GlocalNet

I read an article from Christianity Today on our Global Faith Forum which was overall and generally positive.  It told the story of how one morning we all sang Father Abraham and how one man told someone he couldn’t sing it because he didn’t know if it would be considered worshipping with someone of another faith and he wanted to be sure he didn’t do that. 

Jordan Fowler, teaching pastor at NorthWood, has always taught that the definition of worship he learned from Dr. Leafblatt is “focusing our minds attention and our hearts affection on the Lord praising him for who he is and what he has done.” 

My worship is not determined by where I am and who stands beside me if my heart is right with God.  Why?

First, worship is more than singing, prayer, and an official order of service, it is a life.  We have a song Brent Minter, our worship pastor wrote, that worship never ends with hands in the air but “Feet that Move” in obedience.  Worship is your life, your ministry, your obedience, your service.  When I’m serving God, I’m serving people who know Jesus and people who don’t know Jesus.  I’m serving holy people and unholy people.

Second, you can have a formal worship service with just Christians - and I assure you there is a lot of sin in the wrong and darkness too.  If that’s the case, then you wouldn’t be able to worship then and there.  Not living in the light of Jesus isn’t differentiated by another religion any more than by a son, daughter, relative, or close friend who doesn’t know Jesus who you bring to church with you.  Where is it found in the Bible that not knowing Jesus is better one way than the other?

Third, I believe worship of God is highly evangelistic.  When I am worshipping with others who don’t know Jesus - God has a way of moving that I believe is unlike any other way.  Thank God, Billy Graham didn’t believe you couldn’t worship with non-believers or there wouldn’t have been those millions he led to faith in Christ. 

Fourth, my worship is determined not by someone else - but by my focus on God.  In the early days of my walk with God, my most powerful worship was in a “worship” service with other believers.  It’s still powerful - but for me, my most powerful worship times with God are alone with him in his Word and on my knees, and YES - even singing. 

Fifth, God is present everywhere.  What a powerful thing to be able to worship him everywhere.  David could worship anywhere Ps 139:* “If I make my bed in Sheol you are there.”  If it’s true that I can only worship with like-minded believers - then that means that most of my day and most of my life is spent outside of worship.

Finally, my model of Jesus - he came to seek and save that which is lost.  He didn’t turn worship off and on based on who was around him - he worshipped non-stop and healed, and proclaimed, and loved adulterers, backslidden Jews, extortionists, gluttons - even hung out with them.  In the end - it was Jesus’ own tribe that got the most upset with him - and that will always be true.  I am free to love God and worship him anywhere, anytime, anyplace, with anyone - because he is my focus - not the time, the tribe, the place, or another person. 

Twenty years ago I may have felt the same way.  But when I began to work around the world - I found Jesus getting on the plane with me - not waving goodbye.  When I engaged with Communists, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and big-time sinners - I found him with me there as well.  When others would pray, I found myself also praying - yes in the name of Jesus - and I found him there.  It is a powerful comfort. 

One time, I was in a country in a place that was very dangerous.  The men with me stopped and put out their mats and began to pray.  I stood to the side and waited.  I was praying in my heart for them and other things.  Then it hit me, they kneel to show their devotion - “why don’t you Bob.”  So I did.  When we got back in the vehicle they wanted to know about how I prayed, why, etc.  It was a powerful conversation the rest of the day.  I bow my head and pray in public over my food and thank God. Is that not worshipping? 

God does not respect “No Trespassing” signs - it’s all his.  There are no “Not Permitted” signs for Jesus - he is omnipresent.