Good stuff to think through, man. I think we could have a few different answers–all valid–depending on how we are defining worship in this context. Bottom line, the sermon (preaching/proclaiming of God’s word in a corporate context) is biblical and appropriate for the weekend gathering.
But, it is a little weird to me to ask if it is “worship” for the same reason I would think it odd to ask if music is worship. Both “can” be worshipful, but neither is explicitly. I think it may be the wrong question.
For example, you and I would both agree music is not worship. But, we certainly worship God at times by singing songs to him and about him. And, it is appropriate and modeled throughout scripture for us in the assembly of believers and in other places in response to God. One of my best times of worship through music last year was at a Lenny Kravitz show. I don’t know that my neighbor was worshiping. I was. So the question is not, “is Lenny Kravitz a worship leader?” That question is irrelevant. The question is not, “is the song ‘Stillness of Heart’ a worship song?” Wrong question. He played. I worshiped.
Are we worshipers? In every way? In every situation? At all times? Probably not. But, every event, situation, mindset, activity, etc. can be God honoring or not. It’s a heart issue.
I don’t think God ever intended for us to define what is worship and what is not. I think he is concerned with “who is a worshiper?”
Remember John 4? The woman asked about “where” the appropriate place for worship was. Jesus said it wasn’t important. He is looking for hearts. Hearts that are his.
Here are some random thoughts to muddy it up for us:
1. Preparing a message can be an act of worship for the speaker. It can also become a rote act without much thought, intention, or prayer.
2. Hearing a message can be a wonderful act of obedience and response depending on how we engage God’s word and if we are moved to actuation/change/obedience/contemplation/etc. It can also be passive and unproductive. Then again, I don’t know that the end result always has to be action or change.
3. Proclaiming God’s word (kerygma) can be a wonderful act of worship. It can also be full of self, off track, void of meaning, etc.
4. A speaker can be self serving, have more sizzle than steak and love the sound of his own voice, on the other hand I think it’s a sin to bore people with the word of God.
I doesn’t matter if we label it worship or not, God tells us to be hearers and doers of the word and we have countless examples of how and why it is important.
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All About Worship Retreat: Postlude #aawr
May 31st, 2010 at 5:08 pmHey, man. How did you hear about the retreat?
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December 21st, 2009 at 10:50 amJesus told me about your blog. He started following it about a year ago. His Google Alerts popped it up–apparently you said some things about him.
Worship Mythbusters: Sermons are not worship? - 5 ways sermons are worship.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:21 amAlways enjoy hearing from you, friend.
Good stuff to think through, man. I think we could have a few different answers–all valid–depending on how we are defining worship in this context. Bottom line, the sermon (preaching/proclaiming of God’s word in a corporate context) is biblical and appropriate for the weekend gathering.
But, it is a little weird to me to ask if it is “worship” for the same reason I would think it odd to ask if music is worship. Both “can” be worshipful, but neither is explicitly. I think it may be the wrong question.
For example, you and I would both agree music is not worship. But, we certainly worship God at times by singing songs to him and about him. And, it is appropriate and modeled throughout scripture for us in the assembly of believers and in other places in response to God. One of my best times of worship through music last year was at a Lenny Kravitz show. I don’t know that my neighbor was worshiping. I was. So the question is not, “is Lenny Kravitz a worship leader?” That question is irrelevant. The question is not, “is the song ‘Stillness of Heart’ a worship song?” Wrong question. He played. I worshiped.
Are we worshipers? In every way? In every situation? At all times? Probably not. But, every event, situation, mindset, activity, etc. can be God honoring or not. It’s a heart issue.
I don’t think God ever intended for us to define what is worship and what is not. I think he is concerned with “who is a worshiper?”
Remember John 4? The woman asked about “where” the appropriate place for worship was. Jesus said it wasn’t important. He is looking for hearts. Hearts that are his.
Here are some random thoughts to muddy it up for us:
1. Preparing a message can be an act of worship for the speaker. It can also become a rote act without much thought, intention, or prayer.
2. Hearing a message can be a wonderful act of obedience and response depending on how we engage God’s word and if we are moved to actuation/change/obedience/contemplation/etc. It can also be passive and unproductive. Then again, I don’t know that the end result always has to be action or change.
3. Proclaiming God’s word (kerygma) can be a wonderful act of worship. It can also be full of self, off track, void of meaning, etc.
4. A speaker can be self serving, have more sizzle than steak and love the sound of his own voice, on the other hand I think it’s a sin to bore people with the word of God.
I doesn’t matter if we label it worship or not, God tells us to be hearers and doers of the word and we have countless examples of how and why it is important.
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:32 pm“This mix is so rockin’ it nearly peeled my face off!”
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:25 pm“Is this the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction?”
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:22 pm“Every time I listen to Jefferson Airplane I feel like I’m on an acid trip.”
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pm“Take it from the top. These vocals sound canned.”
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:18 pm“Give me the headphones. I need to concentrate on this mix.”
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:18 pm“Dude, I haven’t heard Agent Orange since 1985!”
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:14 pm“This mix is fresh.”
Photo Caption...please!!
May 20th, 2009 at 4:12 pm“It’s time to face the music.”