True WorshipНамуна

True Worship

by

Rocky Fleming

Day Four– Celebration

One of the pleasures of my ministry is getting to know some great pastors and their congregations. I am invited to be part of many different denominations and forms of worship in churches. But I will tell you quickly that even though it was not the way I was “churched” growing up, I absolutely love worshiping in many of the African American churches that I have attended. What I love most is the way they celebrate Jesus. 

You see I love seeing people love Jesus in their own way, and I don’t think anyone could love Jesus and not love seeing someone love Him with their worship, even if it is not a form of worship that they are familiar with. It is strange when I think of it. I have found with me that it makes me love these people even more in the way Jesus wants His family to love each other, even though they may be different from me. Maybe it is because in the thing that matters most over all the different point of views that we could have, the one thing we have in common is our love for Jesus. 

We love Him. But it is not just in these churches that I’ve seen this. I’ve seen it with Protestant, Catholic, Pentecostal, Egyptian, Brazilian, Spanish, European, and African churches. What is in common with all of them is our celebration of our crucified and risen King, and what that means to us. Just think if we could all see each other this way? That would be an additional reason to celebrate.

Some of these churches are loud and some are soft in their worship. Which is the right way? Most often people have their own preference, and they say that theirs is the right way. But, what does it matter how the family of God celebrates our Savior as long as we are loving our King with our adoration and celebration? Right? 

What is critical for all of us to understand is that God loves all forms of true worship in the Body of Christ, and we should be in agreement on that point. Most of all we need to understand that true worship begins in our heart, and then builds into a crescendo of praise that is a celebration of Who God is, and what He means to us. Celebration in our worship is a true indication that Jesus is in our presence, and we realize it. When we see Him as He is, we will celebrate His great name. It just happens. I’m including a verse and again, I recommend your listening to one of my favorite worship songs.  Listen to "Your Great Name".  This is one that I love and makes me celebrate His great name. See if you like it.