The Vision of Christ Covenant Church Our Vision of Worship Colossians 3:15-17

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1 1 Sermon Notes for September 14, 2003 The Vision of Christ Covenant Church Our Vision of Worship Colossians 3:15-17 Introduction A. What Is A VISION? 1. Proverbs 28:19 Without a vision, the people perish. a. when people aren t directed, aren t given a goal as a people, they will rebel and go off in all directions. b. leaders who truly lead will provide the people that they lead, a vision. c. when people don t have a vision, they will create their own vision. 2. Burt Nanus Visionary Leadership There is no more powerful engine driving an organization toward excellence and long-range success than an attractive, worthwhile, achievable vision for the future, widely shared. 3. George Barna Vision for ministry is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances. B. What Is OUR VISION? 1. Over the next several weeks, we will be discussing the vision of our church in the following critical areas: a. preaching b. worship c. teaching d. fellowship e. discipleship f. ministry g. prayer h. evangelism i. missions j. mercy k. impact on our culture 2. Today, we will discuss our vision for worship at Christ Covenant. C. What Was PAUL S VISION? 1. We need to look very closely to what Paul thought about worship. a. we think that we know what Paul thought. b. we need to look very closely to actually see what Paul thought. 2. Because, ultimately we want to be Biblical in our worship. I. Let The PEACE OF CHRIST RULE. Vs. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. A. The OPTION For Peace. 1. Worship begins with peace within. a. an unbeliever cannot worship God until he has PEACE with God. 1. this is talking about conversion a person who is not a Christian cannot know what worship is because he is not at peace with God.

2 2. some 40 years ago Dr. Billy Graham wrote a book called Peace With God a. you can t know God until you have settled your account with Him b. The world will never know peace until it finds it in the cross of Jesus Christ. You will never know the peace with God, peace of conscience, peace of mind, and peace of soul until you stand at the foot of the cross and identify yourself with Christ by faith. There is a secret of peace. This is peace with God. 3. this is the peace given by Jesus a. His cross b. His shed blood c. Colossians 1:19-20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. b. the believer, however, is the focus of Paul s words here HE IS SPEAKING TO CHRISTIANS! 1. why must a Christian be told that he needs to let the peace of Christ rule? a. because sin separates us from God b. and where there is sin, there is no peace c. when a Christian falls into a sin, he will lose his peace 2. THIS IS A DECISION THAT A CHRISTIAN CAN MAKE! a. you can decide whether or not you want to be at peace with God b. so... if you are not at peace with God, IT IS YOUR FAULT AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. 2. Peace blesses us with worship within. a. within 1. the peace of Christ must rule a. the word for rule is a word used in wrestling matches or other athletic events 1. a ruler was actually an umpire a referee in an athletic event 2. the umpire ruled whether the athletes were competing fairly and by the rules b. the peace of Christ must be our umpire 1. our peace determines whether something should be allowed in our hearts a. can I have hate in my heart there will be no peace b. can I have a judgmental attitude in my heart there will be no peace c. can I have a lack of love in my heart there will be peace 2

3 2. the peace of Christ within becomes the tattletale of my soul. 2. the peace of Christ must lead us to worship a. you can t truly worship God until you have peace within your soul b. that s why you can t truly worship God when you come: 1. with hatred in your heart 2. with lust in your heart 3. with pride in your heart c. PEACE PRECEDES PRAISE! b. without 1. if you can t worship without peace within your life, you certainly cannot worship without peace with those around you a. not only will a lack of peace cause you not to worship b. you will not be able to worship with others as well 2. we must notice here that Paul is not just speaking to us as individuals a. look at verse 15 let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (plural), since as members (plural) of one body you (plural) were called to peace. b. Paul is speaking to the church as a body 3. so, don t think that you can simply walk in on a Sunday morning worship service and worship a. if there is no peace in your heart BEFORE you walk into the room... b. then, you will hinder the worship of the entire church body B. The OBLIGATION To Peace. 1. This cannot simply be your own personal struggle with peace. 2. Your peace or lack of peace will affect us all as a worshipping church. a. because you will be bothered by others who are truly worshipping - BECAUSE you are not at peace yourself b. story of King David and wife (II Samuel 6:16-23) c. When Leonardo davinci was painting The Last Supper, he became angry with a man and lashed out at him. He even threatened him. Then he went back to his fresco and tried to paint the face of Jesus. He couldn t for there was too much evil stirring inside him. The lack of peace forced him to put down his brushes, go find the man, and ask his forgiveness. Only then did he have the inner calm needed to do the face of his Master. C. The OUTCOME Of Peace. 1. It is interesting how Paul introduces this phrase and be thankful. a. as one commentator asked, was this an after thought? b. how does thankfulness fit into a text about worship? 2. Thankfulness is a PRODUCT OF PEACE a. how can a person come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, be given peace AND NOT BE THANKFUL? 3

4 b. how can a person realize that he will not go to hell forever and NOT BE THANKFUL? c. how can a person sense peace in their relationships AND NOT BE THANKFUL? 3. IN FACT, BEING THANKFUL IS WHAT WORSHIP IS ALL ABOUT! a. after all, what are we thankful for? 1. that Jesus came from heaven to this earth 2. that Jesus died on the cross for my sins 3. that Jesus rose again from the dead and is interceding for me at the right hand of God 4. that I will be in heaven forever b. thanksgiving is what we should sing about 1. Paul says in verse 16 the same thing Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. a. the word thankful and gratitude are the same word in the Greek b. the Greek word is eucharisto where we get the word grace c. and HOW has God graced us? 1. how can you not sing about His grace? 2. God s grace is what causes us to fall on our knees. 2. notice how Paul writes in the New Testament a. I Corinthians 1:4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. b. Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. c. not to mention that EVERY LETTER OF PAUL S IS INTRODUCED WITH THE WORDS grace and peace to you. 1. Because God had graced Paul 2. Paul wanted to grace others 3. and notice how many hymns focus on the grace of God: a. Great Is Thy Faithfulness b. O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go c. To God Be The Glory d. Come, Ye Thankful People Come e. God Is So Good f. Now thank We all Our God g. Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed h. Beneath the Cross of Jesus i. The Old Rugged Cross j. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross c. thanksgiving in the life of the Christian, is an evidence of the peace of God in one s heart W.Hendricksen ingratitude marks paganism. 4

5 II. Let The WORD OF CHRIST DWELL A. The OPTION Of The Word. 1. Worship continues with His Word. a. FIRST, a person must be at peace with God. b. SECOND a person must be at peace with others. c. THIRD a person will be thankful and ready to worship. d. FOURTH a person at peace with God and others will want to hear from God. 2. Worship combines with His Word. a. worship of God CANNOT take place without the Word of God. 1. how do you know who to worship without His Word? 2. how do you know how to worship without His Word? 3. how do you know why you are worshipping without His Word? b. I am very concerned about the direction of some of our praise and worship churches today. 1. there is so much emphasis on the praise and worship experience a. a long time of singing and sharing. b. a shorter time spent in His Word and if time is spent in the Word, it is a light message so as not to offend. 2. are we truly, worshipping when the Scriptures have such a small part of our worship experience? c. Paul, in fact, uses the words, Let the word of Christ dwell in you. 1. dwell defined a. Greek enoikeo b. to live in; to feel at home c. to be influenced by that dwelling 2. dwell applied a. not only does Paul say that the Word of God should dwell, but that it should dwell richly, abundantly. b. does this sound to you as if the part of the Word of God in worship is minor? c. quotes: 1. R.C.H. Lenski Let it (the Word) inhabit you as if you were the house and home of this Word. Let it do this in a rich way by filling every nook and corner of your being with its blessed, spiritual wisdom. 2. J.V.McGee I do not believe that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit or that you can serve Christ until you are filled with the knowledge of the His Word. 3. As a fire cannot exist without oxygen, a growing believer cannot exist without the Word of God in his life 4. Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. 5

6 5. Harry Ironside was a great Pastor and expositor of the Word. He told of visiting a Godly man names Andrew Frazer who had come to southern California to recover from a serious illness. Though quite weak, he opened his worn Bible and began expounding the deep truths of God in a way that Ironside had never heard before. Ironside was so moved by Frazer s words that he asked him, Where did you get these things? Could you tell me where I could find a book that would open them up to me? Did you learn them in some seminary or college? The sickly man gave an answer that Ironside could not forget: My dear young man, I learned these things on my knees on the mud floor of a little sod cottage in the north of Ireland. There with my open Bible before me I used to kneel for hours at a time and ask the Spirit of God to reveal Christ to my soul and to open the Word to my heart. He taught me more on my knees on that mud floor than I ever could have learned in all the seminaries or colleges in the world. B. The OBLIGATION Of The Word. 1. The need to learn. a. the Greek word didaske means to specifically and particularly teach the Word of God. b. this means that at every worship service, if true worship is to take place, the Word of God must be carefully taught. 2. The need to admonish. a. true worship will not only involve the mind, it will involve the heart. 1. the mind hears and is taught. 2. but it is the heart that must change. b. admonishment is required if true teaching takes place. 1. the heart must be challenged. 2. and ultimately, the heart must be changed. C. The OPPORTUNITY Of The Word In Music. 1. NOTICE the teaching that takes place through music a. Paul not only says that we are to teach the Word of God, b. but that we are to sing the Word of God. 1. you can t divorce singing from the Word of God. a. we are not only to be thankful for the grace of God, b. but we are to sing about the grace of God. 2. so, the Scriptures become the basis for the songs that we sing. a. that is why anything that we sing in worship should not only represent Scripture 6

7 b. but that one song that we sing in church should revel in Scripture 1. after all, how do we know about the grace and mercy of God? 2. His written Word has told us 2. but notice also as Paul says that teaching takes place in all types of music a. psalms 1. this does refer to the book of Psalms, which was written for the Old Testament church to sing 2. the word Psalms means: a. to pluck, to twang b. singing songs with instruments 1. Psalm 6 for the director of music with stringed instruments 2. Psalm 33:1-3 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. 3. Ps. 98:4-9 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn-- shout for joy before the LORD, the King. 4. Ps. 150 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. b. hymns 1. it is not clear what this word humnos (Greek) means 2. many believe that as the Psalms are Old Testament songs of praise - while the hymns are New Testament songs of praise 3. for every generation of the church has produced its own music to praise God 4. all hymns most certainly focus on the person and work of Christ c. spiritual songs 1. because these types of songs are not Psalms and not hymns, what are they? 7

8 8 a. most commentators believe that spiritual songs were just that b. some were songs of spontaneous praise, others were songs of testimony 2. these songs most certainly resembled our current praise music 3. but let s speak also about traditions of music a. traditional music 1. our understanding of traditional music a. for the past 500 years, music had not changed a great deal 1. we have used only hymnbooks 2. we have played our organs and pianos 3. the traditional worship service has focused on these elements and instruments to create the service a. three hymns from a hymnbook accompanied by either a piano or organ b. a special by the choir c. a message preached by a preacher b. for many, this is the ordained method of worship 2. our misunderstanding of traditional music a. traditional music was challenged in the Reformation 1. when Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic church worship service was done in Latin. Because of this the congregation never sang in their native tongue 2. Martin Luther changed that tradition by writing songs that were written in the native tongue of the people a. the Catholic Church also looked down on Luther for his break with tradition b. the Catholic Church looked down on Martin Luther s songs because not only did he write new lyrics but also often used common melodies that were sung in German beer halls i.e. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God b. traditional instruments were challenged during the Reformation 1. Reformers John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli refused the use of instruments in worship a. John Calvin Musical instruments, in celebrating the praise of God, would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps and the

9 9 restoration of other shadows of the Law. b. Ulrich Zwingli banned all music from Reformation worship with the argument, God is interested in only the melody heard, not voices or instruments. c. violins were even forbidden in worship as they were associated with dance 2. John Wesley would later say: I have no objection to the organ in our chapels, provided it is neither heard nor seen. 3. Martin Luther had a somewhat different view of instruments. Luther would say: It is not my view that the Gospel should cause all the arts to be struck down and disappear; on the contrary, I should like to see all the arts and especially music, used in the service of Him who gave and created them. Whenever it was helpful, I would have all the bells peal, all the organs thunder and everything sound that could sound. c. thus, we can clearly say there is no such thing as traditional music for tradition continues to change 1. where in the Scripture does it say that we are to sing traditional hymns from the hymnbook? a. who wrote the hymnbooks? b. the only book in the Bible that gives us specific songs to sing is the book of Psalms 2. for those who believe that we should only use the organ and piano in worship these two instruments are not mentioned in Scripture a. the organ was not invented until the 8 th or 9 th centuries 1. in its earliest years, organs were used basically to give a pitch to the singers 2. during the Reformation, the organ was not generally used. Luther was the one who began to use the organ for the choir and congregational singing 3. during the 18 th century, certain churches returned to a simple worship and did not use the organ

10 10 4. it wasn t until the 19 th century that the church saw a revival of the organ b. the piano was not invented until the 1700 s in Italy 1. at first: the piano was considered secular and was not used in worship services 2. it wasn t until the early 20 th Century that due to the lack of use of the organ, the piano was used, but only in some affluent congregations. b. contemporary music 1. our understanding of contemporary music a. if you compared Luther s music to the music of the Roman Catholic Church, then Luther s music could be considered contemporary 1. it is interesting to see what people call traditional and what people call contemporary 2. due to the age (15-20 years) of some current contemporary music, we are now hearing about traditional contemporary b. thus, there will always be a traditional and there will always be a contemporary 2. our misunderstanding of contemporary music a. we tend to criticize anything in church music that is new b. when the fact is that music is ALWAYS BEING WRITTEN BY EVERY GENERATION! 1. a great deal of our hymns have been written in the last years! 2. what is the difference between a song written in the last years and the last weeks? a. as long as it is Biblically based b. and praises the work and grace of God c. listen to the words of some of our contemporary songs 1. All Hail King Jesus Dave Moody All hail, King Jesus! All hail Emmanuel, King of kings, Lord of lord, Bright Morning Star. And throughout eternity I ll sing your praises And I ll reign with You throughout eternity.

11 11 2. Great Is the Lord M.W. Smith Great is the Lord, He is holy and just, By His power we trust in His love. Great is the Lord, He is faithful and true, By His mercy He proves He is love. Great is the Lord, and worthy of glory. Great is the Lord, and worthy of praise. Great is the Lord, now lift up your voice, Now lift up your voice: Great is the Lord! Great is the Lord! 3. Shine, Jesus Shine Graham Kendrick Lord, the light of Your love is shining In the midst of the darkness shining; Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us, Set us free by the truth You now bring us, Shine on me, shine on me. Lord, I come to Your awesome presence, From the shadows into your radiance; By the blood I may enter Your brightness, Search me, try me, Consume all my darkness, Shine on me, shine on me. As we gaze on your Kingly brightness, So our faces display Your likeness; Ever changing from glory to glory, Mirror d here may our lives tell Your story, Shine on me, shine on me. d. But let s also have a sense of humor about our differences in musical taste: An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church where his nephew attended. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. Well, said the farmer, it was good. They did something different, however. They sang praises choruses instead of hymns. Praise choruses? said his wife. What are those? Oh, they re OK. They are sort of like hymns, only different, said the farmer. Well, what s the difference? asked his wife. The farmer said, Well, it s like this If I were to say to you: Martha, the cows are in the corn well, that would be a hymn. If on the other hand, I were to say to you:

12 12 Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN. Then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well, that would be a praise chorus. The next weekend, his nephew came to visit his uncle and attended the local church of the small town. He went home and his mother asked him how it was. Well, said the young man, it was good. They did something different however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs. Hymns? asked his mother. What are those? Oh, they re OK. They are sort of like regular songs, only different, said the young man. Well, what s the difference? asked his mother. The young man said, Well, it s like this If I were to say to you: Martha, the cows are in the corn well, that would be a regular song. If on the other hand, I were to say to you: Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry Incline thine ear to the words of my mouth Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth. Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight Have broken free their shackles, their warm pens enschewed Then goaded by minions of darkness and night They all my mild Chlliwack sweet corn have chewed. So look to the bright shining day by and by Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn Where no vicious animals make my soul cry And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn. Then if I were to do all the verses and do a key change on the last verse, that would be a hymn. e. We need to realize that Paul was fighting a Jewish ceremonialism that had crept into the church at Colossae! f. Hendricksen It is well to bear in mind that Paul s purpose is not to lay down detailed rules and regulations pertaining to ecclesiastical liturgy.

13 13 III. Let The NAME OF CHRIST BE PRAISED. A. The PURPOSE Of Worship. 1. Whatever we do, we do it, sing it, to praise Jesus. 2. THIS BECOMES OUR CRITERIA FOR WORSHIP. a. whatever style we use b. does it praise the work and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ? c. don t let your traditions get in the way of true worship B. The PRAISE For Worship. 1. And also, praising the God and Father of Jesus, who sovereignly sent His Son to die for our sins. 2. To praise the Heavenly Father who gave up His Son for us. Conclusion: 1. What is the vision of Christ Covenant in worship? a. that we base our worship on the Word of God 1. that the Scriptures are the basis and judge of our worship 2. that this is how we judge the music of our church b. that we do not base our taste and use of music on perceived traditions that have no basis in Scripture 1. being uncomfortable with a certain style is very different than being unbiblical 2. identify your traditions, ADMIT YOUR TASTES! c. that we as individuals and as a body, pray for and strive with all of our strength to achieve the peace of God in our souls. 1. this peace will truly cause us to be thankful to praise God; to worship 2. this peace will prevent us from judging others, especially their music d. that we as a church learn to express ourselves with all the various styles of music that help each and every person and generation to praise Jesus. 1. all types of choirs a. adult choirs b. youth choirs c. children s choirs 2. all types of presentations a. choirs b. ensembles c. trios d. solos 3. all types of instruments a. organ b. piano c. harp d. violin e. guitar f. flute g. drums h. cymbals

14 14 e. that we become a balanced, worshipping church 1. that the first half of the service is singing the Word 2. and the second half of the service is teaching the Word 3. and that we see both singing and teaching as two parts of a whole. f. that we gain a reputation as a worshipping church 1. that those who sing will be touched deep within their soul with the majesty and ministry of Jesus Christ 2. that those who hear will be overwhelmed about the depth of God s Word. 2. Several years ago the executives at Disney World were surprised to find from their exit surveys that some families were leaving the theme park disappointed. Do you know why? They had come to see somebody but during their visit they never crossed paths with him. His name was Mickey Mouse. So the Disney executives created a way that everyone who wanted to see Mickey Mouse would be able to see him. Now on every day of the week at noon, a parade comes down Main Street with you know who leading the way. The result, children now leave the park happy and content because of who they saw. The Disney discovery applies to the church as well. You may have come to church for a myriad of reasons. Perhaps you re lonely, you are feeling guilty, or maybe you are lost. Whether you realize it or not, people come to church in hopes of seeing one person, his name is Jesus. He can meet your needs and save your soul.