Of course, when the topic of worship is brought up people become defensive and sometimes argumentative. We often rally behind our favorite style. In my ministry, I have found people who feel that worship should be filled with more music and singing, and less preaching. I have also met people who wished there were more preaching and teaching and less music—some wishing there were no music at all. I’ve heard disagreements on what topics should be preached, how long a sermon should be, and how much Bible should be used.
Also, if you have ever discussed worship with someone, music is bound to come up. And again, there are many views. Some wish only the good-ol’ hymns were sung and others wish they only sang modern praise songs. One group will suggest that the only holy instrument is the organ (the piano may sometimes be accepted, but with caution), while another group demands that any, and every, instrument should be played (including the cow bell). For one person, music with any kind of beat is demonic, and for another person, praise isn’t praise unless you can barely hear yourself singing.
Yes, there is a definite problem with worship today. Some argue that it’s the music. Some insist that it’s the poor preaching. Some will claim that it’s the time or the length of the service that’s the problem. I would like to suggest that none of these issues are the real problem with modern worship. As I have observed, and through my studies in God’s Word, I believe that the real problem with modern worship is us.
You see, the problem isn’t in any of the things mentioned above, the problem is that we have the audience all wrong. We have come to think of the worship service as this: God is the director, the Pastor and other worship leaders are the performers, and the congregation is the audience. That’s the problem! Modern worship has become all about us, when it should be all about God. In true worship, God is the audience and we are the performers. Worship is supposed to be about us giving praise and honor and glory to our God. It is not an hour long Christian variety show. Yet, this is often how we approach worship.
One of the greatest indications of this problem is found in the very desire we often speak: “I hope I get a blessing out of worship today.” We want to be blessed. We want to leave feeling better. Of course! That’s why we go to church. But we won’t admit that we also want to be entertained and we want to be thrilled. When these don’t happen, we feel don’t feel like we have worshipped. I find it interesting that the number one reason I’m given for why a person feels like they have really worshipped is because the praise songs were so good. Occasionally, someone will say they have worshipped because the speaker was really good… or funny… or not long-winded.
We feel good when we have a good worship experience, and it’s supposed to work that way. But too often, a “good worship experience” for us can be narrowed down to pleasant music and/ or a good sermon. Yet, I can’t help but wonder what God thinks of our worship.
In Isaiah 29:13 God says, “this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.” This is just lip-service. The heart isn’t in it. Evidently, we can come to worship and sing and preach all the right words, yet still not be worshipping God. Of course, once worship becomes about us, we’re not worshipping God anyway.
Worse still, according to Isaiah 1:13, 14, God can even despise our worship. He says, “Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations—I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them” [emphasis mine]. It is noteworthy to point out that everything God mentioned was originally His idea—He established the festivals and the offerings and sacred assemblies. Unfortunately, Israel made them theirs. Worship became about them, not God, and He couldn’t stand it. How horrible would it be to hear God say this about my, or your, worship!
For as much as we dispute about the appropriateness of our worship, I don’t think we ever consider what God might think of it. Most often, our disputes arise out of personal taste. Granted, we often attribute our tastes to God—if we like something, God must like it too; if we dislike something, God must dislike it as well. We are so foolish! How dare we, the created, even suggest that we know what the Creator likes and dislikes! Have you seen the music playlist on His computer? I know I haven’t. What I do know, though, is that “what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). So maybe, just maybe, we are not the best to decide what God likes and dislikes. In addition, like many other things in the Bible, God cares more about the why than the what. God desires that we come to worship to draw near Him. He wants to be the target of our worship.
Understand, though, that worship that comes from the hearts of so many different people will result in many different styles—all which are completely acceptable to God. This acceptable kind of worship may not be filled with all the latest songs—or the top ten greatest hymns—and it may not be filled with the most dynamic sermon you have ever heard, but it will be filled with “reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28). Which doesn’t mean simply being silent, by the way, but is directed at your attitude towards the One you are worshipping.
The problem with modern worship is that it is no longer about God. The praise songs may mention Him, but are we there to truly honor and praise Him with those songs? The sermon may bring Him up, but are we there to fully listen to God speak to our hearts and then obey? Are we going to church to catch up on the latest Christian gossi… uh… news, or are we there to enter into the presence of the Creator of the Universe? Are we there to just get a blessing, or to focus on and worship the God of blessings? What are the real motives behind our worship?
These are tough questions, but we need to ask them, because we desperately need to get back to true worship—truly acceptable worship that is completely focused on God. For without the right focus, our worship will always be unacceptable to God, regardless of its style.