REALLY?????? COME ON NOW.
I had a friend from twitter send me this subject for a blog… and after praying about it, I felt that I might be able to shed some light on the subject and so I began to write this. The short of it is that this person had a friend say that she didn’t like church worship because it was “ALL FAKE”. This is the best response I could drum up to that thought process…. hope you enjoy:
Worship being fake is a weird statement. Of course there are always people who have a talent for being more dramatic than the rest of us, but at the same time there is a truth that no man can know the intentions or heart of any other person… no one but God knows the true intentions of our hearts. I do think that this raises a very good point. Is worship real anymore or is all just an exercise? Something that we just do. I submit that worship is both. Now before you die of a heart attack let me explain.
Would you say that a person who spends time in their bible even though they don’t really want to is a fake? No, you would say that they are exercising discipline so that they may better know the God that they serve. Likewise, what about a person who studies for an exam even though they don’t really enjoy the subject matter… so that they can get the degree that they want. Are they a fake or extremely wise in working through the difficulty to gain what they desire… a knowledge of the subject. What about a person who hangs out with people that they are nothing like in an effort to know them and therefore share the gospel with them?
I find it funny any time a person uses the idea of “hypocrites” as there thesis for their frustration with a group of likeminded people… especially when it comes to the church. Ultimately when a person goes to the extreme of saying that ALL people are one thing or another, they are completely off base… it’s an impossibility for all of us to carry the same beliefs…. “They are all just hypocrites in there just fake worshipping Jesus.” Then I have to ask… how is anyone in the room more hypocritical than you?? If you’re a believer trying to make sure that the hearts of all people in your church are pure, then you have already become one with a heart that isn’t pure…. after all the bible does specifically say not to judge lest you be judged. That’s the thing… we can’t get around our fallen state. We all know that we are all guilty of sin in our lives…. and when we start pointing the finger at worshippers because they are all in when it comes to worship time, but they are obviously sinners when it’s not worship time, we actually become the very thing that we hate. We become the judge… we become the jury, and we become the modern day pharisees. When we judge people based on our opinions and our established laws then that is exactly who we are.
I get it “hypocrites” are everywhere and in our eyes there are always people who are more hypocritical than others, but truly I tell you… we are all guilty. If we wanted to get God’s judgement of others to be in acted here on earth immediately so that we could weed out the problem… we would be weeded out as well. That’s right God’s judgement will not be based on how bad a person is…. no, God cannot stand the sight of any sin. He is perfect and without blemish, and as such all sin…. even the slightest cannot be in the presence of God. If not for the blood of Jesus Christ we would all be banished from His presence forever.
One cannot say all Christians are fake when they worship… that’s simply not true. Because worshipping when one doesn’t want to is even a part of the bible. Job worshipped the Lord even in his despair.
One cannot simply say all hypocrisy should be rooted out….. that’s impossible, because the person who spoke would have to be dissolved as well. We are all hypocrites… yes ALL OF US. Good thing that our faith is in a God who is pure, holy, and always consistent.
The truth is that worship is required, in good times and in bad times. When we feel like it AND when we don’t because worship draws us into the presence of God, where He begins to mold us, shape us, and realign us to His will. So, when a person says that all worship is fake, they are missing the point… worshipping even in the hard times is exactly what we must do to continue to be drawn into the presence of God who will lead us out of our despair.
Finally, when a person is emotional in worship…. it may be the truest, least fake thing that they can be… after all when we consider the Gospel…. how God incarnate became a child born into the world in lowly Bethlehem in a manger… lived the perfect life…. was crucified for our sins and died… only to be raised 3 days later to conquer death in this world…. FOR YOU….. maybe we should be a bit emotional.
Here’s my best shot at illustrating what I’m saying:
If you won the lottery and they came to your door with millions of dollars just to say… this is yours… just accept it…. you would freak out wouldn’t you?? Our responses would all be different to that circumstance, but we would all go nuts in our own way. A woman who’s been desperate to pay her bills might just fall on her knees crying and lift her hands to heaven. A man might literally run around the block screaming. Responses unique to that person, true…. but not fake… just pure unfiltered JOY.
Obedience requires that we worship the Lord. Obedience also requires that we NOT judge others. 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Obedience may be the truest form of worship.
There is no good EXCUSE for not worshipping the Lord…unless you don’t have a saving knowledge of the Lord. His love for us requires worship…. which is why we do it… whether in sickness, health, love, or hurt…. in plenty, and in little… God’s sacrificial love has saved us and there is no other response but worship when we consider His goodness and mercy which endures forever. So there it is… we’ve all won the LOTTERY, all we have to do is accept it… so go ahead FREAK OUT… and don’t judge other people when they do the same thing.
What are your thoughts???? I’d love to hear them!!
Jroy
I fully agree that obedience is worship and you can see it all through the old testament. One of the first verses that really “spoke” to me was when Abraham said, “You men stay here with the donkeys. My son and I will go over there and worship the Lord and then return to you.” What was Abraham going to do? Yea…kill his son. He was going to be obedient. He was worshipping.
Great commentary bro… and by the way… I’m proud of what you’re bringing to Grace team every week. You’re killing it man!
I have this discussion all the time with people. My response is…worship is inevitable. It’s what you were created to do. If you, as a “worship leader”, LEAD them there, the natural reaction is to respond. I do see a lot of worship “cheerleaders” though. Church services become a dance of sorts. People know when to stand up and when to sit down, when to raise their hands and when to grab their wallets. I believe this is a cycle that needs to be broken.
A worship leader has a huge responsibility. I don’t even like the term worship leader…that portrays the concept of something being forced. I prefer the term “lead worshiper”, because like I said, if you take them there and create an atmosphere of reverence and humility, the natural reaction is to respond. It’s woven in our DNA. We are created to give honor and worship to our creator.
I know, personally, leading worship can be discouraging. I have walked off of stages before thinking “what’s wrong with these people…they just stood there.” It wasn’t until I came to the realization that I can not let the response of the crowd dictate how I worship. I have to be the lead worshiper.
All in all, it can’t be forced. It has to be experienced.
John 4:23
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”
Jason,
Thank you so much for writing this blog, it hits home for me. I have struggled with depression for quite some time, I have a hard time to worship. When I do I put my heart into it, I love to sing worship songs when I am happy but I need to do it when I am down as well, I have a really hard time with this. Your songs have helped me, especially songs like Where I Belong, You Carried Me, Glory Defined. I love all of your songs. Thanks for all that you do, you guys are awesome. God bless you. Marjan
I find the most precious times of worship is when I’m alone. Just God, my guitar, and myself. There is a point however where you have to ask yourself why are you doing it? Are you trying to please man or God? I feel if we lose the reason we are worshiping in the first place, and we are more concerned with the performance and not the heart we are only making noise.
Good words Jim… I definitely think that thinking about what is appealing to someone else as you worship is not the best thing to do… Ultimately humility in worship and remembering that its not about you or what others think about you will always lead you down the right path.
Love this!! I know when I don’t feel like worshipping God and put on some music, it always redirects my mind back to how good God is..and isn’t that what worship should do?? I think everybody has their own style…just like God created us, there are no two alike, so totally agree with what you say about how we should not judge others…we have no idea where their heart is, that is God’s job.
That is why I close my eyes when we have worship time at church..then it’s just me and God…..and I don’t worry about what everybody else is doing:)
Love you guys..keep on putting out that amazing music!!
That statement bothers me everyone worships in their own way and to say it is fake is judging. God knows when it is fake, you can not fake with God.
Agreed shauna!
My thoughts are, it is in those times when our hearts are breaking and we don’t “feel” like worshiping God, that it is most necessary. It is our faith that pleases God and when we begin to worship (whether it is in a public place with our hands held high or alone on our knees with our face in our hands) it is for God and God alone that we pour ourselves out. Then He who sees everything & knows our thoughts and the intent of our hearts, lifts us up and gives us joy in time of sorrow. Let’s not even begin to try to judge whether someone else is worshiping in spirit and in truth. We are all different and people worship in different ways.
So here is the deal. If I had chosen not to worship because I was angry or hurt or confused by God over the past three years while going through cancer treatments and surgery after surgery after surgery, then I would not have worshipped at all. But when I came into His presence in a group of like-minded people, I had no choice but to praise His name for getting me there week after week despite my circumstances. I think back and some of the purest and truest times of worship were when I was sick from the chemo and in pain from the surgeries because I knew that no one could make it any better except for my Savior.
Thanks for this blog post Jason. We miss you guys!
Kelly… I’ve watched you live out a life of worship in the toughest times… Your faith inspires me and so many others!!! You are amazing. Proud to know you!
As a pastor, there have been many times that I have not been “into it” when I had a job to do. Do I just tell the people that I just don’t “feel it” this morning…y’all go home?. Or, do I spend some more time with The Lord and let Him handle it. Come to think of it, isn’t that what I should do anyway? Thanks for the good word Jason.
When I came to my church a few years ago I experienced a type of worshipping that I had never experienced before. Worshipping usually just meant singing along, the few times I had been to Church in my Life. I loved the teachings of the Pastors and that would make me accept that kind of worship. There were times when I thought that some people are a little bit to crazy and times when I wondered if all of that was for real. I have become a deeper understanding about God and experienced His Awesomeness and Love throughout the years and now I am as crazy as the people I sometimes considered crazy. Crazy for the Presence of God.
I concur completely good sir. There are times when i dint feel like worshiping God. But by faith, i did so anyways. Then I would see God move. Every time I worship I see God presenting himself in different ways. Weather it be singing, or talking about God with friends and have strangers jump into the conversation. God moves regardless. He’s touching the hearts of those around us. but we are just blessed to be able to be used in the master plan. 😀
Good one. I admit I’m a pretty big hypocrite, too, and I do judge people. I make a lot of mistakes. I used to think worship was weird, even as a Christian, because I didn’t know God very well. He always struck me as overbearing, but I later learned this wasn’t true. Now, every time I do his works…I feel a sense of purpose. Every time I connect in worship…his presence comes in, and the best moments are, yes, when I feel emotional. I’m actually an extremely emotional person. I thought that was a bad thing, but it really isn’t. It just means I have strong feelings–especially when it comes to others. That’s a gift. Like you said in your last post, Jason, your weakness could be your greatest strength.
It’s true–worshiping in the middle of trouble even when you don’t even know what in the world is going to happen to you is sincere faith. I have a lot of experience of this kind of thing, especially lately.
Let me give everyone a quick testimony here: For the longest I was the shallow-rooted seed Jesus spoke of that sprang up and then immediately shriveled. I’d be happy one day, then down in the dumps and complaining the next. I couldn’t bring myself to praise him in these dark times. It was easy when I was feeling good, though. In the last 2-3 years I excessively fought with a lot of strife, anger, resentment, and other miserable feelings of the sort. That was only 2-3 years ago! Long story short, God got a hold of me and I improved from there, but it wasn’t until this year that I learned early in my life to appreciate life’s challenges. Yes…the bad times. Appreciate them. What?? Yes!! Without a test, there would be no testimony, nor strength of character. Blessed are those who learn it early.
I just got out of one of the biggest challenges of my life and I discovered the journey was more crucial than the destination. I finally believed that God was a faithful God who WOULD see me through. With that in mind I finally stood up to my problems, gave them to God, and listened to hod. He walked me through everything. During this hard time I chose to worship even when I didn’t want to.
The next time I’m faced with a massive challenge, or even something small, I may fall, but I will worship him anyway. Life isn’t comfortable, as we all know, but if we choose to praise him in the little things…it will change our lives.
Thanks for another great post. Sorry my comment is so long-winded…I hope my testimony will encourage somebody today.
Awesome testimony!!
I have never heard anyone say that when we worship it is fake. If I did I would ask them what right they had to judge anyone? I am not perfect I judge people and know that I shouldn’t however, when it comes to worshiping, the way I see it is that if they are worshiping then they know who Jesus is and isn’t that what God wants from us,to know his son so that they can be saved and live in eternity with him? God loves all of us regardless of how we worship or why we worship. I have heard it said that there are pastors, priests and other teachers out there that preach for selfish reasons like envy or selfish ambition. I found this disturbing until today when I was working on a study of Philippians. Philippians 1:18 says ” But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice” I never thought about it in that way thus judging someones motives that are not for me to judge. God is the one and only true judge. As I work through the my many Bible studies I learn so much and it just makes me want to learn more so that I can be closer to Jesus. My favorite is definetly the New Testament, the life of Jesus, what an inspiring perfect man.
I just became an official member of my church after 21 years. Let me explain why. Twenty years ago I met a man who was the youth pastor of my church now. I went to his youth group for three years and moved away after I grduated from high school, I fell away from the church but never lost touch with my youth pastor. In the years that I fell away from the church and god my life was in chaos. I had three children all boys, which one died at birth however my 14 and 8 year old boys are perfect.My marriage has been failing for 14 years due to his infidelity and probably won’t last another year. Last year I started going back to my church full time, my sons youth pastor is the same one I had and I love my life because I know that God loves me no matter what. I know serve my God faithfully. I teach children at our AWANA program, I am now the youth pastors assistant and love to hang out with the middle and high schoolers two to three times a week, and I also coordinate my churches homeless program. My spiritual life has changed so much that I have no fear of divorcing my husband, I know that I will make it on my own. There is so much more but the point is that God has helped me find peace in my life and I will serve him for the rest of my life and can’t wait to see him in heaven. Until I do I will keep reaching for his wisdom, reading my Bible, praying and singing my heart out to him. I wish for all of the world to know how amazing God truly is and that he brings peace to their hearts as he did mine. God Bless all of you..
Hey Sandy,
So sorry to hear about your marriage but I know that I speak for everyone when I say you will be in our prayers. So thankful that in the midst of the struggle you have the wisdom to continue worshipping the Lord. I hope that you are seeing a counselor about your marriage and that God can rescue it like he rescues souls around the world every day.
Blessings,
Jason
Thank you Jason, I appreciate all the prayers that I can get. I have been talking to a therapist and my pastor as well as the elders in my church, they have been God sent for me. I know that God is big and can do anything but I think that my marriage is over I have no doubt about it, but it is okay I know that God will get me through it as he carry’s me through everything.
I want to also thank you for your awsome music, it has saved me from going nuts. When I am down, sad or even just need to clear my head I put on my head phones and turn on Building 429.
I am hoping you guys will be at the Alive fest in June but so far you aren’t. Our youth group along with Cross Roads farms (a ministry that our church supports) are planning to go to it in the Summer.
Again thank you so much for the prayers, I know that God will pull me through all of this and I will persevere because of him.
Yes…you’re in our prayers. God bless you, too.
Praying for you Sandy!
Great blog post! This really hit home because well for Ike okay you probably heard of this church because its the fastest growing church in America. I used to attend elevation church ya know the people who make elevation worship? And the pastor Steven Furtick? Well I had been at the church since 9th grade and recently switched churches because I honestly felt like the worship leaders weren’t in it for God they were in It for their own fame. After reading this blog I know they are actually in it for God, all churches just have a diff way of showing it weather it’s buy making church feel like a concert.
My son, Joshua, will be 30 years old next month. He was born with Down Syndrome when I was only 30 years old. Josh loves going to church every Sunday & you will always find him in the front row praising God. He really feels the worship music and he does hand motions to every song. He sometimes dances from side to side to the beat of the music; he has been seen doing forward lunges from an exercise program he watches. Josh feels free to move, dance, exercise & raise his hands during worship and he loves praising God. Many people have told me they wish they could praise God like Josh does, in an uninhibited way. There have many times over the years that I felt sadness about my son not being “normal”. I have come to realize that “normal” is just a setting on the dryer! God gave me this precious gift & I see child like faith in action every day.
Mary, I think you said it best when you said “they wish they could praise God like Josh does, in an uninhibited way.” That’s the biggest issue in worship, humility. Surrendering to the Lord and knowing He honors your praise, “however it sounds, looks”. Worship is a very intimate thing and looks very different to everyone. I know some of my best praise and worship to the Lord is in the middle of a pasture at home. But when we stretch ourselves to be a little bit uncomfortable when we worship corporately, we edify the body and invite the presence of His spirit that brings healing, joy and rejuvenation for all the saints!
Thanks for the positive feedback!
Great blog jason. I really got i love the points. keep it up 😀
Late to the party in reply to your post, Jason, but I wanted to tell you that the whole “won the lottery, crying out for joy, worshiping with emotion, all you have to do is accept it” describes my faith exactly. After 48 years, at the absolute lowest point in my life, Jesus said “take My hand” and in that moment my entire being changed so astoundingly I sometimes have no words to describe it — and yet how can I not try to find words I can use to share it with anyone and everyone who will listen? Thank you for your ministry — Building 429 touches lives every single time you all write a lyric, utter a note, step foot on stage, greet a fan with genuine kindness. Thank you, thank you for sharing His love with so many who just need to know all they have to do is reach out and TAKE it!
i am also late to the party. Worship is what you make it. i grew up in an old one room church, later i left God and thought i was a big shot, late to the hippy movement too. traveled the country by thumb and all the way i denied God. God showed me, so if i get to worship him now i give my whole self to him. i don’t care if others around me worship differently, i owe God, my life literally and i am not ashamed of him