Relationship in Worship

God and worship of God is all about relationship.  I read a couple of quotes this week that I want to share and comment on and around.  

First was from Leonard Sweet - "We need the courage of . . . a right relationship with the Creator . . . God is a mystery, not a master's thesis.  We have much to learn about the truth of God that is revealed only through relationship."

The very fact that God created man in His own image proves that God is about relationship.  He wanted to relate to someone just like Him and wanted that someone to worship Him perfectly.  Of course with the fall the impulse to pursue God was still within man, but in our sin we lack the power to know Him.  When we repent and begin to seek Him He has promised we will find Him.  God then initiates a purposeful, individual relationship with us.  And, it is what he wanted from the beginning.  In our response to His call to relationship with Him in worship, we are fulfilling the very purpose for which we were created.  In order to truly know God in worship we must have a growing relationship with Him.

Another quote was from A.W. Tozer - "A piano is made with a specific purpose: to produce music.  However, I happen to know that someone once stood on a piano in order to put a fastener of some kind in the ceiling.  Some artistic women have used piano tops as family picture galleries.  I have seen piano tops that were cluttered filing cabinets or wide library shelves.  There is an intelligent design in the creation of a piano.  The manufacturer did not announce: 'This is a good piano.  It has at least 19 uses!'  No, the designer had only one thought in mind:  'This piano will have the purpose and potential of sounding forth beautiful music!'"

Very much like the piano, we were designed to sound forth "beautiful music" to God in praise and glory of His name.  Our worship is always music to His ears as that was His original desire for man.  As stated in the Westminster catechism . . . "to glorify God and enjoy Him forever is the chief end of man."  The only way that can happen is for us to commit ourselves to lifelong relationship-building with God Himself.  mjm

His Example in Worship

Jesus is the ultimate example in all things, including worship.  When we look in the Gospels we find Jesus worshipping in the sanctuary (as it is termed in Psalm 150).  The Message says, "Praise God in His holy house of worship." In both Luke 2 and 4 we find Jesus doing just that.  Worship in the house of God was by choice a part of what Jesus did.  He set the example for all of us to worship God in His house.

Jesus also gives the example of obedience and submission as a part of worship.  At His own baptism he says, ". . . we must do all that God requires".  Obedience to God's will is uppermost.  In other translations it was necessary. . . "to fulfill all righteousness".  Even though He was sinless, He submitted Himself to God in obedience alongside sinners.  This obedience so pleased God that the heavens opened and the Father voiced His pleasure.  Authentic worship begins with obedience - as we discover as early as Abraham.  Jesus showed us that a heart of worship begins with a willingness to obey.  

Without going into detail, we see Jesus in a true worship war with satan in the wilderness.  In the wilderness Jesus faces a personal one-on-one worship war with satan --- and prevails.  Every time satan tempted Him Jesus answered by committing Himself again to the Word and will of God. He won the victory showing us how to win the same victory.

All through the Gospels we find Jesus showing us that prayer was essential to worship.  In fact, prayer shouldn't be offered apart from worship.  It is one of the elements of worship. But, going beyond that, it is worship.  Because of the confidence we have in Him, we know we can ask in His name for all we need.  It is our act of faith.

Jesus also worshipped through praise and song. Again, throughout the gospels we find Jesus saying things like. . . " I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth".  In other places we find Him overcome by His awe for God the Father, and He worshipped.  We don't know exactly what He sang but we know according to Luke 4:15 that it was His custom to attend synagogue, and songs were a part of traditional Jewish worship.  And of course we know that He and His disciples sang a hymn after the Last Supper.  Imagine our Lord Jesus, Son of God, mouth open - singing songs of praise to God with passion and heart.  

Besides His example, He had much to teach on worship.  He worshipped God in all He did and was a perfect example of worship as a lifestyle.  May we learn from His example.  mjm

Instrumental Worship in the New Testament

There are some who have assumed that because we find no direct reference to instruments in the New Testament, none were used in worship. But that is not necessarily the case.  It is possible they were not used as much because of their association with pagan and idolatrous worship of the Romans and Greeks. But that would be a cultural or associative exclusion rather than one that was prescribed by God's Word for all people, places, and times.  The other possibility is that instruments were not used as much during the time of the Roman persecution of Christians because it would have drawn attention to their secret meetings.  Christians in hiding would not have wanted to use trumpets and cymbals to draw attention to themselves.  

In I Corinthians 14 Paul talks about order and the importance of the church being built up.  In the midst of that passage he alludes to instruments.  In James 5:13 James says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.  Is anyone cheerful?  Let him sing praise."  Twice in I Corinthians 14:15, Romans 15:9 and Ephesians 5:19 the verb for "sing" is psallo.  This word for sing, unlike the word ado in some passages, meant "sing to the accompaniment of instruments".  In Ephesians 5:19 we are basically challenged to sing "with one's whole being,"  which draws a parallel to Psalm 150 - "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"  

Instruments make valuable contributions to congregational singing - leadership, support of melody, color, energy and interpretive meaning to text and message.  While all instruments may be "lawful" for use in worship, all may not be "appropriate" according to associations with pagan worship and false worship in our own time as we have also seen in the New Testament. We also must take into account that some good things can be redeemed from mis-use and benefit the work of the Lord.  A line between liberty and legalism requires great spiritual wisdom and prayerful humility.  Thank God He promises to give wisdom liberally when we ask in faith (James 1:5).  May we wisely and with humility use instruments for the glory and exaltation of our Lord God!  mjm

Instrumental Worship in the Old Testament

We find details of David gathering together the leaders of Israel and the Levites for temple service.  Of some 38,000 Levite males over age thirty, 4,000 were set apart as musicians.  David stated that they were to "offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise".  We also see in I Chronicles and the Psalms that some were assigned to play specific instruments - harp, lyre, cymbals, lute, tambourine, strings, pipe, and trumpets.

We probably can not make the jump from temple worship to New Testament saying that the worship practices in David's time should be the same now. However, the Psalms sung in David's time were still being sung in New Testament times.  And the Psalms were always sung to the accompaniment of instruments.  A decision to disconnect between Old and New to the point that it stifles the praise of God is very dangerous.  Could it not be said that we have even more reason to praise God in much grander ways because of what has been revealed to us since David?  We've seen the glorious, completed work of Christ and the view of worship in the book of Revelation. Would we just ignore so much that is taught about worship in the Old Testament and abandon it?  Should the use of instruments simply vanish? There is nothing in the New Testament instructing that instruments were to be silenced.  The Psalms are full of commands and calls to use instruments in worship.  Psalm 92  states in the first three verses that Sabbath day worship would include instruments.  It is possible that the Psalms were used excluding instruments, but very unlikely.  And we are commanded to "sing" Psalms with words such as - "praising Him with trumpets and cymbals". How likely is it that we would sing those words and not use instruments?  

Extensive direction and guidance in the use of instruments in the worship of God is given in the Old Testament.  It was definitely directed by God through His servants, such as David.  It was seen to be of great importance that great resources were used in the worship of a great God!  mjm

Use of Instruments in Worship

"Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!  Praise Him with tambourine (also referring to drums at that point in history) and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!" - Psalm 150: 3-5

In the next two or three blogs I want to discuss the Biblical legitimacy of the use of instruments in worship.  There are some churches who don't use instruments.  Calvin believed in the use of psalms only - and un-accompanied.  Zwingli went even further and excluded music from worship entirely.  It was not that they hated music; as reformers they felt they were maintaining integrity in worship.  They were trying to make a strong, obvious difference in what was practiced by the Roman church at the time.  Another reformer, Martin Luther, took a very different position when it came to music. He believed that music was a gift and creation of God, and should be used at its best to glorify Him.  

But we need to ask the question based on the Bible rather than on man's own principles.  Are instruments permissible in the worship of God?  Do we find Biblical foundation and support for using instruments?  I believe so.

On the basis of God's Word it appears that instruments should be used in worship as long as they are a contribution and not a distraction from worship and the purposes of worship.  We live in a day where there is great debate about what instruments are appropriate.  Some want to say only those that have been associated with the church for a certain period of time.  However, many of the instruments used and their evolution can be traced back to Old Testament instruments mentioned in Scripture.  

I do think that care should be given as to how the instruments are played, being careful that associations with the world are not evident.  Of course that is a judgement call that has to be made in a spirit of humility, prayer, and divine guidance.  God reminds us through the prophet Amos of the trouble for those "at ease in Zion" (6:1) - those who are not following the Lord's commands:  "Woe to those . . . who sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp . . . but care nothing about the ruin of Joseph." We need to make sure there is a Biblical theology and philosophy behind the use of instruments in worship.  I remember sitting at the piano even as a teenager and worshipping the Lord.   I knew and sensed in my spirit that it was true worship.  Next time we will look at what the Old Testament says and later what the New Testament says to us about this subject.  mjm

Beyond the Encounter

In the last blog I emphasized that our focus when we gather together is to encounter our living God and His manifest presence with us.  And it is the focus, but not the end of what happens when we worship.  What happens when we worship?  God is given His place on the throne!  Psalm 22:3 shows us the principle that God enthrones Himself in our praises.  There is more than the intimacy of His presence in worship.

The dictionary defines "throne"  as a chair or seat occupied by a sovereign or exalted personage. It is the office or dignity of a sovereign.  It is a seat of authority.  It is from this place that laws, proclamations, and commissions are given.  It is the place where sovereigns do business.  This word "enthroned" is from the Hebrew word yashah which has the meaning of sitting as a judge.  David understood that God chooses the atmosphere of our praises to take up His throne of authority.  God brings both "intimacy" and "authority" to our worship.  In Psalm 149:6 God shows us that He wants us to not only have the high praises of God in our mouths, but also a two-edged sword in our hands.  We have a part in His authority through our worship as well as releasing our hearts in praise and adoration to Him.  In a very real way, when we praise we are enforcing His will.  King David showed us that God brings us into His throne room by bringing His throne into our praises.

God enthrones Himself on our passionate praises so He can rule and reign, accomplishing His kingdom purposes.  Praise changes the environment of warfare around us.  Praise breaks us out of the dry and wilderness times of our lives by allowing God to do His business in our lives and in our world. Lord, give us a better understanding that our worship involves both intimacy and enthronement (authority).  mjm

Fresh Encounter

Many have failed to see worship as an "encounter with the Living God".  But to encounter the manifest presence of the Lord in our worship should be our focus every time we gather.  It isn't about music.  It isn't about becoming "contemporary".  It isn't about cultural awareness.  It isn't about  being on the "in", "cool", "hip" or "with it".  It isn't about misty-eyed emotionalism.  It isn't our own cooked up "theology" of worship.  

It is about the forming of hearts of worship in the very presence of God.  It is about nurturing and shaping disciples who know Him because they are spending time with Him.  It is about the transforming power and work of the Holy Spirit that happens when pure worship occurs.  And, yes, it is preparation for the final battle.

In a world being shaken to the foundation both nationally and internationally, we need to remember that God is at work - seeking to glorify Christ in the midst of and through the living Church.  He is calling us to search out and grasp a real understanding of worship, and open ourselves to the grace that releases the power of worship in our lives.

God is not so much interested in what we are, as He is in what we are becoming.  Our worship should always be transformational.  True, authentic, pure worship will transform our lives more and more into the glory of Jesus. We should be becoming . . . more and more like Him!  We can not consistently have a fresh encounter with Him and that not be so.  Wait before Him . . . and worship Him! mjm

Personal Preferences Sacrificed

An article by Darlene Zschech, worship leader and writer of "Shout to the Lord," caught my eye in a worship leading magazine.  I want to comment and expand upon ideas and principles found in her article.  

How could God be looking for conformity or complete union in worship when He is so wondrous and multifaceted; and when all of God's people's designs, backgrounds, and understandings are so diverse?  I once heard a preacher say, "You can tie two cats' tails together and throw them over a laundry line and you will have union, but you won't have unity".  God is not looking for sameness or union, but unity in the midst of our diversity as we gather to worship Him.  God is pleased when we gather and seek to please His heart with our offering of worship, without focusing on personal preferences to the point of missing our purpose in worship.  It is easy to put so much focus on style that we miss issues at the very heart of worship. Not only as we gather, but also as we disperse we continue our worship by living out our lives in response to the wonderful love of our God as a 24/7 "Thank You, Lord".  

It has been said that there is strength in diversity.  Differences are not for the purpose of separating or alienating.  We are different so that we might see all the more our need for one another.  The beauty of the Body of Christ fully alive and expressing worship in different ways across the earth shows the strength of the Body of Christ through worship.

We must realize that all spiritual preferences that we may lean toward have both upsides and downsides.  Wisdom makes us realize this and helps us appreciate growth that can come through diversity.  We must always seek to be in tune with the Holy Spirit and with other people.  If so, we are able to put substance over style. We must never let our own preferences get in the way of what God wants to do in His church and the world. When it is about Him and not us we are able to be transformed in His presence so that we can take the love of God to a love-starved world.  mjm

Remembering and Worship

In Isaiah 63:11 it says, "Then they remembered the old days," . . . and it goes back through the history of what God had done through His servant Moses and continues recalling the history of the nation of Israel related to God's dealings with them and His faithfulness to them, even when they were not responding in kind. 

I believe that America has failed to remember and it is affecting everything we are doing as a nation.  We have failed to remember and teach our youth to remember that though our forefathers were not perfect, they sought the Lord, His providence, and built the idea of this nation on Judeo-Christian, Biblical principles. We have allowed some to even re-write all of that out of the history books.  Does this affect worship?  Of course it does.  Fewer and fewer join together to worship the God of our Fathers who led them to establish "one nation under God".  Fewer worship Him as the one true God!

As I have said previously, when we gather to worship, we gather to remember all God is and all He has done.  We recall, rehearse, and reiterate it as we gather together.  In Jeremiah 9:23-24, God gives us a message that we would do well to take to heart as we celebrate our nation's birth, 

"Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.

Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.

Don't let the rich brag of their riches.

If you brag, brag of this and this only:

THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND KNOW ME.

I'm GOD, and I act in loyal love."

May we approach America's birthday with a sense of remembering...praying that we will give God His deserved place in our history and our worship! mjm