Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Bringing an EXCELLENT Offering

In a study on the subject of excellence, I came across this from David S. Lampel’s “Unison” series. It really rang true with what I’ve been seeking to convey to our worship team as we minister to the Lord & His church.

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“We have spoken much of excellence in worship, and there are two points that need to be made clear:

* Excellence in worship is not optional. The two cannot be separated.

* Excellence is not synonymous with perfection. Here is where many get sidetracked; they think that because they are incapable of perfection, they may as well not try for excellence.

In true worship, excellence is not the goal, but the result. The goal in worship is to approach God to adore Him. To do this, we must empty ourselves of self, come to Him with open hands and open hearts--nothing hidden. No hypocrisy. Only truth.

This honesty in worship results in excellence. God accepts our adoration because it is honest, and He permits our honest worship to be an example for others. In this, we attain-- without seeking excellence as an end--excellence in worship.

When you approach your God to worship, whether in public or in private, do it honestly or don't do it at all. Mean what you say to Him. And in your honesty, He will be praised.”

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“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

-Psalm 150:6 NASB

2 comments:

  1. The term "excellence", when applied to worship, seems problematic to me. It carries connotations related to performance that is above and beyond the norm. But worship is not performance; it is, as one author put it, "a kiss towards God". If worship is, therefore, simply one of many expressions of the love we have for Him, then it can never be about performance.

    On the other hand, we offer ourselves as a sacrifice to Him. The Hebrew culture was all about excellence when it came to sacrifices. Their mandate was to offer their very best, and to follow very precise procedures in the act of offering it. There is some application of this in Romans 12:1, which exhorts us to offer our bodies as "a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual service of worship." So worship and offering ourselves are clearly linked, but it's not about perfection (excellence?); it's about our hearts. And by coming to Him with a pure heart, honestly expressing ourselves to Him (as you said), then our heart is united with His. That intimacy with God is not possible with other world religions; it distinguishes us from worshippers of other gods.

    We are truly blessed.

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  2. Thanks for that word Michael. I completely agree that performance is not the goal. However, with the goal being, ministering to God & blessing His people, excellence (not perfection) is required.

    Psalm 33:3
    "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy."

    Exodus 31:1-5
    "Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts."


    Excellence (skill) is not the end all goal, but a necessary calling from God to help others turn to Him in worship.

    Blessings!

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