301 – What Do You Expect In Worship?

#faithbites #faithjourney Worship

What do you expect when you go to worship? During this morning’s Reformation Sunday service, our pastor spoke about many things that you might expect when you come to worship. The lights should be on. There should be proper heating and air. I expect doughnuts but I’m spoiled. He also talked about what should happen during the service: The Good News of Jesus, Our Sins, Forgiveness, and Eternal Life. After the sermon, I mentioned to him, that I felt one was missing: safety.

We should be able to worship in the house of our choice, with the people of our choice, and not fear for our physical safety. Yesterday, 11 people were killed in worship. One, that struck me even more, was a 96-year-old Holocaust Survivor. She made it out of the camps to die in America at worship. Our country is built on religious freedom, for me and many others, this is unthinkable. I also know this isn’t the first time. We had the Church shooting in Charleston a few years back where people were gathered for Bible study. This is not the America we can be. We need to love one another. The bible doesn’t say we have to get along with each other or believe everything they do, but we have to love one another.

While I originally meant physical safety, there is another type of safety: Saftey of your soul. Meaning that when you worship and believe in Christ, you will have eternal salvation. Before the Reformation, many didn’t have the true word of Christ. They had a view that didn’t put the scriptures in their hand. They had middlemen and charges to receive salvation. When we worship, we should always know we have the Good News and our soul is in good hands.

Scripture

• Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. – Romans 3:19-20 (NLT)
• We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.- Romans 3:22
• You are my hiding place;
  you will protect me from trouble
  and surround me with songs of deliverance.- Psalm 32:7

Reflection

I know many people from different faiths, backgrounds, races, creeds, orientations, and more. I don’t hate them for who they are, actually I love them for who they are. There are times when people drive me crazy because of what they believe or how they act, but I am to love them. I can’t fathom, coming into a house of worship for the sole purpose of killing those in worship. While I don’t know what tomorrow brings, I believe that God is my hiding place and will protect me from trouble. As someone said, it will be ok. If it’s not ok, it will be ok. He is there and will surround us.

The lord is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). While I know the law of the Old Testament, I know that there is no way I can fulfil it. IMany of my friends, work daily to uphold the law and I support them in their faith. I am justified (meaning declared blameless) through Christ. He fulfills the law and ensures my salvation.

There are people in the world who are filled with hurt, anger, and love. My life wasn’t shattered as those lives in Pittsburgh was and I am blessed for that. My sense of security in worship is a little more heightened.

I pray for peace, love, and understanding. That my expectations of hearing the Good News, being physically and spiritually safe, will always be meet in worship.

Charge

What are your expectations in worship? Are they being met? Think of ways to improve your worship experience. Listen to God, make him your strength, and your refuge. If you aren’t hearing the Good News, find someone who will share it with you.

Lord, help those in pain at this time. Instill a sense of peace and safety for all those in worship and in their homes. Give them the understanding of the world, but let your light always shine through us.