Worship: more than the music

Posted by Josh Jamison | Posted on 10:10 AM

The other night Pastor Tyler and I were involved in an interesting discussion with some of our students regarding the role of music in worship. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject:

I think one of the common misconceptions about worship is that we think of "worship" and "music" as interchangeable words, but in reality they are two separate things all together.
Worship is an amazingly broad expression. We hear the phrase thrown around that "worship is a lifestyle.", I would agree but I think the more accurate phrase would be "worship is your life".
It's not just a part of your life or something you do, it's everything you do. It's your speech, your thoughts, your actions: it's all worship to God. With that in mind, what does your worship look like?
Over the last 30 years music has changed dramatically and has played a huge role in the ever changing landscape of our culture. Worship music has also changed dramatically. Worship bands getting record deals, putting out DVD's, launching mega tours and ministries.
None of these things in themselves are wrong, they are great tools that we need, but they have become our definition of worship.


Music is an amazing expression. It moves people, stirs emotions and breaks down cultural barriers, but it is exactly that, an expression.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (New Living Translation) 

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

 

The NIV uses the term "a form of godliness". Without a life that worships God, our expression of music and song becomes nothing more than a powerless form.


So in our pursuits of excellent music, worship teams, look & feel, let us not forget that these things, while important, are nothing more than an expression of what we need to be living out in every area of our lives.

I don't want my voice, my instrument, my expression to be a form that brings no true worship to my King. 
Let's live our worship with every word, every action, every thought and then bring some crazy, passionate and powerful expression to our song!


- Josh 

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