This message was originally given by Paul Carhart at the Launch Pad gathering on May 16, 2009 and was followed by an extended worship time.
What is The Church?
When I refer to The Church, I’m not talking about a building somewhere with a steeple. I’m not talking about specific denominations. I’m talking about the whole of all Christian believers. All Christians, regardless of denomination and doctrine. That is The Church.
Why do people go to church?
1) Activities
2) Fellowship or social gathering… maybe even gossip.
(I’ll speak more on the evils of gossip another time)
3) Teaching… morality
4) Feel better about yourself
Why SHOULD people go to church?
1) Learn more about God
2) Experience the presence of God
3) Experience the blessings of God (Another word: Miracles)
(Blessings and miracles are a result of God pouring out His Spirit on those who love and worship Him in spirit and in truth)
If you're not getting at least one of these things from church, you might as well sleep in. Many believers have decided to do just that and have abandoned going to church altogether.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25
I want to take a quick moment to point out here that the “assembling together” spoken of here in the book of Hebrews is the early church. It was not in the form it takes now in Western society (and subsequent satellite missionary offshoots). It was a gathering of believers, usually under Roman persecution that took place, most often, within someone’s home. There were no such things as cathedrals, pews, podiums, Powerpoint presentations, worship teams and all of the trappings that we have come to know as part of the traditional church setting. I’m sure there was singing and the reading of scripture, all meant to, as the scripture says, “exhort one another.” But the idea of the traditional church setting as being sacred is not scriptural and can be, in fact, a harmful box to put God into. Instruction is very important and the Word of God should be used. Worship is also an important aspect of the early church. But just as the disciples gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the modern church structure doesn’t have to be in place for God to move. In fact, it can indeed be hindering and can be used to quench the Holy Spirit.
So what is worshiping God?
Maybe we should take a look at a few things it isn't.
1) Is it ten minutes of music before preaching?
2) Is it American Idol or some sort of concert?
3) Is it competition?
4) Is it misplaced or misdirected…
- toward man?
- toward money?
- toward material possessions?
The very first of God's commandments given to Moses is "You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3
We can try to pinpoint what worship is, but we might be selling ourselves short unless we define it in this way:
Worshiping God is to bask in His presence. What it boils down to is that to worship God is to fulfill the purpose for which man was created.
Don't believe me? Let's look at what the Bible says in the book of Genesis. Chapter 3, verse 8.
"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden."
This is immediately after both Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit. But notice something about this passage:
"…they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden."
Notice that God walking in the garden was a common thing. So common, in fact, that both Adam and Eve were familiar with the sound. Could it be that mankind was created to walk with God? I submit that we were created for that primary purpose.
Beings who fulfill their purpose
Naturally, after Adam and Eve introduced sin into the world, the world is in a fallen state. Still, other than man, most other facets of creation fulfill the purpose they were created for.
What does Jesus say about birds?
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
from Matt 6:26
And flowers:
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;" from Matt 6:28
And…
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse," - Romans 1:20
Indeed all of creation fulfills its purpose.
But does man fulfill his/her purpose?
For the most part, no. Most people spend very little time walking with God. So how can we improve that? The closest we can come now is to worship God in spirit and in truth and to let the Holy Spirit move.
How can we worship God?
1) Worship through music
"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet
Praise Him with the lute and the harp
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes
Praise Him with loud cymbals
Praise Him with clashing cymbals" - Psalm 150: 3-5
It’s also worth noting here, that one of the reasons that music comes to the forefront as a means of worshiping God is that it is, scripturally, a form of worship practiced by angels at God’s throne (Revelation 5:8-14).
2) Worship through the arts (and other talents, gifts and abilities)
"So you shall speak who are gifted artisans who I have filled with the spirit of wisdom that that they may make Aaron's garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest." - Exodus 38:3
3) Worship through kind acts and giving
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the lease of these My brethren, you did it to Me." - Matt 25:37-40
4) Worship as a lifestyle
"You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3
5) Corporate worship,
"Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: 'For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,' that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."
- 2 Chr 5:13-14
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
- Matthew 18:19-20
Clearly, there’s power in coming together to worship God.
6) Just about anything you do when you put God first
The Key: Putting God First
"You shall have no other gods before Me." - Exodus 20:3
In Genesis, 4:1-16, we read the story of Cain and Abel. Both brought sacrifices to God but God was only pleased with Abel's sacrifice. I believe it was because Cain had an attitude problem, that God wasn't pleased. God wanted an animal sacrifice. Cain was a farmer and didn't have any animals. Rather than trade grain for a suitable animal (his brother would have probably been glad to trade with him), Cain simply offered whatever he wanted. In the end, he killed his brother out of jealousy, almost as if to prove how twisted his heart had always been.
My point is: the most important element you can bring is a right heart. Forgiveness of sins daily = a right heart.
"Now we know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." - John 9:31
Worship paves the way for a closer walk, which finally fulfills man's purpose.
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. - John 4:23
Conclusion
If more of mankind fulfilled its purpose, the body of Christ would be stronger and the Church as a whole (as in the body of believers in Christ currently upon the earth) would not be as diluted and powerless as it is today.
