Thursday, April 21, 2011

Are We Too Casual About Easter?

The service is too long. I can’t worship with that kind of music. The building is too cold. The church programs don’t suite me. I’m sure you know people in your church who focus on things such as these.

This Easter weekend we have the privilege to walk through the doors of our churches and worship the way we want to. We can tuck a Bible underneath our arm without wondering if the police are coming to arrest us. We can fall to our knees, lift our hands, and sing praises to God for all he has done without one ounce of persecution.

Lately, I’ve been thinking, “A little persecution in my life might not be such a bad thing.” It would cut off a large supply of comfort in which I’ve grown accustom to. It would knock the wind out of me leaving me breathless and gasping for Jesus.

Do you need the wind knocked out of you today?

What exactly are you concerned about this Easter Sunday?

What dress to wear, what food to fix, which service to attend?

Whatever you’re concerned about doesn’t mean anything unless your concern is in alignment with the cross. Our thoughts should be on the One who was tortured just for us. Our focus should be on a Savior who cried out to God on our behalf. Our hearts delight should be in knowing He is alive!

Sometimes We Get Too Casual About Our Worship.

No matter what you are worshipping today, God WILL be worshipped. The Bible talks about people who became too casual in their worship of God. In Malachi 1, God basically says, If you don’t want to worship me with everything you’ve got, don’t do me any favors.

It doesn’t matter if the room is too cold, you didn’t get your favorite parking spot, or you didn’t like the music, you should be able to worship God anywhere, anytime, and anyplace.

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10 (New International Version).

This Easter let’s celebrate a God who says I WILL. I will be exalted. I will be worshipped. I will raise this temple on the third day. I will redeem you. No matter what is going on in your life right now, he WILL be exalted in it, through it, and because of it.

So when we’re dressed in our Sunday best and seated in a climate controlled room, instead of asking “Did I get anything out of my worship?” Maybe the question we should be asking is, “Did God get anything out of my worship?”

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die," John 11:25-26(NIV).

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This post is in response to Bonnie Gray's Faith Barista Thursday Jam...

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10 comments:

  1. Truly it is a heart issue... and that is all He's looking for... hearts that are turned in worship toward Him. If that's where you're at then nothing else about where you're at will matter. Really, great post. Love you!

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  2. Very true and convicting post. I really like this -"It would knock the wind out of me leaving me breathless and gasping for Jesus." I want to be desperate for Jesus, but not sure I want to have the wind knocked out of me. Just being honest here. I really need more of God and less of me.

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  3. Kelli, excellent question you ask “Did God get anything out of my worship?” -- yes I do need to ask myself that...Good words, to "delight" that He is alive. And I love your words..."let’s celebrate a God who says I WILL." Yes, this is what I want to celebrate. He WILL! Great post, thanks for sharing this today!

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  4. What exactly are you concerned about this Easter Sunday?
    What a thought provoking question. It sure stopped me in my tracks and made me rethink my concerns.

    I stopped by from my blog today and I was blessed by your words. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Praise God for the freedom to worship Him! Thank you for your convicting message; loaded with questions we should all be asking ourselves. God knows our motives - I wonder how many Christians, myself included, put as much thought into what God gets out of my worship of him as they do their Easter dinner, the perfect outfit, the clean house, and what the kids will wear to church....you raise lots of great points here that make one stop and think :) Hope you have a wonderful Easter celebration!

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  6. Another wonderful, and convicting post Kelli! None of the "earthly details" matter whatsoever, if we don't have our whole selves devoted to Him in our worship.

    Great post!

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  7. When it comes to most Americans I have to say we are just to spoil with Church. We do everything in tradition we don't want to be open to certain worship music, we don't like multi-racial churches, we don't like women pastors it is so crazy. We do quench the spirit,when I look at other churches in other countries and you see them worshiping God they aren't even in a building nor do they have comfortable seats like we do, they are standing for hours singing to the Lord, they walk for miles just to get to a place where they can hear someone speak the word of God. We have it so easy and yet we find time to complain all because someone song a song that sounded to urban for them. No wonder Paul wrote the church allot telling them to get it right. Great post I know I spoke my heart and maybe I shouldn't of put it here but you spoke the truth about it and I had to share my feelings on this. Love you and have a blessed Resurrection Sunday and Good Friday

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  8. Ohhh I missed this yesterday for a reason! I needed to hear it today!
    Thanks girl,
    Have a blessed Easter weekend

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  9. I’m here from Bonnie’s today – I have no police waiting to arrest me – but I’ve had the wind knocked out of me a little too much in the last decade or so – I’ll take a little comfy time pleas and thank you :) But I get what you mean, we have comfy pews and bibles and music – and we aren’t persecuted – well – only verbally. Thank you for this Kelli. God bless and keep you and all of yours.

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  10. Great post. I've never liked how commercialized Easter is. One thing I loved about my mom was she never bought us new Easter outfits when I was a kid. She used to always say.."It's not about the outfit." I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to look extra nice but to make that more of a priority than what it is really about is sad. Happy Easter to you both, Kelli and Heidi! Love you both.

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