I preached today on the four dimensions of worship. We went to Hebrews 13:15-16 and Acts 2:43-47 to look at what the early church did. We found Adoration (praise, proclamation), Service (action), Sacrifice, and Participation. I am particularly intrigued with participation. It’s doing adoration and action with and for others (do good and share with others, Heb. 13:16; all the believers were together and had everything in common, Acts 2:44). But there’s more: John 17:21 lets us know that Jesus prayed that believers might be in us, the Trinity. 1 John 4:12-15 repeatedly says we live in Him. The point is that we actually share in the life of the triune God.
I’m trying to get my pretty rational head around this reality. Can you help me?
I went on to explore biblical forms of worship. Pretty radical stuff to see singing in so many different instruments, dancing, kneeling, falling down. But there’s also thankfulness, keeping your vows, calling to him (Psalm 50:14-15) as well as lifting holy hands, dressing modestly and doing good (1 Tim. 2:8-10). It’s also walking and leaping, according to Luke in Acts 3. Remember the walking and leaping song? We sang it! You can hear the sermon here. I’d love to get your response.
Sherry and I traveled into the beautiful Columbia Gorge, to Skamania Lodge to do Jim and Lisa’s wedding. So many memories came as we went by Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam and the overlook park, on to Cascade Locks and the Bridge of the Gods. I’m pretty sure we’ve only been across it once in the nearly 30 years we’ve been in Portland. It was easy to worship the LORD of creation in this beautiful setting and the LORD of grace as we marveled in the union of this wonderful couple. I like doing weddings!
I think the key element to the concept of participation is found in 1 John 4:13, the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit within the lives of believers, both individually and corporately, allows for this concept of participation with the Trinity to take place. Because we have died and our lives are hidden in Christ, we only live because of the Spirit’s presence living within us. It is a Spirit-empowered and Spirit-enabled participation that is taking place.
This is a great insight, David. It sure makes sense that it’s a Spirit thing. So I find myself wondering, what does it look like, feel like, for me to share in the life of the Trinity? I know something of what it’s like to share in the life of marriage. Is sharing in Trinity like that? Is it a mystical, emotional rush like some tell me? Or is it a losing of myself so that I am no longer me, but all is God? I don’t think any of these capture it, but what is it?