Chet's Chat

      And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed;  and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
                                                                                     I Corinthians 14:25


      This verse is part of a teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives with a specific outcome being worship.  Worship is an essential part of our life as a Christian.  Point of fact, if we fail to gather for worship we isolate ourselves from what God intends for us and we forfeit the planned purpose of true Christian fellowship.

      Why do believers not take worship as a serious part of our commitment to God?  The immediate answer given usually posts the reasons outside of the absentee worshipper.  Sermons are boring, seats uncomfortable, music is repetitive or not 'my' kind of music, not Spirit directed at least from the viewpoint of the absentee worshipper, not sacred enough, too formal, needs to stay within an hour, hour is not enough time, too much singing or too little, not enough praying, too emotional, not emotional enough, preacher's too loud, preacher's too soft spoken, and the list goes on and on and on... Stop the negative avalanche of the obvious!

      We all need to turn our hearts to the potential for a spiritually transformational experience afforded by true worship.  Paul teaches the 'secrets of our heart is revealed during true worship. At first this might sound a little unsettling, but once we get over the thought fo something being known by all, the point comes home. Simply, our private life and thoughts are never intended to become the topic of a worship service, rather worship allows for a one on one with God in a most extraordinary way.  God has chosen the worship experience as on of the places and times He speaks to us about the secrets we garner in our hearts.  The verse prior to our text speaks of prophecy as part of the worship experience.  This type of prophecy is not foretelling the future, rather it is forth telling what will happen if we as believers fail to follow the path of God, His will and way in our lives.  Old Testament prophets are an excellent example of how they made it very clear the need for spiritual change in the lives of the people of God and what would happen if they failed to heed their words.

      This type of prophecy is the preaching the full counsel of God and not attempting to merely tickle the ear of the believer and unbeliever.  The result is falling down and worhiping God.  This is an acknowledgement of God in one's life and allowing God to move without hindrance into every part of our life.

      Approaching God with an attitude of grand expectancy is vital to experiencing worship.  The result is knowing God is truly among us.  Come this Sunday ready to a have heart to heart meeting with God and discover worship.

All for the Kingdom,

Dr. Chet Harris

A United Methodist Congregation.