Essence of Worship
Commentary
A family is getting ready to send their second child off to the area state University this autumn. They have worked diligently to be the best parents, Christians and community citizens possible while raising their son and daughter. Now they really need not participate in anymore area public school, church youth activities or scouting organizations. They have arrived at their destiny after much effort. They most deservedly can be proud of the accomplishments of their hard work along with that of the public school and church communities. Now, in the year 2018, do they simply move on and drop out of the school and church activities that helped to shape their own collegiate son and daughter, or do they continue to be major community participants? All four of today’s lessons would suggest that the essence of worshipping their God is reflected on whether they more less say, “I have done my time, let someone else do it...” or “We are grateful to this community and we want to give back in time, money and talents, as we have received...” This is the essence of Worship as Psalm 48 suggests.
2 Samuel 5:1-5; 9-10
This is a narrative that reports the rise of David, the eighth son of his family to the throne of Israel Monarchy. One path to preach might me this is an example of a “nobody” in his family who rose to be “somebody” as king. Despite his place in the family birth order, size in bodily stature and tendency to be a musician and a poet — rather than simply muscular warrior, David is now Israel’s new king. We should not allow our place in the birth order and bodily limitations restrict us from pursing our dreams. He has “arrived” at his destiny, what now?
By establishing David as Saul’s successor, two objectives are accomplished. First, the northern and southern tribes of Israel are united in a peaceful manner. Second, even while Saul was still king, it was well known by both Israel and their rival neighbors that David would succeed the throne. This created political stability to the region for close to forty years.
David was the one who personified the model of Monarch as Shepherd. This “Shepherd King” is concerned about the needs of all the people in the nation, not just the rich, military leaders and other powerful people. In many ancient near east nations of that time, the “Shepherd King” was the ideal model of political leader. Today, what is the model political model for leading a nation? Is the democratic electoral system to be preferred over a parliament or political party ruled nation? Can God operate in any political system be it as humane as a democracy on a good day, or an autocratic dictator on a bad day? What traits do we look for in leaders? Are they to be religious role models as Israel’s kings were to be (essentially making Israel as “Theocracy”)?
Once David has arrived at the peak of his career, how would his worship to the God who placed him there appear? He would have problems with adultery; a rebellious son; as well as highlights in political military victories. Yet, he would remain faithful to God and write Psalms.
David would make Jerusalem the secure place of worship and his abode to rule the nation. It would eventually be known as the “City of God.” This would be the beginning of “Zion Theology” or a special place where God dwells (NIBD, vol. 5, 986). Is any given church or sanctuary a local “Zion” in a community? Has this term simply gone by the wayside in favor of worship no longer being identified with a location or place? What about those Christians of past generations who sacrificed their sweat, hard labor and money into church buildings that later generations of church members might not cherish enough to devote financial and labor upkeep? Has the essence of worship at a location become too expensive and inconvenient in a consumer society? Once Israel was in exile, they would long for “Zion” repeatedly. Where do modern Christians believe God dwells in a special way in the year 2018? [Sources: Brueggemann, Walter, Interpretation, a Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: First and Second Samuel, John Knox Press, 1990); Lyke, Larry, “Zion Tradition,” New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume 5, Abingdon Press, 2009)].
Psalm 48
In case somebody ever says, “I do not get anything out of church on Sundays,” this psalm would suggest they were not supposed to get anything for themselves in church. The object of worship is to praise God. This God is a protector and provides unconditional steadfast love. Also, worship is an expression of action, not simple passivity of being spoon-fed with Power Points, music and sermons. The essence of worship is to practice what is proclaimed while in the sanctuary. The family in the opening illustration is doing worship while participating in the local church’s ministry programs, classes and activities. Does one stop once their own children have grown older and moved on?
Another example might be some church rubrics follow a pattern of: gather, confess, receive the Word and Sacrament, respond with offerings, blessing, then being sent out to do ministry into the community. God’s acts of deliverance, care and guidance are to be highlighted. Church is a community of delivered people (from sin and death) who are grateful to God. The community’s true worship is giving back to the community a small portion of what has been given by God. This is the essence of worship according to this psalm. The sights, sounds, smells are also part of worship. This might take the form of contemporary or traditional worship formats. The bottom line in the psalm is that God is the focus of the service, not how the worshipper feels at any given moment. A simple sermon title based on this psalm might be, “What is Worship?” (Craigie, Peter C., Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1-50, Word Books, 1983)].
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
According to Marcus Borg, biblical writers such as Paul believed people of faith could have “out of body experiences” in experiencing a spirit world such as in a third heaven in this text. Some authors think this text could be read as a “tongue and cheek” satire based on populist Greek folklore (Danker, 188-190). Other scholars view it as a legitimate vision of Paul similar to the one he had on the Damascus Road in Acts 9 (Bruce, 246). Is third heaven a place of departure for the righteous? Bruce thinks this is reasonable. Between Luke 23:43 and non-canonical Jewish writings such as Enoch, entering paradise was a rare experience. Paul could have probably even boasted about it to solidify his reputation. However, God gave him a physical (possibly mental) ailment that served to humiliate and handicap his ministry. Three times Paul requested that God remove this “thorn in the flesh.” God’s response is, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Some directions one might go on this text includes, how does one worship God when they are not in a position of strength, power, nor have the option of comfortable detachment? Does the church tend to conform to the commercial societal standards of preferring strength, winner-take-all and “winning is everything” sort of credos? What do church leaders do with biblical texts such as, “….power is made perfect in weakness” sort of texts? In 1 Corinthians 1:18-32, Paul also argues, “The cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…”
Marcus Borg says, “You can believe in the right things and still be a jerk” (Borg, 23). The essence of worship is being faithful to God even in difficult times and “thorns in the flesh.” Because Paul did not specifically name his “thorn in the flesh,” people of faith of all times can identify with him. A path of preaching might be, “What is your thorn in the flesh?” A good friend has shared that during his twenty plus hours of driving on the road with his family, he experiences the Chevy Chase “Vacation” movies of restless children, and frequent road emergencies. During the summer, this might ring true for a number of families. Can a family person still live out the essence of worshiping God while on the road driving cross country? This is a Season after Pentecost sort of question.
Where does God meet people of faith? God meets people of faith through insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. This is the God who meets people in their valleys or “cross experiences.” It is a “theology of the cross.” Does this still “preach” in the summer of 2018? If not, why? If so, what are the latest hardships we see within our congregations which might be addressed in worship? [Sources: Borg, Marcus, Days of Awe and Wonder: How to be a Christian in the 21st Century, Harper One, 2017); Bruce, F.F., The New Century Bible Commentary: I & II Corinthians, (Wm. B. Erdmann’s, 1971); Danker, Frederick W. Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: II Corinthians, Augsburg Fortress, 1989)].
Alternative Path
The text also says, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. (2 Corinthians 12:7). Does God still allow or use Satan or Satan’s messengers to test people as with the Book of Job and here in 2 Corinthians 12?
Mark 6:1-13
This text has similar parallel accounts in Matthew 13:54-58 and Luke 4:16-30. It comes up in all three years of the lectionary cycles. Jesus is rejected in his own home town because he is a “tekton.” The word could mean carpenter, construction worker, blacksmith or mason. He is also identified as the “son of Mary.” There is a textual contestation on offspring of Mary, but the older manuscript of P 45 supports the Mark reading. One moral of this story is that familiarity breeds discontent in terms of people trying to do caregiving to close friends and family.
Another illustration I find temping is the 2007 movie “Sydney White,” starring Amanda Bynes. Sydney (Bynes) arrives at a Southern Atlantic University ready and eager to pledge her late mother's sorority. The pristine, respectable reputation of the sorority is tarnished by a blonde tyrant named “Rachel.” Sydney does her best to survive the rigorous pledge process. It is later discovered by Rachel, that Sydney’s father is a plumber and construction worker. She is banned from the sorority and Greek fraternity systems on campus, and left out on the raining curb near a “Vortex” house with seven dorky guys who welcome her.
How does one handle rejection? What happens if the good news is rejected by those whom are the intended hearers? One harsh reality the modern church must face is when people see, and experience the best worship service a congregation can provide, and then respond, “Thanks, but no thanks. We will do something else next Sunday.” Church leaders in smaller and medium sized congregations with traditional worship furniture and orders of service might face this reality every week. This might be the experience of the “power is made perfect in weakness” in the 2 Corinthians 12:9 text. While many older Christians may have developed a “thick skin” to this reality, are the succeeding generations ready or willing to experience this as part of the essence of worship?
In Mark 6 Jesus models how Christians are to respond if rejected. When people of faith are rejected by one group of people, they are to move on. So Jesus commissions his disciples to go out two by two, travelling light so they can stay at any place that welcomes them while in that town. If rejected, the disciples are to shake the dust off their feet and move onward to the next mission. Rejection does not hinder the ongoing mission as the disciples continued to “cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them” (Mark 6:13). [Works Cited: Boring, Eugene, The New Testament Library: Mark, (Westminster John Knox Press, 2006)].
Alternative Paths
In Mark 6:4, Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” This is a popular Jewish proverb of the day, but no specific Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) reference is cited. Though some scholars suggest this might refer to Elijah and Elisha in 1 and 2 Kings (Juel, 91). Are there popular proverbs today that are not necessarily in Christian scripture that are frequently cited and applied? (e.g.: God helps those who help themselves.)
Nancy Ammerman has a helpful set of categories with “Explicit and Implicit Theologies.” For example, a church’s mission statement might reflect one of “Welcoming and outreach.” However, to look at the church budget, it becomes immediately clear that property special pet programs occupy much of the financial priorities.” Regarding Mark 6, in Jesus’ home town, they might officially welcome back natives of their community — but only as they remember them in the past, not whom they have grown to become in terms of talents, gifts and mission in life.
[Source: Ammerman, Nancy T., Jackson W. Carroll, Carl S. Dudley, and William McKinney, Studying Congregations: A New Handbook, Abingdon Press, 1998).; Juel, Donald H. Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Mark, Augsburg Fortress, 1990)].
2 Samuel 5:1-5; 9-10
This is a narrative that reports the rise of David, the eighth son of his family to the throne of Israel Monarchy. One path to preach might me this is an example of a “nobody” in his family who rose to be “somebody” as king. Despite his place in the family birth order, size in bodily stature and tendency to be a musician and a poet — rather than simply muscular warrior, David is now Israel’s new king. We should not allow our place in the birth order and bodily limitations restrict us from pursing our dreams. He has “arrived” at his destiny, what now?
By establishing David as Saul’s successor, two objectives are accomplished. First, the northern and southern tribes of Israel are united in a peaceful manner. Second, even while Saul was still king, it was well known by both Israel and their rival neighbors that David would succeed the throne. This created political stability to the region for close to forty years.
David was the one who personified the model of Monarch as Shepherd. This “Shepherd King” is concerned about the needs of all the people in the nation, not just the rich, military leaders and other powerful people. In many ancient near east nations of that time, the “Shepherd King” was the ideal model of political leader. Today, what is the model political model for leading a nation? Is the democratic electoral system to be preferred over a parliament or political party ruled nation? Can God operate in any political system be it as humane as a democracy on a good day, or an autocratic dictator on a bad day? What traits do we look for in leaders? Are they to be religious role models as Israel’s kings were to be (essentially making Israel as “Theocracy”)?
Once David has arrived at the peak of his career, how would his worship to the God who placed him there appear? He would have problems with adultery; a rebellious son; as well as highlights in political military victories. Yet, he would remain faithful to God and write Psalms.
David would make Jerusalem the secure place of worship and his abode to rule the nation. It would eventually be known as the “City of God.” This would be the beginning of “Zion Theology” or a special place where God dwells (NIBD, vol. 5, 986). Is any given church or sanctuary a local “Zion” in a community? Has this term simply gone by the wayside in favor of worship no longer being identified with a location or place? What about those Christians of past generations who sacrificed their sweat, hard labor and money into church buildings that later generations of church members might not cherish enough to devote financial and labor upkeep? Has the essence of worship at a location become too expensive and inconvenient in a consumer society? Once Israel was in exile, they would long for “Zion” repeatedly. Where do modern Christians believe God dwells in a special way in the year 2018? [Sources: Brueggemann, Walter, Interpretation, a Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: First and Second Samuel, John Knox Press, 1990); Lyke, Larry, “Zion Tradition,” New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume 5, Abingdon Press, 2009)].
Psalm 48
In case somebody ever says, “I do not get anything out of church on Sundays,” this psalm would suggest they were not supposed to get anything for themselves in church. The object of worship is to praise God. This God is a protector and provides unconditional steadfast love. Also, worship is an expression of action, not simple passivity of being spoon-fed with Power Points, music and sermons. The essence of worship is to practice what is proclaimed while in the sanctuary. The family in the opening illustration is doing worship while participating in the local church’s ministry programs, classes and activities. Does one stop once their own children have grown older and moved on?
Another example might be some church rubrics follow a pattern of: gather, confess, receive the Word and Sacrament, respond with offerings, blessing, then being sent out to do ministry into the community. God’s acts of deliverance, care and guidance are to be highlighted. Church is a community of delivered people (from sin and death) who are grateful to God. The community’s true worship is giving back to the community a small portion of what has been given by God. This is the essence of worship according to this psalm. The sights, sounds, smells are also part of worship. This might take the form of contemporary or traditional worship formats. The bottom line in the psalm is that God is the focus of the service, not how the worshipper feels at any given moment. A simple sermon title based on this psalm might be, “What is Worship?” (Craigie, Peter C., Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1-50, Word Books, 1983)].
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
According to Marcus Borg, biblical writers such as Paul believed people of faith could have “out of body experiences” in experiencing a spirit world such as in a third heaven in this text. Some authors think this text could be read as a “tongue and cheek” satire based on populist Greek folklore (Danker, 188-190). Other scholars view it as a legitimate vision of Paul similar to the one he had on the Damascus Road in Acts 9 (Bruce, 246). Is third heaven a place of departure for the righteous? Bruce thinks this is reasonable. Between Luke 23:43 and non-canonical Jewish writings such as Enoch, entering paradise was a rare experience. Paul could have probably even boasted about it to solidify his reputation. However, God gave him a physical (possibly mental) ailment that served to humiliate and handicap his ministry. Three times Paul requested that God remove this “thorn in the flesh.” God’s response is, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Some directions one might go on this text includes, how does one worship God when they are not in a position of strength, power, nor have the option of comfortable detachment? Does the church tend to conform to the commercial societal standards of preferring strength, winner-take-all and “winning is everything” sort of credos? What do church leaders do with biblical texts such as, “….power is made perfect in weakness” sort of texts? In 1 Corinthians 1:18-32, Paul also argues, “The cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God…”
Marcus Borg says, “You can believe in the right things and still be a jerk” (Borg, 23). The essence of worship is being faithful to God even in difficult times and “thorns in the flesh.” Because Paul did not specifically name his “thorn in the flesh,” people of faith of all times can identify with him. A path of preaching might be, “What is your thorn in the flesh?” A good friend has shared that during his twenty plus hours of driving on the road with his family, he experiences the Chevy Chase “Vacation” movies of restless children, and frequent road emergencies. During the summer, this might ring true for a number of families. Can a family person still live out the essence of worshiping God while on the road driving cross country? This is a Season after Pentecost sort of question.
Where does God meet people of faith? God meets people of faith through insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. This is the God who meets people in their valleys or “cross experiences.” It is a “theology of the cross.” Does this still “preach” in the summer of 2018? If not, why? If so, what are the latest hardships we see within our congregations which might be addressed in worship? [Sources: Borg, Marcus, Days of Awe and Wonder: How to be a Christian in the 21st Century, Harper One, 2017); Bruce, F.F., The New Century Bible Commentary: I & II Corinthians, (Wm. B. Erdmann’s, 1971); Danker, Frederick W. Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: II Corinthians, Augsburg Fortress, 1989)].
Alternative Path
The text also says, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. (2 Corinthians 12:7). Does God still allow or use Satan or Satan’s messengers to test people as with the Book of Job and here in 2 Corinthians 12?
Mark 6:1-13
This text has similar parallel accounts in Matthew 13:54-58 and Luke 4:16-30. It comes up in all three years of the lectionary cycles. Jesus is rejected in his own home town because he is a “tekton.” The word could mean carpenter, construction worker, blacksmith or mason. He is also identified as the “son of Mary.” There is a textual contestation on offspring of Mary, but the older manuscript of P 45 supports the Mark reading. One moral of this story is that familiarity breeds discontent in terms of people trying to do caregiving to close friends and family.
Another illustration I find temping is the 2007 movie “Sydney White,” starring Amanda Bynes. Sydney (Bynes) arrives at a Southern Atlantic University ready and eager to pledge her late mother's sorority. The pristine, respectable reputation of the sorority is tarnished by a blonde tyrant named “Rachel.” Sydney does her best to survive the rigorous pledge process. It is later discovered by Rachel, that Sydney’s father is a plumber and construction worker. She is banned from the sorority and Greek fraternity systems on campus, and left out on the raining curb near a “Vortex” house with seven dorky guys who welcome her.
How does one handle rejection? What happens if the good news is rejected by those whom are the intended hearers? One harsh reality the modern church must face is when people see, and experience the best worship service a congregation can provide, and then respond, “Thanks, but no thanks. We will do something else next Sunday.” Church leaders in smaller and medium sized congregations with traditional worship furniture and orders of service might face this reality every week. This might be the experience of the “power is made perfect in weakness” in the 2 Corinthians 12:9 text. While many older Christians may have developed a “thick skin” to this reality, are the succeeding generations ready or willing to experience this as part of the essence of worship?
In Mark 6 Jesus models how Christians are to respond if rejected. When people of faith are rejected by one group of people, they are to move on. So Jesus commissions his disciples to go out two by two, travelling light so they can stay at any place that welcomes them while in that town. If rejected, the disciples are to shake the dust off their feet and move onward to the next mission. Rejection does not hinder the ongoing mission as the disciples continued to “cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them” (Mark 6:13). [Works Cited: Boring, Eugene, The New Testament Library: Mark, (Westminster John Knox Press, 2006)].
Alternative Paths
In Mark 6:4, Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” This is a popular Jewish proverb of the day, but no specific Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) reference is cited. Though some scholars suggest this might refer to Elijah and Elisha in 1 and 2 Kings (Juel, 91). Are there popular proverbs today that are not necessarily in Christian scripture that are frequently cited and applied? (e.g.: God helps those who help themselves.)
Nancy Ammerman has a helpful set of categories with “Explicit and Implicit Theologies.” For example, a church’s mission statement might reflect one of “Welcoming and outreach.” However, to look at the church budget, it becomes immediately clear that property special pet programs occupy much of the financial priorities.” Regarding Mark 6, in Jesus’ home town, they might officially welcome back natives of their community — but only as they remember them in the past, not whom they have grown to become in terms of talents, gifts and mission in life.
[Source: Ammerman, Nancy T., Jackson W. Carroll, Carl S. Dudley, and William McKinney, Studying Congregations: A New Handbook, Abingdon Press, 1998).; Juel, Donald H. Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament: Mark, Augsburg Fortress, 1990)].
