Nice songs, ...but....

I walked into a church in Singapore and I was pleasantly greeted by a number of people. A sister then invited me to sit with the interpreter because the speaker may speak in Tagalog. When the service started, the 4 piece band without a drummer and a drum set(because the hall was small), and 4 singers led us into a time of singing. They sang all English songs and some were new to me.
I enjoyed the singing, nice songs...but....no time was given for worship. I left the service feeling dissatisfied. I presume that the Lord would have felt the same way too. So close to God, yet missing out on the right response to God.

Singing is not synonymous with worship. Singing is nice and enjoyable if it was just a song service. Worship is what the Lord is looking for. Singing opens our hearts to God so that we can enter in deeper with our hearts and minds awed by the presence of the Living God. Worship leaders have a duty to lead us into God's presence, not simply to lead us in a couple of songs. Christians have to take the privilege of worship seriously and commune with God heart to heart, spirit to spirit. John 4:23-24 says that
1. God is spirit
2. Worship must be 'in spirit and in truth'
3. God is seeking for worshippers. He is specifically looking for true worshippers.
He is not looking for songs, not even nice songs, not wonderful 4 part singing, not a good song service. He is looking for WORSHIPPERS who worships Him deeply and passionately.

I believe the members of the above church were sincere and they love God. How wonderful it would be if they were led into worshipping the Lord in His holy presence. What rapturous joy they would experience when the glory of God is made more manifest among them. Lord, answer this prayer that they will grow to become true worshippers - the kind that you are looking for.

Where are the Worshippers?

The worship band is playing enthusiastic praise songs. The rhythm is upbeat and driving. The sound is loud. The volume is turned on full. But the hall is just a quarter full. Where are the worshippers? The service has been running for 15 minutes and the church members are still in their vehicles travelling on open roads. No traffic jams. Worse still, some have not left their homes and contemplating if they should give the service a skip. Others are fellowshipping in the hallways and parking lots.
35 minutes into the service, the hall is now packing up. The majority of the members have arrived to hear the message of the day. Sigh.... worship is just relegated to be simply a time filler before the preaching.

Late before the King of kings? How can that be? Should it be tolerated. Absolutely no!
But this is the common scene played out weekly in many churches.There are many members but few worshippers. We have forgotten the primacy of reverencing God.

You see, worship requires sacrifice. We prefer to receive from the message.
Worship requires effort and concentration. We prefer to chill out in our seats and let the preacher sweat out to deliver the word.
In worship - God is the center.
In preaching - the preacher is the attraction.

This weekend when you attend the church, will you go as a worshipper or just as a member to suck up new data? Well, if you do go as a worshipper, then arrive early. Choose to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. By the way, God is looking for true worshippers and not simply attending members. John4:23