Worship Today

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Worship Today
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What Do You Think About The Comment Given Below?
I dont 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!
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Qualifications

• Not commenting on cultural worship styles
• For instance, some African Christians use a lot
  of body gyrations in worship
• Not commenting on different musical genres
• For example, pop music versus traditional music

This message is more concerned with the Theology
of Worship
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Part 1 A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary
Worship

• 2 major issues will be considered here

1) Worship Entertainment
2) Worship Celebration
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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
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Part 1 A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary
Worship Worship Entertainment

• Question 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!

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Part 1 A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary
Worship Worship Entertainment

• Question 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!

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Part 1 A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary
Worship Worship Entertainment

• Question 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

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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?

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Part 1 A Constructive Criticism of Contemporary
Worship Worship Celebration

• 3 Key Questions
• Has celebration elbowed out contemplation?
• See 1 Corinthians 1127-30
• Is there a deep awe and reverence for God?
• See Isaiah 6 Hebrews 1218-29
• Does worship lead us to serve God?
• See Acts 132

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Part 2 A Biblical and Holistic Approach to
Worship

• A consideration of 2 key questions
• What Are The Central Elements Of Biblical
  Worship?
• What Is The Fundamental Essence Of Biblical
  Worship?

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Part 2 A Biblical and Holistic Approach to
Worship What are the Central Elements of
Biblical Worship?

• There are 3 distinct elements
• GOD-centred rather than man-centred
• The primary focus is on the living God himself,
  and not upon human needs
• WORD-centred rather than experience-centred
• According to Colossians 316, Scripture should
  become the foundation and instruction for
  Christian worship
• TRUTH-centred rather than feeling-centred
• Worship should always be guided by revealed
  truth informing the human mind

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Part 2 A Biblical and Holistic Approach to
Worship What is the Fundamental Essence of
Biblical Worship?

• We are following the pattern of heavenly worship
• When we are enthralled with Gods greatness and
  majesty
• See Revelations 4 Psalm 8
• When we filled with gratitude for Gods
  redemptive love
• See Revelations 5

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Conclusion

• In summary, Biblical worship has the following
  features
• A focus on the living God rather than upon human
  needs
• An everyday affair, and not just a Sunday event
• A correspondence between the heart and the lips
• A devotion of our will to Gods purpose for our
  lives