The second passage was from Psalm 100. It is a psalm that was read and sung as Israel gathered together in Jerusalem going to the Temple to worship. It is not exactly what we would call a template for worship. It is however a good guide for how to prepare ourselves to enter into worship. Psalm 100 is a favorite psalm. I hope you will become familiar with it if you are not already.
The third of the passages was from the Revelation, chapter 4. Once again, we get to peek inside of Heavens door to view worship. It is easy to get lost in the symbolism and miss the beauty of the main event…worship.
And then last Sunday we took a look at John 4 and Jesus’ own teaching about worship. An encounter that looked like a chance encounter turned out to be one of consequence. The Samaritan woman, like those of us who read this story, had opportunity to learn from Jesus Himself about true worship. Worship is too important for us to be sidetracked by customs, rules and regulations that seem to distract. There are traditions we love, like observing the Lord’s Supper. It leads us to experience Our Father and Lord Jesus in a very intimate way. But the details of how we observe the Lords Supper, how often, bread or wafer, weekly or monthly, passed or at stations….those are just traditions that are designed to help us. In other words, let’s make sure our worship stays God focused and God directed and not toward our traditions or rules.
I loved this definition of worship: Worship is all that I am reacting to all that God is. I pray that you will react to Him with praise, adoration, thanksgiving and confession. I am so thankful for our praise team that helps lead us to worship every week. To God be the glory.
See you this Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
