So yesterday, I stepped out into the lobby for a second. A lady caught me and said very kind words about our services last week. I was encouraged as she went on and on about how the Lord was in our midst and how the people worshipped. Then the conversation went something like this:
Lady: I wasn't here but I heard the music was wonderful.
Me: It was a very powerful service.
Lady: Well I asked my friends what made it so good and they said that you finally played all of the music that we liked. So just keep doing that and our services will continue to be good.
Me: (After I picked my jaw up off the floor) Ma'am, It wasn't the music that made the service so good.
Lady: What?!
Me: It wasn't the songs that made the service so good. The people responded to the Lord. That's what made it "good".
Lady: (looking as if I just ran her dog over with a lawnmower) Well, whatever…
Her logic was obviously wrong. I hope we have not fallen so far that we only respond to God when our preferences are met. Because it truly isn't about us. It's really all about Jesus. It's about giving Him the praise and glory. It's about responding to His greatness, not our preferences.
Other than that minor setback, church was great. God's word was taught, He received all the worship and praise. God was honored.
Last week at Convergence, David Platt said that we as churches have come to worship ourselves. He said that we don't come to worship the Lord, but we worship things and songs and ideas that really are about us, which in turn means that we worship ourselves. We learned yesterday that in order to stay away from these temptations, we should pray. Pray that we will not make worship about us. Pray that Jesus will be lifted up in our churches. Pray that we will not enter into temptation. Luke 22:39-46.
Set List:
Glorious One-Fee
Everlasting God-Tomlin
You never let go-Redman
I surrender all-Hymn
Lead me to the cross-Hillsong
-G-
Chad Miller
March 8, 2010 at 9:58 am
Best blog of yours I’ve read. That’s good stuff man… If everyone could realize this it would make every Sunday and Wednesday an amazing time to worship the Lord. I’ve seriously been thinking it might be good to enter every worship service fasting and see how that impacts our time in singing praises to the Lord and allowing His Word to penetrate our lives.
Nancy Tucker
March 8, 2010 at 10:33 am
Seriously?! When worship becomes all about song choice and style, is it still worship? Thank you Gerald, for leading us in worship to Our Father, not leading us in worshiping our worship.
Fran
March 8, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Great post- I know I am sometimes guilty of this – so thanks for the reminder that it really isn’t all about me!! Those people are really fortunate to have someone that is spirit lead to lead out – even when they don’t know it!!!
Rob
March 8, 2010 at 8:26 pm
good words.
Joely
March 11, 2010 at 10:28 am
Hmm-Hmm…that’s good stuff! Thanks for the reminder of what true worship is all about. Keep up the great work. We are so blessed to have you a North!!! God Bless you and have a fabulous day!!!! Joely