The topic of worship has long been a source of contentious debate in the church. It is contentious because the debate focuses on the wants of the worshiper rather than focusing on pleasing the heart of God. Who are you worshiping, God or yourself?
We nearly always frame the worship debate in “I want” statements. We Americans are consumers, so it makes sense that we approach the worship of God as consumers. Churches invest a lot of time, money, and energy into creating worship experiences that appeal to the wants and needs of consumerist seekers. After all, what good is it to declare the good news of Jesus Christ if no one is there to hear it?
Attracting seekers is what Jesus did. Before preaching, Jesus went from village to village performing stunning miracles. The miracles attracted a crowd – and then Jesus taught them. And yes, sometimes He even served coffee and donuts afterward. Well, it was actually bread and fish, but you get the point. Jesus showed us a way to do effective evangelism: attract a crowd, teach them truth, fill their bellies.
It is what we do at the church where I serve. We work hard to provide safe parking, full accessibility to our modern and clean building, comfortable seats and temperature, welcoming greeters and hosts, gifts for first-time guests, a café with free donuts and coffee, children’s ministries and childcare, a variety of worship styles and expressions, special music and dramatic performances, sermons that are practical and inspirational – and all neatly packaged in a 75-minute experience.
Jesus showed us that being attractive is missionally effective, so we strive to be a place where anyone seeking Jesus will feel welcome and wanted.
But being attractive can also be distractive. Please stick with me as I explain this statement.
Being attractive is how we gather a crowd so we can proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. But friends, the good news is hard to hear. It is offensive. It declares that you are a sinner, and without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, you will live and die in condemnation.
The good news of Jesus Christ begins with this crushing diagnosis. At first blush, the good news is anything but good. Frankly, it’s awful. It is highly offensive to have someone tell you, “You are dead in your sins and trespasses – and you now stand eternally condemned in the eyes of Almighty God.”
Most of us see ourselves as being pretty good folk. After all, we’re not Hitler or Putin. Compared to those evil thugs, we look good! We work hard and sacrifice to serve our families and advance our communities. How dare anyone suggest we are sinful and condemned? Seriously, the good news of Jesus Christ is not attractive – at least not initially.
The reason it is called good news is because after the brutal diagnosis comes the hope of a miraculous cure: through Jesus Christ, God extends mercy and grace! Romans 8:1 declares, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Good news! There is a cure – and His name is Jesus. His birth, suffering, death, and resurrection provide access to the cure for anyone who believes. Anyone! When you place your faith in Jesus, you are no longer guilty and condemned – you are a child of God and secure in God’s love. It is truly good news!
But then it gets potentially offensive again. Receiving the abundant grace of God is a gift so grand and so miraculous that it requires us to live up to it; to live holy; to allow God to completely recalibrate our heart and mind. Jesus called it, “Denying self and taking up your cross daily.” Paul called it “offering your body as a living sacrifice.” If we fully surrender to God’s transformative grace, it changes us. Instead of being consumers, we become replenishers. Instead of receiving, we give. Instead of sitting, we serve. Instead of storing up on earth, we store up in heaven. Instead of thinking of self, we think of others.
True worship requires a life of disciplined sacrifice, a daily crucifixion of the consumerist self, a moment by moment surrender to being a living sacrifice. This is the kind of worshiper God seeks.
Established believer, let me challenge your thinking: the nice things your church does to attract the lost are not intended for you. You have already received God’s grace. Your sins are forgiven and forgotten. You are a new creation. You are no longer enslaved to a fear of death. You have been declared a child of God and co-heir with Jesus Christ. Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. You have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. You are free. Forever. Hallelujah!
Now, stop going to church to get what you want. Forget the worship style – and give yourself fully to worshiping. Forsake the soft chairs – and give yourself fully to serving. Give up your convenient parking spot and make it available to someone else. Quit complaining about the mess the donuts make. Instead, offer to be the guy who picks the donuts up at 7 AM. Stop critiquing the coffee or moaning about the spill stains on the carpet. Instead, start serving in the café or volunteer as a custodian. Stop whining about the children crying in the service. Instead, sign up to serve in the nursery or the children’s church. Stop griping about the organ or the guitars or the drums or the song choices. Instead, start offering your gift or talent wholeheartedly to God.
If you want to truly worship God, then stop thinking about yourself and what you want. Instead, Be selfless. Give yourself fully to serving others and pleasing the heart of God. Then you will be the kind of worshiper God is seeking.
