A Call to Authentic Worship
This post is written based on the Sermon from Brian Gibbs titled: Hosting The Lord
In a world often consumed by superficiality and performance, there's a profound call echoing through the hearts of believers - a call to host the very presence of God. This isn't about creating perfectly polished church services or following a prescribed formula for success. It's about cultivating a heart that longs for genuine, spirit-filled encounters with the Divine.
Imagine for a moment: What would our gatherings look like if our primary goal wasn't to attract people, but to attract God Himself? What if we prioritized ministering to the Lord above all else? This shift in perspective challenges us to examine our motives and methods in worship.
The story of the woman with the alabaster jar (Luke 7:36-50) serves as a powerful illustration of what it means to offer costly, fragrant worship. This woman, known as a sinner, entered a Pharisee's house where Jesus was dining. Overcome with love and gratitude, she poured out expensive perfume on Jesus' feet, washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair.
Her act of worship was:
Costly: The perfume was worth an entire year's wages. She held nothing back.
Vulnerable: She risked ridicule and judgment from others in the room.
Focused: Her attention was solely on Jesus, oblivious to the opinions of others.
Transformative: Jesus declared her sins forgiven and commended her faith.
This woman's worship stands in stark contrast to the host of the dinner, who failed to offer Jesus even the most basic courtesies. It prompts us to ask: When we come into God's presence, do we bring our very best, or do we offer Him our leftovers?
The Psalmist David understood this heart of worship. In Psalm 27:4, he declares, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." This singular focus - to behold God's beauty - is the essence of true worship.
Later in his life, when bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6). His wife Michal despised him for his undignified display. David's response? "I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes." (2 Samuel 6:22)
This challenges us: Are we willing to let go of our dignity, our reputation, our need to look "put together" in pursuit of God's presence? True worship often looks foolish to the world, but it's precious in God's sight.
Jesus himself spoke of the kind of worship the Father seeks: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." (John 4:23) This worship transcends location or outward forms. It's a heart-to-heart connection with God, unhindered by pretense or performance.
So how do we cultivate this kind of authentic, presence-hosting worship? Here are a few key principles:
Embrace Vulnerability: Be willing to express your love for God openly, even if it feels uncomfortable or others don't understand.
Focus on God Alone: In moments of worship, practice tuning out distractions and centering your attention solely on God's beauty and character.
Bring Your Best: Offer God your first and your finest, not just what's convenient or leftover.
Push Past Comfort Zones: Don't be afraid to express your worship in new ways - raise your hands, kneel, dance - allow your physical posture to reflect your heart's devotion.
Cultivate Daily Intimacy: Hosting God's presence isn't just for Sunday mornings. Seek to create space for His presence in your everyday life.
Let Go of Ego: True worship often requires us to lay down our pride, our need for control, and our desire to look good in front of others.
Expect God to Move: Come to times of worship with anticipation, believing that God desires to encounter you.
The beautiful truth is that when we learn to host God's presence, it transforms every aspect of our lives. Like fragrant oil, the aroma of His presence lingers on us, touching everyone we encounter. We become carriers of His glory, bringing hope and light into dark places.
Consider the humility of Christ's birth - born in a stable, laid in a manger. The King of Kings entered the world in the most lowly of circumstances. Yet that moment was infused with more holiness and glory than any ornate palace could contain. It reminds us that God's presence isn't dependent on perfect conditions or elaborate preparations. He simply seeks hearts that are open and willing to receive Him.
As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves to pursue a deeper level of worship. Let's create space in our lives - both individually and corporately - where God's presence can dwell richly. May we become a people so captivated by His beauty that nothing else compares.
In a world starved for authentic encounters with the Divine, let us be those who host His presence with abandon. May our worship be so genuine, so costly, so focused on Jesus alone, that it becomes a sweet aroma rising to heaven. And in that place of intimate communion, may we find ourselves transformed, renewed, and empowered to be carriers of His glory to a world in desperate need.
The invitation stands: Will you host His presence?
In a world often consumed by superficiality and performance, there's a profound call echoing through the hearts of believers - a call to host the very presence of God. This isn't about creating perfectly polished church services or following a prescribed formula for success. It's about cultivating a heart that longs for genuine, spirit-filled encounters with the Divine.
Imagine for a moment: What would our gatherings look like if our primary goal wasn't to attract people, but to attract God Himself? What if we prioritized ministering to the Lord above all else? This shift in perspective challenges us to examine our motives and methods in worship.
The story of the woman with the alabaster jar (Luke 7:36-50) serves as a powerful illustration of what it means to offer costly, fragrant worship. This woman, known as a sinner, entered a Pharisee's house where Jesus was dining. Overcome with love and gratitude, she poured out expensive perfume on Jesus' feet, washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair.
Her act of worship was:
Costly: The perfume was worth an entire year's wages. She held nothing back.
Vulnerable: She risked ridicule and judgment from others in the room.
Focused: Her attention was solely on Jesus, oblivious to the opinions of others.
Transformative: Jesus declared her sins forgiven and commended her faith.
This woman's worship stands in stark contrast to the host of the dinner, who failed to offer Jesus even the most basic courtesies. It prompts us to ask: When we come into God's presence, do we bring our very best, or do we offer Him our leftovers?
The Psalmist David understood this heart of worship. In Psalm 27:4, he declares, "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." This singular focus - to behold God's beauty - is the essence of true worship.
Later in his life, when bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, David danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6). His wife Michal despised him for his undignified display. David's response? "I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes." (2 Samuel 6:22)
This challenges us: Are we willing to let go of our dignity, our reputation, our need to look "put together" in pursuit of God's presence? True worship often looks foolish to the world, but it's precious in God's sight.
Jesus himself spoke of the kind of worship the Father seeks: "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." (John 4:23) This worship transcends location or outward forms. It's a heart-to-heart connection with God, unhindered by pretense or performance.
So how do we cultivate this kind of authentic, presence-hosting worship? Here are a few key principles:
Embrace Vulnerability: Be willing to express your love for God openly, even if it feels uncomfortable or others don't understand.
Focus on God Alone: In moments of worship, practice tuning out distractions and centering your attention solely on God's beauty and character.
Bring Your Best: Offer God your first and your finest, not just what's convenient or leftover.
Push Past Comfort Zones: Don't be afraid to express your worship in new ways - raise your hands, kneel, dance - allow your physical posture to reflect your heart's devotion.
Cultivate Daily Intimacy: Hosting God's presence isn't just for Sunday mornings. Seek to create space for His presence in your everyday life.
Let Go of Ego: True worship often requires us to lay down our pride, our need for control, and our desire to look good in front of others.
Expect God to Move: Come to times of worship with anticipation, believing that God desires to encounter you.
The beautiful truth is that when we learn to host God's presence, it transforms every aspect of our lives. Like fragrant oil, the aroma of His presence lingers on us, touching everyone we encounter. We become carriers of His glory, bringing hope and light into dark places.
Consider the humility of Christ's birth - born in a stable, laid in a manger. The King of Kings entered the world in the most lowly of circumstances. Yet that moment was infused with more holiness and glory than any ornate palace could contain. It reminds us that God's presence isn't dependent on perfect conditions or elaborate preparations. He simply seeks hearts that are open and willing to receive Him.
As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves to pursue a deeper level of worship. Let's create space in our lives - both individually and corporately - where God's presence can dwell richly. May we become a people so captivated by His beauty that nothing else compares.
In a world starved for authentic encounters with the Divine, let us be those who host His presence with abandon. May our worship be so genuine, so costly, so focused on Jesus alone, that it becomes a sweet aroma rising to heaven. And in that place of intimate communion, may we find ourselves transformed, renewed, and empowered to be carriers of His glory to a world in desperate need.
The invitation stands: Will you host His presence?
No Comments