The cost of worship

At the recent el•e•vate training night, James Cheetham shared about how worship costs us something. He took us to the passage in 1 Chronicles 21 where David who has sinned against God comes to present an offering to the Lord at the place of Aranuah.  Aranuah offers to give David his threshing floor plus oxen, so that David can offer a sacrifice to God, but David's response is 'No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.' 

it costs...

I get the sense from David that he understands what sits at the heart of authentic repentance + worship before God. That it is not some token or unfelt ritual - but that it is an offering of sacrifice.  This is reflected in what Paul writes in Romans 12:1 'Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---this is your true and proper worship.'

it challenges...

It challenges us as we approach our service to God or even attendance at our church gatherings/life groups to change our hearts attitude from the worldly perspective of 'I am here to receive' to the authentic worshipping heart of  'I am here to give in service to you O Lord, whatever it costs'.  This attitude is so counter to the culture that we live in with it's 'do it if it pleases you mindset' and yet when we enter into this kind of worship this is where our greatest joy is found.  As Paul writes in Philippians 'What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.'   

it inspires...

I am so inspired when I see examples of this worshipful attitude especially within our worship teams - like for example our band leaders who blessed us on Sunday morning with their incredible musical skills and who faithfully, gently and humbly lead the bands week in and week out.  

it humbles...

Like seeing the genesis youth get up on Sunday night and serve us through leading the music and doing so with such joy and humility.  We are so blessed with the worship team we have at ashgrove - not only because of their skills and gifts but mostly because of their humble + worshipful hearts. 

-- Tash