Sing A New Song

Singing in the church worship service has been a big deal for a long time. Some people think we should only sing psalms from the Bible, some think we should only sing hymns, some think we shouldn't use instruments, some think that music should match the culture it is in, and some people just don't like to sing. I spent a good portion of my life in the last category.

But singing is a powerful part of our relationship with God. Much of the old testament is written in poetic form and many of the psalms refer to the use of instruments in praising God. There was even an established worship band in the temple. Paul and Silas were singing praises to God in jail and Jesus and the disciples sang some hymns on the way out to the garden of gethsemane. I have recently discovered that by the praise of my lips combined with the power of music, God can move His holy spirit in His people in a powerful way.

But there is a new song that the book of Revelation talks about. In Revelation 4:9-10 it says, "and they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."

We have been redeemed! That's our new song. So many people in the world around us are banging the same drum. "The economy's bad", "my marriage is in tough shape", "my life feels empty", "how's the weather", "how'd the magic do last night", and on and on and on. Or as Solomon said, "there is nothing new under the sun." Nothing new, except the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is a great reason to rejoice.

Here's the sticking point. Do people hear us singing a new song about the redemption price paid by the blood of God Himself, or do they hear us singing the same song as everyone else? What separates us is that we have a purpose in life and that purpose is to glorify God in everything we do. That's our new song. And each one of us has a new story to tell. For me it all began with a song on a cool summer night in the mountains of NC.

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, yea, all I need in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse,
relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down; now, to be thine, yea thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

How The Holy Spirit Works In Preaching

I am currently working on a thesis for my masters program. My emphasis is on preaching and how the preacher develops spiritually. But one thing I have become aware of lately in preaching really blows my mind. God uses mere men to allow His Holy Spirit to move among His people.

I'm willing to guess that many of us have heard sermons that left us feeling... well dry. Part of that is our own attitude in coming to hear the word, but most of that stems from the preachers ability to have engaged God that week through the text. Hebrews 13:15 tells us that a sacrifice of praise to God is "the fruit of lips." Fruit is interesting stuff. It only grows out of whatever is planted. So if the preacher has spent time with God, rather has been planted in His word and God has moved him, then the people will benefit from that fruit. Or as Calvin Miller says it, "great preaching grows only from the soil of great lives." Unless the preacher has lived it, he can't communicate it.

So where does that leave us? Pray that your preachers will have the attitude of John the baptizer. He said in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." We will know the Holy Spirit is at work when we can say, "God spoke today." Not "Jason gave a good sermon today," or "my pastor is really motivational." But when we walk away saying, "God was at work," then we know that we have been moved by the Holy Spirit of God. Here is the unbelievable spiritual reality about preaching, God transforms the preacher through His Holy Spirit. The preacher then unleashes that transformation on a group of people. God then connects the Holy Spirit's work in the preacher with the work He is doing among the people. It is the side of preaching that we rarely want to admit, it is Supernatural!

The next time you hear a sermon, pray for that preacher. Pray that they might experience God and be transformed. Pray that the Holy Spirit might work in them and move among His people. Ask God to stir up His Spirit in His people through His words.

Why Heartburn?

Jeremiah 20:9

"But if I say, 'I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,' then in my heart if becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it."

I can relate to Jeremiah's pain. I have a passion for the things of God on my heart. He has sent me to preach to His people, to call them back to Him. But this blog will be an opportunity for me to put the things that burn within my heart down for others to see on a regular basis. I want people to love God as much as, if not more than, I do. So please check back every Friday to see what devotional thoughts have been added and feel free to comment. Hopefully your heartburn will be as strong as mine is.

Jeremiah hurt so bad, because he felt that God had tricked him. Have you ever felt like that in the church? "God you call us to minister to your people, to love them, to share in community with them. But they just don't seem to care!" In my life, I have often felt like it was pointless to continue proclaiming God's message to His people. Sometimes it seems like nobody is listening. But if God is really behind our passion, then we will be unable to hold it in. This convicts me more than anything. If I don't speak on behalf of God, then I hurt from the inside out, until I release His message. So, whether anyone hears or not, I will proclaim God's word until He returns. Besides, Jesus went all the way to the cross even though nobody was listening to Him. I'm sure God's not too concerned with my feelings of inadequacy.