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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

A Personal study

I am often asked where a good place to start studying worship would be.  Here are a few questions to get you started.


What is good Music

1. What is your music style preference? According to the following passages, does God have a music preference?  If so, list the descriptions of God’s preference given in the verses. (Ps. 29:2; Jn. 4:24; Heb. 12:28; 1 Cor. 10: 3) 






2. How are God’s ways described.in scripture? (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 19:7; Ps. 119:89; Rev. 15:3) 







3. How does God characterize the music of the world and do you see any comparisons to music today?  (Ex. 32:17; Ps. 69:12; Eccl. 7:5; Is. 23:15) 







4. What are the 3 main music styles that God clearly describes. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) 

1)

2)

3)


5. How is the ideal worshipper described in Eph. 5:18-20 and Col. 3:16?  





6. In Phil. 4:8, what words apply to morality and what words apply to beauty?  Is beauty merely in the eye of the beholder (just a matter of opinion) or does God actually have a standard for beauty as well as for morality and how might that relate to our worship? 












7. Examine the lyrics of the following songs and indicate if there is anything unbiblical or confusing of Biblical theology. Explain with references.

Praise You In This Storm
LYRICS
I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
That it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone how can I carry on
If I can't find you
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm



Unbiblical thoughts/confusing ideas.











8. Examine the lyrics of the following hymn and indicate what is Biblical and the attributes of God that are included and list references.


  1. To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
  2. So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
  3. Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
  4. And opened the life gate that all may go in.
    • Refrain:
      Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
      Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
      Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
      And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
  5. Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
    To every believer the promise of God;
    The vilest offender who truly believes,
    That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
  6. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
    And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
    But purer, and higher, and greater will be
    Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.



Biblical thoughts/attributes of God/theology and references. 







Saturday, August 2, 2014

Vocal Worship (cont.)

"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

     It is by Him that believers can please God, and know how to please God, only by His righteousness, found in His Holy scriptures and by God's wisdom. This truth is of vital importance.  

       According to this verse, and all throughout the New Testament; serving, pleasing, obeying, loving, exhorting, etc. can only be done through the strength and energy of God.  This idea is clearly seen in Philippians chapter 2:13.  The Greek word translated " worketh" is ἐνεργέω (en-erg-eh'-o).  It is God that gives us the energy (literally: to put forth power) both to will and to do of His good pleasure.  This verse assures believers that God provides the will and desire, but also the ability to perform that which is pleasing in His sight.  The human voice is the oldest and first instrument created by God for His pleasure.  It didn't take long for men to figure out the various ways that the voice can be utilized and many artists still utilize their voice in many different ways, and to change the message of a song.
      The next piont we see in Hebrews 13:15 is that worship, particularly with the voice, is to be a sacrificial offering.  Not all offerings are sacrificial.  They can be selfishly performed, and for the gain of one's own benefit, whether monetary or otherwise.  When offering to the Lord, He wants if to be a sacrifice.  Usually,  when the offering is from the heart, it is automatically sacrificial.  Singing to God is never usually thought of as a sacrifice, simply because it is so common today, and to sing...anything.  Many, many christians may be and probably are singing their hearts to the Lord, but the message of a song or hymn can very easily be changed simply by the voice.  It is a sacrifice to sing to the Lord, and in following the principles of His word.
      Who do we sing praise to?  Well, the only One that deserves praise and adoration.  God is worthy of our praise and desires His children to give voluntary praise.  It's amazing to me to think of this, even though there is nothing good that men can do.  
      Another important fact, and this was mentioned in my previous post, is that the worship of the believer needs to be continual.  The Literal translation of John 4:24 brings this out nicely, but the writer of Hebrews reiterates this.  To worship God continually can not be stressed enough.  So often the stresses and busy-ness of life occupy our time and takes us away from worshipping the Lord.   It is absolutely necessary to abide in our relationship with Christ so that Satan doesn't get a foothold in our life, especially when trials greet us.  
       What is it that believers need to offer, sacrificially, to God?  The fruit of our lips, according to Hebrews.  To further my understanding, I wanted to remind myself what "fruit" was exactly.  This Greek word has the idea of being advantageous or something that is profitable.  This is the first real mention of the use of the voice in this verse and, of course, refers to what we say, but also can be applied to how it is said.  Take for instance the word "fine".  When a person is asked how they are doing and respond with "fine", it can be said numerous ways.  Imagine asking a person how they are and they answer "fine" in an unabrasive, polite, and jolly tone.  It's logical to conclude that the person is truely fine and nothing is bothering them. In fact maybe they are happy and excited about something.  On the other hand, if a person answers in a harsh, abrupt and angered tone, that person is clearly not fine.  These examples show the difference between what is pleasant speech as opposed to unpleasant.  Of course, this is a very small scope in making this piont, but it does make the piont and singing to God needs to be offered sacrificially, continually, and with the fruit of our lips. (The what and how) 
       There is one more item listed in this verse and that is thanksgiving.  Many, when reading this verse, associate giving thanks to be the fruit of our lips.  Certainly giving thanks is a fruit.  Speech, as a whole, can be fruit or can be merely candy.  We all know that candy is sweet but does not nourish or fulfill.  Therefore candy is not very profitable.  In addition to our speech should be added another fruit, the fruit of thanksgiving.  Specifically, in this verse thanks be to the name of God.  The names of God throughout scripture reveal His character and just to reflect on these names are a blessing.  Whatever is going on in our lives, thinking about the names of God and their meaning is a huge comfort and assurance of who we have an eternal relationship with.  
Psalm 7:17 "I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high."