Hello everyone! Thanks for tuning in again this week. In this post, I’ll be continuing on from where I ended things last time. I’ll talk about how we receive in worship – not in a consumeristic way, though.
“What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” - 1 Corinthians 4:7
From the very beginning of Scripture, our inability is on display. Adam was unable to resist temptation. Cain was unable to bring an acceptable offering. Abraham and Sarah are unable to conceive. Yet, in our weakness, God displays generosity and mercy. Adam and Eve receive grace, even as they are cast from the garden. Abel’s faithful offering is accepted, and God pursues Cain even despite his unsuccessful attempt. Abraham and Sarah’s descendants outnumber the stars. Our God is faithful, and He displays initiative – He sees our needs, and moves to provide.
Even as Israel - His chosen people - ebb and flow in their devotion to Him, He does not waver. He takes the initiative again, providing Jesus as the perfect way to worship.
As Bob Kauflin says in True Worshippers, “Jesus is God’s ultimate statement that He will provide a way for us to worship Him – not only in this life but for all eternity. Where our offerings are tainted with self-reliance and self-exaltation, Jesus empties himself to bring glory to the Father on our behalf. Jesus’ perfect life, substitutionary death on the cross, physical resurrection, and glorious ascension assure once and for all that those who trust in him can be numbered among the worshippers of God.”
Friends, we must reframe the idea that our worship is somehow a gift to God – something that He needs for sustenance. The ability to worship in spirit and truth is God’s gift to us, and we need Him for sustenance. This knowledge must be paired with something else, though: we cannot consciously worship Him if we do not know Him.
In order to worship rightly, we have to know who it is we’re singing about. This involves Bible study, prayer, and consistent discipleship with the Lord. The primary means by which we grow in our knowledge of God is His infallible Word, and we study it, memorize it, and sing it - as often as possible.
Next week we will talk about some misconceptions when it comes to worship, but I want to invite you this week – pray that God will turn your heart towards Him as you worship. Ask that He allows you to forget about all of the little things that distract you on a Sunday morning, and pray that He will renew a sense of wonder and joy at the gift of worship He has given you. We have received the greatest gift in Jesus, and that should be something we get excited about!