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presence of God in their home, at work, or on vacation.
    When King David desired to build God a house, God told him, “I never told you to build me a house (paraphrased from 2 Samuel 7:4-12). Then God promised David, “I will build
you
a house…” (see verse 27). In essence, God was saying to David, “I don’t want a place in which to dwell. I am looking for a people in whom to dwell.” Jesus stated this same principle to the Samaritan woman when He told her, “Believe me, woman. The time is coming when neither in Jerusalem nor on this mountain will you actually worship the Father” (John 4:21 NCV).
    FALLACY NUMBER TWO: YOU MUST WORSHIP IN THE RIGHT WAY
    To the woman’s understanding, Jesus’ response was based on a similar false assumption. He said, “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:21-22). Her concept of true worship was based on her cultural understanding. She knew that Jews worship one way and that Samaritans worship another. Her form of worship seemed best to her because it was all she knew.
    How many worship wars are started over the issue of style? What is the most anointed style of worship, Southern Gospel or Contemporary? How many times do we hear statements such as, “I wish we had the old red-backed hymnals back,” or “When are we going to start putting the lyrics up on a screen?” I had just started pastoring when churches first discovered the overhead projector. My parishioners felt I had committed the unpardonable sin when I removed the hymnals so we could sing from overheads. Sometimes worship wars are frivolous!
    “Worship is not about the song that you sing, but the heart that you bring!” It has been my good fortune to travel the world preaching the Gospel. I have ministered in the remotest parts of Africa where pots, pans, and drums were the only musical instruments available. That’s where I have heard some of the most anointed worship in the world. Those people are not preoccupied with equipment, lights, or styles. They are preoccupied with Jesus. During my most recent trip to Nigeria, the worship was so anointed that hundreds of people manifesting demons were delivered—through the power of worship alone. They did not have hymnals or projectors and screens, high-quality musical instruments or trained vocalists. They were just people bringing to God their hearts of worship.
    Worship transcends style. When we get to Heaven, we will see every style of worship because we will see every tribe, tongue, kindred, and nation in full demonstration around the throne. It is foolish to expect everyone to abandon his or her cultural style in favor of the red-backed hymnal. If you are offended to think that your favorite worship style is being threatened, it could be that God is trying to give you a secret from the well of worship. I happen to love Southern Gospel music above all other types (and I am convinced that God loves it too). However, in my church we sing mostly contemporary songs. Why? We decided to use the style of music that inspires this current generation to worship. Real, biblical worship is the blending of many styles; “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
    FALLACY NUMBER THREE: GOD WANTS OUR WORSHIP
    How can this be a fallacy? Of course God wants our worship…doesn’t He? At the risk of sounding sacrilegious, I must tell you that in fact, God is not the least bit interested in our worship. Let me explain.
    Look at Jesus’ statement to the Samaritan woman: “the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23). Jesus has already shown her that worship is not about place or style. Now He deals with worship itself. He knows that people believe God wants our worship. Here is the truth: God is not looking for worship; He is looking for
worshippers!
    Worship is something