January 14th, 2007

Worship:It's Not Just for Sundays Anymore

Isaiah 6:1-8


It has been said that worship is a great mystery. If the words weren’t spoken so long ago, I would swear the person who spoke them HAD to be a member of an MCC church!

You have to admit it; we’re a little different—OK, so we’re a LOT different. Our worship is usually a blend of at least a few hundred Christian traditions. Maybe I exaggerate; but we certainly aren’t one size fits all, either.

As many of you know, I was raised in a Pentecostal church where the use of a bulletin was seen as an attempt to script the Holy Spirit. Funny thing, though; it seems the Holy Spirit started moving at exactly 11:00AM each Sunday morning, and rarely stopped no later than 12:30.

I walked into my first MCC in Houston, Texas in 1981, and boy was I in shock! Oh, no! They used bulletins! Their clergy wore robes! Color-coordinated with the altar linens at that! Surely incense couldn’t be far behind! (there was no incense, by the way).

Little did I know that 20 years later I would be preparing weekly worship bulletins and at least occasionally wearing robes that are color-coordinated with the altar linens. The length of the services still hasn’t changed that much, though, from the Pentecostal services of my youth; and no, we don’t use incense here—yet.

But what IS worship, really? Is there a “right” way to worship? Is there a “right” place to worship? Is there a “right” order of worship? What is the purpose of worship, anyway? I invite you to come with me as we explore the Old Testament reading from the book of Isaiah.

Today we are looking at worship—celebrating God’s unconditional love. So what can we learn about worship from our reading from Isaiah this morning? First a little background.

At the time of this writing, Isaiah had already retired as a counselor to the court of King Ahaz. An alliance was made between Ahaz and the threatening army against the strong warnings and advice of Isaiah. Sensing a shift away from God and toward political alliances, Isaiah left the court, never again to speak in the council of Ahaz. Now THERE’S a sermon—but not for today.

The setting for today’s reading is thought by some scholars to be an annual religious drama conducted in the temple. This drama, known as the Enthronement Celebration, depicted the return of the Divine King to his temple as victor over the forces of evil to be crowned as king, creator and judge of his people.

So Isaiah is participating in worship, and somewhere in the midst of what was probably a pretty routine annual service, he encounters God in a radical new way. Now we throw the word “radical” around a lot; but what does it mean?

“Radical” is used to describe an event or an experience that transcends the ordinary, that is in both quality AND quantity different from other events or experiences or its kind. In other words, Isaiah had a major “God moment.”

The point here is real worship occurs whenever God is radically present. Notice, too, that scripture doesn’t say everyone had the same experience as Isaiah. Isaiah is experiencing this miraculous presence and call of God while everyone else is basically “going through the motions” of worship. Why is that? What causes some people to be able experience God’s presence while others “go through the motions?”

Theologian Soren Kirkegaard tells the story about a community of ducks waddling off to duck church to hear the duck preacher. The duck preacher spoke eloquently of how God had given the ducks wings with which to fly. With these wings there was nowhere the ducks could not go, there was no God-given task the ducks could not accomplish. With those wings they could soar into the presence of God Himself! Shouts of “Amen!” quacked throughout the duck congregation. At the conclusion of the service, the ducks left, commenting on what a wonderful message they had heard—and waddled back home.

Face it, folks, many of us are way too comfortable in our worship routines. In at 11:00—out by 12:15 (of course noon is preferable during football season). A few peppy songs, a short, not-too-challenging sermon, and a rousing benediction to send us over to the Fellowship Hall for some tasty food and great gossip. Yep. I went all the way there, didn’t I?

Real worship happens when we become open to the presence of God in our lives—even when that presence challenges us and takes us WAY beyond where we want to go!

Real worship is transforming. Isaiah realized he was in the presence of God, and he recognized how short he fell of God’s expectations. Now how humbling is THAT? But in that moment, God impressed on Isaiah the grace that forgives sins. When Isaiah was able to confess his inadequacy before God, God was able to use him as a prophet to the people.

The point? Worship happens when human inadequacy is met by the grace of Almighty God.

Now I’ve talked about what real worship looks like: it occurs when God is radically present; real worship challenges us; real worship also transforms us. But where does real worship take place?

Surprise! Real worship CAN take place anywhere, anytime, any day of the week! That’s right; worship is not just for Sundays anymore. Actually, it never was meant to be—we’ve just made it that way to fit our schedules. See, it appears that we may be willing to meet God, but only on our terms.

Yes, Isaiah’s experience happened in the temple during a worship service—and what an experience that was! For those who you who may think our worship experience here is a little too formal—re-read the passage in Isaiah. We are no where near formal.

But what about Moses? Moses’ transforming worship experience happened in front of a burning bush in the wilderness. Saul, who was renamed Paul, was knocked to his knees on the road to Damascus. Some of the disciples were called while they were at work!

Some people experience worship during the musical portion of our services. Others during the sermon or prayers. For others, communion is the time when they feel God’s presence most closely.

At the same time, others experience the presence of God as they walk along the beach or the bay. Others feel God as they watch the sunrise or sunset, or as they feel the gentle caress of the wind. If it’s all God, it’s all good. Amen?

Finally, true worship results in a positive response to God’s actions in our lives. It is important to note that God’s question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” was not directed to Isaiah, but rather to the attending seraphim. Isaiah simply overheard the question and immediately stepped forward. Isaiah was so grateful for the grace God had shown to him that he didn’t ask who, what, when, where, or why? Isaiah said, “Here I am—send me!”

Church, like Isaiah, we’re blessed. I’ll bet most of you here can say you have sensed God’s presence in your lives at one time or another. I KNOW God has moved and will continue to move in the life of this church. God has shown ALL of us an amazing amount of grace. The song isn’t called “Amazing Grace” for nothing. Amen?

You know, I think Soren Kirkegaard made a great point in his story. By sending Jesus Christ, God really HAS given us wings to fly. Scripture tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Why waddle when we can fly?

Are you ready to experience true worship? Are you ready to stretch those wings?

Here we are, Lord. Send us!

God bless you, and amen.