Real Worship 4/12/17

Real Worship 4/12/17

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? Pastor Lance Johnson brings a message on worship that speaks right into that question. Coming from a past of alcohol and drug addiction and a dramatic encounter with Jesus in 1990, he talks about worship as something far bigger than a few songs before a sermon.

Instead of treating worship as a Sunday warm-up, Lance explains it as "complete and total surrender" to God's will, especially when life is falling apart. He paints a vivid picture of the chaos many face just getting to church – arguments in the car, stress from work, worries about money or kids – and shows how true worship is choosing to trust God right in the middle of all that mess.

Drawing on the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16, bleeding and chained in a dark, damp prison yet singing hymns to God, Lance points to worship that costs something. He also shares the account of the Canaanite woman who bows before Jesus even after being pushed away, and Job who says, "Even though you slay me, I'll trust you" while everything in his life collapses.

For anyone in recovery or wrestling with deep hurt, Lance’s focus on worship as daily surrender rather than emotional hype can feel surprisingly practical. Worship, as he explains it, is declaring "God, I trust you" when the future looks uncertain, when pain is real, and when answers haven’t come yet. By the end, the message is clear: real worship isn’t about perfect circumstances or perfect behaviour; it’s about trusting the unchanging character of God in the hardest moments.

It’s a challenge, but also a steady invitation to bring every storm, every craving, and every fear into that surrendered space. How might your idea of worship change after hearing Lance’s perspective?