SERMON SHORT FOR NOVEMBER 22nd, 2020
A CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE – WORSHIP
John 4:7-26, Colossians 3:16, 17
Worship as a discipline is something that happens. It is an experience. When we speak of having a “worship service,” we are usually referring to the forms and the gathering of God’s people at a particular time in a particular place. There are hymns, scripture, preaching, sacraments, liturgy, etc. All of these may lead to worship, but worship is much more than any of these elements. The expressions are important because they are the means of God’s grace, but it is quite possible to do them all without being in worship.
Whatever brings us into the divine presence is what I want to call worship and all such things should be respected. You may need solitude, quietude, mediation to feel in the divine presence. You may need riotous singing, clapping, dancing or “swinging from the rafters” to feel in the divine presence. If it is a genuine encounter with God, it is worship. If it is for show, it is an abomination.
Come into God’s presence. Come and worship.