TRUE WORSHIP
Successful New Testament church and discipleship requires that we re-align our concept of “worship”.
That’s because what most people call “worship” …
Isn’t.
At least, not according to the New Testament.
“Worship” in the New Testament means a life of reverent obedience.
That’s it, pure and simple.
It’s not a Sunday service …
It’s not a song …
It’s an ongoing lifestyle, 24/7.
Yes, we’re encouraged to congregationally sing praises together when we meet, but only in four passages in the New Testament.
Two of those passages say why:
It’s to encourage one another.
That’s it. Nothing more.
That destroys the modern narrative of “worship” as pursuing intense experiences, often invoked through manipulative “worship” bands …
Which supposedly conjure up God’s presence.
Where do you even find that in the New Testament?
You don’t.
In fact, that’s more pagan than Biblical.
Although a genuine encounter with God certainly generates emotional intensity …
These days, we pursue emotional intensity and call it God.
Instead, let’s congregationally express God’s presence already in us …
Through songs that encourage one another towards true worship by living lives of reverent obedience.
Otherwise, we’ll remain trapped in pagan carnality …
Rather than find authentic church, authentic worship and authentic discipleship as defined in the New Testament.