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Chapter 12 – Deliberate Church

Our Music

Intro Thoughts:

Music is great.  Music stirs the soul.  Most people love music.

What part does music play in a biblical worship service?

How important is our music when we gather for worship?

Where do we draw the line from the World and the Body of Christ?

Let’s consider a few things

Worship is not just something that WE DO once a week.

• Our life as a follower of Jesus Christ is a TOTAL LIFE of worship

Romans 12:1–2 – [1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [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)

1 Corinthians 10:31 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (ESV)

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (ESV)

When we consider a “worship service” we must understand that it is a corporate gathering.

• Corporate – Something done as a united group – dictionary.com
• As the Family of God.
  • It is easy to fall on the slippery slope of church being something you attend to receive only.
    • Nashville Church example (country singers leading worship/and specials)
  • IT IS SOMETHING WE DO TOGETHER.

Music/Singing is a part of the “worship service”

• When we discuss “music” we often think that the music/singing is the worship part of the service… then we have preaching. (both are part of worship.  WE SHOULD LOVE BOTH!!!!!!!)

• Our services are not about US… they are about God.
  • People tend to seek out services  that WE LIKE.  MEET OUR NEEDS.

• Lost people cannot worship God, so our services should be designed for believers.
  • This goes against the “church growth movement”
  • Obviously, we need to consider the unbeliever as we think about doing church, but we do not plan our worship services for the LOST PERSON’S EXPECTATIONS.

• No person or group should be the center of our worship service.
  • Not the Worship Leader (today they are considered crucial)
  • Not the Praise Team (the trend today is to stress performance and ability)
  • Not the choir (growing up the anthems and specials where the highlight of worship services)
  • Not the Preacher (also a focal point today…charismatic, great communicator)

• ONLY GOD (we know God by His Word)
  • That is why we (remember…)
    • Sing the Word
    • Pray the Word
    • Preach the Word

THREE GUIDELINES FOR CONGREGATIONAL SINGING (DEVER)

It is public not private

• We are not at church to have “just a private encounter” with God.  We gather on Sunday morning to worship God together.

They should be “theologically rich”

• Are the words we sing biblical?
• Acknowledging God for who He is.
  • “The Depths of God’s character, the contours of His grace, and the implications of the Gospel.” (Dever)
• Some songs on the radio just do not make since.
• Some are just SO SHALLOW
• We need to pay attention, but often once we start down this road, we become over critical. (I am busy worrying about FBCAP to worry about other churches…LOL)

It should be spiritually encouraging

“In corporate musical worship, we are calling out to each other to praise God for His glorious character and works.” (Dever)

“This kind of congregational singing is a powerful encouragement to our souls, reminding us of our fellowship and unity in the truths that we sing.” (Dever)