Ryan K. Nelson

Remember that amazing scene in Matthew 14.22-36.  The storm kicks up while the disciples are in the boat.  Jesus walks out to them and then Peter courageously asks permission to walk on water and, with Jesus’ blessing, he does it.  Then, Peter loses his focus and begins to sink.  He called on Jesus to save him and Jesus reaches down and pulls him out.  Listen to verse 33:

“Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”

This passage really reveals something powerful that many leaders in today’s churches appear to be missing.  When we talk about worship today we spend most of our conversation discussing music styles, lighting, presentation software, and worship staff.  How did we get to this point?  Is that where God wants us to be?  I don’t think so.

If we look at this account in Matthew 14 we don’t see anything about music, computers, or technology (although I imagine the lighting effect God created was probably pretty cool as this silhouette of Jesus walks across the water).  But, we do see worship.

Let me suggest two things that produced worship in this scene.  First, it’s God’s Story that inspires worship.  What Jesus did in this moment was an act so great that it could only be credited to God.  He did something none of these guys had ever seen before.  That’s tends to be God’s M.O.  He does “God-like” things.  Yet, so often today, we see the Story of God substituted for the mundane “group therapy” sermon that tells people how to be happy in ten steps.  Where is God in that?  Sure we may prooftext a verse or two or three at best, but really, where is God’s Story in that?  Bringing our counseling techniques into the pulpit takes the story of us and our desire to not struggle and places it in front of the Story of God.  Our desires and ambitions can never produce worship.  It may stir up feelings.  But, it cannot produce worship.  However, when God’s Story intersects with our story then things can begin to be impacting.

This leads to the second element that produced a worship environment on the lake that night. It is the redemptive act of God.  They saw Jesus do something amazing, but they also saw him reach out and save one of their own.  This is such a powerful, worship inspiring part of God’s story.  The salvific (yes, young life class, that is a real word…haha) act of God will help to prompt worship.  It is not only worthwhile, but necessary, to tell the story of God’s redemption of His children.  Notice, this is different than what I mentioned before.  Before, I suggested we quit doing group therapy sermons that tells people how to be happy.  This idea of sharing God’s story of redemption is about God redeeming us for His glory.  Not about us trying to be happy.  That’s very different.

So, worship leaders, pastors, church leaders, as you pursue trying to bring about awe inspiring worship into your church building try telling the Story of God along with how He has saved so many in your midst.  Go ahead.  Tell a different story each week of what redemption God has brought about in your people.  Tell your congregation how God created the world.  Tell how God delivered His people in the Old Testament.  Tell the Story of how God will return again.  Tell His story again, and again, and again.  I am confident that whether this story is told through the technology of a high-def video on a 40′ screen or through the simple Radio Shack microphone on a mono speaker system the worship of God’s people will be enhanced when His story and His redemptive actions are told to those who listen.