How Should We Worship? Part 1 of 4

Posted on October 31st, 2011 by adamdiehl

This post is the first in a series of blog posts about how we should worship. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed or sign up to receive email updates (in the sidebar to the right) so you don’t miss out!

1) We should worship with the “S” Word:  Sacrifice

I call sacrifice the “S Word” because nobody ever likes to talk about it. When people discuss worship they often paint a picture of a bright sky with fluffy clouds – as if Christianity was always perfect and honky-dorey. If we want to worship rightly, we need to offer God a sacrifice of worship (this has little to do with music). Worship is about humbling yourself before God; breaking your pride. Jesus did not die on a cross just so that we could be comfortable – he expects a sacrifice of worship back to Him. Let’s see this in scripture:

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies [entire lives] as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Pslams 51:17
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.

Christmas!

Posted on October 25th, 2011 by adamdiehl

The question was asked:

“I would love to hear somebody’s thoughts on Christmas music and how to plan for it within the music-and-worship area of the church. Basically, I know how to get Christmas music together and have people play it and sing it, but what can we do to give the Christmas season more impact?”

The answer to this question comes from CMI Pastor Joe Chiarelli who leads worship at Calvary Christian Center in Pennsylvania. Check out their church here.

With Christmas Day falling on Sunday this year, here at Calvary Christian Center, we are planning to have our 1 hour, “traditional” Christmas Eve Service – Carols, Candles and Communion. This family-oriented service gives us an opportunity to sing traditional carols, alternating with appropriate Scripture passages, and it allows us to incorporate either a vocal solo or a special song presented by our Kids’ Ministry “Stick Team.” The candles create a solemn, yet relaxed mood for celebrating communion, and the Pastor closes with a brief encouraging word for the family.[The time frame is: 6:00 pm to 7:00 or 7:15 pm]

I realize this may not help to answer what to do to give the Christmas season more impact, but our direction is to slow down the pace from the hectic shopping and planning and parties that fill many people’s schedules during the season, which cause them to hardly realize what they’re celebrating. This change of pace gives our Christmas Eve service the “de-stressed” atmosphere we want to give to our congregation.

This year, however, with Christmas Day falling on Sunday, music ministers are faced with finding appropriate music and “elements” to add to the service to make an impact. May I suggest that the greatest impact is to stay true to the Incarnation message. After all, it’s not the style of music or what video you incorporate into the service that matters. We want to connect with God, corporately AND individually. We need to focus on Him, giving Him the honor, the thanks, and adoration that He truly deserves. When that happens, our Christmas season will be impacted by God Himself!

What would you like to add? What are you doing to make this Christmas season extra special in your church?

Transitioning Smoothly.

Posted on October 24th, 2011 by adamdiehl

This tip comes from Jamie Brown of www.worthilymagnify.com. He discusses some very practical ways to include transitions in our worship sets. If you’re reading this in an RSS reader or email, you will need to click on the blog title, “Transitioning Smoothly” above to view this video in the cmiworship.com website.

What Does God Want In Our Worship?

Posted on October 17th, 2011 by adamdiehl

In Exodus 25, God established what he wanted in a worship service. Let’s take a look at three things God wants in Worship. These are reflections on notes that I took when I heard Jack Hayford speak on this subject.

God wants to dwell among us

In Exodus 25:8, God said, “‘Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.’” (NIV)

The first “point of awesomeness” from this verse is that when God said “I want to dwell among you” – He didn’t mean it in an “atmospherical” sense. He meant literal. God was like, “Build me a physical house!” (much of this chapter and subsequent chapters describe how that house was to be built).

The second “point of awesomeness” from this verse is that God STILL wants to dwell among us – and STILL its not in an atmospherical sense. John 17:24 shows this quite clearly. The difference between then and now (the testaments), is that now God lives inside us. Our spirits are the tabernacle of God. When we worship, God is glorified!

God wants to meet with us

Exodus 25:22 specifically states that God wants to meet with us. Again, this is a good spot for a link to John 17:24. In my bible, next to that verse I have written in pen, “Holy Crud! God WANTS to be with me!?”

This seriously blows my mind.

God wants to speak to us

Also in verse 22, God said that he wanted to meet with us, to give us his commands.

Now let’s be honest… that kinda sucks – at least on the surface. To say that God wants to be with us is awesome. But then to find out that He wants to just tell us what to do? Let’s not have a sense of false-righteousness – nobody likes to relinquish their choices for someone elses. That’s not fun for anybody. But it’s what’s best for us. It’s just like a good father will make a kid who fell asleep with candy in his mouth get up and brush his teeth (or else his teeth will fall out!), our good Father will instruct us in how we should go as well.

I want to have the same joy that the Psalmist felt when he wrote about the word of God: “I rejoice in following your statutes / as one rejoices in great riches. / I meditate on your precepts / and consider your ways. / I delight in your decrees; / I will not neglect your word.” (119:14-16).

God, when we lead people towards you – we ask for Your presence to infiltrate our room. Meet with us, Father. And may we delight in Your commands – speak Your will to Your church.

Why Do We Worship?

Posted on October 3rd, 2011 by adamdiehl

Have you ever wondered why we should worship? Let me give you three reasons Christians should truly worship Jesus.

We were created for it.

Revelation 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:9 say it all. ‘Nuff said there.

God told us to do it . . .

. . . 5,094 times. It’s the most frequent command in the Bible! Need I say more? Okay maybe just one more . . .

Worship is a response.

I wrote about that here. God is worth a response. Has God done anything in your life AT ALL? If he has, then respond in Worship!