Bruce Frank

Tomorrow will be the first time that we will fully use our newly expanded and upgraded Worship Center @biltmore.  The summer was spent adding 425 new seats as well as replacing some worn out lighting and video systems.  Our church has been so flexible during the construction and there is such excitement in anticipation of kicking things off tomorrow with new teaching series, new tools in the worship center, new people, etc.  As we look toward worship tomorrow (wherever you attend), let’s remember Jesus’ view of our worship.

In John 4 Jesus is talking to a woman and He begins to teach on worship.  In v. 23-24 He says, “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshippers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.”  Now, if He says He is looking for true worshippers and true worship, there must be false worshippers and false worship (always has been-see Isaiah 29:13; Malachi 1:8; Matthew 6:5).  It is possible that I could go to a worship service tomorrow, say worship stuff, sing worship songs, say worship prayers, and not be a worshipper at all!

In the classic game show To Tell The Truth, 3 contestants are interrogated by a panel of four celebrities in an attempt to identify who is the real one and who is bluffing. All 3 contestants claim to be the same person.  After each celebrity has had a turn to question the guests, they each vote as to who they think is the real person.  When this is finished, the moderator says the now famous line, “Will the real __________ please stand up?”  The real person stands, the other two then reveal who they really are, and money is awarded to the players based on how many incorrect votes were placed.

An imposter means an imitator, mimic, pretender, phony, pretender.  You might be an worship imposter if:

*You are more concerned about the presentation of the goods than the presence of God.(a big challenge 4 us ‘professionals’:))

*When God’s Word is taught you pray,”I hope so and so heard that” rather than “God, mold my heart to that truth”

*If you consistently come late to service or leave early (see Malachi 1:8ff)

*You are more concerned over the tempo of a song than what the song is saying about God.

*Your worship on Sundays is vastly different than your worship the rest of the week. (see Isaiah 29:13)

Before tomorrow, ask the Lord to give you a worshipper’s heart.  One that worships authentically in spirit.  One that worships accurately in truth.  Like the Matt Redman song, you might simply need to tell Him, “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, all about You Jesus.  I’m sorry Lord for the thing I’ve made it, when it’s all about You, it’s all about You Jesus.”