Music - Evangelism - Missions

As we approach our world missions offering this coming Sunday, I want to say a word about Evangelism and Missions and a little about music in that process.  

We as Baptists have sometimes thought of our goal of evangelism as decisions.  But, it is much more than just decisions.  Our goal must be disciples, not just decisions.  The complete work of evangelism and missions includes seeking, finding, folding, and feeding.
Some of the Evangelism/Missions principles are derived from Mark 4 and I Corinthians 3:5-10.  In these passages we see soil preparation, planting, watering, and increase (harvest).  That which we will be giving to world missions will be involved in all of these parts of mission and evangelism.  Also, I want to point out that many of our missionaries who are not necessarily appointed as music missionaries as I was, still use music in missions.
"Soil preparation" - This is the process of earning a hearing and creating an environment for the sowing of the seed of the gospel.  Music is a wonderful tool in breaking down cultural barriers and preparing hearts for the gospel.
"Planting" - This is the "sowing of the seed" of Christ's love -  communicating the love of Christ and our own compassion in Christ.
"Watering" - This is the nurturing in love the seed which has been planted.  God, many times, uses music to continue to communicate and soften hearts for the influence of the gospel.
"Increase" - This is the act of actually securing a decision to become a disciple of Jesus when the harvest is ripe and ready.  The Lord uses music many times to help encourage (by His Spirit) a person to that final point of decision to follow Jesus.
So, these different parts of the process of missions are not only impacted by our giving, but are also used by many of our missionaries with the tool of music.  By the way, the same principles work here at home.  As well it should, because our mission begins here at home and we can be involved all the way around the world through our going, giving, and praying.  In any culture, any given musical language, any mission for Christ, the ultimate goal is still the same - the glory of God!  mjm

Exaltation and Mission

In Revelation chapter 1, John gives us insight into exaltation and mission through his vision of Christ.  First we see the reality of Christ's majesty.  John saw Jesus majestic, exalted, enthroned King.  If the world is to see Jesus in us, we must see Him as He is, and in seeing Him "lift Him up" so that others may see Him in us.  We have been promised in John 12:32 that when He is lifted up from the earth, He will draw all people to Himself.  In exalting Him people see Him in us and we are a part of "lifting Him up" to the world through giving, sending, praying and going.  So first we must see the person of Jesus and then hear the voice of Jesus.  

The reality of Christ's authority is found in hearing the voice of Jesus as seen in John's vision.  Jesus spoke from His position as Lord of the church.  Jesus went on to confer that divine authority on us in Matthew 28.  "All authority is given unto Me . . . "  

Then, we also see the reality of Christ's power in John's vision.  His vision sees the consummate power of Christ through to the end of all things, showing Him as Lord and King, God triumphant.  Again in Matthew 28, after His authority is conferred upon us, His power comes upon us so that we can go in His name and send in His name.  Worshippers are made recipients of Kingdom authority and power that we might be equipped to fulfill His Majesty's call to extend His kingdom over all the earth - to every possible person - until His return.

If we see the reality of Christ's majesty, authority, and power, our worship will be re-fired.  It will bring us into His presence to witness His majesty - bring us to His feet to acknowledge His Lordship - and send us to every person and people group as we pray,  give, send, and go in the mind-boggling power of the Lord of All!  Our exaltation and worship will actually determine our sacrifice as we give together to our world mission offering during these days.  mjm

A Personal Thanksgiving

I wanted to take the blog this time and express my appreciation and thanks to those of you who have followed the worship blog the last two years.  This week we passed 10,000 hits or reads of the blog.  It has never been public but sent only to our choir members and worshipping prayer warriors, but you have shared it with others.  We have had hits not only from the United States but also: United Kingdom, Israel, France, Canada, Peru, Russia, India, Italy, Mexico, Germany, Australia, and Japan.  It has been a blessing to hear from both choir members and church members that the blog has been an encouragement and/or instructive at some point.  Thank you for following my thoughts on worship.

I also am so thankful for my Lord and salvation thru Jesus Christ.  I am thankful He has chosen to use me over the years in the kingdom in many different ways.  I am thankful for the support and encouragement from my parents and Fran's parents.  I am thankful for the one who has been beside me for 43 years in marriage.  I am thankful for our three wonderful children, two godly sons-in-law and seven awesome grandchildren.  We are also thankful for serving with a Bible-preaching Pastor like Steve Swofford for almost 27 years in two different churches.  We are so thankful for the place of service at First Baptist these almost 23 years with the First Family and Staff.  It has been a wonderful time together.  And, I am so thankful that there are so many from our church who are faithful to pray for our church and who pray specifically for our worship as a church.  

Giving Thanks to Him!

Michael J

A Thanksgiving Psalm

Psalm 100 has been called the Thanksgiving Psalm or the Thanksgiving Song.  There are important words found in this Psalm that have important connections.

In the first two verses we are immediately made aware of the importance of joy and gladness in a thankful life.  Because of God's steadfastness and faithfulness our approach to Him should be one that brings out our happiness in Him.  We are encouraged to sing our way into His presence.  And, guess what?  It is not just for a select few, but for the whole earth.

In v. 3 we are told exactly what singing our way into His presence will lead us to.  It leads us to the perception, recognition, and assurance that the Lord is Sovereign God.  Not only did He make us, but because He made us and we are completely His through redemption, we are kept by Him even as a shepherd cares for and protects His sheep. Acknowledging that He is Lord and Shepherd circles us back around to praise and thanksgiving.

Then in v. 4 we are given the password which truly takes us through the gates into full worship.  That password is "thank you"!  It is only then that we can really make ourselves at home in worship and praise.  Think of it - completely at home with Him in praise with a word of thanksgiving.

In v. 5 we are reminded that "thanksgiving worship" is a family affair.  It is for all generations to remember that He is good and that His unfailing love and faithfulness are forever and for all generations.  Thanksgiving takes us to a whole different level of worship and . . . Thanksgiving takes us to another level of "thanks-living" that is to be passed on to each generation.  This is the true tradition that we must pass along to the next generation . . . our own monuments of thanksgiving and praise.  mjm

Is Jesus in the House?

Please read Mark 2:1-12 as background to this blog and have it open as you read the blog. 

We find in this passage Jesus is in the house.  If we are to be effective in getting the message of redemption to our world, Jesus has got to be in the house.  We see in this passage that when Jesus is in the house the following happens:

REVELATION - v.2 - When Jesus is in the house God's Word is preached faithfully, His power and glory, His nature and character, His will, ways, and plans are revealed. He reveals Himself through His Word.

COOPERATION - v. 4 -  The Bible is the text book on cooperation in all of its teachings on the Body of Christ and we see cooperation involved in this verse.  When someone is causing division in the work of God, it is sin no matter how noble we might think the motive.  Also, anytime we think we are so spiritual we don't need the rest of the body of Christ, it is contrary to New Testament teaching.  God's way is cooperation.

RECONCILIATION - v. 5 - There is no reconciliation until there has been cooperation.  When there is a lack of cooperation among the body of Christ, it becomes a distraction and the church fails to carry out its work of reconciling man back to God.  We can spend all our time and energy trying to establish cooperation.  But, if Jesus is in the house, cooperation is already there and an environment for reconciliation is already in place.

CONFRONTATION - v. 6-7 - When Jesus is in the house, you will face opposition.  Satan will be stirred and find someone to help him oppose.  If there is no confrontation or opposition, it probably means Jesus is not in the house. 

MANIFESTATION - v. 12 - God makes Himself known through His acts.  When we cooperate with God and each other - God shows Himself in His mighty works and we are able to see that it is God that has done it, not man.  Some people think emotion is equal to manifestation.  Emotion does not ever create manifestation, however at times emotion may be the result of spiritual manifestation.  

GLORIFICATION - v.12b - They praised God, not the house, not the teacher, not the preacher, not the worship leader.  They gave praise and glory to God.  Do we leave our worship on a regular basis giving glory to God for what He has done?  Do people see evidence of the manifest presence and glory of God when they worship with us?  When Jesus is in the house, there will be glory! mjm

A Missionary Psalm

I once heard or read that Praise is universal.  In a real sense, it is true.  In Psalm 96 we see that nations and nature praise His majesty . . .  It has been said that Psalm 96 is the Missionary Psalm.  We had the wonderful opportunity in God's will and plan to spend time as  missionaries to Zimbabwe from 1984 thru 1990.  I had the opportunity of worshipping with Africans in and from six different African countries.  I can still see and hear those wonderful congregations in whole hearted praise; every person participating in praise to the Lord.  I conducted a Seminary Choir that sang in six different languages,  plus English.  What a preview of the music of heaven.  

Philippians 2: 9-11 is a wonderful counterpart to Psalm 96.  The Apostle Paul tells us of a day when Christ will be exalted and every creature from every nation on earth will acknowledge Him.  On that great day, the curse on nature will be lifted, and God will pour out His blessing.  Harmony and balance will be restored, the heavens and earth will be glad and all of creation will shake with joy, music, and praise.  We are told in Scripture that even inanimate objects will be moved to praise.  How much more our tongues will be loosed as we join the great universal choir singing love in any and every language - Spanish, English, Shona, Ndebele, Russian, Chinese, Swahili . . . 

When the Lord made it clear I was to return to America, I had to say good-by to some of the dearest students and friends of my life, those whom I had joined in praise in some six different languages.  I told several of them that if I never got to see them again on this side, that some day I would see them, and join back together in His presence and we would use every language to exalt the name of Jesus to the glory of God the Father!  May we do everything we can to increase the number of those who will join us at the throne by praying, going, giving - being His heart, His hands, His voice. 

Is Your Worship Contagious?

During this time of emphasis on missions and evangelism, I wanted to think about the question - Is our worship contagious?  We find in scripture that our worship should affect and even infect others.  That was God's plan from the start.  Worship is the purpose of evangelism and missions.  When Jesus reached out to the woman at the well, He talked to her about what it meant to be a worshipper.  In worship we have talked about praise and worship being vertical, but it is also horizontal.  Throughout scripture it moves back and forth between praise being to God and about God.  The real question is -  Is it God-centered?  In a way, worship is vertical praise and missions and evangelism is horizontal praise as we share with people around us what God is doing.   

When Paul evangelized, his purpose was to produce worshippers.  Romans 15:16 tells us that when Paul preached the Gospel, it was "so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God."  In Exodus, the Lord said, "Let my people go so that they may worship me."  Peter said . . . "We were called out of darkness into His wonderful light" so that we can . . . "declare [His] praises" ( I Peter 2:9).

Not only is missions and evangelism the purpose of our worship, it is the outcome of our worship.  After Isaiah experiences heavenly worship in chapter 6 of Isaiah, he is sent to . . . "go and tell the people."  In reality the Great Commission was given in a time of worship:  "When they saw Him, they worshipped Him . . . then Jesus came to them and said, ' . . . go and make disciples of all nations.'"  Paul's first missionary journey was commissioned during a time of worship in Acts 13.  Paul and Silas were worshipping in jail and the outcome was evangelizing the jailer in Acts 16.  

It is clear in scripture that the most effective mission and outreach happens when there is a passion for authentic worship.  May the world be able to see Him in our praying, giving and going because of our passion for worship.  Then, truly our worship will be contagious, with many more joining us in worship of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  mjm

Missions Music Observation

I want to make some personal observations about music and missions over the years.  In our hymnals for about the last 100 years there was very little in the way of hymns that praised God directly or called us to be on mission with God.  The majority of the hymns were about God and our redemption.  

Initially the "modern worship movement" brought us a lot of praise songs that spoke or were addressed directly to God.  So more of those started showing up in our newer hymnals as well as our praise and worship songs and choruses.  But, we still were lacking the balance of being challenged by song to be on mission with God, emphasizing missions around the world.  

Then, modern worship leaders and worship bands began to really emphasize being a part of God's mission to a world in great need.  Knowing God's heart for His mission became a priority and challenge in many of the new songs.  And, in our newest hymnals we are seeing more "mission songs and hymns".   So there has been a movement to balance this.  

You can not read Scripture and not know God's heart for the world.  His mission is to redeem man back to Himself.  There is an emphasis throughout scripture on all peoples, all nations, all the world.  When I was an active international missionary, I used to tell folks that God is on mission and He will accomplish His mission.  The only question for us is . . . "Will we be a part of what our God is doing around the world today?"  We can... by challenging one another through these mission songs, by worshiping in a way that we sense and know God's heart for the world, and by praying, giving and going.  May we worship in such a way that we come to know His heart and His mission. mjm