By NEIL DUMAS

Minister of Music, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Tex.

(Published in Baptist Progress, January 3, 2007)

Recently while attending a music conference I was seated and eating lunch with some 400 other music ministers when spontaneously we  sang, “The Doxology” as an added blessing. As soon as we finished singing the “amen” someone shouted, “Play ball!” Everyone laughed but we knew it meant to dig in and get busy.

Sometimes while leading worship I’ve been tempted to shout, “Play ball” to our congregation. There are times we seem to be thinking of other things rather than offering praise and worship to our King.

It’s time to face a few facts. Worship is not a spectator event. Worship is active not passive. Sitting on a pew does not qualify as worship. Could you imagine going to watch your favorite team yet all they did was dress out in their uniforms and sit on the bench? You may wear the uniform but you’ve got to do more than sit on the bench in worship. God Almighty is our audience and He doesn’t show up to see us just sitting there as spectators.

Corrie ten Boom once said, “God doesn’t make suggestions.” Let’s check out a few of His commandments in worship. Psalm 96:1 says, “O Sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.” Psalm 47:1 says, “O Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” Notice these are not commandments just for ministers. Maybe you tell others you can’t sing. Well there’s a verse for you too. Psalm 66:1 says, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands...”

There are other acts of worship besides singing. Each of us should participate in giving to the Lord. Bring something to give. God has been faithful to us, we should express our thanks to Him each week....and do it with the right attitude too.

While we’re on the subject of attitude, let’s stop and ponder a situation that happens occasionally. There have been times during worship I’ve noticed someone sitting there with a big frown on their face, not singing, refusing to be involved in the service. Every now and then word will come back to me that so-in-so was so mad at so-in-so about so-in-so that they just couldn’t worship. Well, as adults our spiritual level should be such that nothing could come between ourselves and expressions of love to our Lord. If you ever find yourself in that situation, stop and imagine Jesus hanging on the cross, freely submitting to His Father’s will rather than acting on His own behalf. I have three teenagers in my home and I know a little bit about conflict. Usually it happens most often at the worst possible times. As adults, we have to get beyond our own petty issues and see the bigger issue of worshiping the God of the universe. During our appointed time of worship that is exactly what we should be doing. He is worthy of our total devotion!

Now let’s get back to other acts of worship that we should involve ourselves in. Prayer is a very important act of worship. Can you think of any other time that you could be more honest with God than in prayer? He knows everything about us including our intentions and thoughts. Repenting of sin is a daily activity that opens our hearts for communication with God. Joining others in prayer is not only powerful in itself, it is also a powerful bond together.

Telling someone, “I’ll pray for you” should be more than lip service. Welcoming guests, acting as an usher, serving by operating sound or projection, kneeling in an act of humility, surrendering to God’s will, responding during an invitation hymn, & giving a testimony are all acts of worship when the heart is pure and your intentions are to do them for His glory and in His honor. Be careful how you treat acts of worship. There is an old saying that states familiarity breeds contempt. Tell yourself each week to remain pure in your worship motives.

We’re going to end this article with a familiar Bible story that sometimes brings controversy. In 2 Samuel chapter 6 and 1 Chronicles chapter 15, King David brings the ark of God into Jerusalem with lively music and worship. This was a huge celebration but it was also a great time of worship for the Israelites. David refused to act or behave like a king because there was only one true King in his mind. He lost himself in worship and when he came back to bless his household, his wife, Michal scolded him. According to her, David had not behaved like a king. He
had not worn his royal robe (but was clothed unlike many seem to read in this text). Michal, on the otherhand had been the daughter of Saul and had grown up in royalty. I wonder why she only saw her husband’s worship through a distant window? Why wasn’t she involved in the celebration and worship? David let her know he would continue to lower himself before the Lord. Obviously God accepted David’s behavior and worship. Following this event in 1 Chronicles 17:2, Nathan told David, “Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.”

Do not be so consumed with what others think. It is stated in John 12:42-43, “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” How about you? Are you ready to, “Play ball?” Dig in and get busy!