WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?
Part 3: Developing Character

Dr. Richard J. Henderson June 5, 2005

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I Chronicles 16:23-34
II Corinthians 3:17-18

Introduction

Have you noticed the growing section in the bookstores called, "Self-Help"? This large section of books carries everything from how to survive the loss of a loved one to how to cook Italian food, from how to develop better self-esteem to how to grow bonsai trees. It seems like there isn't anything we can't help ourselves do.

The problem I have with self-help programs is that they offer such a poor helper. If I'm supposed to help myself, I'd really rather have somebody more capable! Self-help often seems like the old "Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" theory. Of course, that's impossible. You need someone to help you - someone stronger, more capable, and hopefully, someone who knows and cares about you.

I

So much of self-help depends on self-identity. Isn't that really at the root of self-help? Who am I? What am I capable of? How can I be better? Maybe you haven't thought about it before, but one of the results of worship, is building self-identity. We learn who we are, what is valuable, what we stand for in worship.

As we worship God, we find who we are - as a child of God, loved by God, in the care of the One who created us. God calls your name, baptizes you, forgives you, and loves you.

In worship, we allow God to make us into better people. This is not self-help - we have a much better guide - we are guided by God and the life and teaching of his son Jesus. In worshipping God, we learn our standards for life. We search for God's will. We ask, "What gifts have I been given?" "How can I use what I have been blessed with?" When we worship, we are forming our character with God's help. We come here to learn to live according to God's purposes.

II

Regularly worshipping God will improve your character. Worship will make you a better person, even if you aren't paying attention, even if you aren't aware that it's happening. Being here week after week strengthens your character. Every week you say, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done..." and it reminds you that God's will is what matters. Every week you sing, "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son..." and you remind yourself that you are not the center of the universe - someone else is.

Each week you sing, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..." and you see beyond yourself to praise God for the goodness of life. Each time you do these things your spirit is nudged a little bit and you are changed. You stand and say, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker, of heaven and earth..." and it reminds you about what you believe, who you are, where you stand.

Even if you are half asleep doing this - mumbling through the words - just being here and saying those words affects your character. An older woman, who's taught in a Christian seminary all her life, wrote about how she learned her faith. Her name is Elizabeth Achtemeier. She writes about going to Sunday school and worship each week: "I did not know at the time that all those experiences were sinking into my bones - that I was learning the language of prayer and hymnody, of doctrine, scripture and liturgy. But I was. I was slowly but surely being taught the language and worldview of the Christian faith which has nourished me all my life long." It was just being there that mattered most. Our repeated behaviors form us - for good or for bad. We become what we do.

III

Forming Christian character in worship isn't about making yourself a better person - worship is about God. The character that is formed in all of us is for God's glory. We become better, stronger Christians so that we can more faithfully serve God. There's a big difference between wanting to make myself stronger, more capable, more successful - and wanting God to help me be more faithful. We learn and grow through worship so that we can live for God.

Do you remember the New Testament scripture reading this morning? It was an odd image. Paul writes that with unveiled faces, we see the glory of the Lord and are transformed into that same image.

Being in worship - in the presence of God - helps us become more like our Lord. In worshipping God, we are drawn closer to Christ, and we begin to be like him. Often it happens subtly. The change to be more like our Lord isn't for our own self-promotion, but for God.

Conclusion

When I was just beginning in the ministry, I went to a conference led by the great preacher, Ernest Campbell. He said something that I took to heart. He said, "When you go home today, make a file titled 'Blue Monday'."

"Put in that file every card or note or thank-you you get for something you did, or said, or a service you provided. Every time someone thanks you for helping, put that in your file. The ministry is very difficult emotionally. You are going to have Monday mornings when you just want to quit. On those days go to your Blue Monday file, take out those cards and read them. It'll remind you why you went into the ministry, and keep you going." I did what he said. My "Blue Monday" file is as big as my bumper sticker file!

A few months ago, I got a letter that went into that file. It was from a young man who grew up in this church. He took the time to write to thank Sheila and me for being strong influences in his life. He talked about how he had learned his faith here and his values grew strong because of the worship and life of this congregation. The letter was addressed to Sheila and me, but it was really to you. You as a congregation helped mold and shape this man's life. At the end of the letter he said, I can't thank you enough for the difference you've made, how you've helped me clarify what I stand for.

Worshipping God, being in the presence of God each week, forms and shapes our lives. Worshipping God molds our character.

Amen.

©Richard J. Henderson 2005