"Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts." EPHESIANS 5:18-19
I found the part of this short interview (Bob Kauflin) that spoke of singing being the fruit of being filled with the Holy Spirit, to be a profound thought to meditate upon.
Some of our worship team returned from a recent worship conference and it's been evident that they were "filled up" by what is "spilling out". Good stuff taking place at our church among the musicians and the multiple teams that serve two services. We are seeing song, craft, excellence and a honest and humble offering of themselves to the Lord in singing, playing and writing. They are an amazing group of worshippers that are expanding, growing and stretching to become all that God deserves and yet reflect all that God is pleased with at this moment in time. It's good stuff and I am so proud to see two of my kids right in the middle of all the hard work and heartfelt ministry.
I am excited to see it, experience it and watch it grow. People are touched, God is worshipped through instruments and singing and Lord willing, those who do not know the Father will be drawn to the celebration in His house, by the music spilling into the streets.
17 comments:
I'm not sure about God's musical inclinations, but "only Christians know true joy", do you agree with that?
not sure.
I'm not sure I agree with it either. And it sounds arrogant to hear it said. I wish we didn't have to play the higher on the ladder religious game.
Christ sent his disciples to different places to preach and teach, helping to prepare for his arrival.
They came back with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name" - Luke 10:17.
Christ explained that that power was also theirs, and warned them not to rejoice in it.
Instead, He pointed them to the only secure basis for joy - "rejoice that your names are written in heaven" - Luke 10:20.
Money, power, big ministries, great accomplishments, great opportunities, etc. can't and don't offer the deep and lasting joy that a relationship with Christ does.
Finding joy in pleasures and accomplishments of life is one thing, but if it defines our self worth than disappointment will follow, unlike knowing the "true" joy of being "In Christ".
Great joy is indeed found in this and I believe that is what Bob was getting at.
There is true joy in knowing that peace and security of Him can't be taken away.
I will never blot his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels -Rev. 3:5.
Whoever comes to me I will never drive away. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish - John 6:37 and 10:27.
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will be ashamed of him when He comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels - Mark 8:38.
For the believer, everything in this life is a temporary, earthly experience.
While there is GREAT joy in MANY things, NOTHING can substitute the joy he is referring to.
I don't think it is arrogant, although it certainly should be stated with some clarification to ensure it is not perceived as such...AMEN??
Holy Hallelujah!
Is that a bit if cynicism in the response :)
Sorry - didn't mean to get all hyper spiritual or anything.
Just some things to think about from one "Christian" perspective.
Bob spoke at two session during the CMS conference, both were very simple yet profound. I am getting a copy of his book "Worship Matters" where one of many topics is how theology is essential when we write worship songs. Like he said in one of his sessions. "The question isn't who is called to be a theologian. We are all theologians because we are Christians. The question is are you a good one, or a poor one."
Good stuff...many, many pages of notes were taken during that conference, of which I am still trying to digest. Love it!
LeeElla :)
Cynicism, pessimism, sarcasm, wit or twit? Just kidding. Yeah, a bit much of the versoblender for me. My point was that the human need to be above others is revolting and even when it's wrapped in a lofty idea it's still stinks.
youtube is blocked at work so i did not see the video...
but...i remember one time when i was in Bible college this guy i hardly know walked up to mean and said, "you know what your problem is? you don't have any joy..."
i wanted to say something really cynical and/or sarcastic back to him, but i knew that he was right...
and maybe that's part of the reason that i dropped out of the school before graduating...
yes, i am 8 classes away from having a theology degree....
anyways, i am kinda like matt in that i think a lot of Christians look like a happy nut!
i don't think that is what people thought of Jesus and the disciples...
yes, they did have joy...but they didn't walk around like a lot of people in a lot of churches..."hey, how's it going, brother? oh, not perfect? well, let's pray about that right now..."
no....but they did have joy...joy unspeakable and full of glory...
i've had glimpses of it...but i am so full of cynicism and sarcasm sometimes that i don't allow it to fill me up.....and change me...
i miss the comfort in feeling sad..- kurt cobain
Man, I just loved that video, and the verse about God singing over His people like a mother over her child is so filled with beauty and rich expression of my view of God I can't wait to look it up and put it to memory.
That being said, the only fly in the ointment was when I felt that same twing that Matt felt. Does a Christian mother sing over her infant with more joy than a non-Christian? Does a non-beleiver's son bring him less joy when he hits the baseball for the first time? I think God in His great love for mankind, gives common graces to all, this is part of what Jesus meant when He said God is kind to the wicked, in my humble opinion. But, will there be a joy to compare to that of hearing in person God singing over us in heaven? That will be the fulfillment of joy and everlasting.
I'm looking for that day,
Love Dad
I've gotta add one more thing; this is to Joey-- I appreciate your honesty, and I have to say when I first read your comments in the past I wasn't sure where you were coming from, but as you unveil more of your personality, I find a kindred spirit with you,love your humor and candor; and that line from Kurt Cobain --- love it.
Fred
thanks...
kurt actually sang "i miss the comfort in being sad..."
i was close.... :-)
i finally watched the video, and i don't really disagree with what he said about only in Christ can you have "true joy..."
he didn't say you can't be happy...but wouldn't that kind of echo what Christ said? that only in Him can you have true joy?
not in an us vs. them kind of thing... but it IS in a we have the Answer kind of way...
because we do! :-)
I still beg to differ, we don't have the answer. God does. There is a difference and the way we express this affects people. ~Matt
He who has the Son has life, he who doesn't have the Son doesn't have life. 1john 5:12
That's good enough for me.
semantics....yes, it is God who has the answer...yes
we point the way towards Him..
I think the point that Matt is trying to make is not that there is a peace in God that passes understanding, nor that there can be a joy unspeakable and full of glory, but rather that as Christians we can sometimes portray an attitude of "We have something you don't and that makes us better". This is a repugnant attitude, and you may have felt it even from a fellow brother. I understated that, forgive me, yes, of course you have, and it is dividing not unifying. Matt lives in a different culture and is more sensitive to these kinds of things and it is a real issue. This particular case is small but it illustrates larger offenses that we somtimes miss completely after someone has left us with frustration.
That's my take on it.
Fred
ok, if you put it that way, agreed...sadly..
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