Why Should We Worship Jesus? Part 2
What Worship Is
Worship is living our life individually and corporately as living sacrifices to the glory of a person or thing. Please pay close attention to the following concept as it is key in building a case for what worship is. A couple sentences ago I tied worship to the glory of a person or thing. This connection between glory and worship is clear in verses such as Romans 11:36 - 12:1, which says, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." (NIV)
In this section of scripture Paul connects a number of vital truths regarding worship. First, we hold a person or thing in a place of glory. Second, we then worship that person or thing. Third, our worship of that person or thing we hold in glory is done by means of making sacrifices. You may be asking yourself, "Why do you insist that I worship anyone or anything in my life?" Or, "Why do you insist that I should start now?" The answer is this: the Lord, through His written word (the Bible), requires our worship. If you have any doubts about this please read the following scriptures: Exodus 34:14; Psalm 22:27, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 45:11, Psalm 66:4, Psalm 86:9, Psalm 95:6, Psalm 99:5, Psalm 132:7, Matthew 4:10, John 4:23-24, John 9:31.
Glory means weightiness, importance, priority, or that which is our greatest treasure, deepest longing, and fountain of hope. In a functional sense, what we hold in the place of glory is in effect our real god. Whether we realize it or not we can and do hold various people and things in a position of glory and then worship them by making sacrifices. Because we have limited resources (time, energy, money), we must allocate those things to what we consider most important or glorious to us - and in doing this we make sacrifices to our functional god. Whatever we hold in the position of highest glory is by definition our god(s). Practically, worship is making sacrifices for what we are living to glorify.
Also, the biblical word for worship is sometimes translated "sacrifice". This insight is helpful because what we make the greatest sacrifices for reveals what we truly live to glorify and worship. Ouch! I know these are strong, sober words. But they are truth and I myself, while writing this, am forced to take a critical look at my own set of priorities in life and how I perceive worship from the perspective of someone called to music ministry. Let us dig a little deeper. . . Let us look at some real-world examples of this concept of glory and worship. If we eat and drink in excess, we are worshipping our stomach and sacrificing our health. If we sacrifice relationships with God and people for a hobby (sport, music, craft), then we are worshipping that hobby. If we are giving our bodies to sexual sin, we are worshipping sex and/or another person whose glory is our highest aim, sacrificing holiness and intimacy with God in the process. In short, we give our time, energy, body, money, focus, devotion, and passion to that which we glorify most - and we make sacrifices to worship that person or thing. Because we were made for the express purpose of worshipping God, everyone is a worshipper. The only difference is who or what we worship.
As we work through this series of discussions on worship please feel free to share these thoughts with others in your music department. I believe this type of honest, self-critiquing study is benefiting and necessary to the spiritual health of all church music departments. I will also be the first to admit this understanding has become real to me only after learning the hard way, through trial and error. And by stumbling, making mistakes and rising again to press forward in Jesus' name. Stay tuned for part three of this series, when we will discuss examples of false worship.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Why Should We Worship Jesus?
Greetings to all my friends in blogland! Today I am very excited to kick off the first in a five-part series titled, "Why Should We Worship Jesus?" Last month it came to me that as participants in various types of music ministries, we often use the word worship interchangeably with other terms. For example, worship service, worship music, a time of worship, etc. But exactly why should we worship Jesus? And how does worship affect each of our respective ministries? Come along with me as we explore worship and how it is vital to our calling.
Why Should We Worship Jesus? (Part 1) by Nathan Kesler
What Worship Is Not
We will define what worship is but we must first define what worship is not. This is because there is a tendency among some Christians to define worship too narrowly and thereby overlook the fullness of what worship is according to scripture. First, worship is not something solely by Christians or "spiritual" people. Rather, because everyone was made to worship God, everyone is in fact a worshiper whether or not he or she has any religious or spiritual devotion.
Second, worship is not merely a style of music. In conversation I often classify Christian music by genre. For example, I refer to albums by Hillsong as 'contemporary praise and worship', an album by Selah as 'traditional praise and worship', a Gaither Homecoming album as 'southern gospel' and a Ricky Dillard album as 'black gospel'. But in reality a song from any genre of Christian music is essentially worship music - only arranged and presented in different venues and contexts. If you have been involved in church ministry for any length of time you undoubtedly have witnessed spirited debates between those promoting one style of Christian music over another, usually in the context of corporate singing. Sadly, such conflicts can reduce the concept of worship to little more than a style of music or preferred kinds of instrumental accompaniment. When the Bible speaks of worship, it does include God's people gathering to sing praises to God (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), but worship is also something much bigger than simply singing or musical tastes.
Third, worship is not something that is connected to a time and place. In John chapter four there is a discussion between Jesus and a woman who is uncertain of where and when worship is to occur. Jesus responds to her by stating that worship is an ongoing, unbroken life of communion with God empowered by the Holy Ghost and informed by the truth. Therefore, while worship does happen in specific places at specific times, such as Sunday services at a church building, worship is not limited to any time or place. Rather, worship is to exist as a ceaseless lifestyle of God's people in every time and every place.
Fourth, worship is not something that starts and stops. Church worship services may start and stop but the worshipful life of a Christian is to continue unceasingly. As has been said, if you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not worship Him one day a week.
Stay tuned for my next post in this series. Now that we have discussed what worship is not we will discuss what worship is.
Why Should We Worship Jesus? (Part 1) by Nathan Kesler
What Worship Is Not
We will define what worship is but we must first define what worship is not. This is because there is a tendency among some Christians to define worship too narrowly and thereby overlook the fullness of what worship is according to scripture. First, worship is not something solely by Christians or "spiritual" people. Rather, because everyone was made to worship God, everyone is in fact a worshiper whether or not he or she has any religious or spiritual devotion.
Second, worship is not merely a style of music. In conversation I often classify Christian music by genre. For example, I refer to albums by Hillsong as 'contemporary praise and worship', an album by Selah as 'traditional praise and worship', a Gaither Homecoming album as 'southern gospel' and a Ricky Dillard album as 'black gospel'. But in reality a song from any genre of Christian music is essentially worship music - only arranged and presented in different venues and contexts. If you have been involved in church ministry for any length of time you undoubtedly have witnessed spirited debates between those promoting one style of Christian music over another, usually in the context of corporate singing. Sadly, such conflicts can reduce the concept of worship to little more than a style of music or preferred kinds of instrumental accompaniment. When the Bible speaks of worship, it does include God's people gathering to sing praises to God (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), but worship is also something much bigger than simply singing or musical tastes.
Third, worship is not something that is connected to a time and place. In John chapter four there is a discussion between Jesus and a woman who is uncertain of where and when worship is to occur. Jesus responds to her by stating that worship is an ongoing, unbroken life of communion with God empowered by the Holy Ghost and informed by the truth. Therefore, while worship does happen in specific places at specific times, such as Sunday services at a church building, worship is not limited to any time or place. Rather, worship is to exist as a ceaseless lifestyle of God's people in every time and every place.
Fourth, worship is not something that starts and stops. Church worship services may start and stop but the worshipful life of a Christian is to continue unceasingly. As has been said, if you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not worship Him one day a week.
Stay tuned for my next post in this series. Now that we have discussed what worship is not we will discuss what worship is.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Hello to all my music ministry friends and acquaintances. First I would like to apologize for my lengthy absence since my last post. Truly I have been through a season of difficulty, self-examination and change (with the help of the Lord). I would like to echo Paul as stated in Philippians 3:13-14: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (KJV).
Today I would like to touch on the passion we all share as Christians who have been called to some aspect of music ministry - whether it be vocal, instrumental or the leadership of such ministry. Ephesians 4:1-3 is my focus for today and it reads: Verse 1: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Verse 2: with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love." (KJV).
For the sake of this discussion let us consider our respective music ministries as the spiritual vocation we have been called to in this text. Ephesians 4:1 in the NIV says, "As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." If Paul had not thought it important for us to walk worthy he would not have appealed to us in this manner. In verse two Paul proposes we do this by exercising lowliness, meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love - endeavoring to keep unity and peace.
In other words, by being humble, gentle, patient, understanding and peaceful. We could fill volumes discussing applications of these precepts as they pertain to our lives and our music ministry callings. For today though let us turn our focus inward and examine the application of the aforementioned attributes as they pertain to service within the walls of our churches.
Ask yourself these questions: When I attend a music/vocal rehearsal what is my demeanor? Do I strive to create a positive, joyful atmosphere? Do I give my team the impression I know it all? Do I come across as a microphone hog? Would others feel my instrument/voice is usually louder and overbearing as compared to the others? Do I end up singing the majority of song solos? And ultimately if I wasn't a leader in my department would I desire to serve someone just like me?
I will be the first to admit during the past twenty-two years of involvement in church music ministry I have been guilty of such behavior at times. Thankfully the Lord has taught me maturity over time and allowed me to minister in a variety of denominal settings and culturally diverse venues.
Ask yourself: Prior to ministering in church services do I spend time in prayer and spiritual meditation? Is my mind focused and determined to enter into the presence of a holy God by offering my sacrifice of praise and worship? For that matter, what is my motive behind taking a place behind an instrument/mic? Do I give less effort if I am ministering before a congregation of ten people or ten thousand? And ultimately am I living a life worthy of this musical calling He has placed in my heart?
Once we have examined ourselves let us humbly bring these questions of personal introspection to our church's music departments. Encourage each member of your music department to examine themselves and to be accountable to Jesus. Finally, allow Jesus to continue being the center of our music ministries. As the Colorado Mass Choir titled an album, "God Gets the Glory".
Today I would like to touch on the passion we all share as Christians who have been called to some aspect of music ministry - whether it be vocal, instrumental or the leadership of such ministry. Ephesians 4:1-3 is my focus for today and it reads: Verse 1: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Verse 2: with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love." (KJV).
For the sake of this discussion let us consider our respective music ministries as the spiritual vocation we have been called to in this text. Ephesians 4:1 in the NIV says, "As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." If Paul had not thought it important for us to walk worthy he would not have appealed to us in this manner. In verse two Paul proposes we do this by exercising lowliness, meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love - endeavoring to keep unity and peace.
In other words, by being humble, gentle, patient, understanding and peaceful. We could fill volumes discussing applications of these precepts as they pertain to our lives and our music ministry callings. For today though let us turn our focus inward and examine the application of the aforementioned attributes as they pertain to service within the walls of our churches.
Ask yourself these questions: When I attend a music/vocal rehearsal what is my demeanor? Do I strive to create a positive, joyful atmosphere? Do I give my team the impression I know it all? Do I come across as a microphone hog? Would others feel my instrument/voice is usually louder and overbearing as compared to the others? Do I end up singing the majority of song solos? And ultimately if I wasn't a leader in my department would I desire to serve someone just like me?
I will be the first to admit during the past twenty-two years of involvement in church music ministry I have been guilty of such behavior at times. Thankfully the Lord has taught me maturity over time and allowed me to minister in a variety of denominal settings and culturally diverse venues.
Ask yourself: Prior to ministering in church services do I spend time in prayer and spiritual meditation? Is my mind focused and determined to enter into the presence of a holy God by offering my sacrifice of praise and worship? For that matter, what is my motive behind taking a place behind an instrument/mic? Do I give less effort if I am ministering before a congregation of ten people or ten thousand? And ultimately am I living a life worthy of this musical calling He has placed in my heart?
Once we have examined ourselves let us humbly bring these questions of personal introspection to our church's music departments. Encourage each member of your music department to examine themselves and to be accountable to Jesus. Finally, allow Jesus to continue being the center of our music ministries. As the Colorado Mass Choir titled an album, "God Gets the Glory".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)