When You Praise - Part 1.

I thought I would take the next few days to share some things God has been renewing in my heart regarding worship. Today I wanted to take some time and share what worship is NOT.

For far too long we have allowed worshiping God to become about Personalities, Preferences, and Programming and so we miss the point and miss GOD! You say “What do you mean Nate?”

1) Personality – We (church/pastors/leaders) have enabled and encouraged people to worship the Lord “In Their Own Way” Ever Heard That? You know the crazy thing is I can’t find ANY scriptural support for that at all! Spirit and Truth – yes, Beauty of Holiness – yes, Clapping, dancing, singing, giving – yes, yes, yes, yes.... But that is what we have passed on and so when someone makes the statement “I just don’t worship God ‘that way’ I’m not that expressive” we have no other possible response aside from “OK!”

WHY? Because if it is about “In their Own Way” then all of a sudden their personality becomes the standard by which they praise – The thing is worship is not ABOUT your personality or what you would “normally” do. It is about honoring HIS personality.

2) Preference – "I don’t like this song!" "I don’t like hymns!" "I don’t like rap!" "I don’t like those 'Jump up and down' songs or Touchy feely songs"

Yeah so, let me really dive in to some deep theological waters here. WHO CARES!!! God likes ANY SONG that honors Him. God does not sit up in heaven saying could you please cool it with the “How Great Thou Art” I’m more of a Chris Tomlin kind of God. Can I be straight with you there are songs that we do at Breakthrough Church I really don’t like but if I only worship to what I like I am limiting my view, understanding, and experience with God!!

Isaiah said in Isaiah 61:3 that Jesus would come to clothe us with the “Garment of Praise” not the “garment of preference” – God wants the praise He is worthy of not the praise you deem acceptable! And what He is worthy of takes every ounce of creativity and expression known to man and MORE!

**And listen even if it isn’t your “style”, praise will always be a better garment than despair.

3) Programming/Production – First of all let me say we do a good deal of prep, programming and production at Breakthrough. I believe in it and I think when used PROPERLY it can enhance a worship service because those using their gifts and abilities in those arenas are worshiping BUT - We need to come to a place where we can worship Him in complete silence just as much as we can with the drums thumpin’, the band crankin’, and all of the latest greatest technology. Worship CANNOT be all about the the best lighting sequences, video production and sound mixing.

Are they great tools to lead us TO Him? Yes - but they can also become distractions FROM Him.

The new edgy teaching series can't possibly accomplish what a moment in His presence can. The greatest graphics and video bumpers can't accomplish what a moment in His presence can. Our programming PALES in comparison to His presence.

LET'S WORSHIP!!