Last week I wrote about allowing revelation and response so as to exalt the role of the Holy Spirit in each of these and diminish our role as worship leaders. I was planning to drive on it to the Core Values that we are discussing as a subcommittee of Elders, but did not feel a release from the Lord on this. As I have prayed over the weekend and was meditating even today on what the Lord would have me share with you as we go on this journey I wanted to lay at least one more stepping stone along the foundation of this path. It is this, worship ≠ music, or worship does not equal music.
So often when people talk about worship, they are thinking music. If you look at these Tunings, listen closely to what I say, and hear what I hope is the consistent instruction I offer, you discern something entirely different. At least I hope you do. So that I am understood as we begin to talk about the Core Values of our corporate worship I wanted to make you certain I am NOT talking about music.
As we get into those Core Values, what you will notice is that they have nothing to do with music, or rather are not exclusive to musical expressions of worship. Though music may be a means of expressing any number of them, it is not the solitary expression of them, and probably is not even commonly connected with some. For you see, though music is a wonderful vehicle for our worship, it is but one of many choices. Depending on the path immediately before us, one might choose music over another vehicle, just as one would choose a different car based on the terrain directly ahead…
The scripture clearly commands praise. Psalms 8:2 says, “From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise.” “Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises” declares the Psalmist in 46:6. The Psalms conclude with “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” [Psalm 150:6] Not only the Psalms, but in a number of other places we are instructed to “sing”, i.e. Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19, to name a just a couple. Singing praise is just one vehicle to use as we worship, but there are even many expressions of it, including a variety of styles, no one of which could fully communicate the vastness of our God.
While we will all agree on that, we will not so quickly agree on which is best. Unfortunately, that is often informed more by our experience than the scripture. As the leader, I have to choose the vehicle, hopefully under the influence of the Holy Spirit. In the size of congregation we have there are differences of opinion. Understandably so. But what we need to remember, among other things, is that worship, and particularly in this example, praise, is for God. Certainly we benefit from it, but let us keep Him first or we are on precarious ground, if not unbiblical.
And besides, which music does God like best? Have you ever really thought of that question? It seems kind of absurd when you really ponder it. Of all the tones and timbres that resonate among the people of the earth, which is His favorite. Over the majestic symphonies of ocean waves and the whistling of the wind through pines on mountain peaks, what does He really like to hear? Over the glorious sonnets of the angels as they sing “Holy, holy is the Lamb”. What does God most enjoy among our trifling attempts at praise in song? I will answer that question next week, as I finish this discourse and make my case that worship does NOT equal music.
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
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