Holy Holy Holy

As I'm thinking about the songs we will use tomorrow to worship our God, the theme of God's holiness seems to be prevalent...

Pour out Your pow'r and love
as we sing Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy
I want to see You

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee

And we cry Holy, Holy, Holy
is the Lamb

Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
Highest praises, honor, and glory
Be unto Your name

I can't help but think about the prophet Isaiah...

[read Isaiah 6:1-8 right now... I'm serious... read it]

What an awesome picture of worship! And it all begins with the holiness of God. When we come to the place that we realize God's holiness... and then our own sinfulness... the outcome should be brokenness and worship. When Isaiah found himself in the presence of God, it was serious business. He wasn't concerned about what the person beside him was wearing, what style of music was playing in the background, or even when he was going to leave and eat lunch [ouch].

You know, God gathers among his people during corporate worship in a very unique way. Not sometimes... not when the music is just right... everytime we gather, God is with us. Let's exalted and lift Him up this Sunday as the holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty.

To sing? Or not to sing?

(musical style)

Music in the church has been a subject of debate for almost two-thousand years. Can music be classified as sacred or secular? And if it can, is some music appropriate for worship and some not?
The fact is that music, apart from text or the idea of a text, is neither sacred nor secular. To illustrate this truth, I think of the desk upon which I am currently writing. I don’t know who made this desk. I don’t know their spiritual condition or even their intentions in the making of this desk. I don’t even know where this desk was made. For all I know, this desk could have been made for use in some cultic ritual. However, I do know that despite whatever the carpenter’s intentions, this desk is useful in assisting me in accomplishing the purposes and tasks to which I have been called. In the same way, despite some of it’s wicked uses, music in and of itself is neither sacred nor secular. Music is merely a tool or a vehicle for expression.
Music is such an incredible tool! Not only can we use it to enforce and proclaim our doctrine to all peoples (Ps. 96:1-3), but we can also use it to express our personal thoughts and feelings directly to our Creator (Ps. 147:1). In fact, the Scriptures are filled with examples, and even commands to sing and play instruments in worship to our God (Ps. 149:1-3; Ps. 150; Acts 16:25; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). It is even recorded that our Lord sang (Mt. 26:30).
This being true, which musical styles are appropriate for corporate worship? There are two basic criteria. Since music is merely a vehicle for expressing a text, the text must be clearly and easily understood/communicated. Secondly, the musical style must be one that relates to and is easily understood by the listener/singer. I can not tell you what a privilege it is to serve within a congregation who understands these principles. It is such a joy of mine for us to be able to worship together and blend great hymns of our faith with contemporary songs of praise, realizing that the same Holy Spirit which led writers to pen texts hundreds of years ago, still inspires His Church in writing the songs of our day. It is my hope and prayer that you look forward each week, as I do, to our blended worship services with much anticipation to see how God is going to move and stir His people.