Ritual

 “Religion becomes a hollow shell of its former self when ritual remains and thoughtful reflection disappears.” (Nouman Ali Khan)

John 4:23-24, the Message

But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for. [He wants] those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is [a] sheer being [as] Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”

Every Easter, children enjoy chocolate Easter bunnies as a holiday tradition. A hollow Easter bunny caves in with the first bite made into it. A solid Easter bunny has substance as you leave teeth marks in it as you take a bite. Before you bite into the chocolate Easter bunny, it’s impossible to determine whether your chocolate Easter bunny is hollow or solid. Is your worship of God hollow, and worthless to you, or is it solid and vital to who you are inside?

Remember these three important ingredients in authentic worship. It begins with your heart, is enhanced by the Holy Spirit., and is expressed in humility.

To be able to completely worship God, you must have a relationship with Him. Do not come before Him with spiritual arrogance.

“Worship is never about the person worshipping, but rather the Person we are worshipping.” (A.W. Tozer)

Be completely present in your church service time by worshipping God in your own unique way that He tells you to (and not by trying to imitate the person in the seat next to you).

Answer the heart test below to determine your commitment to God:

1.      Where do you spend your time finances, and energy? Where does God fit into the equation?

2.     Do you spend time daily with God (as you live His purpose in your life)?

3.     Are you willing for God to place you where He needs you?

4.    How could your life be better if you were closer to God?

For I am not the least bit embarrassed about the gospel,  I won’t shy away from it, because it is God’s power to save every person who believes: first the Jew, and then the non-Jew. (Romans 1:16, the Voice)

“I need to worship because without it I can forget that I have a Big God beside me and live in fear. I need to worship because without it I can forget his calling and begin to live in a spirit of self-preoccupation. I need to worship because without it I lose a sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with blinders on. I need worship because my natural tendency is toward self-reliance and stubborn independence.” (John Ortberg)[i]

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[i] Inspired by the sermon “Hollow Worship: What Would Jesus Undo” (installment two) Sunday October 10, 2021, Pastor Josh Boyer (CPLC) at CPG.  In-person services are available at all three U.S. CenterPoint locations. CenterPoint also has an online Sunday morning service (10am) that can be viewed at centerpointchurches.online.church or centerpointchurches.com/live.