Instead of the time of nonsense worship being before the preaching of the word, how about it coming after? The word initiates, reveals, tells, and the worship responds and includes the worshiper in the story of God's new creation, all the while maintaining the tension of already but not yet.
Is this something you'd like to see happen in your church (if it isn't already)? Why or why not?
Is this something you'd like to see happen in your church (if it isn't already)? Why or why not?
While I wouldn't call worship nonsense at any point of a service, you do make an interesting point. However, it could also be argued that worship is placed prior to the message in order to revive the congregation and bring them to a point where they are more susceptible to God's message. Also, the pastor is able to dwell in God's presence and call on Him once more before delivering the message. This may allow Him to impart even further what His message is to His flock. (... At my church, we have worship before AND after the sermon).
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe we should be worshipping and praising Him before, during, and after the sermon... and even further, Monday through Saturday, as well. :-)
Hebrews 13:15
"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
BWilson08,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I'd question the need to be "revived" and made more "susceptible" to God's message. Strike that - I'd question the need to use music to revive and so forth. When Peter addressed the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, he didn't tell John to fetch the harp first before commencing with the sermon.
However, one thing that DID happen before that sermon was community prayer. Perhaps that would be an appropriate way to start a Sunday service? Repenting and petitioning and so forth.
Music before AND after sounds great, but I'm not sure every church member would be up for such a lengthy meeting!
ps - the "nonsense" remark was an allusion to a book called "And now let's move into a time of nonsense", whose author thinks that many contemporary worship songs make no sense due to shoddy lyrics and such.
ReplyDeleteMaybe not on the day of Pentecost, but music is used continually in praise to God throughout the Bible.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Mr. Page's book, but I am curious which songs he specifically refers to.
It certainly is, and as a musician I'm only too glad of this fact. My point is that music doesn't always have to be played before the word is preached, yet almost every church service I've taken part in would suggest otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAs for Page's book, it's been a while since I read so I can't remember any specific songs he critiques. I do remember liking the book though. It's funny stuff if nothing else!
It doesn't have to be played before the message, true.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm not sure I disagree with it being played either. In addition to music, there is also prayer, dancing, testimonies, and praise reports at almost every service I've been to as well.
I'm not trying to be argumentative. If you are saying that our being creatures of habit, given to our routines and often resistant to letting God work spontaneously is a negative thing, I agree there is a problem.
What instrument do you play?
I don't want you to misunderstand me - Worship before the word is not wrong. I'm not arguing that. In fact I'm not arguing anything! Wait, that's not true. I AM arguing that worship doesn't have to come before the sermon, and I'm tentatively proposing that it might fit better into the dynamic of a church service at the end rather than the beginning.
ReplyDeleteBut I might be wrong. I was wrong once before; it could happen again. :-)
Since you asked, I play the guitar reasonably well; I play piano, bass and drums reasonably poorly.
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