Remember and Celebrate!

    The Christian Church has historically remembered the Passover, His suffering, the Crucifixion, burial, and then celebrated the Resurrection over a long period of days and weeks.  I think sometimes, unfortunately, we Baptists have crammed it all into a very short period of time as far as our worship goes.  Even in looking at the "Lord's Day", Sunday, historically we see that both Jewish Christians and Gentiles probably celebrated the Sabbath and the "Lord's Day" side by side in the beginning.  As the Christian church spread, the most prominent day became the prominent day of worship eventually crowding out the Saturday/Sabbath concept.  In fact, eventually the term "Sabbath" was used interchangeably with - Sunday.  Some people now even call Sunday a day of rest.  (I think there is Biblical and historical validity to prepare on Friday, rest on Saturday, and celebrate on Sunday, but that's simply my opinion.) At first the Sabbath/Saturday was observed for the entire year as the dark day remembering Christ's full day in the tomb.  And of course Sunday was seen as the "Lord's Day" celebrating His Resurrection on that day.

     In fact, the first celebration of Easter was not an annual event but a weekly one.  To every church, every Sunday was a mini-Easter.  For the most part the western church has celebrated Easter on a Sunday, and every Sunday is a mini-celebration of the Resurrection.

     Over time Easter Day became Easter Week and Easter Week became Easter Season as far the church's celebration and observance.  All of the "history of Easter"  seems to wrap up in church history by 300 A.D.  Of course the Roman Catholic Church added many holy days to the church calendar throughout the Middle Ages.  Protestants tended to downplay the Catholic notion of additional special or holy days.  The "free church movement" and American Revivalism tended to simplify the number of special days as well.     

     While many of the other holy days are left out of Evangelical's calendars, Easter has become an important and regular celebration of the Christian Church since the year after Christ rose from the dead.  And . . . it should be, because it represents the central theological truth of our Christian faith.  As I said, sometimes for theological emphasis reasons and even sometimes because of simple logistics, we often tend to box it all into a very short period of time.  But the important thing is simply that we truly worship -  celebrating His resurrection however and whenever we do it with all our heart, in spirit and in truth.   mjm

Hosanna!

Hosanna is the Aramaic exclamation of praise apparently used specifically for Jewish Religious Festivals, especially for Passover.  Also, it literally means - "Save now."  Next Sunday in the Christian Calendar is Palm Sunday.  It is the day that Christ rode into Jerusalem accompanied by shouts of "Hosanna"  for what has been sometimes termed , "the triumphal entry".  Mark 11:9 recounts, "And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"  

One might say it was a bittersweet day as Jesus probably had a completely different perspective from those in the street and even us as we have read the account.  It was the 10th day of the Feast of Passover - the particular day that each Jewish family would choose an unblemished lamb, bring it into their homes, and set it apart for the atoning of their sins.  On that particular day, the Lamb of God entered Jerusalem, presenting Himself as the perfect once-for-all sacrifice that would atone for the sins of all mankind.

We see in Luke's account that as the group reached the top of the hill that led into Jerusalem, Jesus began to weep.  He was most likely mourning the rejection of the very people he had come to redeem.  In fact, Jesus said, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes."  (Luke 19:42)  The sorrow in His soul probably showed in His eyes even while He was smiling and greeting the people who fell in behind His disciples and joined in their anthem of praise.  It had to be bittersweet as "hosannas" rained down on Him, knowing that the cheers would change to jeers and that some of the people waving palm branches would soon be waving clenched fists with the "hosannas" dissolving into screams of "crucify Him".  

Yet, Jesus loved those along the side of the roadway and allowed them the honor of proclaiming the truth: He was the Son of David.  He was the King, the Messiah.  Not merely a prophet as some declared, but God Incarnate chosen to come to earth as their Redeemer.  As we worship on Palm Sunday and reflect on the week of His passion, may we remember the sorrow that accompanied our Savior every step of the way just so we could know blessed redemption in His name!   mjm

Surveying the Cross in Worship

Issac Watts very effectively depicts the suffering that Jesus endured on the cross especially in the third stanza of his great hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross":

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down:

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

The powerful phrase "sorrow and love flow mingled down" is referred back to in a fourth stanza that is omitted from most American hymnals:  

"His dying crimson, like a robe,

Spreads o'er His body on the tree."

The images found here are at the same time beautiful, but horrific.  And, these words sung in worship have brought tears to the eyes of committed Christians for hundreds of years.  But, was Watts' real reasons for composing the hymn to stir our emotions?  I believe that Watts reveals his real purpose in the final stanza:

"Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all."

In another one of Watts' hymns, "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed", he re-emphasizes what he is communicating through these hymns:

"But drops of grief can ne'er repay the debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away - "Tis all that I can do."

Maybe Watt's is right and God never really intended for us to just cry over Christ's suffering.  Thousands of people came out of the movie theaters weeping after Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ"  yet thousands never acknowledged Him as Savior and Lord.  As we worship focusing on the cross in this special season,  may we not just be moved, but may we be changed.  May we not be sorrowful but  repentant.  If His sacrifice doesn't drive us to repentance and obedience, then it has not really affected us, no matter how many tears we shed.

The word "survey" means "to view in detail," - may we do just that as we worship surveying the "cross on which the Prince of Glory died." 

"My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride."  So be it.  mjm

Are They Listening?

I read a quote today that blew me away.  When we worship God as we ought that's when the nations listen. - Edmund Clowney.  As one who experienced missions first hand, that really struck me. But also I thought, wow the same could be said about our children and grandchildren.  When we worship God as we ought that's when our younger generation will listen.  

By example for our kids are we modeling being spectators or participators in worship?  We've got a part to play in the plan of God.  In order to fulfill it, we must learn to worship.  Only then will other nations and generations see and listen.  Did you know that heaven's worship will be international and intergenerational?  In heaven we will worship will all believers who have gone before as well as those yet to come.  In heaven we will not find separate niche services for each age group.  All generations, past, present and future will join together in the worship of our Lord.

Psalm 148:12-13 shows us a beautiful picture of both young and old worshipping together.  "Young men and maidens together, old men and children!  Let them praise the name of the LORD."  The Bible challenges all ages to witness to one another about the glory of the Lord.  "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4)  Ephesians 3:21 reminds us that no particular age has a corner on the market of worship, but that God will be glorified and exalted "in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout ALL generations, forever and ever. Amen."  There are many who are studying and writing about this in these very days who believe that intergenerational worship rather than age-segregated worship will most likely bring young adults back to church worship.  The very last verse of the Old Testament projects the day when hearts of fathers will be turned to children and hearts of children returned to their fathers.  The prophet Joel saw a time when the Lord would pour out His Spirit, and sons and daughters would prophesy, old men dream dreams and young men see visions.  

It is time for all people, young and old, to come together in the body of Christ.  Rory Noland, former Worship Minister for Willowcreek Church, has said that he believes "conditions are currently ripe for intergenerational worship to become not only a salient feature but also a driving force in today's church."  mjm

Variety in Worship

I got to thinking this week as I was spending some time with my four grandchildren about variety.  Then, that made me think again about variety in worship.  Another reason for there being a variety of expression in worship came to mind this week besides worship being for the family of God (all generations). 

Another reason for variety of expression is because of who God is.  There are at least 200 names for God and Jesus given in Scripture.  The amazing nuances of who God is comes through these many different names.  God is trying to tell us something about Himself.  He is fathomless in all of the expressions of who He is.  

I think our worship should also reflect that variety of expression of who God is.  Two years over the last 22 years, I planned worship based on a particular name of God or Christ every week of that year.  It kept our worship Christ-centric as well as it was varied in use of resources for each of the expressions of who He is.  Both years, the congregation responded very positively to this approach. 

I think this is another reason that a variety of styles and expression are worthy of our consideration in corporate worship.  It is always important that first and foremost what we do in worship be based in scripture.  It is also important that there be a good wedding between text and music.  The music should enhance the text rather than distract from it.  This can be somewhat objective if we study carefully Biblical and Historical worship, but it is also sometimes subjective as to what we consider a good wedding of text and music.  I do think it gives impetus however, for a variety of expression because of all of the different names of God as well as the different principles and teachings of the Word.  Just another thought . . . mjm 

Southern Gospel Worship

Today in our church we did only Southern Gospel style for our worship time.  Back in the 1930s is where we begin to see this style emerge.  The old Stamps-Baxter "gospel quartet " brought on all night "gospel sings" and published scores of small gospel songbooks which became very popular, especially in the rural churches of the South.  Most of these "southern gospel hymns" were "up tempo" with a kind of call-and-response idea used by spirituals with a lot of word repetition heard in the quartet songs.  This followed the "singing schools" of the late 19th century where a lot of four part harmony was taught in singing schools throughout.  A lot of good musical training actually happened in these schools, taught by itinerant musicians moving around the country from church to church.

In the 1960s there seemed to be a convergence of southern gospel with country gospel, black gospel, and even gospel folk music.  This brought a more celebration era to worship.  It was a move away from the "liturgical" worship to a more celebrative kind of worship.  

In a multigenerational church it has been interesting as I've observed over the past 22 years that southern gospel style crosses many generational lines.  And, also the other style that crosses many generational lines is classical/traditional style.  It would seem that the too far extremes are appreciated by the most different generations with all of the styles in between being more narrow in appreciation.  I have found this very interesting in our worship.  On occasion, it was of interest to me, that sometimes children and youth chose old sometimes, gospel hymns and classical hymns when we were doing a service of choosing favorites.  Even today, when we do a southern gospel Sunday, I have young adults who come and say things, sometimes whispering as if they are afraid someone will hear them, "I love those old songs" or "I like that my young children are being exposed to those old songs."  

Bottom line, as we have said before:  We seek as the body of Christ to do intergenerational worship singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and ultimately worship is not about style, it is about Him.  May we keep our eyes on Him . . . in our worship...no matter the song.  The song that He put in our hearts and on our lips needs to be sung, no matter the style.  mjm

Internal Worship Wars

The past few weeks we have talked about a lot of externals that have contributed to "worship wars" in our churches.  Today, I want to turn us inward to the very heart of the matter, internal worship wars.

Whether we are a worship leading choir member, a worship leader, or a part of the congregation, we have the privilege of coming together in the company of the saints, giving the Lord the glory that is due His name.  We must teach a new generation to take corporate worship seriously, being biblically faithful, historically appreciative, and addressing today's culture.  Harold Best challenges us all "to understand that new, old, and everything in between have no life in themselves and must be continually rescued both from self-conscious novelty and self-preserving stodginess." 

Bob Kauflin states, "I think leading God's people in worship is one of the most fulfilling, enjoyable, exciting, sobering, life-changing jobs on the planet.  We help people connect with the purpose for which they were created - to glorify God.  We watch in amazement as the Spirit of God transforms lives and gives people a fresh encounter with God's faithfulness, love and power."  He's right, sometimes I can't believe what we get to do.  All of that is great, but worship is much more and the real worship wars go on in our hearts.  

Worship is about what we love and live for.  It is about looking at who we are before Him.  It's about what is in our heart.  The only thing we should be bringing to congregational worship each week is our heart.  The bottom line question is: What do I love?  The real conflict is not over music styles, songs chosen, guitars or drums used; the real conflict is in our own hearts.  The worship war going on inside each of us is what we love most - God or something else.  Idols are all around us in many different forms, even as worshippers and worship leaders.  Material comfort, financial security, sensual pleasures, electronic gadgets, hip clothes, or things we can't see like reputation, power, and control; or even wanting worship the "way I want it".  Are we people pleasers?  If so, we are people-worshippers rather than God-worshippers.  God seeks those who would worship Him with a pure heart.  He wants us to love Him more than our instruments, music styles, possessions, or even ministry...more than our mate, our children, our grandchildren, even more than our own lives.  We are most passionate about what we love the most.  The real "worship wars" are going on inside us.  mjm 

Worship - Deference and Preference?

I want to finish up with the discussion of Intergenerational Worship for a while by talking a little about how the sin nature in folks' lives can affect their worship of God.  In his book on Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem gives a definition of sin as, "any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature."  The idea is that sin is not just actions, but also attitudes that don't line up with attitudes that God expects of us.  Basically, Grudem indicates that selfish behavior is not always sinful, but the attitude behind our selfishness is what actually determines sin.  

This attitude is the opposite of God's desire of deference over preference indicated in the Word of God. (Rom. 12:10; Phi. 1:27-2:16; Col. 3 12-17).  Unfortunately we don't see this spiritual principle of deference over preference often in the church today.  Real spiritual maturity is not just the ability, but the actual desire to defer to another in the love of Christ.  W. Curtis Vaughn  states it is, "this attitude of reciprocal deference which becomes and marks those who are filled with the Spirit.  It is opposed to rudeness, haughtiness, selfish preference for one's own opinions, and stubborn insistence on one's own rights."  

In the Romans 12 passage, Paul talks not only of "deferring" to another, but "preferring" another's will over one's own.  Referring to Rom. 12:10, Paige Patterson states, "Most 'worship wars' could be avoided by invoking this one verse."  It is time for classical musicians, traditionalists, contemporary Christian musicians, southern gospel musicians, to in a positive way defer and prefer by learning to appreciate and participate in other styles of music and worship, remembering that ultimately it is about Him and His glory!  The Christ-like attitude is not so much one of concession but Godly submission and humility.  As I asked weeks ago, what is your worship attitude?  If our attitudes are biblical, the "worship wars" will be over and all of God's people will join in all of the various expressions of grace, glory, and praise as the authentic family of God!  mjm