Worship Is More Than Just Staying Awake
Preaching
Lions And Cows Dining Together
And 111 Other Sermon Ideas
Object:
Purpose Statement: When is worship really worship?
If we were honest with each other, we might admit that many services of worship we have experienced have been empty and not worthy of the label, "worship." Reasons vary. A worship service may not have been conducted in a worshipful manner (we still might find something meaningful anyway); perhaps our worship has become too routine so as to make it easy to lose sight of our purpose; we may not have come to worship prepared and expectant; or other of the many reasons. There are many sermons on the topic of worship: the elements, the style, distractions within us and around us, where we can worship, preparation, intention, expectations, and so on. In Isaiah 6:1-11, Isaiah sees God in the temple. The temple shook and was filled with smoke and strange creatures symbolizing an ecstatic moment most of us haven't experienced, yet. The question each of us can ask ourselves is, "When does worship happen for us?" We might try the following imagery even if it seems rather contrived.
a. When we are as timid as a mouse. Isaiah says there is no hope for him; he is doomed (v. 5) as a sinful person trembling in the presence of an awesome God. Real worship begins with a confession of our sinfulness. This does not mean we fear God; it means we are humble and timid in God's awesome presence. God has blessed us beyond comprehension and we have answered with apathy, rudeness, failure, hatred, greed, carelessness, or other undesirable behaviors. In remorse, we stand trembling and tearful in God's presence. We are sorry we sinned; not just that we got caught.
b. When we are happy as a lark. After sincere repentance, we know our sins are forgiven (v. 7). We are joyful over new life and reconciliation with God. Talk about emotional swings. It can be as polar as from depression to euphoric. We may have done things, at times, that warrant some deep sorrow. Release from this kind of burden and experiencing genuine forgiveness can be immense, in contrast.
c. When we are courageous like a lion. After that kind of healing, our next emotion would be the desire to serve God as an expression of our gratitude. "God, what can we do? Give us some brave task." Isaiah hears God calling for a messenger and responds, "Here am I, send me" (v. 8). The greater the forgiveness and love is, the greater is the gratefulness, and the more courageous is our commitment to serve. There have been those times when we felt there wasn't enough we could do to thank a friend or repay an obligation. When God's presence is felt in our hearts, we are ready to roar.
d. When we become wise as an owl. God immediately gave Isaiah understanding or knowledge (v. 9), instructions on what to say to the people. We may not receive a commission similar to that of a prophet such as Isaiah, but there will be moments in our worship experience when we feel that our lives now have definite direction and purpose. We know what the task is and how we can achieve it.
e. When we become busy as a beaver. The task is awesome for Isaiah (v. 10); there is much to do and it won't be easy. Worship should be reflected in our total life; the true response to meaningful worship finds expression in a busy Christian life. Because we have worshiped on Sunday at church (or any day, any where), we commit to a life full of service and witnessing. This does not mean the reverse is true: that the person who is overly active in the life of the church family has a great devotional life. But who are we to judge?
f. When we are stubborn like a mule. As we make our way through the zoo, it is at this point that we are prone to let down. Like the parable of the two sons, one said he would go and work in the field, but didn't. A very common pattern is clearly discernable in our resolutions and commitments: We start off with a bang and then, after a while, we begin to wind down. Isaiah asks how long his responsibility is to last, and God says, "For a long time; until the cities are ruined and uninhabited" (v. 11). It is easier, at first, to get going, but persistence through discouragement, boring routine, thankless chores, and difficulties is hard to maintain. Stubborn, stick-to-it-iveness is what is wanted for God's work. Is our wake strewn with tasks left half finished? It is time to get back to the temple.
If we were honest with each other, we might admit that many services of worship we have experienced have been empty and not worthy of the label, "worship." Reasons vary. A worship service may not have been conducted in a worshipful manner (we still might find something meaningful anyway); perhaps our worship has become too routine so as to make it easy to lose sight of our purpose; we may not have come to worship prepared and expectant; or other of the many reasons. There are many sermons on the topic of worship: the elements, the style, distractions within us and around us, where we can worship, preparation, intention, expectations, and so on. In Isaiah 6:1-11, Isaiah sees God in the temple. The temple shook and was filled with smoke and strange creatures symbolizing an ecstatic moment most of us haven't experienced, yet. The question each of us can ask ourselves is, "When does worship happen for us?" We might try the following imagery even if it seems rather contrived.
a. When we are as timid as a mouse. Isaiah says there is no hope for him; he is doomed (v. 5) as a sinful person trembling in the presence of an awesome God. Real worship begins with a confession of our sinfulness. This does not mean we fear God; it means we are humble and timid in God's awesome presence. God has blessed us beyond comprehension and we have answered with apathy, rudeness, failure, hatred, greed, carelessness, or other undesirable behaviors. In remorse, we stand trembling and tearful in God's presence. We are sorry we sinned; not just that we got caught.
b. When we are happy as a lark. After sincere repentance, we know our sins are forgiven (v. 7). We are joyful over new life and reconciliation with God. Talk about emotional swings. It can be as polar as from depression to euphoric. We may have done things, at times, that warrant some deep sorrow. Release from this kind of burden and experiencing genuine forgiveness can be immense, in contrast.
c. When we are courageous like a lion. After that kind of healing, our next emotion would be the desire to serve God as an expression of our gratitude. "God, what can we do? Give us some brave task." Isaiah hears God calling for a messenger and responds, "Here am I, send me" (v. 8). The greater the forgiveness and love is, the greater is the gratefulness, and the more courageous is our commitment to serve. There have been those times when we felt there wasn't enough we could do to thank a friend or repay an obligation. When God's presence is felt in our hearts, we are ready to roar.
d. When we become wise as an owl. God immediately gave Isaiah understanding or knowledge (v. 9), instructions on what to say to the people. We may not receive a commission similar to that of a prophet such as Isaiah, but there will be moments in our worship experience when we feel that our lives now have definite direction and purpose. We know what the task is and how we can achieve it.
e. When we become busy as a beaver. The task is awesome for Isaiah (v. 10); there is much to do and it won't be easy. Worship should be reflected in our total life; the true response to meaningful worship finds expression in a busy Christian life. Because we have worshiped on Sunday at church (or any day, any where), we commit to a life full of service and witnessing. This does not mean the reverse is true: that the person who is overly active in the life of the church family has a great devotional life. But who are we to judge?
f. When we are stubborn like a mule. As we make our way through the zoo, it is at this point that we are prone to let down. Like the parable of the two sons, one said he would go and work in the field, but didn't. A very common pattern is clearly discernable in our resolutions and commitments: We start off with a bang and then, after a while, we begin to wind down. Isaiah asks how long his responsibility is to last, and God says, "For a long time; until the cities are ruined and uninhabited" (v. 11). It is easier, at first, to get going, but persistence through discouragement, boring routine, thankless chores, and difficulties is hard to maintain. Stubborn, stick-to-it-iveness is what is wanted for God's work. Is our wake strewn with tasks left half finished? It is time to get back to the temple.
