A Sacrifice of Praise

Recently I attended one of the larger churches in the Brisbane region.  The church building has all the amenities of a modern, lavish fellowship in the States.  For a price lunch could be purchased after the service in the church's outdoor food court.  The building was bustling with activity:  Sunday school for the children, a large information desk with several attendants, greeters, ushers, and on.  It was the kind of place it would be easy to keep to yourself, show up late, leave early, and keep a low-profile.

From the moment the service began, it was flash and dash, razzle-dazzle.  About twenty people filled the stage as lights flashed above and behind them.  Cameras would shoot close-ups of the half-dozen people towards the front of the stage who danced as they sang, and the image simultaneously projected on enormous screens.  I couldn't help but notice the strikingly similar style of them all.  They were all young, energetic, attractive, the males sporting short mustaches and tousled hair, and the team all clapped with the same form.  When they raised their hands it was as if they had been trained by the same "worship" teacher, imitating a single motion.  But there was something strangely absent in the hoopla and showmanship of the worship team.  Oh, I heard them say the name of Jesus many, many times.  But I'm not sure that Jesus was there.  He wasn't really needed.

I jotted down some lyrics from the songs:  "You make me stronger...we're breaking down these walls...it's the sound of victory."  Huh.  I must disagree with the premise.  Jesus does not make us "stronger" because that assumes we have a measure of strength in ourselves.  Paul said when he was weak, God was strong!  No, apart from Jesus Christ we are all like Samson when the Spirit of God left him:  weak, blind, bound, taken captive, imprisoned, and enslaved.  Can we break down a spiritual wall?  Jesus is the one who by Himself as broken down the wall of separation as it is written in Ephesians 2:13-14:  "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation..."  We cannot break down a wall, we cannot calm a storm, we cannot even lift our own heads!  It was David who wrote in Psalm 3:3:  "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head."

As I watched the people on stage saying the name of Jesus, eyes closed, with hands raised in identical fashion, it occurred to me that many people believe the display on stage is "worship."  I am convinced the people on stage believed it was worship too.  No:  it was singing and dancing.  A song is no better than the message, and the message was humanistic.  Worship is the praise, adoration, and glorification of God.  Worship of God can be enjoined through the skillful playing of instruments, singing, or dancing.  "Worship" is not something reserved for Sundays with flashing lights and electric guitars.  Worship is submission to God in every facet of life.   I had the feeling I was watching the prophets of Ba'al on Mount Carmel trying to call down fire from heaven.  But God is not like a dog that comes when you whistle.  James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

We are in the age of the "All You Have To Do Is Believe" gospel, with a little "g."  It is uncommon in modern churches to hear about the necessity of repentance and confession of sin.  A man cannot be converted until he has repented; he cannot repent until he has been convicted; he will not be convicted unless he is faced with the All-powerful righteous God.  It is the impending harsh consequences that move a felon to confess his crimes.  In the same way, a man must confess before God his gross sin and rebellion.  It is the goodness of God, not the harshness of our punishment which leads a man to repentance and salvation through faith.  Hebrews 10:19-22 says, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, [21] and having a High Priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

During the service I was not angry or indignant.  But I was certainly grieved because of the lack of sound doctrine according to scripture.  Christianity is not about what God can do for man, how He can prosper our finances and do miracles in our lives.  When we follow the doctrine of humanism (God exists for the happiness of man) we sever the head of Christ from the Body of Christ.  Our power becomes political, not spiritual.  Our focus becomes activity, not piety that God would be glorified.  Many would rather rejoice in their flesh than repent.  God would rather godly sorrow than our songs with self-empowering themes.  2 Cor. 7:10 says, "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."  I think it's time for us to come to God on His terms for a change.

There are an infinite number of ways to worship our LORD and Savior, for He is infinitely good and worthy of all praise.  Informal, liturgical, traditional, there are many styles for many tastes.  But if the salt has lost its savor, it is garbage.  Make sure that Jesus is the savor that marks your meetings.  Ephes. 5:2 says, "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."  Instead of offering strange fire before Him, let us offer ourselves as a sacrifice of praise, worshiping God in spirit and truth.