Patterns of Worship
August 2019/Josh Wade
Going through the motions.
Everyone else is doing it.
Gotta fit in.
What will the pastor/my parents/my spouse think if I don’t raise my hands?
Falling into a pattern of worship is easy. Breaking that pattern and worshipping in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24) reveals our awe of Him instead of just going through the motions.
The heart of the issue is that worship starts in the heart. In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah and says, “This person honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me…” How many times have we argued the entire way to church and continued when we got there? We went through worship and probably most of the sermon still thinking about it. All the while our lips are singing praises to God. I am guilty of this!
God puts it pretty plainly to His priests in Malachi 1:10 telling them to stop lighting worthless fires on the altar. God finds no pleasure in worship that isn’t authentic.
We need to be in awe when we come into the presence of God, yet sometimes the things of this world distract us. In these times, the hardest thing to do is to surrender that which made us mad or is distracting us. If we do, the Lord promises to reveal Himself. Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
How can our response be anything other than raw, unfiltered awe and devotion at the goodness and mercy of the One True God? The same God who created the universe cares enough to desire our praise.
The next time your “Sunday flow” gets messed up with the things of this world, or your spilt coffee, or little Billy’s nosebleed in the parking lot all over his new church clothes, take a moment to reflect on how worthy God is of our praise. Reflect on His love and grace and mercy, His unbounding favor, and the sending of His one and only perfect Son to take the penalty for our numerous sins. Once we focus, not on this world but on God, we will have no other choice but to stand in reverence of Almighty God and experience true worship.
Everyone else is doing it.
Gotta fit in.
What will the pastor/my parents/my spouse think if I don’t raise my hands?
Falling into a pattern of worship is easy. Breaking that pattern and worshipping in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24) reveals our awe of Him instead of just going through the motions.
The heart of the issue is that worship starts in the heart. In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus quotes the prophet Isaiah and says, “This person honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me; in vain do they worship Me…” How many times have we argued the entire way to church and continued when we got there? We went through worship and probably most of the sermon still thinking about it. All the while our lips are singing praises to God. I am guilty of this!
God puts it pretty plainly to His priests in Malachi 1:10 telling them to stop lighting worthless fires on the altar. God finds no pleasure in worship that isn’t authentic.
We need to be in awe when we come into the presence of God, yet sometimes the things of this world distract us. In these times, the hardest thing to do is to surrender that which made us mad or is distracting us. If we do, the Lord promises to reveal Himself. Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find Him, if you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
How can our response be anything other than raw, unfiltered awe and devotion at the goodness and mercy of the One True God? The same God who created the universe cares enough to desire our praise.
The next time your “Sunday flow” gets messed up with the things of this world, or your spilt coffee, or little Billy’s nosebleed in the parking lot all over his new church clothes, take a moment to reflect on how worthy God is of our praise. Reflect on His love and grace and mercy, His unbounding favor, and the sending of His one and only perfect Son to take the penalty for our numerous sins. Once we focus, not on this world but on God, we will have no other choice but to stand in reverence of Almighty God and experience true worship.
Band Led Worship
Josh Wade
Myself (34) and my wife Rosarie (32) met at Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, New York in 2005. After we left Word of Life, I began working in the Boilermaker Union, working at nuclear facilities as a welder. In 2016, God clearly showed a new direction for our family, which is when we moved to the Baptist College of Florida where I am currently enrolled in my senior year, double majoring in Ministry Studies and Worship Leadership and Music. My wife, Rosarie, is a 3rd-grade school teacher with her master’s degree and works in Marianna, Fl. We also have two beautiful girls, Gracie (6) and Everly (3).
When the Lord led us to St. Andrew, I had no idea where the journey would take us, but I knew that He has been sovereign and faithful to us. As the need for a second service and a Band Led Worship Leader presented itself, we prayed faithfully, and God answered our prayers. My family and I are beyond excited to be a part of what God is doing here at St. Andrew and can’t wait to get to know you all!
When the Lord led us to St. Andrew, I had no idea where the journey would take us, but I knew that He has been sovereign and faithful to us. As the need for a second service and a Band Led Worship Leader presented itself, we prayed faithfully, and God answered our prayers. My family and I are beyond excited to be a part of what God is doing here at St. Andrew and can’t wait to get to know you all!