Matthew 17
Connect Up: The Gift of Worship
Larry White, Associate Pastor | Worship
Have you ever received a gift from someone and asked the question, “Who were they thinking of when they bought this?”
Many years ago, while traveling in Vermont, Pat and I visited a Teddy Bear factory. The bears were soft and cuddly therefore reminding us of the two sweet daughters we were missing while away. We were thrilled with the two that we chose for our girls. After all, for years we had enjoyed buying stuffed animals for them as gifts of our love.
However, when we gave the bears to Stephanie and Brittany upon our return, we immediately realized that they had long ago out grown their appreciation of Teddy Bears. These bears were a prime example of a gift being appreciated more by the giver than the receiver.
The term “authentic worship” is often used to help us describe our most effective worship to the Father. It’s important that this describes our “gift” of worship and not our “experience” of worship.
Psalm 29:2 says, “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
As we are worshiping God, whether it is during our quiet time or in church on Sunday morning, we must focus on our “gift” of worship to Him instead of our “experience” of worship. Are we genuine in our love/worship of Him or are we only going through the motions? Are we focusing on what we want to receive out of worship instead of what we are offering Him? Are we truly adoring Him for who He is or are we focusing on what He can do for us? After encountering God in worship, do we serve Him?
When we worship, are we giving God a gift we enjoy and hoping He will like it?
