For the sake of unity we downplay it. Hymns vs. modern praise and worship or, as we used to call it, “choruses.” Piano only vs. a multi-piece band. Slow and reverent vs. up beat and joyful. The old songs of the faith vs. new and original tunes and lyrics every week. The way we worship in our different gatherings is truly varied . . . yet, so often, very defining. “I’m of the hymn book” . . . “I’m of Hillsong” . . . “I’m of the Passion movement” . . . “I’m of Jesus Culture” . . . “I’m of Gaither” (yes!!!) . . . “I’m a little bit country . . . I’m a little bit rock ‘n roll” (maybe not so much) . . . but you get the idea . . . how we worship is as different as we are. And so . . . and I think rightly so . . . we downplay it for the sake of unity . . . cause it’s not really about the music . . . or at least not about the music we produce externally.

This morning, I’m reminded that how we worship matters . . . that, at it’s core it really is not left up to our preferences or different tastes. In fact, I read again this morning that God seeks “true worshipers” . . .

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

First of all, I’m blown away that God seeks worshipers. God who needs nothing . . . who is Creator and possessor of all . . . this God is on the lookout for true worshipers. They are the worshipers He desires . . . those He craves . . . those He longs to find. Oh, to think that there would be anything which puny mortal man could offer which would be something that the High and Lofty God of eternity would desire is a point to ponder (and enjoy) in and of itself. God loves worship . . . His heart is set on finding worship . . . His eyes comb the earth looking for worship . . . but not just any worship . . . in a sense, the music matters.

And it’s the music of authenticity and reality . . . the music of veracity and of the heart . . . the music of spirit and truth.

The woman Jesus talks to in John 4 tries to deflect Jesus’ probing into her personal life by talking of worship. Where was the right place to worship — the mountain where her people worshiped or Jerusalem? . . . which was the right way to worship — the way of the Samaritans or the way of the Jews? And Jesus used the opportunity to talk about “the music.” The Samaritans passionately pursued their worship but it was false worship . . . worship mingled with pagan practice . . . worship fashioned after their world . . . it wasn’t worship in truth. The Jews, on the other hand, sliced and diced and offered at the temple as God had commanded them . . . but it was about going through the motions . . . checking the boxes . . . seeing it as a measure for how “good” they were in their “obedience” . . . how worthy they were because of their actions . . . they drew near to God with their mouths and honored Him with their lips but their hearts were somewhere else (Matt. 15:8). But, says Jesus, true worship must be in spirit . . . transcending the physical motions, it must emanate from the very being of a man or woman . . . it must be reflective of the very essence of the person and be offered into a realm beyond what is seen or heard . . . for God is Spirit.

So while the number of instruments doesn’t really matter . . . and whether the words were written in 1810 or 1910 or 2010 doesn’t really matter . . . the “music” of spirit and truth does matter. The melody needs to originate from the heart (Eph.5:19) and the lyrics must be penned in God’s defined reality. We can go through the motions just as easily singing out of a hymnal as we can singing off the screen. Fake worship can be offered whether we’re singing to a piano, a five piece band, or no band at all . . . the creation being praised above the Creator. What God seeks is the music of the heart . . . and the lyrics of truth. Package it with whatever genre of music you prefer, but oh, that God’s people, would pursue worshiping in a manner which delights God . . . which honors Him and Him alone . . . which is sourced in the reality of hearts won by the Savior and humbled by His grace . . . which is presented in the context of His living Word and the truths conveyed from it . . . which is sought by Him for His honor and pleasure . . . for His glory alone . . . amen!