Passion For Jesus Ministries

A couple of years ago a man came to me after our worship time and told me that God had healed his back. Puzzled, I asked, "You mean someone came up to you during worship and prayed, 'In Jesus' name, be healed' or something like that?"

"No," he responded, "Nobody prayed anything. While we were worshipping, I felt something happening in my back. I have had sharp pain go through my back for years every time I bend over. I've been to doctors and chiropractors and have been on all kinds of medication, but nothing has helped, until today."

Since those early days I have been discovering that the less I exhort or talk to the congregation during worship, the more God is exalted. The more space I give Him to operate, the more He does. I love to watch from my vantage point on the platform as He washes over His Church doing wonderful things all by Himself! This is a dynamic within the context of worship that is absolutely unique, and it illustrates the scripture that says that our heavenly Father really loves to inhabit the praises of His people.

I used to be somewhat uncomfortable with silence during worship, but now I am learning how much happens within periods of quietness. God is working, changing our hearts, making them soft and pliable. He is healing His Church.

In seminary I was taught that planning and organization were essential for proper platform flow, and that's true. But I was also taught that we should not allow silence to occur since it was the surest indication that we had totally lost control of the service.

That's the point! We need to lose control and the Holy Spirit needs to gain control. I want to see more of God doing what He wants to do.

Now I'm grateful and humbled when God works sovereignly and does things all by Himself. I know how prone I am to mess up, to not to hear clearly, and to go my own way.

Another experience at seeing God do things by Himself occurred about three weeks into renewal at our church. One of our pastors came up with a bright idea. He said, "Why don't we ask if anyone wants to become a Christian tonight?"

Feeling somewhat thick-headed for not thinking of it earlier, the rest of us agreed that it would be an excellent, scriptural thing to do. So, right after worship he walked onto the platform and said, "By the way, is there anyone who would like to become a Christian tonight?"

I was putting my guitar away, and immediately felt myself growing indignant. Angry thoughts tumbled through my mind: "'By the way!' Is that what he said? Could he not have talked about Jesus? Could he not have mentioned the blood, the cross, redemption, forgiveness? Could we not have played, 'Just as I am' even once? Could we not have done something right?" But as I stood there thoroughly disgusted, 40 people walked forward and gave their lives to Jesus. You could have pushed me over with a feather. There He was doing it all by Himself again!

God has amazed me time and time again by the way He chooses to work in a sovereign fashion and I'm starting to think that less of us and more of Him really is a good thing. Perhaps it's time we allowed God more space to lead His own Church. We have seen, as we give the Holy Spirit room, that He is calling His people to be much more willing to risk vulnerability during worship. Because of the influence of the Holy Spirit, we are noticing that our celebrative songs have become more exuberant, our love songs to Jesus much more intimate, and our shout offerings more commonplace! As our heavenly Father develops a passionate Bride for His Son, He Himself is providing for His Church. He is drawing us close to Him. He is also causing people to be much more willing to enjoy Him.

Paul says in Ephesians that we were chosen to live for the praise of His glory (Eph 1:11,12). Worship, therefore, can, and should be the most natural thing in the world for us -- in fact, children often do it best. We don't need to strain and strive to worship. If God can cause things like trees, rocks, hills and valleys to worship, He can place a heart of worship within us.

So how do we find the balance between being responsible for the direction of worship and allowing God to do it all by Himself?

First, by recognizing that God really is sovereign. He is in control. He has never been out of control and He is supremely able.

Second, by recognizing who we are -- wretched, poor, blind, naked and in need of a Saviour.

And third, through continual surrender to His purposes.

In other words, we must make a commitment to humility and to abiding in Him. We have to stay small in our own eyes and to prefer one another. It means laying aside our own kingdom-building and seeking His Kingdom and righteousness.

Finally, we need to do what David did. He spent lots of "tent" time with His Lord. We often read these words: "...and David inquired of the Lord." That's the key -- knowing our heavenly Father intimately so that we can hear His voice. That's what Jesus did. He saw with the eyes of His heart and did what His Father wanted Him to do. If we do that too, we'll end up co-operating with God, and in the process, become extensions of Him and will witness Him change lives all by Himself!

Songwriter and recording artist, Jeremy Sinnott, is an associate pastor and worship leader at Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship.