Worship | That is Sung Together Psalm 147:1–11 [1] Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. [2] The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. [3] He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. [4] He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. [5] Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. [6] The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground. [7] Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! [8] He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. [9] He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. [10] His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, [11] but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (ESV) Worship is a massive subject. It is WHAT we were created by God to do! It should encompass ALL of our life. Our rest, play, work, love, spirit, soul, and body. Christian worship is that which “magnifies the greatness of God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit”1 Remember, it all starts with God! To get a good definition or a good method of anything, we’ve got to start at the top, at the beginning, at the source. That source is Jesus, the Word from God, with God, who is God eternally. He initiates. We respond. Again, this is not a how to worship God perfectly type series. The only place perfect worship happens is in heaven. We’re not going for a perfect application. We’re going for Spirit led growth in our worship. Today we’re going to look at one of the ways we worship on a Sunday morning. SINGING! The role of a worship pastor? 1 Peter 5:2–4 [2] shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; [3] not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (ESV) Acts 20:28–31 [28] Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. [29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [31] Therefore be alert.... (ESV) Christ, as the Good Shepherd, knows His sheep. A good shepherd is supposed to know and notice his sheep. One that doesn’t is a poor shepherd, and what scripture calls a hireling: one that doesn’t have the interest of the flock in mind, but is only in it for personal gain. I believe that God has placed me at Catalyst Church to shepherd under His Lordship and direction specifically in the area of worship. That’s not a statement of pride meant to puff me up, nor is it a statement meant to humiliate or patronize you. It’s the biblical truth that I do not take lightly, I cannot take lightly. Jesus says I’ll be judged with greater strictness for how I teach. Nate mentioned this last week, and I fully agree. God is not focused on our comfort or preferences. It’s simply not what pleases him. What pleases the Father is that which is only birthed by faith. Without FAITH it is impossible to please God. John 4:20–24 [20] Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” [21] Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. [23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (ESV) Jesus lays the framework for what true and acceptable worship is. It’s not a frame of perfection and good feelings. It’s not a frame of good set lists and mood lighting. Jesus’ word is the final authority. God is seeking worshipers, and makes a way possible in Christ for us to become redeemed worshipers. True worshipers are those whose spirit has been redeemed by the blood of Jesus: whose spirit is alive because of Christ, and whose worship flows out of them in response to Him. Jesus puts another statement with that. In truth… “It should not surprise us that God insists on being worshiped for who He actually is. He is not honored by ignorance or falseness. No one is. None of us appreciates being honored for who were not...Only truth has the power to honor...If our worship lacks truth, it fails to honor the One we’re worshipping… If God doesn’t like it, it’s not worship.” ~ Jeremy Riddle The framework of Christian worship is in spirit and truth. My calling is to steward the flock of worshipers entrusted to me by GOD, to teach and equip you according to the truth of God’s word to live life knowing Christ and making Him known as a worshiper. Specifically, as a singing worshiper! To set up services and songs and transitions and teams and lighting and room atmosphere and sermon series and graphics and design in such a way that we as the body of Christ can connect with the head, who is Christ Himself! Comfort is not my aim. Creativity is not my aim. Christ is my aim. And when my vision dips below that, I begin to lead people in idolatry, just like Aaron did when Moses was meeting with God on the mountain. God delights in our worship when we employ all that he’s given us as a way to worship him in spirit and in truth! I design for Christ, I write for Christ, I sing for Christ, I prepare and play for Christ! He is my first focus. Knowing you and setting the table of worship on a Sunday morning at which you can choose to feast with and abide in Christ is my mission. Regarding instrumentation and music. Music itself has God-given purpose and power. It moves us. It creates a mood, it stirs feelings, it lifts us, depresses us, helps us. It’s been the soundtrack of armies and of movies, it plays in the coffee shop and is found in churches. It’s known to every race, religion, and people group. Music is a multifaceted and universal language that has impact and influence on nearly every area of our lives. Scripture clearly outlines its place and it’s power, and even modern day science and brain imaging recognizes the same. Our bodies were designed by God to both create sound and hear sound and respond to sound. Like all things created by God, it has purpose. It was created and planted in the heart of mankind with a twofold purpose of being stewarded for His glory, resulting in our good. To be one of the many ways we enjoy God and worship Him, one of the many ways we can respond to Him. Martin Luther loved congregational music and considered music next to theology in importance. He also had no problem saying what was on his mind. In a foreword to a collection of songs arranged for multiple voice parts, he wrote the following: When man’s natural ability is whetted and polished to the extent that it becomes an art, then do we note with great surprise the great and perfect wisdom of God in music, which is, after all, His product and His gift; we marvel when we hear music in which one voice sings a simple melody, while three, four, or five other voices play and trip lustily around the voice that sings its simple melody and adorn this simple melody wonderfully with artistic musical effects, thus reminding us of a heavenly dance where all meet in a spirit of friendliness, caress, and embrace. . . . A person who gives this some thought and yet does not regard it [music] as a marvelous creation of God, must be a clodhopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being; he should be permitted to hear nothing but the braying of asses and the grunting of hogs. ~ Martin Luther Simply put, music, vocal AND that created by the staggering amount of different types of instruments all around the world, are purposeful and powerful gifts from God designed by him to help us respond to Him in praise, to move our emotions and give us voice and rhythm and melody and sound to express what’s in our soul. Music is not God. It is from God and for God. And from all that I’ve studied in scripture, experienced personally, and learned from some brilliant minds, I believe wholeheartedly that instrumentation can, does, and always should play an incredible part in our corporate worship. Yet our worship is not dependent on it. Just as my worship is not dependent on my ability to hear, speak, or even move. For the true worship that the Father is seeking and is pleased by is that from a spirit responding to Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. My conviction and belief is that when we gather to worship together, instrumentation should never supersede the truth of the word, nor should it undermine the truth of the word. It should always serve the word. It’s cadence and melody and arrangement and pauses, it’s crescendos and composition should complement and deepen the actual lyrics we’re singing. Psalm 150 [1] Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! [2] Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! [3] Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! [4] Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! [5] Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! [6] Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! (ESV) Why do we sing together? Singing is a COMMAND Over 400 times in scripture singing is mentioned. Considering all scripture, the command to SING is one of the most specifically repeated commands in all of scripture. For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. Like all of God’s commands, there is reason and purpose higher than legalistic obedience to the letter of the law. Singing is a command that is birthed from the very heart of God desiring an intimate relationship with us. God does everything with intention, with purpose. Why did God call His people to sing together? First for His glory, but it’s a relational response that is also for our good, which also glorifies him. These are simply a few key reasons which I find when I read God’s word. 1. Is a fitting RESPONSE to God. Psalm 147:1 He Heals the Brokenhearted [1] Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. (ESV) How fitting is a song of praise? Fitting enough for Jesus himself to sing. Singing in response to God is right to do! Not only does he command it, he rightly deserves it and made us so that we could do it! Worship is a response. Singing is a response! A whole person response, involving our very breath, our physical bodies, our emotional engagement. “It’s true that the atmosphere created through worship will largely determine how we respond in giving and how we hear the Word. But it’s also true that the goal of our worship is simply worship -- meaning worship and adoration of our King. Worship, in that sense, is an end in itself, and I can assure you that in God's holy presence in heaven, worship is not a “preliminary” to the important stuff. Worship is the important stuff.`` ~ Dr. Michael Brown. The Power of Music 2. It RENEWS the mind Colossians 3:16 [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (ESV) As a worship pastor, my aim is to curate and create songs which are not full of man’s opinions, ideas, or self-discovered truths, but rather full of the already revealed truth found solely in God’s word. Songs that take the word of God, which is truth, and poetically and creatively place them on top of a melody carry the authority of God’s word. And what does God’s word do? Romans 12:2 [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV) **Songs also help us remember. Singing helps us learn the ABC’s, or for me certain math equations from Mrs Bruce in honors algebra 2. Singing helps us build foundational truths even at young ages, like the B-I-B-L-E, or Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, or others! Songs rich with the word of God are memorable theology lessons about God and His nature, or even about how we as His people are called to respond! When we sing them, we remember them. And when we remember them, IT renews our minds. 3. It REKINDLES faith Galatians 3:5 [5] Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— (ESV) Romans 10:17 [17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 14:26 [26] What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (ESV) When I hear you singing the truth of God’s word my faith grows! I’m encouraged! I’m built up! I’m reminded of God’s presence and God’s promises THROUGH God’s singing people! Our ears hear! It’s the way God created us! What we take in through our ears has influence in our lives. What are we listening to? Philippians 4:8–9 [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (ESV) Excuses: “But everyone listens to that!” “But it’s not that bad!” “But it’s got such a good beat and it’s good driving music!” But, but, but, but... Arguing. Complaint. Pride. Excuses. When we say, ‘but…’ we’re really saying “I don’t think you got it right God...I think you just don’t understand…” That’s not faith. That doesn’t please God. That’s the flesh talking. Our Heavenly Father ONLY gives good gifts to His kids. His word, His Spirit. All that He created he said was GOOD and very good. Enter sin and the unleashing of death and decay on the planet. What God creates, Satan counterfeits (Mark Driscoll) The enemy gives gifts too. Yet they’re dirty bombs filled with poison neatly wrapped up in packages labeled ‘ok music.’ Am I saying that unless a song has Jesus in it that it’s from the devil? No. Am I saying that all songs that have the name Jesus in it are songs we should be singing in church? No! But he does call us to test the spirits. To discern and judge well. To engage our mind with the Spirit of God and the Word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:5 [5] We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (ESV) If the word of God calls me to do something, and I don’t do it, I’m disobeying a GOOD command meant for my good from a good God and two things happen. 1, I dishonor God, 2, I receive no good blessing in it. I’m opening myself up to attack and darkness. I’m not letting the light in. I’m letting the dark in. Matthew 6:22–24 [22] “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, [23] but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! [24] “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (ESV) John 6:63 [63] It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (ESV) Let the light in! Sing the light out! Fill the room with light! Fill your homes with light! As you sing and make melody to the LORD, a song of praise that is fitting, YOU LIGHT UP THE WORLD WITH THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL! “But, won’t I look weird if I don’t know those songs?” What does Jesus call us to be? ALIENS! Foreigners! This world is not our home! We are Ambassadors of a Kingdom of purity and life and light! We WILL look different than the world...if we do not conform to it’s pattern and instead let the Word of Christ and the Spirit of Christ transform us and renew our minds! THAT is WHAT GOD CREATED US FOR!! To return to Him as worshipers! That is what Jesus makes possible! Take lyrics. Consider them. Weigh them against the word of God. If they’re trash. Trash them and crush them. Proverbs 4:20–27 [20] My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. [21] Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. [22] For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. [23] Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. [24] Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. [25] Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. [26] Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. [27] Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. (ESV) “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 4. It UNITES the body John 13:35 [35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV) Satan is out to divide the Church. Worship CAN BE and HAS BEEN incredibly divisive in the church. Denominations have been formed and cults created because of preferences and style-differences and cherry picking scripture to prove one point or another. **Not to mention the untold amount of idolatry that has been fostered by hirelings and general poor stewardship of the unifying gift that corporate worship is to the body of Christ.** “The book of Revelation doesn’t give the impression that Jesus died for independent soloists, people who would sing on their own clouds or in different sections of the renewed earth by themselves. He died to redeem a universal choir.” ~ Bob Kauflin | Words of Wonder Jesus prayed multiple times within John 17 itself for the same thing: oneness. Unity of the Spirit within His bride. Why? John 17:23 [23] I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (ESV) Our singing unites us, yes, for our benefit through the rekindling of our faith and renewing of our minds like we talked about, but also for Gods purpose of making Christ known! It’s our vision! The songs we choose to worship the Lord with on Sunday morning first off are a fitting response to Him, giving Him glory as we commune with Him with sung worship. They foster a vertical relationship with Christ. But they also foster a horizontal relationship with those in the room. “The question isn’t, Do you have a voice? The question is, Do you have a song? If you’ve turned from your sins and trusted in the finished work of Christ, if you’re forgiven and reconciled to God, then you have a song. It’s a song of the redeemed, of those who have been rescued from the righteous wrath of God through the cross of Jesus Christ and are now called his friends. Once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God, and our singing together, every voice contributing, is one way we express that truth.” ~ Bob Kauflin Take Aways - Do you have a song? - What areas of worship do you need the Holy Spirit to grow you in? - Sing! Resources: The One True God, His Holy Bible, Eternal Jeremy Riddle, The Reset, 2020 A.W. Tozer, Whatever Happened to Worship, 1985 Bob Kauflin, Worship Matters, 2008 www.desiringgod.org/messages/words-of-wonder-what-happens-when-we-sing Martin Luther, “Preface to Georg Rhau’s Symphoniae iucundae,” LW 53, cited by Buszin in “Luther on Music,” The Musical Quarterly 32, no. 1 [1946]: 85