Doxology

I’m currently rehearsing with the Nashville Symphony Chorus to prepare a wonderful Oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn called “Elijah”.  Because of that, I’ve been living much in my private devotions in 1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 2 which chronicles the ministry of this great prophet.  One scene that

Felix Mendelssohn

I’m particularly taken by is found in Chpt. 18 in the “showdown” (if you will) between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. I found this post I wrote almost exactly three years ago in which I referred to that scene in a post out of Ps. 22 dealing with the whole idea of God “inhabiting” our praise.  I added a few thoughts to it. Enjoy!

“God inhabits the praises of Israel”.  What does that verse (Psalm 22:3) actually mean? Does it mean that God’s presence is produced by our praise? Does it mean that it is God Who generates our praise? (It the word “inhabit” used only in the King James Version, by the way.)

First of all, context is everything! Let’s look at the verses leading into this commonly-used verse:

1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.

God-led Worship

2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer;
And by night, but I have no rest.
3 Yet You are holy,
O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
4 In You our fathers trusted;
They trusted and You delivered them.
5 To You they cried out and were delivered;
In You they trusted and were not disappointed.
Ps 22:1-5 NASU (Bold mine)

We can see upon looking at this text that this is immediately a Psalm written by David in the midst of great trial and can certainly speak to any believer also under times of despair. But there is also another far greater application of this Psalm. It is an amazing prophesy of Christ on the cross—so much so, that, according to John MacArthur, in the early church, some referred to it as the “Fifth Gospel”.

With that in mind, it is extremely important to read it from a God-centered perspective. The Psalmist begins with a statement that is from his perspective. It might be paraphrased something like this “Where are you at, God? It seems as though you have left me!” (Of course, we know that when Christ declared the opening line of this Psalm it was because God had left Him—which was possibly the most terrible aspect of Christ’s penal substitutionary atonement!)

The second verse continues on in that the Psalmist is waiting on a response. “God, I am calling on You day and night and yet it is as if You are not hearing me!” But it is the beginning of the third verse that begins to teach us what the end of verse 3 really is saying: it is the word “Yet”.

Even though I might be prone to think that God is centered on what I do and how much I call (and we ARE commanded and exorted to call on the Lord—don’t get me wrong) to get His attention, it’s not about that. Even though I might conversely believe that all that I am doing is NOT getting His attention, the scriptures remind me that, in spite of that, YET “You are holy”! God is not like man! God is in a category all by His glorious Self.  God does not think like I do! Isn’t that wonderful news?

He continues, and this phrase in which we are focusing gives proper context: God is in charge of it all. He is in charge of praise, He is in charge of circumstance, He is in charge of solutions. God is sovereign!!

Secondly, we see from the translation above, that the word usually referred to as “inhabits” in the King James Version (which I underlined) is the Hebrew word “yashab” which means “enthroned” or “seated upon”. The implications for this word mean that God rules over and evaluates and administrates. Therefore, the context of that verse (Ps. 22:3) is pointing to God as the object of praises, the generator of praises, the basis of praises, and the judge of all praises. It does not mean that God is generated BY praises.

There is a massive and all-important difference. If you believe that God’s presence is generated BY praises, then you might, even though well-intentioned, be much closer to spiritism than you are to biblical worship. I realize that is a very strong statement. (And it most certainly points to the importance of proper translations!) It was the prophets of Baal who led worship with this mindset in the stand-off with the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:20-40). They believed that is was getting their false god’s attention and creating their god’s presence that was the key to their success.  That’s why they would cry louder and louder and even cut themselves until their blood gushed out (v. 28).  Talk about manipulation!

However, if you recognize that praises come FROM God and are produced BY God and it is His grace that creates in us a regenerate heart through which (by faith) we express those praises, then you are much more in line with the proper context of this verse and all of scripture. Any view of worship that sets God up as the one dependent upon the worshiper is a dangerous one and does not stand up to overwhelming teachings in scripture to the contrary.  Notice that Elijah was let by the word of the Lord in what his worship (1 Kings 18:31, 36).  The prophets of Baal were led by their own devices in their worship.

To say it again, biblical worship is a response to God’s action and word in getting to us.  Pagan and false-religion worship is rooted in man’s schemes and devices and creations to get to God.  On Mt. Carmel the prophets of Baal cut themselves to get their god’s attention.  On Mt. Calvary God cut His Son to get our attention. 

To stay in balance and avoid quietism (“Let go and let God”) and fatalism (“Why do anything?”) we still must still do something (“What says the scriptures?”).  But our obedience to the scriptures to make petitions, to make requests, and to declare His praises must have God’s sovereignty and supremacy in full view. Perish the thought that in a church service, we are inviting God to join us!  God is the initiator (the “Alpha”) and the completer (the “Omega”) of worship.  Brother Music Minister, make sure that you clarify this in your music ministry!

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Grace Life Church’s great friend, Jonathan Sims, aka “Jono”, wrote a wonderful hymn that we unveiled at the True Church Conference last week.  It is called “The Atonement” and is set to the tune of “Nearer My God To Thee”.  Due to the many requests for the lyrics, I’ve decided to post them here:

God made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for me.

Traded righteousness for filth, there on Calvary.

Counted Him as He were me.

Counted me and I were He.

God made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for me

Bore the curse of holy wrath that was meant for me.

Cursed is the One who hangs there upon a tree.

Beaten, bruised, and so despised.

Holy wrath now satisfied!

Ruined sinners Justified! There on Calvary

Far as east is from the west, sin’s removed from me.

Scape-goat led so far away, there on Calvary.

Separated from my sin.

Reconciled and born-again.

Far as east is from the west, sin’s removed from me

“It is finished,” Jesus cried, dying for His own.

Reconciling them to God, His blood did atone!

Long before the world began

God designed salvation’s plan

Christ, the Lord, the Spotless Lamb, dying for His own

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In today’s radio interview we talk about an example of a great newer song, “Blessings” by Laura Story.

Click HERE to listen!

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Here’s this week’s version of my radio interview with Monk and Catoe at WSTS 100.9 FM.  In this show we deal with the power of grace and the worship it produces compared to worship through the law by looking at Luke 7:36-50.

Click HERE to listen!

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Here’s a re-vamped post from a couple of years ago.  I thought it worth sharing again.

Have you ever considered the source of praise? Have you ever thought about who generates those words, thoughts, songs, and acts of worship to God?

To attempt to answer these questions, let us look at one of the most amazing moments in all of scripture.

Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, ” I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Ex 33:18-19 NASU

Can you imagine how euphoric, how terrifying, how incredible this moment must have been for Moses? We are so blessed that God chose to include it in scripture. He does so to tell us some very important truths.

God Is Sovereign
Of course you can say, “But it was Moses’ request to which God responded!” Well, yes and no. It was Moses who made the request, but it was God at work in Moses that caused Moses to make such a request. You also must notice all of the “I will” in what God says. It was God Who called Moses to the mountain in the first place. It was God Who took the initiative with Moses—not the other way around.

God Is Sovereign Over Himself
God did not say “I will pass before you”. He does not even say “My goodness will pass before you”. He says “I MYSELF will make all My goodness pass before you”. Have you ever considered the infinite Self-control of God? What if you had perfect self-control? Have you ever met anyone with flawless self-control?

Tiger Woods became a billionaire because he had unparalleled self-control over his golf game…..But he is lost out with advertisers and the public now that it is apparent that he didn’t have that same self-control in his private life. (Whether or not he returns to the elite place where he once was remains to be seen.)  Self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Ga. 5:23). However, who can claim that they have had absolute self-control other than God?

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Back to our series on the Regulative/Normative Principles….In my last post in this series, I left you with the thought that it’s crucial to know when to be uncompromisingly strict and when to be uncompromisingly free.  It is my contention that the Reg. Principle (RP) folks and the Norm. Principle (NP) folks cross those lines even though they may mean very well.

I totally “get” that both the RP and the NP were simply a macro-analysis of the Bible in their inception.  However, over time, both have become, in the practice of some folks, the “laws of the Medes and the Persians” and in the minds of many almost equal to holy writ.  Today, I will speak to the RP.

Here’s where the main problem comes in.  When God spoke to the means to be used in worship He did not mean to, by default, exclude certain things.  Here’s where my dear RP folks miss it (IMHO).  They get carried away thinking that God’s silence means exclusion.  In fact, the scriptures speak very little as to what a New Testament Church service should look like.  For instance, one of the clearest verses on the topic says the following:

“When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done for edification.”  1 Cor. 14:26b

In the next seven verses (1 Cor. 14:27-33), Paul unpacks each item and gives some general guidelines as to their use in the assembly.  (I will not deal with the latter four items—they are for other endless blog entries!)  However, there is MUCH left unsaid!  I wonder what Paul would think of how our 21^st century church services look like.  But, an RP guy would read this verse and say “See!  Paul only mentions ‘a psalm’.  There’s no allowance for singing anything BUT the Psalms!”  But what about Col. 3:16?  There he mentions “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”.  He also does the same in Eph. 5:19.

One point made by a good friend of mine (thx Jason D.)—Those who exclude anything but the psalms and all instruments other than the human voice have to sing Psalms that exhort us to praise God WITH instruments!  I’m surprised that I’ve not seen a church that tries to use only the instruments mentioned in the Psalms.  That would at least make a little more logic.

Another point—there’s no mention here of scripture reading or prayer.  Does that mean that we exclude those?  Paul does include tongues/interpretation.  I have to ask myself “what about that?”  (Don’t attack that question—it’s beside the point of this entry.)

Another point—there’s no mention of baptism or communion.  What about that?  Well, of course, we have other passages that clearly command us to observe those ordinances (Matt 28:19 and 1 Cor. 11:23-32 for example).

So, was Paul short-sighted in not specifically saying something like “each one has a psalm with an instrument”?  Should he have said “each one has a new chorus”?  Should the scriptures say “Thou shalt not use sound systems nor pianos/guitars”?  Of course not!  Just as Paul pointed out in Romans 14 there’s nothing inherently sinful in certain days or a piece of meat.  There’s nothing inherently evil in a piano, guitar, or hymn.

God only excludes things that are inherently evil.  Those things can be unbiblical lyrics, immodest clothing, visual imagery, and other things (but I’m getting ahead of myself).  His silence forces us to search our hearts rather than our electronics.  It drives us to check our motives rather than our rules.

Here’s the final thought:  it is impossible to go beyond the bounds and freedoms of scripture and avoid idolatry.

(Disclaimer—I appreciate the patience of my good RP brethren.  I have deliberately chosen not to dive into the specific tenets of the confessions of faith and documents from which the RP is based.  I try to keep this blog at a readable level and think that picking apart the language of said items would bog down the reading.  I do encourage all to do a more in-depth study on the subject including reading those documents.)

In my next entry, I will speak to the NP.

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The longer I lead congregational singing, the more I wrestle with this subject.  It’s not a matter of right vs. wrong.  It’s a matter of better vs. best.  Is it best to use singular nouns or plural nouns in our congregational singing?  You might not have ever considered such a question.  To be honest, I’ve not thought about it at all until the last few years.  However, there are a few good reasons why such a question must be asked.

Most of the New Testament is written to groups not individuals.  I understand that the Psalms (which is our most basic songbook model) primarily uses singular nouns.  That cannot be ignored.  However, after Jesus’ death and resurrection we see much more imperatives to corporate bodies than singular people.  There are exceptions of course (see Paul’s letters to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon—although it was actually written to three people) but the four Gospels, Acts, Revelation, and most of the rest of the Pauline Epistles are written with a corporate mindset.  As my pastor says “All theology is local church theology”.

America is an individualistic culture.  From a sociological viewpoint, most believers in this country are bent towards shutting out the rest of the congregation in church services rather than letting them in.  I firmly believe that the success of many Charismatic movements has flourished in this country because of their emphasis on the individualistic worship experience (remember, I IS a Charismatic—don’t throw stones at me my friends).  So any direction we can take in our song services to point back to the corporate experience rather than the individualistic one—in order to stay in balance—would be a welcome act.

The words we use shape our thinking.  There’s little doubting that a person’s language not only reflects their thinking (Luke 6:45) but also influences it (Zeph. 3:9).  (Here is one article dealing with this subject.)  One only needs to do a basic study into the careful handling of words and language in the holy scriptures to see this importance.  To dip back into the sociological realm for a moment, I recall one study that showed that most men in prison have names that are most easily mocked and ridiculed.  Racism is most easily inflicted by the sinful use of language.  In short, the relationship between the heart’s affects on language and language’s effect on the heart cannot be separated.

In my next post, I will look at practical examples of the use of singular and plural nouns in song services.

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As I was studying a very practical passage in 1 Peter 4:12-16 on suffering, it set me to pondering about an issue that may have come up for fellow Music Ministers.  The passage goes like so:

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; ¹³ but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. ¹⁴ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; ¹⁶ but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

Peter is dealing with churches in various regions, including Galatia and Asia, in regards to the (1) Reality of suffering, the (2) Reasons for suffering, the (3) Remedy for suffering, and the (4) Rank of suffering.  I will expand on these  points today and then in following entries apply it to the life of a Music Minister.

Reality Of Suffering.  Notice that the Apostle says that we are not to be “surprised” by suffering.  I tend to think that Peter is being a bit easy on me here.  He might also say don’t be “miffed” or “angered” or “frustrated” at the fiery ordeal because that is what I am far more prone to do than merely experience surprise.  Obviously, the churches to whom Peter was writing were far more mature than I am.

Notice also that he says that these trials “come upon” us (v. 12).  The suffering in which Peter refers is not the direct result of sin on the part of the sufferer but is something that comes from the Hand of Providence and is ordained by God Himself.  There is no sense, therefore, in thinking that I can be excused from suffering.  Which gets to my second point….

Reasons For Suffering.  Peter says that we must be tested.  They come “upon us for” our “testing” (v. 12) so that ultimately we may “rejoice with exultation” (v. 13).  This is not in a meritorious sense but in the sense of having great pleasure in identifying with Jesus IN suffering.  It is evidence to the sufferer for assurance that the “Spirit of glory and of God” is at work in the sufferer’s life (v. 14).  The challenge in suffering is to see it as for our good (Rom 8:28).  They did not “get past” God nor are they sent by God because He is a masochist or mean-spirited.  They are an expression of His love to His children.

Remedy For Suffering.  Because of all this, we are to rejoice and “keep on rejoicing” (v. 13).  Notice the language.  It is already assumed that we ARE rejoicing.  If I am not in a rejoicing lifestyle, something is wrong.  Suffering is a sign of God’s blessing (v. 14).  (Soap Box Moment—why don’t we hear THAT preached by “prosperity gospel” preachers???)

Rank Of Suffering.  Here’s what I really wanted to get to.  Thankfully, Peter qualifies suffering.  He is not saying that all suffering is a direct result of loving Jesus.  The bible says in Gal. 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap”.  To be honest, most of my suffering is because of my own selfishness.  A man going to the electric chair because he murdered a family of four is NOT what Peter is talking about here.  He IS talking about practical rejection because we treasure Jesus and stand on the truth that He gives through the gospel.  In verse 15, he says to be sure that we are not suffering because of our sin.

It’s on this point that I wish to make points of application in terms of growth (and lack of it) in church Music Departments.  In my next posts, I will attempt to give good reasons and bad reasons for lack of numbers increase.

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…We won’t sing it at Grace Life Church.  I humbly submit that this should be the mantra of any church’s Music Program.  If the lyrics of a song cannot be read in a sermon and stand up to the doctrinal integrity of the preaching standards with scripture as the foundation then it should not be sung at all.

It is the holy responsibility of every Pastor to preach the unadulterated, immutable, infallible Word of God, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ being central.  A church must accurately proclaim the core doctrinal principles (One true God, Jesus as the only Son of God and Way to Salvation, the virgin birth, depravity of man, etc.) in order for true conversion to take place.  (For a clear understanding on what I’m talking about, click here to see our church’s Statement of Faith.) Like my pastor says it, “If you don’t have conversion right, nothing else matters!”

If that is taking place in your church, then you, as the Music Minister, have a wonderful opportunity to be an extension of that preaching in singing about it!  I am so very blessed here at our church to work with a pulpit that has such deep, rich, glorious truth coming from it. I’ve got to do all I can just to keep up!  Our church has been so wonderfully trained to look at the messages of the songs that we sing, to glory in the depth of that message, to not primarily look to a song style or flavor or the Top 20 Countdown to stay culturally relevant.  Most importantly, true, biblical conversions have occurred here so that our congregation rejoices in singing truth.  Music is not the focal point, God as He knows Himself to be is.

Once you have tasted of the richness of the depth of the Gospel, primarily displayed in the redemption of fallen man, singing about anything else just doesn’t seem worth it.  I know many churches that sing more about healing and deliverance, more about wealth and prosperity, more about spiritual warfare and kingdom dominion.  Those things aren’t wrong as much as they are lesser subjects!  As a Music Minister (in a biblically healthy church) stick to the most glorious, most powerful, most rich subject—that of a holy, perfect, complete, majestic God saving wretched, fallen, dead, God-hating man by providing His perfect, matchless, glorious Son by making Him to be sin for us!

I’ve lead songs about heaven, about “victory”, about gardens and mountains and rivers, about family, about the Church, about nations and governments, about prayer, about sun, moon, and stars, about worship, about singing.  Nothing compares to redemption, the cross, the blood, the curse of man and the ultimate saving of man.  Build your song services around that theme.  Yes, throw in some of the other songs occasionally but make sure your congregation sings about the glory of redemption.  You can do that even if not much of that subject is preached from your pulpit!

Brother Music Minister, be a theologian first and a musician second.

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Well, since I’m on a roll with calling out a song in my last entry, today I’ll give you more songs to consider dropping from your church’s song list.  Let’s say I’m trying to make myself less and less popular. J

Before I do, let me make one important clarification from my entry dealing with Mikeschair and their song “Someone Worth Dying For”.  Forgive any misunderstanding in that I was not trying to say that the guys in the band are wolves.  Only the Lord can truly know that.  In fact, under their picture, I expressed that I hoped that they weren’t wolves.  I hope and pray—just as I do with anyone that I don’t personally know—that they are genuine, sincere followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The “wolf” in my last entry was false doctrine, i.e. a warping and twisting of the gospel to fit man’s desire and not God’s.  It was in that context that I was warning fellow Music Ministers to have discernment.  (That’s not to say that people cannot be wolves—they can.  But that was not the intent of my post.) We can’t assume that a song is biblically accurate just because it comes from Christian sources.  I have asked the guys from Mikeschair to forgive me and trust that they have done that.

With that being said, let’s look at some other songs that you should consider dropping from your church’s repertoire:

In The Garden.  It’s not based upon scripture but on a mystical subjective experience.  It’s not that it’s heretical but there are many other better songs to sing about Christ’s eminence to us.  That’s not to say that we should discount all mystical subjective experiences (as long as they agree with scripture).  I pray that you have wonderful times with the Lord in your prayer closet.  I just don’t know that we need to sing corporately about them.

I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy.  While this song has a desire to center on Christ (a good thing) it is based on a dream (a not-so-good thing) and just like the first song in this list, it’s not the best basis from which a congregation should sing.  I’ve sung it and directed it in the past but have now determined that there are better songs that center on Christ than this one.

Friend Of God.  I’m sure this one will get some return fire.  However, I would not include this song for a church service because it centers more on the worshiper than on the Object of Worship—Jesus.  There are too many “I’s” in this song and not enough “He’s”.  Again, I’m not gonna brand anyone a heretic for doing this one.  But it has been done way too much in lieu of other far superior songs that speak of God’s love for His children.

The Heart Of Worship.  My main bugaboo with this song is the line “Longing just to bring something that’s of worth that will bless Your heart” (with “Your” being God).  I know what Redman means with this line in that the only worthy sacrifice is that of faith and not of works.  However, it’s easy to confuse a congregant into thinking that it’s about making God dependent upon the worshiper as if He were the beneficiary.  God is only and will always only be the Benefactor and the worshiper the beneficiary.  If that can be properly taught in your church then this song may work fine.

I Love You Lord.  You may think I’m being far too picky with this one too but the line “take joy, my King, in what You hear/may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your Ear” just rubs me the wrong way.  I just don’t see in the prevalence of scripture where the effects of worship on God are highlighted.  The scriptures speak more of the benefits and blessings of obedience on the worshiper as the worshiper focuses on what God has done.

Above All.   It’s just the last line (“you thought of me above all”) that’s the problem.  Everything else in this song is gold.  Why is the last line the problem?  Because Christ thought of His Father above all—not us.  He certainly thought of us—without question!  But to usurp God the Father’s position in the Mind of Christ with man doesn’t jive with the Book.

God-Shaped Hole.  In no way shape or form would I do this one.  That title is based on a modern cliché that has no biblical merit.  Our hearts are not fitted with a space for God.  Our hearts are desperately wicked and filled with hatred for God before conversion.  In regeneration, we are given new hearts that now love, cherish, and honor the Lord.  God has to do away with our old hearts.  This song is based on the premise that we are basically good and just need God to complete our lives.  The bible says that we have no life apart from God.

Again, I do not mean to throw stones at any of the writers of these song or anyone who has sung them in the past (or else I would have to bash my own head in!)  I’m just asking you to really think through every song that you use in a church service.

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