Christians in Worship

I just finished reading an article on the Baptist Press that talks about a new book coming out regarding worship. You can read the article here, but allow me to quote the part that caught my eye and, quite frankly, sorta irked me:

"Combining a mix of Bible stories, personal testimonies and wisdom learned, Harland and Moser write about how believers can make worship come alive in their own lives and ultimately in their churches. Worship, they emphasize, is not just something to do in Sunday morning services. And it's not just something to read about in the Bible."

I have a novel idea...how about if we let Christians worship and stop encouraging non Believers to come to church? This way, the goats among us can stop working so hard at worshipping God and the rest of us can focus completely on Him! After all...come on, if you are one of those described by the authors, and you have trouble making "worship come alive in [your] own [life]," then maybe some serious self examination is in order!

But wait...it gets better! Note this next paragraph:

"Spending time in God's presence -- getting to know Him in the most intimate parts of our heart and soul -- gives us the foundation to really believe all He has planned for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose," they write. "There is no substitute for time spent in God’s presence."Unfortunately that time often gets whittled away in a busy life, Harland and Moser write, as Christians live in a world full of things that compete for their attention and their worship."

Nothing terribly wrong here right? I mean, it's totally true that nothing can take the place of spending time in the presence of God. Indeed, everyone should spend daily time in the Word of God, the means we have been given by which to enter into His presence! And it's true that Christians certainly face many distractions as we seek to worship God. Still...I cannot agree that anything is so distracting that it is any true competition in our lives against the worship of God! Are the authors seriously suggesting that these distractions can truly trip us up? Maybe the false convert, but the Christian? The one bought by the blood of Christ and redeemed by His sacrifice on the cross? This is one who can be distracted by the foolishness of the world? Have we truly arrived at a place in the life of the church where false believers are so common and in such powerful positions that we cater to their weaknesses? God forbid!

Next, however, the authors say this (be ready to have your mind blown away!):

"Jesus dealt with the same situation in Matthew 4:8-11, Harland and Moser point out."

Ummm...no He didn't. Let me pause to re-read that passage; in fact, read along with me:

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Did I miss something? Is it me, or does Jesus seem completely focused to you too? Distracted? Absolutely not! Where is the picture in this passage showing Jesus as being distracted? From what the authors say next they try to make a godly application but they've already messed the entire passage up by comparing Jesus in this passage to over stimulated Christians who have trouble opening up their Bibles! But let's be fair...maybe the context of the passage shows Jesus in this way, and they are therefore totally justified in presenting this picture. Let's see shall we?

These are the first seven verses of this passage:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘ He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘ In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”

Did you catch it? Neither did I. It seems to me Jesus is led by the Spirit here, fasts for forty days and forty nights in order to have full communion with the Father, and when approached by a haughty Satan, immediately dismisses him by quoting Scripture. If you ask me, that seems like a pretty focused Jesus wouldn't you say?

Such a stunning display of expository genius, however, does not get past the people at Lifeway, and so anyone wanting to read the book can also purchase an 8 week study and music CD as a companion! What a deal! I don't know about you, but I sure do wish those who say we need to be in the Word more would actually encourage their churches to open up their Bibles and study the Word!

But hey, I'm old fashioned that way.