?
He wants us to encourage one another. That is why we do not skip meeting together. He wants us to spend our time motivating each other to love and do good works. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and you get the sense that God expects our worship assembly to result in our being kingdom people when we leave the assembly.
That may involve singing, and a sermon. Or communion. But the real measure of good worship is not what happens when you are there. It is determined by what happens after you are there.
I Corinthians 14 has a lot of information about worship. I may not be smart enough to understand everything there but there is that section in verses 24 and 25 about an unbeliever that enters our assembly. Hearing the prophecies in our assemblies (preaching/reading the Word/worship/communion) could lead them to fall on their knees and recognize the presence of the Lord. And be convicted of their sin.
So in the discussions of what worship is all about... be sure someone remembers the real outcomes we desire.
Motivate believers to leave and engage in the daily work of love and good deeds.
Inspire non-believers to catch a glimpse of God.
Church leaders spend most of their budget/money on the Sunday morning assembly. Pay the preacher/main preacher/lead minister the most money. Be sure the auditorium is comfortable with enough seating that no one is crowded. Spend on the sound system and the projection system.
Communion is important to some.
Do you know what God wants to happen in our assemblies?
He wants us to encourage one another. That is why we do not skip meeting together. He wants us to spend our time motivating each other to love and do good works. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 and you get the sense that God expects our worship assembly to result in our being kingdom people when we leave the assembly.
That may involve singing, and a sermon. Or communion. But the real measure of good worship is not what happens when you are there. It is determined by what happens after you are there.
I Corinthians 14 has a lot of information about worship. I may not be smart enough to understand everything there but there is that section in verses 24 and 25 about an unbeliever that enters our assembly. Hearing the prophecies in our assemblies (preaching/reading the Word/worship/communion) could lead them to fall on their knees and recognize the presence of the Lord. And be convicted of their sin.
So in the discussions of what worship is all about... be sure someone remembers the real outcomes we desire.
Motivate believers to leave and engage in the daily work of love and good deeds.
Inspire non-believers to catch a glimpse of God.
