Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Worship Matters
Update: There is a much getter explanation on this topic found here. Thanks, Susan for pointing me to it! I appreciate their blog as well!
I have been reading through Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin. I have been interested in this topic for a while...mainly because of the big push in our culture to make worship something that is man focused...(I don't think this is always intentional, but it is happening everywhere.) Worship style has trumped accurate Biblical teaching and churches are so dependent on a certain style drawing others, that the preaching and teaching of God's Word and true worship becomes secondary to a style.
So, what is true worship and how does a church engage the hearts of believers to worship? Shouldn't true worship come from a heart that is so thankful to the Lord for saving them, that it naturally overflows when they meet with other believers or even in everyday life? Shouldn't the greatness of God be in our hearts and minds all day long, so that true worship is our attitude...all...day? Even those who fear and love God can become distracted at times. What is the remedy for this?
THE GREATNESS OF GOD.
We should be about magnifying the greatness of God. A high view of God is so important...I think many church leaders have forgotten to hold to a high view of God and it shows...and it makes me sad.
This quote by J.I. Packer expresses what I am saying well. Bob Kauflin has it quoted in his book, Worship Matters, and I think it states the truth about the greatness of God and our non-greatness.
Bob Kauflin states:
I have been reading through Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin. I have been interested in this topic for a while...mainly because of the big push in our culture to make worship something that is man focused...(I don't think this is always intentional, but it is happening everywhere.) Worship style has trumped accurate Biblical teaching and churches are so dependent on a certain style drawing others, that the preaching and teaching of God's Word and true worship becomes secondary to a style.
So, what is true worship and how does a church engage the hearts of believers to worship? Shouldn't true worship come from a heart that is so thankful to the Lord for saving them, that it naturally overflows when they meet with other believers or even in everyday life? Shouldn't the greatness of God be in our hearts and minds all day long, so that true worship is our attitude...all...day? Even those who fear and love God can become distracted at times. What is the remedy for this?
THE GREATNESS OF GOD.
We should be about magnifying the greatness of God. A high view of God is so important...I think many church leaders have forgotten to hold to a high view of God and it shows...and it makes me sad.
This quote by J.I. Packer expresses what I am saying well. Bob Kauflin has it quoted in his book, Worship Matters, and I think it states the truth about the greatness of God and our non-greatness.
Today, vast stress is laid on the thought that God is personal, but this truth is so stated as to leave the impression that God is a person of the same sort as we are--weak, inadequate, ineffective, a little pathetic. But this is not the God of the Bible. Our personal life is a finite thing: it is limited in every direction, in space, in time, in knowledge, in power. But God is not limited. He is eternal, infinite, and almighty. He has us in His hands; we never have Him in ours. Like us He is personal; but unlike us, He is great.
Bob Kauflin states:
What size does God appear to be when our mind is preoccupied with all the cares, worries, and concerns of life? Very small. But God is not small. He is great. Magnifying and cherishing His greatness is at the heart of Biblical worship.
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
4 Comments:
Your comments of worship remind me of a my own thoughts and study of the past year. Have you read The Lord's Service by Jeff Meyers? It's a heavy read, but well worth the time and effort. For me personally, it helped shape my understanding of worship and God's covenant with his people from the Old Testament into the New.
I have come away so many times after reading your posts with just a deeper thought and a great book suggestion. Thank-you!
Kim, after I read your post about "Worship Matters" and music styles, my next 'visit' was to
http://dinghome.net/2008/09/29/worship-music-and-suffering/
I had no idea there was a post about this topic when I visited their site. Once again, thank you for speaking out when God lays something on your heart.
There is a link on that post about a Pastor who's 14 year old daughter went for a walk Sat. eve. and was murdered. The basic and grounding truths in our choice of worship music is even more evident here.
Good post, and something that is overlooked a lot in church culture. Sounds like a good book.
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