I was running late that Sunday and rushed to my seat in church. The lights were dimmed and then the dirge began.
We started off our worship by singing this absolutely dreadful tune and un-singable song about our sin and death. Why, why, why . . . why?!
Starting with a song like that was a stupid mistake. But, continuing the worship service in the mood of a funeral was worse. “Jesus is risen,” I wanted to remind the worship leader. This means our sins are forgiven, and we rejoice, hallelujah!
A Wake-Up Call
Visiting many worship services in many churches these days, I feel like a restaurant critic of churches. This has its drawbacks for me personally, however it also has its moments of refreshment, and even occasional insights.
When I look at the expressions on the faces of people around me, and those of the worship leaders, the mood of the day becomes obvious. Most often, I am overjoyed worshipping with a wonderful church, with wonderful music and being led into the glory of Christ!
However, I have also made a strange discovery in public worship services. It is not uncommon for melancholiness and expressionlessness to be promoted as spiritual. This is strange because it does not match up with the Bible in its primary examples nor its instructions.
Being melancholy is not pleasing to people, or to God. Who wants to go to worship God and be depressed? Yet, the saddest of situations is the deadpan mood, neither really happy, nor really sad, but expressionless. How can anyone be expressionless in worship?!
Sometimes I feel like I am at a funeral, when I know I am really supposed to be at a resurrection celebration; and that of Jesus Christ.
Sing a New Song
Psalm 98 is clear that we are to sing a new song with bountiful joy!
What is this “new song?” It is a fresh outburst of praise of the Lord, to the Lord, and for the Lord. It is an anticipation of new acts of His deliverance and redemption. At the same time, it is a renewed realization and acknowledgment of the Lord’s future. It is a song that matches our experience with God.
Our new song we are to sing includes three verses: Celebrating God as our Past Savior; Praising God as our Present King; and Anticipating God as our Future Judge.
When planning the worship service, consider the mood of the text being preached. What do people need to feel that day? What do we want them to feel? Pay attention to the mood being set by the worship team, both in song, and yes, even in their facial expressions. Everyone is watching and will be following.
So, how is your and your congregation’s singing sounding these days?
We started off our worship by singing this absolutely dreadful tune and un-singable song about our sin and death. Why, why, why . . . why?!
Starting with a song like that was a stupid mistake. But, continuing the worship service in the mood of a funeral was worse. “Jesus is risen,” I wanted to remind the worship leader. This means our sins are forgiven, and we rejoice, hallelujah!
A Wake-Up Call
Visiting many worship services in many churches these days, I feel like a restaurant critic of churches. This has its drawbacks for me personally, however it also has its moments of refreshment, and even occasional insights.
When I look at the expressions on the faces of people around me, and those of the worship leaders, the mood of the day becomes obvious. Most often, I am overjoyed worshipping with a wonderful church, with wonderful music and being led into the glory of Christ!
However, I have also made a strange discovery in public worship services. It is not uncommon for melancholiness and expressionlessness to be promoted as spiritual. This is strange because it does not match up with the Bible in its primary examples nor its instructions.
Being melancholy is not pleasing to people, or to God. Who wants to go to worship God and be depressed? Yet, the saddest of situations is the deadpan mood, neither really happy, nor really sad, but expressionless. How can anyone be expressionless in worship?!
Sometimes I feel like I am at a funeral, when I know I am really supposed to be at a resurrection celebration; and that of Jesus Christ.
Sing a New Song
Psalm 98 is clear that we are to sing a new song with bountiful joy!
What is this “new song?” It is a fresh outburst of praise of the Lord, to the Lord, and for the Lord. It is an anticipation of new acts of His deliverance and redemption. At the same time, it is a renewed realization and acknowledgment of the Lord’s future. It is a song that matches our experience with God.
Our new song we are to sing includes three verses: Celebrating God as our Past Savior; Praising God as our Present King; and Anticipating God as our Future Judge.
Psalm 98 ESV “Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD!
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”Pay Attention to Mood, Because Everyone Else Does
When planning the worship service, consider the mood of the text being preached. What do people need to feel that day? What do we want them to feel? Pay attention to the mood being set by the worship team, both in song, and yes, even in their facial expressions. Everyone is watching and will be following.
So, how is your and your congregation’s singing sounding these days?
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