Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more.
-John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad!
The term, incarnational worship, is one I picked up recently which describes the reality that our approach to worship should be primarily God focused, while keeping others in view as we model to them a style of worship that might be practically applied to their lives. Just as Jesus was God incarnate, our worship should reflect such a dual-faceted approach.
When Jesus stepped out of Heaven, He put flesh on to show us how to work, how to live and how to worship. He was essentially saying, here’s what to do, here’s how to do it, and HE is why we do it. Everything Jesus did was out of worship and adoration for the Father, and the only thing He did that was not transferable to our own lives was to atone for the sins of humanity.
Just as Jesus modeled a lifestyle of worship that revered the Father, yet remained accessible to men, we ought to worship God in such a way that others can easily join us. When we worship in a manner that others can see, appreciate and apply to their own lives, we are allowing them the privilege of entering with us into God’s presence. This gives them open access to the throne room of God so that they might fully experience all the love and joy He has to offer. This is what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and it is the essence of the mission to which He has called us.
Take time today to pray for someone who is far from God, and invite them to come celebrate Him with you tomorrow.