Make Every Moment Matter
I'm bringing to a close our series on worship we've been doing since Easter on Divine Design. We've looked at the meaning behind religious symbols, our space and even the art that surrounds us. So it make sense to consider what we do with all that? Just what does it matter? What difference does our worship make out in the real world. Paul had something to say that I think addresses these questions.
Colossians 3:14-17 GW Above all, be loving. This ties everything together
perfectly. (15) Also, let Christ's peace control you. God has
called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be
thankful. (16) Let Christ's word with all its wisdom and richness
live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and
instruct yourselves about God's kindness. Sing to God in your hearts.
(17) Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1. Be
free in loving all.(14)
Paul,
in talking about love, is tying together how we are hidden together
in Jesus Christ and because of his love for us, we are to live
certain ways. The God's Word Translation in verse 13 says:
“Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a
complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
When
we come into worship – get over yourself.
2. Be
Focused on Who you worship.(15)
We
are here to worship God and let Jesus' peace have control. For those
mornings it is hard to get up and get the kids going, the toilet
backed-up and the dog threw up on the floor, the word is peace. For
the mornings when it is raining or shining – our focus is to be on
GOD = the ONE who has called you, by name, into peace. This isn't
about feeling warm and fuzzy – but about assurance.
We
could take a hint from the Judaism. What if we began the Sabbath,
our day of rest and worship on the evening before? One of my
favorite books on church life is “The Christian Handbook,”
a rather tongue in cheek guide to faith. It recommends to, “shift
into Sunday mode on Saturday night.” It will change your Sunday
mornings for the better.
3. Be
Flexible in The Ways of worship.(16)
Many
of you have mentioned and noted how the hymns and spiritual songs
overlap with the teaching and instructing each week. There is a
reason – Heather and I plan it that way! This isn't just a
contemporary worship thing, it happens in our traditional service
too. Worship has many pieces and elements. Whether contemporary or
traditional or blended – it is realizing there are more than one
way.
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Well 3 out 4 ain't bad. |
John
Wesley became flexible as he saw the Holy Spirit move. He also noted
that there needed to be some guidelines, much like Paul wrote out
here. What was most important and observable in early Methodists was
this: Participation!
You'll
find in the opening pages of the UM Hymnal these nuggets of Wesley
Wisdom:
“Sing
lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half
dead or half asleep. Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye for
God in every word you sing.”
4. Be
Faithful to Always Worship.(17)
The
Divine Design of worship is to take what happens in here and take it
out there. “Everything you say or do should be done in the name of
the Lord...” was not intended to guilt inducing BUT life altering!
The
monk known as Brother Lawrence worked in the kitchen. He became
known not because of how great a preacher or cook he was. He was not
highly educated. In a simple little book called “The Practice ofthe Presence of God,” it is written that, “ His one desire was
for communion with God. We find him worshiping more in his kitchen
than in his cathedral.”
His
prayer: Lord of all pots and pans and things...
Make
me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates. (pg 11).
Everything
can be redeemed in this world. God's Divine Design has been in
motion since the beginning of time and it continues on for all
eternity. Worship, from the simple everyday to the sacred moments of
the year matter. From the simple time in a rocking chair or a deer
stand to a sacred chapel, family life center or sanctuary –
worshiping God matters.