Knowing God: Church Life Pt. 2

We talked about an outflow of knowing God being that we trust he will build his church. We can let go of our self-effort and control to obey his calling. This week, I want to talk about worship, witnessing to the lost, and preparing for Heaven. I believe the call to worship and to witness are directly related to preparing for Heaven.

Almost anytime we catch a glimpse of the throne room of heaven in Scripture, audible and noticeable worship is occurring. An exception to this record is in Job where, apparently conversation was the order of the day. Daniel, Isaiah, John…they all saw visions of Heaven and it left them overwhelmed with awe and acutely aware of their own sin or inadequacy. In Revelation, we frequently bear witness to declarations of “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev. 4:8) and “Worthy are you our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power” (Rev. 4:11). By the time we get to the end, we find out that Jesus himself is the Temple (Rev. 21:22), that we will see Jesus’ face (Rev. 22:4), and that we will “worship him” (Rev. 22:3). At the end of all things…we will worship. In the midst of the glory and splendor, worship will still be our priority. If this is the case, that worship (among other things) will be what we do for eternity, I think it is important that we carefully consider how we approach that topic now.

If we don’t enjoy worship here on earth, I think it may be worth asking if we will enjoy it in heaven…or if we are on our way to heaven to begin with. That may sound like a harsh statement, and I will be the first to admit that I do not always enjoy worship. There are days where worship is hard – it is a sacrifice. It is something that I have to focus my mind on and pull away from the distractions. I have to re-orient my mind away from the disappointment of not getting my own way and surrender to his plan which is beyond my limited perspective. There have been some church services I’ve attended where it felt like the songs weren’t getting past the ceiling considering the lack of enthusiasm in the congregation. Worship includes the songs we’re singing and the services we attend together – but it is so much more than that. In Scripture we frequently find people worshipping in the Temple or Tabernacle. However, we also find them worshipping on the mountainside, in a boat, in caves, in battle, in tears, in loss, and in uncertainty. Anytime we see an individual bear witness to God’s greatness and glory – that is worship. It is an acknowledgement of who God is in the midst of their circumstances. If we cannot focus on the objective truth of God’s greatness at least on a somewhat consistent basis then what does that say about our heart attitude, and our inner nature that we claim has been transformed? Heaven is so much more than “not hell” or a reunion with loved ones who have gone before us. It is the very presence of Jesus when our faith becomes sight.

If worship is where we will end all things, that is what we are preparing for. However, when we look at the picture of heaven in Revelation, we also notice something else. In chapter seven, we read about “A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands” (Rev. 7:9). When we come to the end, we have Jesus, we have glory, we have beauty unimagined, we have abundant overflowing life, we have worship, and we have worshippers. God will ultimately be responsible for all of these things. As we said in the last post, he will build his church. However, for some reason, he has allowed us and commissioned us to bear witness of him wherever we go. Matthew tells his readers to go and make disciples of all nations. This instruction could literally be rendered, as you go, or some translations render it having gone. The assumption is that they would go – the demand is that they make disciples. The American church has often failed at both of these tasks. We have not gone – not even to our Jerusalem (local community). We sometimes find it easier to go for a designated period to the uttermost part of the world.

However, the purposeful engagement with individuals who we may see every day – the people who might think we’re strange or different, that is hard. We don’t want to offend anyone…we don’t want to say the wrong thing…we avoid confrontation…we don’t know how to answer the hard questions...we are too busy to see the need. There are so many excuses, and I have used many of them myself. I’m not sitting in judgment of the church on this issue because I know I am guilty. However, I am pointing out the problem to challenge us to consider how to address it. If there is going to be a great multitude from every tribe then someone has to go and tell them the Good News. Maybe you’re not called to physically go across the globe. However, we can all share with our neighbors and those we meet “as we go.” We can support those who can and are willing to go around the world to make disciples. I also want to point out that when I say “someone” has to go, I’m not referring to the theoretical “someone,” I’m talking about us. If we are saved and being sanctified, then we are called to be disciple makers. We may get to select certain ministry roles (i.e., children’s ministry or choir). However, we do not get to self-select out of witnessing. That is a calling on the life of every believer.

We’re going to spend one more post talking about the church and how knowing God would impact the practical actions of the body related to discipleship and ministry, so I won’t discuss that here. However, for right now, I would challenge us to think about the way our daily lives reflect our preparation for heaven. Are we acknowledging God even in the midst of difficult circumstances? Are we worshipping God even in the dust (Job 1:20)? Are we living in such a way that our hearts are oriented to obedience and hearing God’s voice? Are we engaging in corporate worship that is a witness to fellow Christians and the world around us of what we value in obedience to God’s Word? Are we living in surrender that acknowledges that he alone is worthy?

Then, out of the overflow of that surrender and the joy that can be found in true worship, are we sharing Christ? Are we committed to seeing those in need spiritually and sharing the truth of Christ’s transforming power? Are we sharing with a gracious spirit but one that believes allowing someone to go to hell without having ever heard the Gospel is far more offensive than upsetting the status quo?

We are excited for the prospect of heaven. We want the new bodies, the absence of tears, the peace, the splendor, but we are ultimately preparing to worship. If we are not taking care of that preparation now, then carefully consider what that says about our hearts and spiritual maturity. Again, the mark of mature believers is that they “know” God. If we are not intimately growing, fellowshipping, worshipping, and witnessing then we don’t yet “know” him in this way. However, we can know him. We do not have to stay where we are. As we study and obey we can grow in grace and knowledge. We can prepare for our eternity. We can choose what we will value.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face and the things of this world will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace…”

~ Turn your Eyes on Jesus ~