Transforming our Worship

As we enter a new year may we have a desire for our personal and corporate worship to be transformed into all that God would have it be.  At the moment I am in an intensive personal study of I John.  This is what led me to talk about transforming worship.  

Sometimes our worship becomes cold and ritualistic,  both personally and corporately.  Our worship is more impersonal than intimate.  It is as if we worship a God far off in distant heaven rather than with us and in us.  In I John, he reminds us that the Christian walk is an intimate relationship between us, our triune God, and our Christian brothers and sisters.   Therefore in worship we do not stand back at a distance, but we enter into a close fellowship with God and with those who have joined with us in worship.  

One of my favorite words found both in the gospel of John as well as in I John, is the word "abide". This Greek word, meno, means "to remain, to live, to continue, to abide".  John uses this word to explain and emphasize the depth and intimacy of our relationship with God.  We abide in both the Son and the Father (I John 4:15).  We know this because of the gift of the Holy Spirit in us (I John 3:24).  Through the Spirit, God lives in us . . . making Himself manifest in us (I John 4:15).  

John leaves no doubt that there is an intimacy to our relationship which, when we get ahold of that truth, can transform our worship.  It is not long-distance communication; it is intimate communion. We share in the very life of God Himself.  To know God in this way not only calls for expression of our love to Him, but also for His people (I John 4:11).  Genuine fellowship and worship with God manifested always includes fellowship and love for God's people.  As we have said before, "Authentic worship always spills out onto others."  In fact in the gospel of John, chapter 7, verse 38, John says it in a different way . . . "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  As we enter this new year may our worship be transformed, spilling out and splashing onto others - manifesting His glory for all!  mjm

Christmas Progression - Not Past Tense

Yes, He came... but He still comes today - these days after Christmas.  Christmas is not just a "once upon a time"; it continues in the here and now and in our future days.  The incarnation, "God with us" doesn't stop on Christmas Day.  It continues and abides with us day in and day out.  From day to day, joy to joy, sorrow to sorrow, heartbreak to heartbreak, praise to praise; God is with us by the Son and through the Holy Spirit.  

Christmas doesn't happen once a year.  It happens every day that we allow Him to abide in us and accomplish His purposes through us; as we yield to Him, making it possible for "rivers of living water" to flow from us in ministry to others.  Jesus said, "Without me you can do nothing."  Only as we yield to the "God with us," yea the "God in us," do we see Christmas spill out on those who are around us every day.  

We talk a lot about not missing the meaning of Christmas - Emmanuel, God with us.  We talk about not making things and the world's priorities more important than He is.  We talk a lot about giving Him worship due the King who came in a manger.  We talk about giving to others around us who are in need because of injustice, hate, and greed; giving to those in need of love.  Should those things be any different any day of the year?  Should our worship of the Worthy One be any less?  Should our giving and loving be any less?  Me thinks not.  

I've been studying the Epistles of John the last few days.  True, genuine, authentic fellowship with God always includes fellowship with God's people and that true love spills out on to others.  Saint Augustine of Hippo says, "What does love look like?  It has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy.  It has eyes to see misery and want.  It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrow of men.  That is what love looks like." 

Let us bow and worship Him and in doing that become givers and lovers of those who need Emmanuel - God with us - in their lives every day.  Let's make every day Christmas for the Lord in our worship and for others in our living and loving!  mjm

The Christmas Plan

We go to Luke chapter 2 for the Christmas Story, but the Christmas Plan is laid out in prophecy in the Old Testament and Jesus' birth foretold in Luke chapter 1.  So you could say the Christmas Story is found in Luke 2, but the Christmas Plan is presented in Luke 1.  

The Angel comes to Mary in Luke 1 and lets Mary know the plan.  The plan of redemption for man was greatly advanced when a very simple peasant girl named Mary said a very simple - yes. It was a yes that would change the world forever.  There was no great ritual, no greatly advanced theological training required, just a very simple, trusting response from Mary, "I am the Lord's servant,  . . . may it be to me as you have said."  

God revealed His purpose and plan through the angel, and Mary responded.  In a very real sense, this became Mary's worship.  Would that it would be the same in our lives this Christmas.  May we be always ready to respond to God's purpose and plan with a simple yes.  No reasoning away things, no analyzing, just a simple yes to whatever God is saying to us.  

It is only then that Christ will be manifested in and through us so that the "God with us" continues through our lives to others.  Our love for Him and His love through us to others is a simple, "Yes, Lord!  May it be as you have said."  

May You and Yours Have a Blessed Christmas!  mjm

His Humility - Our Salvation

Jesus humbled Himself and came down found in the likeness of man (incarnation).  His whole life was marked by that humility.  He chose the form of a servant.  He made no reputation of Himself; He emptied Himself.  He even said, "The Son of Man hasn't come to be ministered unto or to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many."  "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Our Lord took a low place throughout His walk on the earth.  He took a humble place at the feet of the disciples as He washed their feet.  He took the place of guilty sinners that He might bear our load.  Humility is the salvation that Christ brings.  

But the salvation that Christ brought is not only a salvation that flows out of humility; it also leads to humility.  It isn't just the salvation He brought; it is exactly the salvation we need.  What is the one thing hindering our worship?  Primarily, pride.  Pride is the very root of all sin.  The humble Lamb of God comes to us in our pride and brings us salvation from our pride and self-will.  

The greatest expression of worship in our relationship to God . . . is to wait upon Him!  To be nothing before God.  To be an empty vessel in which He can pour out all His fullness, where He can exhibit His life, His goodness, His power, His love, and His glory!  If we are to be filled with the life of our Lord, indwelled by Him, we must be utterly empty of self.  We must wait on Him, allowing God to be all in all.  

He humbled Himself down to earth and on earth He humbled Himself down to the cross.  He humbled Himself to die the death of the Lamb of God.  This Christmas may we not only "know" His love, but also His humility.  His humility is our life and salvation.  As we celebrate His coming in humility, may we say in our worship, "Jesus, I am nothing, and Thou art all."  mjm

Out of Heaven and Into Us

I was intrigued by Major W. Ian Thomas' chapter title from one of his last books which I am using as a title to this blog.  Isaiah 9:6 prophecies  . . . "For unto us a child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  And then we see in John 1 the following: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, . . ."

Can you imagine helping a friend by putting gas in his car because he has no money and then seeing that friend after thanking you profusely pushing with all his might on his car trying to get it down the road rather than starting it with the gas you had graciously given him?  You would look and say, "He's crazy. Why does he think I put the gas in the tank? Talk about senseless."  Well, that's exactly how Paul addresses the Galations, "You poor and silly and thoughtless and unreflecting and senseless Galations!"  He goes on to tell them they are failing to live simply by faith in the indwelling Christ through His Spirit. 

Jesus didn't come from heaven to earth to get us out of hell and into heaven.  He came to get Himself out of heaven into us.  He didn't just come to dwell among us, but in us.  The gift is His very life.  The very life of Christ in us brings into us He who is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.  How can we say things like, "I just don't have peace."  He is our peace. He didn't come just to be in the world, but to be in us.  All of Him has come to be in all of me. "Christ is all and in all . . ." (Col. 3:11)  Christmas gives us the gift of the indwelling "Christ in us,  the Hope of Glory"! (Col. 1:27) . . . if we simply invite Him in. And, when we do, all of Him comes to dwell in us.

Let's not just have the mind set that Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth.  Let's have the mind set that He came to indwell us!  That is a hallelujah Christmas!  mjm

Praising Spontaneously

Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior."  The spontaneous response of a grateful child is praise.  The person who has come to really know the Lord and fellowships intimately with Him will sing to the Lord with the deepest heartfelt praise possible.  Mary was completely overwhelmed, realizing how God had chosen her.  She sang one of the most profound expressions of praise found anywhere in scripture.  It is called the Magnificat. God created us to praise and it will be our heavenly occupation for all of eternity.

If we stop and meditate on all that God has done, is doing, and has promised to do in our lives---both our private and public praise would bring unbounded worship.  If our lives are not full of praise we may have lost our awareness and appreciation of the bountiful activity of God in our lives.  Just like Mary we must never take for granted all that God has gifted us with in our lives.  We must at this time of Christmas be made more aware of all the countless blessings God has poured out upon us, our fellow believers and our families.  It is not something that has to be manipulated or orchestrated if it is a true expression of our thankful hearts and wonder-filled lives that have encountered the Holy God who gifted His Son to the world with love.  

One of the things I love about this year's Christmas musical is that it ends in great worship and praise of this great gift-giving act of our gracious God, who split the heavens open with "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased."  Hallelujah!  mjm

Jesus is the Song of Christmas

When Jesus came it set the whole earth singing!  As early as Exodus 15:2 we find the words, "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."  This is the first of many times when the Song, the Savior, and Salvation are spoken of as if they are one. 

There are more than 575 references to music in 44 of the 66 Books of the Bible.  The God who set His people singing in the Old Testament and gave His people the promised new song in the person of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, is the God who has kept that song alive for more than 2000 years. And according to Revelation, He will keep His people singing throughout eternity.  

Christmas is all about the song.  It's all about singing.  Jesus was sent to give us a song!  He was to be the new song mentioned in the Old Testament.  He would become our song of life, our song of joy, our song of love.  No matter where we find ourselves in our lives, He always gives a song.  

It is believed by many that the night Christ burst on to this world scene it was announced by a multitude, or choir, of angels praising God!  God gave the gift of His Son and of Song to bring the glory of God to those who needed to be redeemed to Himself for His great glory.  

Nine times in scripture "the new song" is mentioned, some being commands to sing that new song . . . "that many may fear and trust in the Lord" as we see in Psalm 40.  In the year of our worship emphasis being just that, we present a Christmas Musical Message . . . The Song of Christmas. May we share with our world this Christmas that . . . Jesus is the Song!  mjm

In Need of a Mediator

Let us recall some truths as we enter into the season of Christmas.  When we look at the story of the first Adam we see humanity in ruin and in need of redemption.  Humanity was ruined through a man and now must be restored through a man.  Therefore what would be needed in a Redeemer?

God is unable to have fellowship with a sinner and therefore the sinner, having no access to God, is in  need of a mediator; one who can be accepted and trusted by both parties, one who takes both God's nature and man's nature.  A Mediator would have to be a God-man.  He is not a man who became God but a God who becomes man.

Enter - the God-man.  "The Word became flesh."  The eternal Son of God became the incarnate Son of Man.  In chapter 1 of Hebrews, the Mediator is divine. He is called "God", "Lord", "Son".  In Hebrews chapter 2, He is called "Jesus", "brother", "high priest".  In chapter 1 He is as far above us as is the heavens above the earth.  He is completely separated from us.  He is in a class untouched by us.  He is the unapproachable, the incomprehensible, the incomparable One.  But, then in chapter 2 He is on the level of humanity.  He has stooped to come to our humanness. He is One with us.  He is the sympathetic understanding Son of Man.  

Christ Jesus would represent man in this mediation as well as God.  He is man, the Mediator between God and man; the incarnate Son, "the Word made flesh".  

From the beginning to the end of Scripture the Christmas Story is told.  Christ Jesus, the Mediator between God and man, is God; eternal Son, Lord from heaven, Alpha and Omega.  Christ Jesus, the Mediator between man and God, is Man; the incarnate Son, the Man of Galilee, the Babe of Bethlehem.  With these words as background, I encourage you to read Hebrews 1 & 2 and think on these things as we usher in the celebration of the coming of God-Man, the second Adam.   mjm

Missed Mission Opportunities

Looking back I realize that had we not responded to God's call to Zimbabwe, Africa some 30 years ago, it would have been a missed opportunity. And we could not have responded unless we were sent.  God's timing and opportunities are always perfect in His sovereign timing. 

I was there at the only time in history when there were students at our Seminary from six different African countries.  I had the opportunity to teach and share with students from all six countries and now most of my former students are serving as worship leaders and pastors and convention leadership in all six countries.  God's timing was perfect.

At the same time I was able to establish a liaison with a music school, teaching general music courses. I taught church music courses and other seminary courses at the seminary and general music courses at the school of music.   I was able to strategically bus my seminary students into those classes in that music school where at that particular moment in time music teachers from all over Zimbabwe were coming for training.  The students and I were able to openly witness to those teachers during that time from all over the country.

During those years I had more than 250 students throughout the country to whom I was able to teach Biblical foundations of worship, edification, and evangelism in regional church music schools. I also helped enable my African Christian brothers in starting new churches and fellowships, and found myself preaching in churches and  fellowships on a regular basis.

I am humbly aware that none of this could have happened without the faithful giving of churches to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Mission offering.  I had the time in those years to stand and teach sometimes nine hours a day because you and others gave faithfully. 

When I came back to Texas under God's clear direction I was a little puzzled.  My daughters struggled big time when we returned.  Zimbabwe was home to them.  I even asked, "Lord, why bring us back?"  One day after being back in the states I read some stats that showed that Zimbabwe at that point was more Christian than the state of Texas.  I was blown away.  Just makes me realize that missions starts here at home and circles the globe.  

But there are still 3027 known people groups who have never heard the name of Jesus.  Those unreached people groups are not here at home.  They are across the world.  We must not miss this opportunity to pray, go, and give as never before so that there will not be missed opportunities. 

$599,999.99 to the world this Sunday from the First Family!  mjm

Captive to the Call

More than 30 years ago I became captive to the call of God to be on mission with Him wherever He chose.  I had spent over 15 years in music, youth, and education ministry in Texas and Oklahoma.  One day a pastor from the Chicago area called and wanted me to come in view of a call to minister in  his church in the Chicago area.  I literally started laughing and told this pastor that God would have to burn a bush to get me to move to the Chicago area.  A year later we were on our way to Zimbabwe, Africa as music missionaries.  God has a sense of humor and used that experience to show me I was putting limitations on where and how I would serve Him.  

A crisis of Lordship took place in the next few months, with God showing me I needed to not just sing the words, but be willing to go wherever He led.  I came to that point after a missions emphasis in that church led by our present pastor. After my wife and I sang "Here Am I Send Me" in the service that day, I told my wife that the Lord would have to close the door or we were going to the mission field.  That was the beginning of our journey that took us to Zimbabwe as missionaries.

We became captive to the call of God to be a part of His mission force.  God gave me courage over the fear of going to a foreign country, doing new and different ministry, and facing the unknown.   Courage to face the fact that there would be times I would be in danger of being attacked in the bush by dissidents who were waging war on anyone like us after the war of independence.  Driving through areas where dissidents had been reported, I would find myself singing the words from "A Mighty Fortress":  "...the body they may kill, His truth endureth still."  This weekend I heard that Ron Dunn once said, "I have hit bottom, and it is solid."  Also a statement from Barnhouse, "I am indestructible - until God is through with me."  What testimonies of God's faithfulness!

Because of our freedom in Christ we are all captive to the call.  We are captive to the call of God to be involved and engaged with Him on mission to a world lost and dying, to places where they have never heard the name of Jesus.  We are captive to the call to go.......to pray....... and to give sacrificially so that others may go, and millions may hear.  mjm

Hope and Thanksgiving

In my daily reading this morning I was moving through Lamentations chapter 3 and came across the well-known, even memorized and sometimes sung, verses 22-23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  Many worship choruses have been written based on these words, as well as a well- known worship hymn.

Context is important.  This morning I noticed the verse before and the verse after, and realized those great truths and promises are couched between two verses on hope.  Then I thought about how appropriate all of this is here at the season we set aside for thanksgiving.  His love and faithfulness give us hope and lead us to worship in thanksgiving.  

Verse 21 states, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope." The prophet remembered and rehearsed in his mind the abundant mercy of God, which gave him renewed hope.  This led me to reflect on the fact that when the church gathers for worship we, like the prophet, remember and rehearse the great, abundant mercy and sufficient grace of our Lord.  This gives us hope in the midst of a hopeless world and evokes thanksgiving in our hearts and on our lips.

The other bookend to these well-known verses is verse 24, "'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.'"  The prophet and the church increase in our faith and hope when we consider the new mercies, compassion and faithfulness of our God.  And we are shown that it is our portion or inheritance in our hearts and spirits, under testimony of the Spirit of God.  We see the promise of deliverance from all evil and enemies with great supplies of His grace and glory: "...therefore I will hope in Him!"  That certainly elicits hope and thanksgiving in our daily personal worship and in our weekly gathered worship.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!  mjm 

Prayer, Worship and Missions

Prayer should be a foundation for everything we do in ministry; the beginning to everything we do in life; and an undergirding to everything we do in worship and missions.  As we approach all of these things we must constantly be reminded by God's Word that anything we attempt on our own, separate from the power of God, will result in mere human accomplishment or even failure - falling far short of what God wants for us.  

This is why worship planning always begins in a spirit of prayer.  It is why we emphasize constantly praying for our worship services -- specifically with our worship leaders, choir, band, orchestra, etc., as well as over 100 worshipping prayer warriors in our church who are committed to praying.

It is also why we should be praying about the commitment of our church to world missions through going, giving and being faithfully committed to pray for those who are on mission.  Praying that we all will consciously seek to be on mission with God. Are we praying specifically for the ingathering of our world mission offering in December?

One of my favorite prayer promises since childhood has been Jeremiah 33:3:  "Call to me and I will answer you.  I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own." (The Message)  Or as I memorized it as a child, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (KJV)

Are we claiming that promise in our daily lives, in our worship, in our involvement with God in His mission to redeem the world to Himself?  Pray, pray, pray!  mjm

Music and Missions

Many of you know that I served some 6 1/2 years as a Music Missionary to Zimbabwe.  There are things to be considered and studied when doing music missions in another culture.  We don't go to impose our own taste and cultural biases on people as we seek for them to hear and understand the good news.  It is important that we help them in putting the gospel into their own heart language and their own musical language.  

When I arrived in Zimbabwe most of the believers were singing many of our hymns translated into their language with "our" music, which quite frankly sounded like a dirge in that setting.  I immediately went to work encouraging Christian nationals to write their own songs, starting with both their communication and musical languages.  I studied and tried to write in their heart languages.  That communicated the gospel far more effectively.  The worship was more of the heart and freer.  

Music used in the wrong setting can be a stumbling block rather than a stepping stone.  Even here in our own culture there are numerous subcultures.  Every Minister of Music must thoroughly know his congregation in order to use music that speaks to the majority of the congregation and covers all generations and subcultures.  Our job is to build bridges not walls, which can be a real challenge today.  We need both congregational participants and congregational worship leaders and hearers to experience the power of God through the power of music.

"State of heart" behind the music is the main thing.  It is too often that other issues eclipse the main thing.  We are really missing the boat when we create long discussions on style, what's modern and what's not, or insist on a steady diet of "traditional" hymns and anthems.  Any music we do in the name of ministry that places art over heart is not pleasing to God in any culture.  

May God help us see to it that music and musicians who know Christ place all their energies into the ministry of praising God; building up His people and reaching the unbelieving world with the clear, unclouded Gospel of Christ Jesus, our Lord! And, yes, your gifts to world missions help make that possible every day.  mjm

Worship Evangelism/Missions

In the last blog we answered the question why worship by basically saying we worship because of who He is and what He has done.  In this time of mission emphasis in our local church, I am reminded of our worship theme for the year from Psalm 40 - "Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord!"  That theme has to do with worship evangelism/missions.  

When the world sees us singing "the new song" of redemption, praising God for all He is and all He's done . . . they put their trust also in Him.  It is as Gerrit Gustafson once said, "whole-hearted worshippers calling the whole world to the whole-hearted worship of God . . . and the fusion of the power of God's presence with the power of the Gospel."  

When we create an environment in which incomplete and broken mankind can find wholeness and completion in God's presence we have worship evangelism/missions.  It is the testifying of God's greatness, love, and faithfulness by His people.  In an older chorus from the 90s by Rita and Paul Baloche called "Sing to the Lord With All of Your Heart" we find these words:

"Let's become a generation who will passionately praise Him, boasting in the greatness of our God." 

That is why worship, evangelism, and missions, and/or the mission of God, all go hand in hand.  mjm

Why We Worship

Why do we worship?  Because of who God is and what He has done.  I was reading in Isaiah 38 in daily readings today and I was reminded of some great truths about why we worship.  God has been so much to us and done so many things for us how can we not worship?  

The Hebrew names for God give us insight into His doing great things for us:

Jehovah Jireh - "God who provides"

Jehovah - Rophe - The Lord our Healer

Jehovah - Tsidkenu - The Lord our Righteousness

Jehovah - Rohi - The Lord my Shepherd

Jehovah - M' Kaddesh - Lord our Sanctifier

Jehovah - Shammah - The Lord is There

Jehovah - Shalom - The Lord our Peace

Jehovah - Nissi - The Lord our Banner

 . . . and some of the names for God give us insight also as to who God is:

Jehovah - Yaweh - The Self existent,  Self sufficient, immutable One.

The names of God describe specific revelations of God's acts and God's nature. And worship is ... "the response of all we are to the revelation of who God is."  So central to the act of worship is the revelation of God.  Without the revelation of God our worship would be lacking, and even self-oriented.  No revelation - no response.

In the two chapters prior to Isaiah 38 the Assyrians have attacked and the Hebrews are miraculously delivered by God.  God revealed Himself by deliverance and they are worshipping Him.  After this deliverance, Hezekiah becomes ill and is told that his illness will end his life.  Was he angry with God for allowing his illness?  This would be the attitude of one who thinks God owes him a comfortable life.  Unfortunately that attitude has become the norm in recent years of "American Christianity".  We act as if God owes it to us to have wealth, health and no trouble.  But, we don't deserve it.  Psalm 34:19 says "The righteous man may have many troubles."  Hezekiah's response and choices are recorded in verses 12-20 of Isaiah 38.  

Do our trials bring us to the place where we are broken before Him?  Do they lead us to experience God?  Do we look for God in the midst of them?  Do we waste our sorrows and pain?  Hezekiah shows us the way to victory.  Verses 18-20 are filled with worship.  Hezekiah has experienced God and believes THAT to be better than anything God can give him.  He has seen that God is good.  Hezekiah has come to the place of seeing God in a way that He had never seen Him before.  

Just a side note - once again we see "singing and praise" tied to the power and victory of God. May we worship faithfully as He is revealed!  mjm

Worship Offerings

"I was led by the Lord to give a certain amount for our church's world mission offering, and even though it was hard, I did.  The very next week I un-expectedly received that amount, plus more money than I had given."  I've heard many stories over the years like that.  However, that is never our motivation for giving.  It is clearly shown in God's Word that giving is a form of worship.  

Giving is a paramount part of worship. The offerings that we receive in our churches and our response to appeals for those in need are part of this, but there is much more.  At the very heart of the offering in worship is the giving or offering up of our lives to Him.  God has created us to be channels of blessing to others. The only way we can do that is to allow Him to flow through us.  He pours in and then says, "Trust me.  Let go and more will come forth."  

The act of worship includes coming to know God's heart and nature and worshipping Him with joy. This leads to trust in the Lord, and brings obedience. When we follow that path of obedience in our giving, we manifest another part of our worship.  Giving, in fact, is a Biblical covenant of being faithful in our tithes and offerings.  

When we give ourselves in worship, we are giving part of our lives.  For most of us the investment of our time and talents produces a monetary reward.  So what we give of that represents the whole of our lives.  Our attitude should be "Lord, You are my life.  You have created me and made me what I am.  You have given me gifts and talents to do the work you provide for me. " 

Our worship in giving is not just about monetary offerings.  It is the giving of our service, assisting others, and caring and loving in the Lord's name.  However, ultimately it is seeking God's heart - His heart to redeem man back to Himself; His heart for His mission; and then responding to Him in obedience. During this season of being challenged to pray, go, and give to His mission, may we remember that it is an act of worship of our Lord!  mjm

Mission without Worship?

Mission without worship is not really God's mission.  There is a great move among the church today toward mission projects, local and urban missions volunteering and even giving sacrificially to missions.  There is a trend toward activism growing in volunteerism but at the same time not growing in worship of God.  

Members of congregations and mission groups are very active in doing good deeds, but simultaneously are often disconnected from Biblical understanding and intimate communion with God.  They are focused on the mission of justice while at the same time being distant from the God who defines what is just.  Too many want to do God's work without seeking God.  In Amos 4, the call to the people of God was to seek God and turn to Him.  Our worship of God requires that we find the beginning place for mission in God Himself.  There are too many who get lost in mission activity and not in God Himself.  

As we begin the season of missions emphasis may we remember that this is about the heart of God.  It is about the mission of God.  It emanates from God Himself, not a program from the church or the personal desires of His people.  

Our mission must be filled with worship---responding to God in praise and adoration.  We need to acknowledge His presence in the mission.  Worship and works authenticate one another.  Mission without worship is just as off-balance as worship without mission.  We are in partnership with a God who is on mission.  The mission comes from God and the work is done in partnership with Him.  

In worship we deal over and over with the ultimate truth that Jesus, who overcame the powers of evil through His death and resurrection, is able to overcome those powers of evil that are now at work in our own lives and in our own world.  Worship inspires people to be on mission with Him. Authentic worship mobilizes people for mission.  Our expressions of worship must ultimately result in mission. As we enter this season of missions emphasis, let us first worship Him!  mjm

A Singing God

Our Lord is a singing God.  It should be a great deal of encouragement for us to realize that God gave us music to deepen and develop our relationship with Him.  But we should even be more encouraged and challenged to sing knowing that He is a singing God.

First, we find in Zephaniah 3:17 the following words - "For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior, He will take delight in you with gladness.  With His love, He will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with singing."  What a blessing to know that He is rejoicing over His own with singing.  Our Lord God, the Father, sings!

Then in Matthew 26:30 at the end of the Last Supper with His disciples, Jesus sings a hymn with His disciples on the evening before He is to die.  He needed His disciples to be edified as He approaches the cross, and joins them in singing a hymn.  God, the Son, sings!

Finally, Ephesians 5:18-19 says, "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit."  This indicates that God, the Holy Spirit, inspires songs in believers' hearts as He fills (controls) them.  One of the reasons that we often sense God's presence in an unusual way when we gather to sing His praises is because the Holy Spirit is in our midst, inspiring our songs and our singing!  God, the Spirit, sings!  

How can we dare not sing?  How can we keep from singing?  Mind and heart are engaged with vibrant singing, enabling us to combine truth about God with passion for God!  Music literally reflects the glory and activity of our triune God.  HALLELUJAH!  Let us sing! mjm

Password into His Presence

During a time of vacation my wife and I stopped by to spend the night with her brother in Georgia. They had invited me to sing and play for the Friday night service of a week-end of revival in their small church outside of Atlanta.  What a blessing to experience a group of people hungry to see God work in their midst, hungry to see folks saved this week-end.  Several were saved and there were many recommitments in the service last night, with more reported this evening and six people saved.  Praise be to the Lord for this great work of God in this small church in Georgia where a small group of people have been earnestly praying for revival.

I was reminded of how, especially on vacation, you often see the words on your computer or electronic device - "access denied" when you don't have a password for web access, etc.  Knowing the password is of the utmost importance when trying to gain access.  I was reminded in that revival service last night the password into the presence of God.

When we approach God through Christ, "we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him" (Eph. 3:12).  "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Heb. 10:19-22).

Without the finished work of Christ we have no access to God.  He has entered a holier place, the heavenly sanctuary, having atoned for our sins and having torn down the veil separating us from God.    As the High Priest and perfect sacrifice, Jesus is our "password" into the presence of God.  It is only Jesus Himself who can bring us into God's presence.  Our access is not based on our skill, our musicianship, or even our sincerity.  Only the finished work of Christ makes our offerings of worship acceptable in God's eyes.  I took the platform last evening with my brother-in-law on guitar, a young teenager on drums, and me at the piano.  With a bi-vocational music minister, we, in simplicity, led worship. I was reminded that it is not the excellence of our offering that makes our worship acceptable, but the excellence of Christ.  We cannot worship the eternal Father apart from the eternal Son.  Our worship is accepted not on the basis of what we have done, but on the basis of what Christ has done.  mjm

New Song Summary

Songs matter.  The songs that we sing say a lot about who we are.  They show our values and reveal our experiences.  We are drawn to songs which speak to our experience.  They reveal the songs that we hold dear because they tell our story of grace.  Songs have the power to express what we think, what we feel, our desires... with the power to teach.  Our songs reveal our journey.  

"A new song," as we have seen the last few weeks, is used nine times in Scripture.  Six are in the Psalms, two in Revelation and one in Isaiah.  As we have previously seen they are always in the context of a mighty act of God.  When God moves mightily and does powerful things, His people write and sing new songs.  When we find ourselves overcoming something, when we have gone through grief finding new grace and peace, the old songs won't do.  When we have grown stronger, wiser, and more mature in the Lord a new song is called for.  The new song expresses our response to a growing experience in the Lord.

God not only gives us something to sing about, He helps us sing it.  In these "new song" passages, we have seen "songs of salvation", "the Song of the Lamb", and the God who sings songs.  The other songs may fall away but the song of the Lamb endures forever.

As we sing the "new songs", what do our songs say about us?  Do they describe our values?  Do they show our experiences?  Do they describe where we are going in the Lord?  Do they proclaim that God is with us, and we are responding accordingly?  Do our songs proclaim our journey with Christ, holding His light to pierce the darkness around us?  Do our songs boldly sing of the Kingdom of God at hand?  Let us sing the "new song" unto the Lord now, as one day we will sing the "new song" before the Lamb for eternity!  mjm

New Song - Rev. 14:3

Wherever we find the words - "new song" we have seen it in the midst of salvation and redemption. But in this passage it goes a bit beyond that.  " . . . and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders.  No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth." Here again it is present tense - they are singing. Isaiah indicated that the ransomed would return to Zion with singing. Those who have been redeemed from amidst great difficulty always respond with songs of praise!

But here in this passage as a whole we see not only the new song of redemption. We see also that one of the purposes of trials and tribulations is to produce in us a "new song" to praise to God. This song here is that of victory after conflict with the dragon, beast, and false prophet sung as never before because such a conflict had never been seen.

Those who have been forgiven much and have gone through and endured trouble and persecution are able to better appreciate the gifts of God while others sometimes take them for granted.  We have to remember that God is Sovereign and every tear you shed contributes toward His glory and your enabled ministry to others.

In Him, sorrow and sighing give way to singing the "new song" in joy! mjm

New Song - Rev. 5:9

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,  . . .'" (Rev. 5:9) 

A comment about what directly precedes the singing of the new song in worship in the previous v. 8. It talks about golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints.  Oh my goodness, hallelujah!  Again, prayer and the new song tied together!  Again, prayer and praise always go together.  And just think, our prayers are collected and held in heaven for worship of the Lamb.

The original Greek word - "adousin" is present tense - "they are singing".  It is a historical present describing an event which has already transpired. This is their continuous blessed occupation. Both the living creatures and elders sing this new song.  I believe when the church is engaged in high praise that we are literally joining the hosts of heaven in singing the new song!  It is the chorus of the redeemed!  The great victory in suffering and death by the Lamb inspires this new song. The suffering Servant has died, and broken the bond of the oppressor claiming by right of purchase you and me as His own; and the price was His blood. 

Here in this passage again, we see that this is for every tribe (smaller divisions of peoples),  larger groups denoted by different languages where every man can learn of the wonderful works of God in their own tongue.  Goes on to mention people and nations, even larger groups.  It simply is saying that this new song is a global thing meant for all kinds of peoples.  The global extent of the gospel is expressed here.  All who have been redeemed from the earth are joining in singing the new song!

The new aspect of the song here is worship motivated by the impending opening of the scroll and the words of this song record the beginning by the Lamb of the events which would quickly lead to the climax of history and the establishment of His Kingdom.  

How important is the singing of the "new song" to our Lord?  mjm

New Song - Isaiah 42:10

A common thread we see with the "new song" is that there has been an act of mercy, grace, and redemption always found in the context of those words.  Isaiah 42:10 says, "Sing a new song to the LORD!  Sing His praises from the ends of the earth!  Sing, all you who sail the seas, all you who live in distant coastlands." We also see God's heart for the mission of sharing mercy, grace, redemption - the "new song" all over the earth in this context.  The Gospel must be dispersed to distant lands.

In the beginning of the chapter, the prophet sets forth the meekness of the character of the Messiah,  and the extent and blessings of His kingdom particularly among the Gentiles.  As a response to all of this he calls on the whole of creation to join Him in one song of praise to God. Later in the chapter the prophet chastises the Jews for their blindness in rejecting the Messiah.

With this new song he is saying, "Behold my servant Messiah!" So thoroughly hardened of heart are the Jewish people, that they are represented as being a house on fire without even realizing it. And unfortunately this is still true today.  But, thank God, the new song was meant to be sung by Jew and Gentile together as one song as they come to know Him!  

Before we are too quick to judge our Jewish brothers, let us remember that many times we fail in the same way to "sing the new song".  Knowing what is right and not doing it is a fate worse than not seeing it at all.  We know what is right by His Word and yet often do not obey.  We need to commit to walking the walk.  Biblical faith is a lifestyle commitment, not just a study in theology! Let us "sing a new song to the Lord from the ends of the earth!"  mjm

New Song 149:1

"Praise the Lord! Sing to the LORD a new song.  Sing His praises in the assembly of the faithful."  Well in this context surrounding . . . "sing to the Lord a new song" we find more interesting emphasis.    We are told to sing the new song among those of God's faithful people gathered for worship.  We are challenged to exult and rejoice in our Maker.  We are told to do it with dancing accompanied by instruments.  And, we are challenged to let the praises of God be in our mouths and a sharp sword in our hands.  Interesting picture of the people of God with His praise in their mouths and His word which is as a two-edged sword in their hands.

In verses 1-5 we find . . . joy to all the people of God, and in verses 6-9 is found. . . terror to their enemies.  Also in these two sections we are challenged to praise Him both in public and in private. Both public and private worship of God, singing the new song, are an imperative for the believer. Spurgeon said that singing the new song is the fittest method for expressing reverent praise to the Lord.  Our singing should be "unto the Lord"; the songs we sing to Him should be of Him, to Him, for Him and through Him!  We are shown here again that the sanctuary is both a house of praise and house of prayer.  Personal praise is sweet to the Lord but congregated praise multiplies the sweetness to the ears of the Lord.  The saints do not gather to amuse themselves with music, nor to extol one another, but to sing His praise whose saints they are.  Spurgeon said, "A congregation of saints is heaven upon earth: should not Jehovah, the Lord of saints, have all the praise that can come from such an assembly."  

Psalm 149 describes worship as exuberant and energized.  To be able to enter into the worship of ancient Israel would definitely be a cross-cultural experience for us today.  The immersion in praise was by no means a retreat from the world; it provided hope, encouragement, motivation, and support to the congregation to join with God in gathering the outcasts, healing the brokenhearted and lifting up the downtrodden.  Healing the world is serious work - God's work - and we are called first to praise His divine work and then to participate with Him in it with a "two-edged sword." We are here on business for our King!

Psalm 149 challenges us to worship by celebrating life, fully resisting all forces that stand in the way of God's justice, salvation and peace.  Can our worship hear and echo the praise of all God's creation, as does Psalm 148?  mjm

New Song 144:9

I will sing a new song to you, O God! I will sing your praises with a ten-stringed harp. (Ps. 144:9) In this, another reference to "sing a new song to the Lord," we find it is again a Psalm of David.  David blesses (praises) the Lord in two different ways in this Psalm.  It is almost two Psalms within one.

First, in verses 1-11 David blesses God, telling Him how great He is. He calls Him his rock, his shield, his fortress in praising His greatness with the new song on a ten-stringed harp. David has built his life on the rock.   The new song is once again about the greatness of God in redemption and victory, acknowledging that even Kings need to be rescued and given victory from the Lord God!

Second, in verses 12-15 someone, maybe David, is praying that God will bless His people.  The Psalmist knows that God's love never ceases even when we do not obey Him. They are a covenant people.  Yahweh emphasizes the covenant between God and His people.  God agrees to love and send help to His people.  His people's part of the covenant is to love and obey God.

When we make the LORD our God, He blesses us and we sing the new song and play instruments to bring glory to His name as we seek to obey Him in all things! mjm  

New Song 98

"Sing a new song to the LORD, for He has done wonderful deeds.  His right hand has won a mighty victory; His holy arm has shown His saving power!"

Of course we again have the idea of putting the old song behind us and singing the new song that God has put into our hearts.  God has shown the vanity of the old song and great victory in the new song.  He contrasts them by implication.

The old song is one of defeat and grumbling just as we saw the children of Israel doing during their delivery from bondage.  But then we see the new song is one of victory as we see the faith of Caleb and Joshua and the song of Moses in Exodus 15.

The old song is one of pride, leading to loneliness and disappointment.  The new song is one of dependence, leading to love and security in the Lord.  We see this illustrated all over the Old Testament. 

"All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation (victory) of our God."  The contrast between the old and the new song is one of ignorance versus enlightenment.  The old song is one of darkness and ignorance; the new song is one of light and enlightenment. 

The new song celebrates the reign of the King with shouts of joy, songs of joy and with instruments of joy as we see in the latter part of Psalm 98.  It is summed up in the words "make a joyful symphony before the LORD, the King!"

The last part of the Psalm reminds us that the new song will usher in the return of the King to judge all the earth; global judgement with righteousness and fairness to all nations.  Global anticipation and celebrating the return of the King is seen in Revelation, along with the words "Sing to the LORD a new song!".  Our worship then as now must have the new song as a part of it!  God gave the song so we would sing it - glorifying Him! mjm

New Song 33:3

"Sing a new song of praise to Him; play skillfully on the strings and sing for joy." (Ps. 33:3) We again see this admonition to sing the new song.  It's fresh and has been adapted to the new mercies received, reminding us that His mercies are new every morning and therefore our song should also be new every day.  Old things will pass away and the new covenant will be in place. The new song is continuous and new every day.  The latter words in this passage are a Hebrew expression indicating full choral effect with instruments.  So, the new song should constantly be becoming new in our new walk with the Lord, working out of our redemption in Him.

There are some expressions of importance given around this admonition in this particular Psalm that I want to briefly touch on.  The Psalm begins saying, "Let the Godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise Him."  Then we are challenged to give praise on instruments as indicated in verse 2 and 3.  In verse 4 we are assured that the word of the Lord holds true and that we can trust in everything He does.

Basically the remainder of the Psalm waxes eloquent in God's unfailing love and goodness, describing all that He has done and is doing in His great Sovereignty.  We are reminded that our hope and joy are in Him alone and that God is on His throne watching over all, therefore we can fully trust in His holy name.  

I am also struck in this Psalm in how we are reminded that there is joy for the nation whose God is the Lord; that the best-equipped army cannot save nor can the warhorse bring victory; and that  the Lord watches over those who fear Him.  And the Psalm closes with - our hope is in You alone. How time appropriate are these words?  As we worship, may we remember where our true hope is found!  mjm

Sing to the Lord a New Song!

The next few blogs I want to highlight where we see the words "Sing unto the Lord a new Song!"  We have thoroughly discussed Psalm 40 but I want to highlight some of the other passages.

In Psalm 96:1 we hear these words once again from the Psalmist.  The 95th and 96th Psalms pair to become a great Missionary Hymn.  But in the beginning of 96 we again hear these words.  We are seeing proclaimed that new joys are filling the hearts of men with glad tidings of blessing to all people.  Angels will begin new songs for Jehovah alone.  The hymns which were chanted to other gods would be silenced forever.  Unto only one God all music is to be dedicated.  Mourning has ceased and the time for singing has come.  No more dismal rites to be celebrated; no more bloody sacrifices of humans; no more outcries of lamentation.  Joy has come, and singing has become the universal expression of love and reverent adoration.

Because man is made new, his song is new also.  The Jew and the Gentile will join together so that all the earth may lift up one common psalm with one heart and voice unto Jehovah God. Jehovah created all the earth, and all the earth must sing to Him this new song! This Psalm fixes our eyes on a prophecy and vision of what is to come and be fulfilled in the new Adam.

It is to be a Missionary Hymn for all ages of the church as it is spread throughout the whole earth.   It is a call to the whole of the earth to worship Him who would come and come again!  Christ Jesus embodies the new song.  He is our worship!  mjm

Keep Looking Up!

There is a paper weight on my desk which is one of the many I gave to graduating seniors in the youth group where I was Minister of Music and Youth many years ago. Engraved on the paper weight is "Keep Looking Up" - Psalm 5:3.   I had done intensive discipleship with this particular group of youth and wanted to leave them with something that would remind them of the importance of their daily personal worship time with the Lord.  "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to you, And I will look up" (Ps. 5:3)  It is believed that this Psalm grew out of David's time in the wilderness when he was fleeing from Absalom.  If so, we can learn some lessons from it.  No disruption of schedule, danger, or discomfort should keep us from our time of morning worship and fellowship with the Lord.  

If we were invited to enjoy a private visit with a governor, president of a country, Billy Graham or some other dignitary, we would certainly prepare for it.  However, many times we believers rush into our morning devotional time as if no preparation is needed.  We find David completely open with the Lord about his inward pain, approaching the Lord with a broken heart...knowing that the Lord knew his heart.  Not only was David faithful in his morning prayers but also very orderly and systematic.  The word "direct"  indicates that David had everything arranged and in order.  The word also has a connotation of a soldier presenting himself to his commander to receive his orders. "I will look up" gives us the idea of waiting with expectation before the Lord.

Even though David was in the wilderness, he came before the Lord with the same kind of awe that the priests and Levites showed in the tabernacle.  In the worship of our God, both personal and corporate with the body, there is no place for flippancy or cleverness.  We as believers must always approach worship realizing that for us to enter the presence of God to worship and pray cost Jesus His very life.  For us to treat this privilege lightly is to cheapen His great sacrifice.  

This great daily privilege of worship and prayer for every believer fuels the worship of the body as we gather regularly to worship Him.  Can we even begin to imagine how our worship as the church would be if every believer took this great privilege seriously every day?  Keep Looking Up!  mjm

A Personal Summary of Psalm 40

THE WAIT - Psalm 40 starts out with "waiting before the Lord".  It is amazing throughout Scripture how often we see the importance of waiting on the Lord.  Many times the very waiting is an act of worship on our part.  

THE CRY - When we cry out for the presence of the Lord, He is there.  He always turns and hears. The act of crying out is calling on His presence and in a practical kind of way practicing the presence of God in every situation we find ourselves.  

THE PIT - We can't really fully appreciate where we are in the Lord until we look at the pit from which we came.  Praise the Lord He lifts us out of the mud and mire of sin where we were stuck in the pit. The pit of despair is very real for those who don't know Him.  We need to always remember from where we came.

THE RESCUE - Redemption is rescue from a life of despair into a life of security and song.  From the pit to the rock is our rescue through Christ Jesus.  

THE ROCK - He plants our feet on a solid rock and steadies us as we walk along with Him.  He is the rock of our salvation.  We go from sinking in the mud and mire to standing steady on solid ground through redemption in Him.

THE SONG - And, hallelujah, He gives us a new song to sing.  Because all things are made new... that includes the song we are commanded to sing unto Him, and for others to see.

THE INFLUENCE - He and we influence others with this new song by singing it in the midst of all that life throws at us.  We are promised that many will see and be amazed and therefore also trust in Him!

THE JOY - There is no joy in the trusting of things or idols of our own creation.  Our joy comes in trusting Him day in and day out, moment by moment.  The more we trust, the greater our joy in Him!

THE WONDERS - As we walk with Him, sing the new song, and trust fully in Him we will see the great wonders of His work in the past and in the "now" of our lives. God's plans and great deeds become more and more evident as we come to know Him in His fullness.

THE OFFERING AND SACRIFICE - It is made clear in this Psalm that the old offerings and sacrifices of the old covenant will not do once the Messiah has come.  Christ is the final, once and for all sufficient sacrifice.  He is now central to all our worship.

THE COMING - We see even in the coming of Christ into the world an example from Him for us in obedience and how obedience is so vital to our worship life. His coming brought glory to God and grace to man.

THE MERCIES - In the closing part of the Psalm we see the importance of God's mercy and grace through the lament of the Psalmist.  All of our worship begins at the very throne of grace and mercy before a merciful God. 

THE WORSHIP - Through redemption He has given us a new song, a hymn of praise to our God that many may see and fear and trust the Lord as they are led to His throne of mercy and grace from generation to generation! mjm

The King's Mercies

Up to this point in Psalm 40 we have seen how the Psalmist has meditated upon the work of redemption and even spoken of it in the person of the Messiah.  Now in verses 11-17 he enlarges and enhances the doctrine of his mediation between us and God, speaking in his own person.  So at this point the Psalmist is encouraging us to come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and grace.

Then in verse 11 we see the lament part of Psalm 40.  There are certain elements found in lament throughout the Psalms.  We first see an Invocation.  The Psalmist cries out to God to listen in verses 11 and 13.  In verse 12 we find the Complaint.  The Psalmist tells God what he believes is wrong.  Then in verses 13-15 comes a Petition, with the Psalmist expressing what he wants God to do for him.  Following that comes an Expression of Trust, (v. 17) where the Psalmist recounts what God has done in the past, showing his hope that God will act again.  Finally, the last element found in a lament is an Expression of Praise, (v. 16) where we find the Psalmist celebrating the goodness, mercy, grace, and sovereignty of Holy God!

At different times these elements can be found in our own personal and community experiences of worship.  In verses 10 and 11 we see the Psalmist saying that God's faithfulness and steadfast love are told to everyone in the great assembly, which includes all, so that His mercy and grace are passed from one generation to the next in worship!  Are we sufficiently aware today that in how we worship we are passing the story of His faithfulness and steadfast love from generation to generation?  We certainly need to be aware of the importance of the way we worship - "that all may see and fear and put their trust in Him!" mjm

The King's Coming!

Psalm 40:7-10 says, "Then I said, 'Look, I have come.  As it is written about me in the Scriptures:  I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.  I have told all your people about your justice.  I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O LORD, well know.  I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.  I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.'"

Here the Psalmist foretells the great redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ.  Christ must come to bring glory to God and grace to man.  The proclamation is sent forth, calling us to come and accept it.  "Then I said" . . . is when and where He declares His willingness to come into the world, and make satisfaction for the sins of His people.  Then in the fullness of time when He appears in human nature we hear the words again in Hebrews 10:5 - "That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, 'You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.  But you have given me a body to offer.'"  Then in Hebrews 10:7 - "Then I said, 'Look, I have come to do your will, O God - as is written about me in the Scriptures.'"  The rest of that chapter in Hebrews talks about the old covenant being replaced by the new covenant in our Lord Jesus Christ.  That is a pivotal point in changing worship.  Our worship would become about, in and through Him, the new covenant!

In all of this we see again our Lord Jesus' example in how obedience is such a vital part of our worship.  He says, "I come to do your will."  How can we approach with any less in our worship? The King's coming changed everything!  mjm

The King's Offering and Sacrifice

"You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.  Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand...you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings." Psalm 40:6  We were rescued out of the pit and given a new song, a hymn of praise to God giving others a chance to see Him and the joy and wonders He brings.  Now in verses 6-8 the Psalmist brings us face to face with the true sacrifice and offering:  Jesus Christ, the Redeemer.  No more type-shadows of offering and sacrifice but a shadow of things to come in Christ Jesus the Lord!

The insufficiency of the legal sacrifices to atone for sin is being shown here.  After Messiah, burnt-offerings and sin-offerings would no longer be needed.  They were unable to take away the terror of sin by soothing the conscience, nor the power of sin by sanctifying the nature.  Only Christ is sufficient for our sin and the power of sin over us.  That is why He is central to our worship.  He is the foundation and fountain of all, and all of our worship is in and for Him!

It is Christ who brings glory to God and grace to man, which the sacrifices of the Old Testament could never do.  Christ is the once and for all sacrifice.  Hebrews 10:5-7 speaks to this, referring to this Psalm. That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, "you did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings.  But you have given me a body to offer.  You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin.  Then I said, 'Look, I have come to do your will, O God - as it is written about Me in the Scriptures.'" mjm

The King's Wonders

In verse 5 of Psalm 40 we find the following words, "O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us.  Your plans for us are too numerous to list.  You have no equal.  If I tried to recite all  your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them." Who can possibly begin to enumerate and record all the acts of God's goodness toward men?  The works of creation, providence, and redemption; all that He has done in the history of the Church, and for the individual members of His church; all that He has done and accomplished in our own individual lives.  This phrase, "wonderful works" or "wonders" literally means remarkable interventions. These are things that excite and astonish, surpassing what we could even anticipate; things that only could be done by God, Himself!

Our Lord's plans, purposes, and arrangements are designed for our welfare; His thoughtfulness, His consideration and providential care deserve our highest praise, thanks, and worship.  When words become insufficient, we have been given the new song to express that praise and worship!  

Praise is an eternal vocation.  The last of the verse says, "I would never come to the end of them." And we won't.  When we transfer home we will continue to praise Him perfectly and will never come to the end of His wonders and deeds.  He is worthy of our worship; He has no equal.  mjm

The King's Joy

As we have looked at Psalm 40, part of which is the basis for our worship theme for the year, we have seen - The King's Pit, The King's Cry, The King's Patience, The King's Rescue and The King's Song.  In verse 4 we find the King's Joy!  "Oh the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who

worship idols." (Psalm 40:4)

Once delivered and given a new song, a simple single-minded confidence in God is the sure way to true joy.  A person may be as poor as Lazarus, as hated as Mordecai, as sick as Hezekiah, or as lonely as Elijah, but as long as he keeps his confidence and faith in God outward afflictions cannot keep him from true joy.

Also, there is to be no confidence in the proud.  The proud are those who expect people to bow down and worship them in their deceptions, worldliness, and pleasure seeking.  Our Lord was ever the truth and the lover of truth.  The father of lies, deception, and idolatries had no part in Him.  We must never pay homage to false teachers, time robbers, or those who live for worldly pleasures.  

Judged by this verse "happy" persons could be the reverse of joyful persons.  They put their trust and confidence in the purse, place in the world and wealth establishment.  They allow pleasure and circumstances to establish their happiness.  Joy is not "happeness".  The King's Joy is wholly found in Him, with a single-eyed confidence in Him no matter what is around us in the world.  It is in that Joy that we worship the one true God, as opposed to worshipping the idols of this world.  mjm

The King's Song

Well, so far in Psalm 40 we have seen - The King's Pit, The King's Cry, The King's Patience, The King's Rescue and in verse 3 we see The King's Song and the King's Influence.

Verse 3 says, "He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear (see what He has done and be amazed) and put their trust in the Lord."

We are literally commanded to "sing this new song" some nine times in Scripture.  The "new song" is the song of the redeemed.  It is the song of Jesus.  He is the "new song".  New song indicates a new beginning, a radical change from what came before. Out of deliverance we sing the new song. It is a song of praise.  And praise is from a source meaning "to be clear".  It is not the confusing sound of the Israelites as Moses came down off the mountain and they were worshipping other gods.  It is a clear sound of praise for the one true God.  Everything God touches becomes new and glorious.

There are three reasons for this new song in our mouths.  First, because God heard our prayers; second because God, through the power of the blood of the Lamb, brings us out of the pit of our sin and depravity.  And thirdly because God, by His Word, strengthens our faith in the great Rock: Jesus Christ our Lord.  

When God puts this new song in our mouths, His purpose is not just our benefit but also the benefit of others through us.  Our song is not the stopping place of the mercy of God.  God desires that we sing others into the kingdom.  How?

Many will see and fear and put their trust in God.  What do they see?  They see people who, contrary to human nature, are humble in times of distress, who never lose hope and bank completely on God.  They see something real, genuine, authentic that rings true in the human heart.  When the world sees our hope in Him by the grace of God many will make that final move and trust in the Lord.  The song of the rescued saints points others to Him for salvation!  We are to be faithful in singing the new song of grace with that shimmering hope and praise seen in our eyes, on our faces, and from our hearts!  So, that's the King's song and influence.  mjm

Out of the Pit

We continue looking at Psalm 40, now moving to verse 2.  "He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along." We need to always remember from where we have come.  The literal meaning of this passage indicates "a pit of noise".  The noise of our doubts and fears about our eternal state boiled up within us before we were rescued by the Lord.  Another rendering is "a pit of tumult or uproar".  At the bottom of the pit there was nothing for us to stand on.  In the pit we were facing desperation and danger without the Lord.  This is also a picture of our Lord Jesus bearing the terrible curse in His own person because of our sin.  We, like our Lord, were cast into the lowest pit of shame and sorrow, only to be rescued by faith - rising to stand on the same elevation of the sure and everlasting rock of divine favor, just as our Lord Jesus.

This was our position by nature and we are rescued by grace.  We find three things in verse 2. First is the act of God in resurrection as He brings us up.  Second, our feet are set upon a rock, alive from the dead, upon the basis of accomplished truth.  Third, we are set on the path of life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  We are given the feet of hope and faith.  His goodness establishes our goings. Our goings refer both to our past and future.  

We are rescued from the pit so that we can proclaim His goodness.  David is making sure that God gets all the praise as we remember from whence we came - out of the pit, the mud, and the mire.   From the pit to the rock.  From the mire to the choir.  We are placed on the solid rock of Jesus Christ so that we can sing the new song of praise to Him!  Having gone from victim to victory in Christ Jesus...we sing - Hallelujah!  mjm

Waiting and Crying Out

I want to spend some time on each verse in Psalm 40: 1-3 as we think on this for our worship theme for the year.  Verse 1 states - "I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry."  We see right in the beginning of this Psalm that our part is praying and waiting before the Lord.  That should be the position of our hearts as we approach worship.  We approach in faith that He will help and deliver because of the redemption and restoration we have experienced in Him. 

We see here a persistence in praying.  We should be persistent in praying by faith with an attitude of servanthood.  It is the servant's persistent praying and being willing to wait for His answer.  We need to crave patience to abide in His good will.  There is a strong admonition in the waiting.

Jesus is our example and is pictured here as He waited before the Lord in His suffering, knowing that His Father would eventually deliver Him.  He expected help and waited until it came.   He was patient and willing to finish the work which His Father had given Him to do.  

We must learn from Him that when God doesn't answer on our time table, it doesn't mean He has rejected our prayer.  

Let us arm ourselves with the mind of Christ in patience, armed with prayer and the expectation through faith, maintaining the Holy War of Worship!  mjm

Many Will See and Fear

The theme for this year of Worship in our church and for our Worship Choir is - "Many Will See and Fear".  It is taken from the first part of Psalm 40. I want to offer a very brief synopsis of the first  few verses of the Psalm.

WORSHIP THROUGH REPENTANCE AND PRAYER (v. 1) "I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry."

WORSHIP THROUGH REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION (v. 2)  "He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along."  

WORSHIP THROUGH REJOICING (v. 3a) "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God."

WORSHIP THROUGH RESULTS (v. 3b) "Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD."

One might say, God showed him up to his need, God brought him up, God stood him up, God tuned  him up, and God showed him up to a world in their need!  

The world has to see us sing and worship in the midst of our own trials and difficulties of life, then they will fear and put their trust and hope in Him! A healthy fear of the one true God comes before hope and trust.  "Many will see and fear" is the result of a worshipping people!  mjm

Worship Leading Choir - The Committed

Worship-Leading Choirs are made up of those who have committed their time and talent to leading the people of God to the throne of God for the glory of God! That commitment includes the following  truths:

We don't sing because we are good.  (Ephesians 2:4-10)  God calls us to sing and lead others to sing because He is good.  His grace allows us the opportunity to lead others to Him in spite of our imperfections.

To be seen or noticed is never our goal.  (Psalm 40:3)  Yes, God knows and recognizes us, but our goal is for Christ to be seen and glorified.

We are not called to be stars.  (II Corinthians 4:5)  The moment we try to take the rightful place of Christ, we become a liability.  He must be first place in everything and He must be the star.

Our success will not be determined by our music.  (Philippians 1:9-11)  Lots of people can sing.  The Lord once made a donkey talk.  The Biblical definition of greatness is that attitude of servanthood.

God is a God of order, not confusion.  (John 4:24)  We should hold one another accountable according to the needs and purpose of the worship ministry.  Structure and order is important in giving our best to God, not only in our personal lives, but also in our worship.  Everything we do in worship must be done in spirit and in truth, within Biblical guidelines.

God always deserves our best.  (Matthew 5:16)  The Lord gave His best in Christ.  Our worship gives back to Him our best.  That means all of us getting proper rest, rehearsing faithfully and passionately; always offering up to Him our best offering of praise.

As participants in this ministry we are ministers, making us recipients of God's goodness but also Satan's attack.  (II Corinthians 4:1-6)  We should always be aware that we are involved in spiritual warfare.  God showed us in the Old Testament that singing is a precursor to victory!

Commitment seems to be a "dirty" word in our culture today.  But as we see from Scripture there is commitment involved in being part of a worship-leading choir.  Pray that many will commit.  mjm

Intercession for our Worship Leading Choir

Prayer is absolutely central to the worship-leading ministry of our worship choir.  Choir members need to pray for one another and enlist others to pray for the ministry of the worship choir and the worship in our church.  There is a difference between prayers for the physical and prayers for the spiritual. Unfortunately we usually spend more time and effort on prayers for physical needs rather than prayer for spiritual needs.

Here are some hints from Scripture of how we can pray for spiritual needs. In Ephesians 1:18-19 we see that our prayers should result in the choir gaining greater wisdom and power.  It is paramount that as the choir leads in worship we have an understanding of the greatness of God's power, the very power that raised Christ from the dead.  Chapter 3 of Ephesians shows us that our prayers can result in inner strength, a better knowledge of Christ's love becoming complete with all the fulness of life and power that comes from our Lord.  

Then in Philippians 1 we are challenged to pray that our love will overflow more and continue to grow in spiritual discernment and understanding, praying that we will live lives of righteous character.  I Thessalonians 3  tells us to pray that the Lord will make our love for one another and for all people grow into overflowing.  Second Thessalonians 3 goes on to instruct us to pray for a full understanding and expression of God's love and patient endurance that comes from Christ.  Finally for this discussion, we should pray for one another and our worship choir that He might equip us with all we need to accomplish His will, and through the power of Christ produce that which is pleasing to Him.

We need prayer warriors both inside and outside the choir because there is great power in prayer.  If we are faithful to pray we will see a great rise in the presence and power of God evident in our worship.  mjm

Worship Leading Choir - The Called

After all these years of serving in music ministry I am still convinced by Scripture that those who lead worship in the worship-leading choir are not volunteers - they are called!  Through the Word we are called to serve the Lord in many different ways.  We always have the choice of whether we will be obedient to that calling.  We must be willing to be obedient and commit to the calling of God on our lives, dedicating time and talent to the glory of God through service.  

I believe God is looking for those who will commit to serve in the worship-leading choir of our church, as well as in others.  The only real requirement of the servant is faithfulness to that which God calls us.  That faithfulness takes us through good times, hard times, victories and failures.  It keeps us going in both the exciting and the mundane.  We come to live and breath that which God calls us to.

II Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro through the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His . . ."  The Message basically says that God is always on the alert and on the lookout for people who are totally committed to Him.  

As I pray for new folks to join our ranks in worship leadership I believe with all my heart God is on the move and on the lookout for those who will obey and commit to leading worship in our gathered worship as a church.  Please join me in praying that God will raise up more committed worship leaders from amongst us -  for His Glory!   There's a difference between volunteering and being called!   mjm