During my Advanced Theology class last week, in Indiana, something the Professor (Steve DeNeff) said really struck me. I copied down what he said, as faithfully as possible:
"Worship is not something that we begin. Worship is already happening within the Trinity.
We can either get in on the game or not, but we are not game changers.
Worship is me pulling up a chair to the table of the Trinity and joining in the conversation that's already happening:
Me: Jesus, You're absolute!
God the Father: That's what I've been saying all along!!"
Can you imagine that? Each member of the Trinity has been constantly deferring to the other two for eternity past. They love each other SO much. One God, three Persons. Three Persons, One God. So when we get in on worship, we're adding our meagre thoughts and words of praise to this conversation that is ALREADY going on!!
My Professor said other things that gave me pause for thought:
"Sanctification is the process of becoming more like God.
God is a Trinity. Trinity means three.
Therefore, if the Trinity is true, we need community to be sanctified.
We cannot be sanctified outside of community!
God's vision for the Church is to represent what He has in the Trinity on earth. This is evangelism!!"
Steve DeNeff is the Senior Pastor at College Wesleyan Church, Indiana. You can find his sermons online here or by subscribing on iTunes (just search for "College Wesleyan Church" in the podcast section)
"Worship is not something that we begin. Worship is already happening within the Trinity.
We can either get in on the game or not, but we are not game changers.
Worship is me pulling up a chair to the table of the Trinity and joining in the conversation that's already happening:
Me: Jesus, You're absolute!
God the Father: That's what I've been saying all along!!"
Can you imagine that? Each member of the Trinity has been constantly deferring to the other two for eternity past. They love each other SO much. One God, three Persons. Three Persons, One God. So when we get in on worship, we're adding our meagre thoughts and words of praise to this conversation that is ALREADY going on!!
My Professor said other things that gave me pause for thought:
"Sanctification is the process of becoming more like God.
God is a Trinity. Trinity means three.
Therefore, if the Trinity is true, we need community to be sanctified.
We cannot be sanctified outside of community!
God's vision for the Church is to represent what He has in the Trinity on earth. This is evangelism!!"
Steve DeNeff is the Senior Pastor at College Wesleyan Church, Indiana. You can find his sermons online here or by subscribing on iTunes (just search for "College Wesleyan Church" in the podcast section)