True story: as I dove into Genesis 19 I was a little reluctant that I would find worship concepts. I mean, verses 4-8 are pretty gnarly (and I won't get into the details here, you can read for yourself). But alas, God is great and He shined His light into this chapter for me!
1. In what ways does the LORD demonstrate His mercy here? If you look back at Genesis 18:16-33 you will find that God agreed to spare Sodom if He found only 10 righteous people in the city. Genesis 19:15 shows us that there were only 4. While God wasn't about to spare Sodom, He did spare Lot, his wife & 2 daughters. Mercy? I believe so!
2. In what ways has the LORD demonstrated His mercy to you? While this question will most assuredly warrant myriad different answers, may I point you toward a Scripture passage that will effect each of us? Check out Titus 3:3-7...
"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."
Need I say more on this point?!
3. Are you a pillar of salt?
“Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain!" Simple instructions, right? Maybe not... "But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." God was raining down fire on Sodom and Gomorrah; the home of Lot's wife. Clearly she was quite attached to the very place that sin inhabited. Not only inhabited; but that sin was running rampant via its occupants. Lot's wife couldn't seem separate herself to God enough to obey the simple command, "Don't look back..." As she turned back, catching a glimpse of God's wrath in fire being poured down from Heaven...Lot's wife lost her very life, turning into a pillar of salt.
"It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it." --Luke 17:30-33
Is there any place in your life that you are ignoring God's simple instruction of obedience? Turn around, fix your eyes on the Son and run...back into the very arms of He who has called you.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." --Hebrews 12:1-3
So then, may we not be pillars of salt...rather may we be the light of the world!!!
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."--Matthew 5:13-16
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Lifeblood...
Before you proceed, please read Genesis 9 (I'll be quoting from NIV)...
What follows are worship concepts from the above-mentioned chapter of Scripture. I've been studying, chapter by chapter, seeking concepts that will help us become better worshipers & know better He whom is worthy of all honor; all glory; all praise! These are questions I asked myself as a result of reading this chapter.
1. In what ways does God display His goodness?
a. "Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." In verse 3 we see God giving us the provision of food. Prior to this, all man ate was fruits & veggies. Now, we can eat meat! I will digress momentarily, with no offense to my vegan friends, but THANK YOU FATHER!!!
b. "And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being." In verse 5 God is clear about His care for human life.
c. "I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." Verse 11 shows us that God is a promise maker. And furthermore, till this day He is also a promise keeper!
2. What is the significance of "lifeblood" (verses 4-6)?
Leviticus 17:14 couldn't be more clear..."because the life of every creature is its blood." This immediately draws my mind to the very lifeblood that was spilled for our sin...Thank You Jesus for giving Your life for me!
3. What is the significance of Shem & Japheth covering Noah (verse 23)?
Shem & Japheth took great care in protecting their loved one from shame. Sound familiar? Friend, we have a promise in Romans 10:11, "Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame." HALLELUJAH!
4. How does all of this point us to God? What can we learn from this Chapter?
Simply put...God's goodness is displayed in the LIFEBLOOD that was given to cover our shame!!!
What follows are worship concepts from the above-mentioned chapter of Scripture. I've been studying, chapter by chapter, seeking concepts that will help us become better worshipers & know better He whom is worthy of all honor; all glory; all praise! These are questions I asked myself as a result of reading this chapter.
1. In what ways does God display His goodness?
a. "Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." In verse 3 we see God giving us the provision of food. Prior to this, all man ate was fruits & veggies. Now, we can eat meat! I will digress momentarily, with no offense to my vegan friends, but THANK YOU FATHER!!!
b. "And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being." In verse 5 God is clear about His care for human life.
c. "I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." Verse 11 shows us that God is a promise maker. And furthermore, till this day He is also a promise keeper!
2. What is the significance of "lifeblood" (verses 4-6)?
Leviticus 17:14 couldn't be more clear..."because the life of every creature is its blood." This immediately draws my mind to the very lifeblood that was spilled for our sin...Thank You Jesus for giving Your life for me!
3. What is the significance of Shem & Japheth covering Noah (verse 23)?
Shem & Japheth took great care in protecting their loved one from shame. Sound familiar? Friend, we have a promise in Romans 10:11, "Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame." HALLELUJAH!
4. How does all of this point us to God? What can we learn from this Chapter?
Simply put...God's goodness is displayed in the LIFEBLOOD that was given to cover our shame!!!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Worship Defined...
In the beginning God made...RELATIONSHIP. He created us to have relationship with Him. Period. Yet, since God is so majestic, pure, and unbridled in glory, when we spend REAL time in His presence our only response can be worship. "Well, John, what exactly IS worship," you may ask?
Worship is defined as "reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred." However, I feel that a wonderful, dead-on definition of Christ-follower worship is this: Worship is the believer's response with all they are and all they have to the revelation of all Jesus is, has done (in the Cross), and is doing.
See, when we come face-to-face with Jesus and the work He accomplished on the Cross, worship must be kicked into high gear, so to speak! Just "giving honor" or paying Him homage is not nearly enough. Worship MUST be an offering. We must give. And more than just honor or homage alone. Inviting Jesus to reside into our hearts requires us to die to ourselves; deny ourselves, pick up our crosses & follow after Jesus (Luke 9:23).
Romans 12:1 tells us, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." That's pretty serious, right?! We are required to give ourselves away in devotion to Jesus Christ. Jesus gave Himself away regularly...and then demonstrated the ultimate sacrifice, giving His very physical life away; dying on the Cross to defeat sin and death so we needn't be separated from God, the Father. How much more, if we are Christ-followers, should we be giving of ourselves?! "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)
So what does all of this mean? Well, let me start by saying that I do not like the title "worship leader" for someone who leads music in a congregational setting. I feel that this title is misleading and somewhat confusing for believers and unbelievers alike. This title only helps to perpetuate the misconception that worship is a style of music. Worship is how we are called to live, not a style of music. Don't get me wrong, music IS an expression of worship...but indeed is not the definition of worship.
I cannot tell you how to worship. There are as many ways to worship as there are individuals...truly! I can, however, encourage you to find out how God has designed you to worship. I can also tell you that you are NOT called to sit idly. Worship, though defined as a noun, is (in fact) a verb; it is alive, breathing, moving; it is you and I in action by Holy Spirit's prompting and leading. It is relationship. Can you change a light bulb? There are some folks that cannot. Can you cook a meal? There are many who cannot (either due to physical inability, lack of knowledge or even lack of resources). Can you tell a story? There is someone who wants your company. The list can go on and on. I guarantee that if you spend time with someone in need of something and meet said need...Jesus will be exalted and worship will come alive!
Find your way to worship with all that you are and all that have; worship with everything and stand amazed as TRUE Church begins to happen (Matthew 18:20)!!!
Worship is defined as "reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred." However, I feel that a wonderful, dead-on definition of Christ-follower worship is this: Worship is the believer's response with all they are and all they have to the revelation of all Jesus is, has done (in the Cross), and is doing.
See, when we come face-to-face with Jesus and the work He accomplished on the Cross, worship must be kicked into high gear, so to speak! Just "giving honor" or paying Him homage is not nearly enough. Worship MUST be an offering. We must give. And more than just honor or homage alone. Inviting Jesus to reside into our hearts requires us to die to ourselves; deny ourselves, pick up our crosses & follow after Jesus (Luke 9:23).
Romans 12:1 tells us, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." That's pretty serious, right?! We are required to give ourselves away in devotion to Jesus Christ. Jesus gave Himself away regularly...and then demonstrated the ultimate sacrifice, giving His very physical life away; dying on the Cross to defeat sin and death so we needn't be separated from God, the Father. How much more, if we are Christ-followers, should we be giving of ourselves?! "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13)
So what does all of this mean? Well, let me start by saying that I do not like the title "worship leader" for someone who leads music in a congregational setting. I feel that this title is misleading and somewhat confusing for believers and unbelievers alike. This title only helps to perpetuate the misconception that worship is a style of music. Worship is how we are called to live, not a style of music. Don't get me wrong, music IS an expression of worship...but indeed is not the definition of worship.
I cannot tell you how to worship. There are as many ways to worship as there are individuals...truly! I can, however, encourage you to find out how God has designed you to worship. I can also tell you that you are NOT called to sit idly. Worship, though defined as a noun, is (in fact) a verb; it is alive, breathing, moving; it is you and I in action by Holy Spirit's prompting and leading. It is relationship. Can you change a light bulb? There are some folks that cannot. Can you cook a meal? There are many who cannot (either due to physical inability, lack of knowledge or even lack of resources). Can you tell a story? There is someone who wants your company. The list can go on and on. I guarantee that if you spend time with someone in need of something and meet said need...Jesus will be exalted and worship will come alive!
Find your way to worship with all that you are and all that have; worship with everything and stand amazed as TRUE Church begins to happen (Matthew 18:20)!!!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Splagna...
So I was driving home from leading worship the other night. I was northbound on interstate 215. I was admiring the star-lit view somewhere between Menifee & Sun City. I was in the #1 lane (fast lane) and saw this white Ford car in the #2 lane. Normally, I wouldn't take much note of a white Ford (or any other vehicle, for that matter)...but this car's license plate literally JUMPED out at me! OK, maybe not literally. It read "NO GOD" in big, bold, blue letters.
Instantly, I wondered, "What has happened in this person's life that they so strongly disbelieve in God?" As I passed them, my heart ached, I got that feeling in my gut (you know, the one like when you were dumped in high school), tears filled my eyes. My heart broke for God. My heart broke for them. "Father, intersect in their lives in such a powerful way that they cannot ignore You; that they would have no option but to acknowledge You and come to have faith in You," I prayed.
Splagna is the Greek word for compassion. Splagna, as Vince Antonucci put it, "refers to guts - intestines -- that it's a feeling you get in your stomach when you see a starving child, or a family who lost everything... that's compassion... like your guts have been ripped out. When Jesus had compassion, it was like he felt sick. We talk about how we want to be like Jesus, but until we have this gut-level feeling, we're not."
I don't know that there's much more I can (or should) say after that! Let me leave you with the bridge lyrics to Hillsong's "Hosanna"...
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into Eternity
Instantly, I wondered, "What has happened in this person's life that they so strongly disbelieve in God?" As I passed them, my heart ached, I got that feeling in my gut (you know, the one like when you were dumped in high school), tears filled my eyes. My heart broke for God. My heart broke for them. "Father, intersect in their lives in such a powerful way that they cannot ignore You; that they would have no option but to acknowledge You and come to have faith in You," I prayed.
Splagna is the Greek word for compassion. Splagna, as Vince Antonucci put it, "refers to guts - intestines -- that it's a feeling you get in your stomach when you see a starving child, or a family who lost everything... that's compassion... like your guts have been ripped out. When Jesus had compassion, it was like he felt sick. We talk about how we want to be like Jesus, but until we have this gut-level feeling, we're not."
I don't know that there's much more I can (or should) say after that! Let me leave you with the bridge lyrics to Hillsong's "Hosanna"...
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into Eternity
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thinking Through Worship Song Orders
OK, so I suppose this is kind of heavy for a first post...but here it goes!
There is much discussion, debate & disconnect about how song orders ought to be approached. Do we start with 2 songs, announcements, 4 songs, yada, yada, yada? What about we always start with an upbeat song? Should we use a call to worship? And on, and on, and on... It is true: there isn't necessarily a "right answer" to song orders. However, song orders can make or break worship services.
Some things we ought to keep in mind...
1. Do the songs reiterate the message?
2. Do the songs make us want to respond to the revelation of who Jesus is?
3. Does the song order set us up to worship in spirit & truth?
The numbers above aren't in any particular order; they are just some things to keep in mind. The following is not "gospel" in terms of leading worship music; it is the opinion of one, humble worship leader.
I like to start my worship set with a song of confession or preparation. Jesus tells us that "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." Are you the kind of worshiper the Father is seeking? Have you left everything before the Cross? Is there anything that is going to keep you from giving Him your all? Your very best? Confess it to Him, ask Him to forgive and cleanse you. Then, bring your offering! Check out Leviticus 22:17-25.
Next, I would use a call to worship (spoken or sung). This would be something that requires participation from the congregation. That way you're setting them up for a participatory experience rather than some professional performance (this could be a whole post by itself).
After this, I like to sing songs of praise, songs that tell what Jesus has done for us and who He is. Gosepl songs, if you will.
I like to frame the message (or sermon) with songs that reiterate what is being spoken by the pastor. What I mean is, I like to make the song before and right after the message help drive the point home!
Finally, it's good to sing songs that are a response to the message. Let me show you what a sample service order may look like for a message about our faith and God's faithfulness...
There is much discussion, debate & disconnect about how song orders ought to be approached. Do we start with 2 songs, announcements, 4 songs, yada, yada, yada? What about we always start with an upbeat song? Should we use a call to worship? And on, and on, and on... It is true: there isn't necessarily a "right answer" to song orders. However, song orders can make or break worship services.
Some things we ought to keep in mind...
1. Do the songs reiterate the message?
2. Do the songs make us want to respond to the revelation of who Jesus is?
3. Does the song order set us up to worship in spirit & truth?
The numbers above aren't in any particular order; they are just some things to keep in mind. The following is not "gospel" in terms of leading worship music; it is the opinion of one, humble worship leader.
I like to start my worship set with a song of confession or preparation. Jesus tells us that "true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." Are you the kind of worshiper the Father is seeking? Have you left everything before the Cross? Is there anything that is going to keep you from giving Him your all? Your very best? Confess it to Him, ask Him to forgive and cleanse you. Then, bring your offering! Check out Leviticus 22:17-25.
Next, I would use a call to worship (spoken or sung). This would be something that requires participation from the congregation. That way you're setting them up for a participatory experience rather than some professional performance (this could be a whole post by itself).
After this, I like to sing songs of praise, songs that tell what Jesus has done for us and who He is. Gosepl songs, if you will.
I like to frame the message (or sermon) with songs that reiterate what is being spoken by the pastor. What I mean is, I like to make the song before and right after the message help drive the point home!
Finally, it's good to sing songs that are a response to the message. Let me show you what a sample service order may look like for a message about our faith and God's faithfulness...
- Purify [John F. Downs] song of confession
- You Are Worthy Of My Praise [David Ruis] call to worship
- O Praise Him [David Crowder...] song of praise
- Our God [Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin...] what He has done
- Glory In The Highest [Chris Tomlin...] who He is
- By Faith [Keith & Kristyn Getty...] topical
- How Great Is Your Faithfulness [Matt Redman...]topical
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness [Thomas O. Chisholm] response
- Doxology benediction/sending
Bottom line? Are we just picking songs we or our congregations like? OR are we being intentional about our musical offering? I encourage you, above all else, to bring the VERY best you can when it comes to song orders!
Your thoughts are VERY welcome. I only ask that you keep your replies loving & respectful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)