The call to worship

We are beginning a new series of Wednesday evening services - starting tonight at 7:00 P.M.

The theme is "Pure Worship", meaning that it is our desire is to focus on God and to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  Truth defined as worshipping in integrity.  Not being something that we are not.  Realizing that we need to come into God's presence whole - spiritually.

Each Wednesday, I thought I might blog on some of the thoughts that I will present during the evening service.

Tonight:  The call to worship.

Have you ever thought of worship as a calling? 

For some worship is the music (and they reduce it to certain styles of music).  To others is is an emotional experience (and if that emotion hasn't been reached - it hasn't been worship).  To others still it is an attitude of reference.  One dictionary defines it as "the reverent honor given to deity."

However you define it - we are all called to worship.

Worship is our purpose.  You and I were created to worship God.  Jesus said in John 4:23, "The Father seeks worshippers."  That is how much joy it bring to Him.

Worship is to be our pattern.  We are to worship God daily.  Worship is more than a Sunday morning "experience" - it is to be a part of our daily routine.

Worship is a privilege.  To think I get to worship my creator.

Worship is proof of what I value.  It shows what I am putting at the center of my life.  The NFL starts tonight (Cowboys and Giants) and some will be worshipping at the throne of professional football.

You and I have been called by God.  We have been "called out of" so that we might be "called into".  So many only define their walk with Christ by what they have been "called out of".  "I am a Christian," they say, "because I no longer do this or do that."

Yet our Christian walk is MUCH MORE than that.  We have been "called out of" so that we might be "called into", called into a life of worship and obedience.

A great example of this is found in Exodus 3.

Here we find Moses in the desert.  For forty years he had toiled as a shepherd in the employment of his father in law.  He is a has been.  A loser.  A convicted murderer.  A former prince.  Educated.  10 "Phd's". 

80 years old.

"Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God."  verse 1.

It is interesting to me that the word for desert in the Hebrew is "midbaar" which comes from the root word "dahbaar" meaning "to speak."  In other words, the positive side of being in the desert is that is where God speaks.

Moses is tending sheep.  Doing his daily thing.  It is normally in the dailyness of life that God speaks to you.  Moses is faithful.  Puts one foot in front of the other.  For 14,600 days he had worked.

All of a sudden, "bam" God moves.  God speaks.

God speaks in our desert times (loss of job, sickness, relational difficulties) because it is during those times that he has our attention.  And we must respond.

Until those times come, we must be faithful to the task that God has given us.  Placing one foot in front of the other.  I've been there and done that and so have you.  Just keep moving.  Just keep waiting. 

"There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush.  Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up."  verse 2

God is trying to get the attention of Moses.  And the principle here is, when God gets your attention (and he uses all kinds of ways to do that) PAY ATTENTION.

"So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight - why the bush does not burn up."  verse 3.

Moses saw the burning bush (a thorny shrub) (the burning bush being a theophany of God, a visible presence of God himself) he paid attention.  He turned aside.  He was willing to experience God's presence.

"When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses!  Moses!  And Moses said, "Here I am."  verse 4

Notice the progression. 

Moses turned aside and God sees him come over to look - and speaks.

I give God my attention - God speaks.  I draw near to God and He draws near to me.

"Do not come any closer, " God said, "Take off your sandals for the place where you are standing is holy ground."  verse 5

Why the "taking off the sandals thing"?

It was a show of respect and reverence, like taking off a cap as the national anthem is played.

But it was also God telling Moses, "I want you to separate yourself from your past and your present."  You are no longer what you once where - you are a child of mine - called to worship me.

God is holy and we must worship him with respect, laying aside the things of this world.  It is important that we examine our attitude when we worship God.  He is holy.

I would suggest that it is inappropriate to enter into His presence with a cavalier attitude and simply expect His attention and favor.

I leave you with this (and I will say more tonight):

Why not come into a worship service this Sunday (or this evening), with an attitude of "taking off your shoes" (figuratively speaking) while in the divine presence of God?

Do you desire a "burning bush" experience? 

Maybe, just maybe, God is wanting to speak to you today.  Are you listening?

Just some thoughts for a Wednesday.