by Steve Hale
"LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountain's were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God" (Psalms 90:1-2).
The 90th Psalm is the one Psalm authored, by Moses! It is believed that the great scribe Ezra ( Ezra 7:10) compiled the five books of Psalms (1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106; 107-150).
Moses makes one fact abundantly clear...God is relevant! Indeed, "...from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." So, it's not up to us to make God relevant. He formed all things, and is the sole reason for our world and our own existence.
He is, and always will be, relevant. The question we need to answer is: are we relevant to Him? If not, we need to prepare ourselves to be! In cornbread English, we, must come to God because He has already come 'to us through His Son. ( Romans 5:8; John 3:16, 17).
A generation is arising that wants God on its own terms. Hence "seeker"churches pass out surveys asking potential members,. what they want of a church. Church growth has become the end and not the means to an end.
The church growth movement, with its "seeker" philosophy is overwhelming some some churches, particularly where churches are plentiful and competition is ferocious.
Not uncommonly then, we hear things like: "what does the church have to offer me?" A gentle yet accurate response should be: "what do you have to offer God?" Yes, the church should be active, alive, and vibrant! Yes, we should have dynamic program. to, get people involved.
But our lives in the church are not for our "entertainment" but our service ( John 13:1-17; 33-35)! Each of us have God-given abilities that need to be offered in His service ( 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:1-2)!
Worship is a powerful example of this. We offer God worship. He is both the object and receiver of our worship ( John 4:23, 24). Worship, then, is a participatory act. As New Testament priests ( 1 Peter 2:5), we are givers, not receivers of worship.
God, as the receiver of worship, is to be praised with reverence, awe,' and respect. As we sing, pray, preach, observe the Supper, and give, we are offering God our love and allegiance. While it indeed causes us to reflect, self-examine, be edified and strengthened, this worship is offered to God. It is up to God to determine how the worship is conducted ( I Timothy 3:14-15).
God is relevant! Are we? Are we letting God be the potter? Are we kneeling' at the cross, or standing defiantly while demanding our own terms (Psalms 90:3-12)?