Raising the Bar on the Supremacy of Christ - The contributions of Music

We live in a postmodern, pluralistic culture that relishes the idea of being known as the most religiously diverse society in the world. Every religion is correct and no one has the right to say anyone else’s faith is wrong. Political correctness demands great care in the use of terminology when referring to deity; gender neutrality and inclusiveness are essential; exclusiveness is to be rejected. 

Postmodernism involves, among other things, the denial of absolutes. What constitutes ‘truth’ is determined by each individual’s personal experience. Therefore, truth becomes entirely relative; what is true for ‘you’ may not necessarily be true for ‘me.’ Pluralism is a concept which supposedly accepts every religion as equally valid. There is, however, one exception: Christianity. Christianity is not tolerated by those who boast of their ‘toleration’ because of its exclusivity. Unacceptable in a postmodern society, there is ever increasing pressure to marginalize Christianity in the Western world.  And in an ever increasing number of Eastern countries laws are being enacted outlawing ‘conversion activities’ of any kind by Christians. 

Today, as never before, all Christians should be deeply concerned by the subtle effect this social pressure is having within the church. Not only is there a marginalization of Christianity occurring in society as a whole, there is also a marginalization of Jesus Christ occurring within the evangelical community. This marginalization of Jesus occurred among the non-evangelical churches decades ago beginning in Europe.  However, its occurrence within the evangelical community is relatively recent. 

Let’s examine the evidence as seen every Sunday across America in the churches professing to be true representatives of the Living God.

Have you noticed the increasing number of songs in worship services that make no reference to Jesus Christ or His atoning work?   More and more of the ‘new’ worship songs are using an abundance of first person pronouns such as He, Him, Lord, and God. The number of times Jesus’ name is used in these new worship songs is seriously declining. A recent review of about two dozen popular contemporary worship songs revealed that the name of Jesus was only mentioned about six times. 

The churches that sing these new songs are marketing their worship as ‘contemporary’ which apparently means focusing primarily on the needs and desires of younger adults, eliminating hymn books, and marginalizing the desires and tastes of midage and senior adults in worship music.  

  

We should be concerned about the message being sent to the nonbelievers who are visiting the church.  The church is certainly marketing to a broadly diverse audience... a Muslim, a Jew or a Buddhist could easily worship in many of today’s contemporary services and not be offended by the name of Jesus! 

An article on Christianity Today’s website written by Michael Hamilton entitled The Triumph of the Praise Songs: How Guitars Beat Out The Organ In The Worship Wars  said this, “American churchgoers no longer sort themselves out by denomination so much as by musical preference.” He observed that since the 1950s “denominational divisions have steadily become less important in American church life.” But acknowledging that we are still sectarians at heart went on to say, “Our new sectarianism is a sectarianism of worship style. The new sectarian creeds are dogmas of music. Worship seminars are the seminaries of the new sectarianism; their directors are its theologians. The ministers of the new sectarianism are our church worship leaders.”  

What kind of theology are the “seminaries” teaching tomorrow’s church leaders?  The message of these new style contemporary “theologians” and “ministers”  presented to the people sitting in church pews is not one that promotes the supremacy of Christ! 

Hamilton goes on in his article to explain why he believes we are experiencing decline in the church today.  He identified the source of the changes when he said, “All of the changes that have precipitated our worship wars are in fact part of a long trail of cultural dislocations left behind by…the baby boomers.” He described the effect as being an  unwillingness of this abnormally large generation of Americans to follow their parents’ way of influencing society: “they reoriented our society toward peers and away from family. They have moved the psychic center of the family away from obligation to others and toward self-fulfillment.” He then observed that the generation that did this in society did the same thing with religion. “Surveys consistently show that baby boomers…attend church not out of loyalty, duty, obligation, or gratitude, but only if it meets their needs.” 

This raises the additional dilemma which the evangelical church must grapple with concerning the methods we are using to reach people. Are we giving people in the world, who we are trying to reach, more of what they already have, in order to attract them? Or does the church present a message that offers something different; something that the world doesn’t have? 

Are we simply attempting to ‘reach’ people or are we trying to make disciples of Jesus Christ out of people who are not believers? Too often it appears we are more interested in attracting people by giving them what they already have and then giving them more of the same to keep them coming back than we are in changing lives. 

Talking about the generation that finds its identity in its musical style Hamilton says, “the kind of music a church offers increasingly defines the kind of person who will attend, because for this generation music is at the very center of self-understanding.”  What kind of self-understanding is the church imparting to those it reaches? Is it truly helping people enter a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and discipling them to become mature followers of Jesus?   Not much evidence of that God-mandated objective exists in today’s church.

Churches today seem more concerned with aligning and merging the individual’s worship experience perfectly with the baby boomer generations luxuriant self-concern…one cannot sing praise songs without noticing how first person pronouns tend to eclipse every other subject.  The scripture passages from which many of the praise songs draw their inspiration originate in the Old Testament or the Psalms. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, except when combined with the self-centered focus of the songs, and the worship experience being centered on the “individual” instead of exalting Jesus Christ.  Worship has always been about Him.... not us.

I think a serious question needs to be asked... Are the people successfully drawn into the church, so called converts, ‘identifying’ with Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross, based on the music being sung in the church?  I have grave doubts when Jesus is being gradually removed from our worship songs and replaced with first person personal pronouns. 

Worship music, music in the corporate worship service and all of the assistant devices and formulas for expressing worship with music must help churches produce disciples of Jesus Christ.   Music is clearly a major distraction in producing  the ‘kind’ of disciples God wants, when the focus is so dramatically self-centered and minimally on the Savior and His work on our behalf. 

More to come on The Supremacy of Christ next week.  Until then, be attentive and active in the Lord.

What does the Bible say about fear?

Throughout the pages of God’s Word, two specific types of fear are mentioned. The first type is beneficial and is to be encouraged. The second type is a detriment and is to be overcome. The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. This type of fear does not necessarily mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it is a reverential awe of God; a reverence for His power and glory. However, it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger. In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes.

Fear of the Lord brings with it many blessings and benefits. It is the beginning of wisdom and leads to good understanding (Psalm 111:10). Only fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). Furthermore, fear of the Lord leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment (Proverbs 19:23). It is the fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27) and provides a security and a place of safety for us (Proverbs 14:26). 

Thus, one can see how fearing God should be encouraged. However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not beneficial at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God.

However, sometimes we are afraid, sometimes this “spirit of fear” overcomes us, and to overcome it we need to trust in and love God completely. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). No one is perfect, and God knows this. That is why He has liberally sprinkled encouragement against fear throughout the Bible. Beginning in the book of Genesis and continuing throughout the book of Revelation, God reminds us to “Fear not.”

For example, Isaiah 41:10 encourages us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Often we fear the future and what will become of us. But Jesus reminds us that God cares for the birds of the air, so how much more will He provide for His children? “So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). Just these few verses cover many different types of fear. God tells us not to be afraid of being alone, of being too weak, of not being heard, and of lacking physical necessities. These admonishments continue throughout the Bible, covering the many different aspects of the “spirit of fear.”

In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” This is an awesome testimony to the power of trusting in God. Regardless of what happens, the psalmist will trust in God because he knows and understands the power of God. The key to overcoming fear, then, is total and complete trust in God. Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”  (Job 13:15).

Once we have learned to put our trust in God, we will no longer be afraid of the things that come against us. We will be like the psalmist who said with confidence “…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11).

BEING HOLY IS GREATLY MISUNDERSTOOD

Generally, when we think of someone being "holy" we think in terms of a monk in a cloistered environment... replete with a shaved head, beanie cap, long brown robes with a suffering look on his face.

One extreme might look like this: A monk claims to be living a strict of life following Jesus, so he breaks fellowship with the world, begins to live a life of seclusion, then claims martyrdom [kills himself], because no one likes him.  

This is not the picture the world should see when it looks at the Christian. Often, because Christians want to please the Lord and live a godly life they are accused of having a "holier than thou" attitude toward others, non-christians. The world misunderstands the Christian who is trying to live right and condemns him by saying he thinks he is better than other people.

 Another extreme is the idea that a person who is holy walks around all day, smiling, making religious statements, humming, mumbling, glowing with a halo above their heads... totally unlike normal people.

No question about it, we surely ought to live clean and godly lives which is indeed a sign of holiness, but a Christian knows he is no better than any one else. The bumper sticker we often see says it well: "Christians are not perfect, they are just forgiven."

Some denominations and Christian sects wear different clothes, no make up, comb their hair in a particular way, and generally try to look plain and think that makes them [look] holy. There are even churches who promote "standards" such as dress codes and rules to live by for their members, and those who come to visit their church. There is nothing wrong with godly standards, but often they are taken to the extreme and are substituted for genuine Christian living.  Christian living begins in the heart, not the closet.

Consider this paradox... You are searching for a church, possibly to fellowship with, you find one near your home...  Across the entrance of the front door of the church you have decided to visit is a sign saying, "No long hair or women in pants." The message is clear... if a lost man with long hair came to that church he would not be welcome, or a lost woman wearing long pants, she too would not be welcome.  Well, you have a predicament... You have long hair, maybe even a pony tail, and your wife feels more comfortable in women’s pants.  Advice...? Turn tail and run... look for another church!  That is the same philosophy the Pharisees had in Jesus's day. 

Some sincere churches, misunderstand what the Lord meant when he told Christians not to be conformed to the world. (Romans 12:2) Wearing black clothes, or a particular type of dress, having a certain pious look, does not make one holy. 

Biblical holiness is a state of the heart, in devotion to God which controls the believer's life and directs a person to "abstain from even the appearance of evil." (1 Thess. 5:22) 

We need to know without confusion what it means to be holy! Being Holy is an attitude of the heart. One does not become holy by looking a certain way or dressing up the outward appearance or even displaying odd or unusual actions.

The Biblical definition of Holy is best summed up in understanding the meaning of the Greek word  "Hagios" which simply means to be "separated”  something that is consecrated to God.

Humans living in a sinful world, cannot be holy in the sense of perfection.  People and things are not "holy" within themselves, but become holy when they are dedicated and set apart for service unto the Lord.  When a person commits their life to Christ, following the plan of salvation, you are setting yourself apart from the sin-filled world, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your mind and heart, so you may be useful in the service of God.

Maybe this illustration will help clarify what it means to be holy.  Consider the gold in the Ark of Covenant: It was holy only once it was placed in the tabernacle and dedicated to God. It had no moral qualities.  It was nothing more than a valuable metal until it was refined and used to adorn the Ark in service to the Lord. 

What made it HOLY? It was totally “separated” to service for the Lord. It was used for nothing else and no longer could it be used in any other way. Being holy, comes from an “attitude of the heart” toward our relationship in our lives to God. 

Being holy is to be dedicated to the Lord. If we truly make the commitment to live for the Lord we will seek to do what is necessary to carry it out. We will make every decision considering how it effects our "belonging" to God. The Christian will see himself as God's instrument, His possession, and will do everything possible to keep themselves free from sin. The believer's commitment to the Lord will direct how he lives his life. 

A person who in his heart does not see himself as totally dedicated to the Lord's service, could clean up his life, dress right, look right, talk right and act right, but still not be living a holy life. You see God tells us, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart." (1 Sam. 16:7)  God knows… God knows.  God makes the request of each person who professes to be His, calling Him Lord... "Be holy as I am Holy." (1 Peter 1:16)

We are not asked to be something we cannot be, only to live a live “separated” from the contaminations of a sin-filled world.  Being holy means separated from sin like God is Holy and separated from sin, is a personal choice and confirmed as honest and true by living in opposition [separated] to sin.

Sweet Sorrow or Agony – Will a church survive/recover when a preacher leaves?

There is no doubt that losing a preaching minister can be a time of upheaval for a church, especially if the preacher leaves under difficult circumstances. If a minister simply retires after long and faithful service, or if he moves to another area in response to God’s leading, it can be a time of sweet sorrow. 

His congregation can honor him with farewell gifts and celebrations, thank him with personal tributes and remembrances, and rejoice with him as he moves into another area of life and ministry. He and his family can continue to be on the hearts of his former flock and be upheld in prayer as well.

But what about when a preacher leaves in what many in the church family feel are less-than-ideal circumstances? Maybe people are dissatisfied with his performance, whether real or perceived. Does this setup the church for a “split”? How does the flock and the elders repair whatever damage there may be, (real or perceived) hold the church together for the present, and move forward into what can seem to be an uncertain future?

The first and most crucial factor in answering any questions about a preacher’s departure begins with an understanding of exactly to whom the church belongs. The church does not belong to the preacher, or to the leadership or the congregation. The church belongs to Christ, the Head of His church. 

The word church means literally the “assembly of the called-out ones.” These called-out ones gather together to worship their Head... Christ. They are committed to following His lead in all they do, to obeying Him, and to presenting an accurate picture of Him to a watching world. The church is the body of Christ. He died for His body, and His body lives for Him. Until and unless the leadership is committed to this biblical model and the congregation comes to grips with this truth, no preacher can be truly successful. 

So the first step in surviving the loss of a preaching minister under any circumstances is for the congregation guided by its leadership to define the church and its mission.  Additionally, there must be unanimity among the leadership in their understanding of and commitment to the church, both the local church and the Church universal. Much church dissension comes from a lack of uniformity in the beliefs and commitments of its leaders, and, in fact, many preachers leave for just this reason. So, before beginning to seek another preacher, the church leadership must agree on the Headship of Christ.

Second, the leadership must understand and be committed to the sovereignty of God in all things, but most especially at the time of the preachers departure. Nothing that happened was a surprise to God; either He caused the preacher to leave or He allowed it to further enrich His divine will and purposes. Either way, He has assured us that all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), and the church can take comfort in the knowledge that they are being led by the Sovereign God who is involved in every detail of the life and ministry of the church. A clear and grounded confidence in God’s sovereign control over the church will lead the people to say with the apostle Paul, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Third, the departure of a preacher is a good time to reevaluate and/or redefine the mission and work of the church. There are obvious mandates from Scripture—teaching and preaching the Word, worshipping and glorifying God, and fulfilling the commission to spread the gospel—but how exactly are these things prioritized in the church, and what kind of future preacher is needed to help achieve the church’s goals? 

If the church is known for its emphasis on missionary outreach, then a preaching minister with the same experience and vision would be a good fit for the congregation. If the church feels especially called to minister to children, to the poor, to the elderly, or to local immigrant populations, the potential minister should have a heart for those ministries. Church splits have occurred where the preacher and the leadership have different visions of their calling, and that can be avoided up front by a clear and well-thought out vision of the role of the church in the community and the world.

Finally, before any attempt is made to replace a preacher, the leadership should analyze objectively why he left. If the problems that caused his untimely or unexpected departure still exist, avoiding a painful repetition will be nearly impossible. 

For example, if there is a problem of sin in the congregation that was never effectively dealt with, that must be resolved before calling another man to the church. The apostle Paul dealt with an extraordinarily sinful and stiff-necked group of people in the Corinthian church, which was continually divided and wracked with conflict. They were selfish, disorderly, and worldly. Sin stained the Lord’s Table. They fought with each other, sued each other, took sexual advantage of each other, and were proud. 

Think about it... to ask a new preacher to come innocently into a church whose members exhibit such behavior is terribly unfair and only invites another painful departure. It is up to the church leadership to institute Matthew 18 discipline, preferably before the new pastor arrives or soon thereafter, as long as he is fully aware of the situation.

God never promised that the church would be a perfect place and everyone would get along in perfect harmony.  Quite the contrary. He warned that His family would be Satan’s prime target for mischief.  If leaders keep that knowledge at the center of all their dealings with “one another” then the tasks of ministering to the saints will be much less challenging and the blessing of peace and love will truly abound within the brotherhood.