Worship Today Worship Today

What Do You Think About The Comment Given Below? “I don’t get anything out of this worship service. The music is not lively, the singing is uninspiring, and the sermon is plain boring. It is more like attending a funeral service than a real worship service!”

1.Not commenting on cultural worship styles  For instance, some African Christians use a lot of body gyrations in worship 2.Not commenting on different musical genres  For example, pop music versus traditional music Qualifications This message is more concerned with the Theology of Worship

Part 1: A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary Worship 2 major issues will be considered here: 2) Worship & Celebration 1) Worship & Entertainment

Part 1: A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary Worship: Worship & Entertainment Modern worship tends to degenerate into ‘entertainment’. How then do we distinguish between worship and entertainment? 3 Key Questions to consider

Part 1: A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary Worship: Worship & Entertainment Question 1: 1.Can we engage in worship without music?  Main purpose of music - merely functioning as an aid to worship.  Music becomes idolatrous when it dominates worship!

Part 1: A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary Worship: Worship & Entertainment Question 2: 2.Are the lyrics subordinated to the beat and rhythm?  Emphasis of modern worship is on upbeat and catchy songs  One particular example is the refrain: “Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes, yes Lord…”  End result: singing mindless songs!

Part 1: A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary Worship: Worship & Entertainment Question 3: 3.Does the titillation of the senses become the end goal?  Music is often used as an emotional stimulant  Is worship designed to make me feel good or uplifted?  If so, it has clearly departed from Biblical worship

Part 1: A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary Worship: Worship & Celebration Contemporary worship tends to call worship a ‘celebration’. Does worship focus on celebration or on something else as well?

Part 1: A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary Worship: Worship & Celebration 3 Key Questions: 1.Has celebration elbowed out contemplation? See 1 Corinthians 11: Is there a deep awe and reverence for God? See Isaiah 6; Hebrews 12: Does worship lead us to serve God? See Acts 13:2

Part 2: A Biblical and Holistic Approach to Worship A consideration of 2 key questions: 1.What Are The Central Elements Of Biblical Worship? 2.What Is The Fundamental Essence Of Biblical Worship?

There are 3 distinct elements: 1.GOD-centred rather than man-centred The primary focus is on the living God himself, and not upon human needs 2.WORD-centred rather than experience-centred According to Colossians 3:16, Scripture should become the foundation and instruction for Christian worship 3.TRUTH-centred rather than feeling-centred Worship should always be guided by revealed truth informing the human mind Part 2: A Biblical and Holistic Approach to Worship: What are the Central Elements of Biblical Worship?

We are following the pattern of heavenly worship: 1.When we are enthralled with God’s greatness and majesty See Revelations 4; Psalm 8 2.When we filled with gratitude for God’s redemptive love See Revelations 5 Part 2: A Biblical and Holistic Approach to Worship: What is the Fundamental Essence of Biblical Worship?

Conclusion In summary, Biblical worship has the following features: 1.A focus on the living God rather than upon human needs 2.An everyday affair, and not just a Sunday event 3.A correspondence between the heart and the lips 4.A devotion of our will to God’s purpose for our lives