John 3:23 “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.”
As I think about the worship of Crossroads; as I think about worship within the Church there is all this talk about “traditional” or “contemporary” or “emergent” etc. What’s interesting is I don’t here a lot of talk about worship in “Spirit and Truth.” As I think about worship at Crossroads, I realize that I desire worship that is rooted in Spirit and Truth. I don’t want the empty ritual of traditionalism that infects most mainline churches. At the same time, I don’t want a religious show where the outside motions (if you don’t raise your hands you are really not spiritual….don’t speak in tongues you don’t have Holy Spirit…etc) and feelings are the most important part of worship that is found in many contemporary non-denominational churches where there is no focus on worshipping in Spirit and Truth. This verse explains what my heart desires when it comes to worship; I desire to be a part of a church whose worship is authentic; whose worship is grounded in spirit and truth. I desire worship that is not empty ritual or a religious show; but worship devoted to Spirit and Truth.
Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the way in which your Word exposes the places in my life (and the church) that seem to be missing the mark when it comes to worship; however, I am so thankful that you don’t leave me stranded in my sin but you deliver me by pointing to a more excellent way. Thank you for reminding me that worship is first and foremost not about ritual or show but it is about worshipping you in Spirit and Truth. May you continue to shape the worship of Crossroads that we may be a community of faith that gets to the heart of worship. Help us not to get caught in the dreadful game of “traditional vs. contemporary vs. emergent” but help us to focus on worship that is rooted in Spirit and Truth. May this be our motivation behind all we do in our worship and in doing this may we experience the absolute celebration of gathering together to worship you as you have designed. Amen!!!
Worship based upon Spirit and Truth will always lead to authenticity.
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