(32) The Heart of Worship is Engaging

(Note: This is part of a continuing series of posts on The Heart of Worship & Psalm 95)

“Let us” . . . “Let us” . . . “Let us”

Three times in this Psalm, the psalmist calls on others to join in worship together. Private, personal worship is essential and irreplaceable. But so is public, corporate worship with fellow believers. God saves us as individuals but places us in the body of Christ and commands us to worship together. God works through this worship to build unity and fellowship with each other as we join our hearts, minds, and voices in worship. Worshiping with other believers in unity provides a little glimmer of the glory of worship we will enjoy in Heaven.

There’s another important point we need to consider here. Worship is not a spectator activity. Genuine worship is never done for someone else. We cannot worship for someone else. We cannot watch someone else sing and say we are worshiping unless we are engaged in our minds and hearts in that worship.

It is biblically appropriate to have worship leaders. God Himself appointed them in the Old Testament. But, the “Praise Team,” the choir, soloists, etc. must see themselves as those who have the responsibility of leading the rest of the congregation in worship, not in the position of performing worship for the congregation. If you lead worship, when you stand in front of the congregation to sing or speak, you are there to lead the people in worship, to lead them to focus on God, not you or your talents.

Worship leaders cannot worship in the place of the congregation. The congregation should always strive to engage and participate along with those leading in worship, even soloists. If you are not engaged in active worship, you are not worshiping. Worship is not passive observance, it is active participation.

So, this Sunday, determine that you won’t be a passive observer for even one minute. Engage you mind . . . your heart . . . your emotions . . . your body. May the determination of each of us be, “Praise the LORD, O my soul! With all that is within me, praise his holy name! (Psalm 103:1 NET)

Soli Deo Gloria

Next:  (33)  The Heart of Worship is Musical