by Terry Laughlin | Jul 31, 2017 | Song Service
The Character of the Song Service
1 Chronicles 25: 1 says, “David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.” Let us now go to verses 6-7 “All these men were under the supervision of their fathers for the music of the temple of the LORD, with cymbals, lyres and harps, for the ministry at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun and Heman were under the supervision of the king. Along with their relatives—all of them trained and skilled in music for the LORD…”
Song services which are pleasing to the Lord
In 2 Chronicles 29 we read of a king by the name of Hezekiah. The Bible says that he “…trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” (2 Kings 18:5) His first official act was to cleanse the Lord’s temple of its pollution’s. (The Expositors Bible Commentary) After the purification process, the Bible says, “He stationed the Levites in the temple of the Lord with cymbals, harps and lyres in the way prescribed by David and Gad the king’s seer and Nathan the prophet; this was commanded by the Lord through his prophets.” (2 Chronicles 29:25) Hezekiah was putting together a gathering of the city officials, they were having a public worship service in the temple and Hezekiah was following the directions given by God through King David in order to have a service that was pleasing to the Lord.
King David, the man after God’s heart, (Acts 13:22) had a powerful desire in his heart to build the temple of God. (2 Samuel 7:2) However, he was not permitted to undertake the construction of God’s house. (2 Samuel 7:5-7; 1 Chronicles 22:8) Although he was not involved in the actual building of the temple of God, he did prepare for it in plans and material. (1 Chronicles 22:1-19; 28:1-29:9) He was also God’s agent in setting in order the method of temple service. We read all about that in 1 Chronicles chapters 23-26. All this was the leading of God, through David to set in order corporate worship.
In 1 Chronicles 25 we see that music is to be considered and approached as being ministry in the house of God. Therefore, the preparation of the song service should be approached and received with the same approach and reception as to the proclaiming of God’s Word. Music is ministry to the Lord and to the Body of Christ and it must be blanketed in prayer and guided by the truths of God’s Word. The worship leaders need to be at the altar on Sunday mornings just as much as the preacher of God’s Word, beseeching in Jesus’ Name the presence of the Holy Spirit.
There are churches in America and around the world that are humble enough to be in serious prayer before their services and they are enjoying all that God has for them. They express Biblical character in the song service as well as in the preaching of God’s Word.
I would propose to you that that when the Body of Christ takes seriously the preparations of the song service, she will then be able to cast off traditionalism, legalism, denominationalism and faddism that is choking the life out of the song service. I have had the privilege of setting in services that know the joy and the freedom that comes with singing unto the Lord in spirit and truth.
Psalm 98 holds Biblical truths that deserve our attention, meditation, obedience and endurance if we want to grasp the wisdom of God regarding the song service, thus destroying the conjecture of man. Some truths are, “Sing to the Lord a new song… ‘Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with harp, with harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn-shout for joy before the Lord, the King.’” (Psalms 98:1,4-6)
Just what are some Biblical truths that express the character that is pleasing to God and is beneficial to the Body of Christ through the song service?
God does not work through buildings, plans or fads; He works through the Children of God who are sold out to His will and purposes. It is His will that we praise Him in song and proclaim His truths with music. (1 Chronicles 25:1) The character of the “Song Service” is to reflect singing that praises God in such a way that it prepares the spiritual heart for the presence of God.
There are many instruments found in Scripture of which man used by man for prophesying or rather singing about the truths and works of God. And there are wonderful instrument man can use to prophesy today. “Prophesying” (naba) here means to speak by inspiration. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Old Testament) Prophecy is not always the sense of new revelations, but in 1 Chronicles 25 “prophesying” is used for praise through singing the psalms of David or the psalms of other holy men of God and proclaiming revelations that have already been revealed. (The Expositors Bible Commentary: John Wesley Notes; The Pulpit Commentary; Matthew Henry) God has men today who are just as sold out to Him as anyone in the times of the writing of 1 Chronicles 25. The Holy Spirit is anointing them as well to enable us to sing.
A practical application of this type of “prophesying” is seen in the book of 1 Samuel chapter 10, where we read of a “…procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they [were] prophesying.” (1 Samuel 10:5) These prophets were most likely coming from the place where sacrifices were made unto the Lord and where there was worship and the teaching of God’s Word. Samuel had established one of his schools of the prophets near Gibeah of God and they had been singing the praises of God with psalms that proclaimed His goodness. As they were leaving the high place it is very likely that they continued to sing. (The Pulpit Commentary; Bible Answers.com; Matthew Henry; John Wesley Notes)
As these prophets were coming down from the high place they met a man by the name of Saul, just as foretold by the prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 10:6) Saul was headed to Gibeah when he met these prophets and the Bible says, “The Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying.” (1 Samuel 10:10) Samuel had told Saul that the Spirit of God would come upon him in power, that he would prophesy and that he would be changed into a different person. (1 Samuel 10:6) I am in agreement with those who say that prophesying here is not a prophetic utterance of future events, but of singing the praises of God through songs that proclaim truths that had already been revealed.
It is safe to conclude that one of the character traits of the song service is to sing songs that please the Lord and proclaim His mighty works. When this is done correctly by the devoted children of God, they can expect the presence of the Holy Spirit to empower others to sings praises to the Lord Jesus and of the mighty works of God.
The most useful and special instrument to the Lord regarding the song service are those who are trained and skilled in music for the Lord
Another character trait of the public song service is that they are often led by people who are trained and skilled in music for the Lord. (1 Chronicles 25:7) This does not mean that they have to be professionals or experts. The appointing of song leaders that are trained and skilled is one of the greatest things that can be done for corporate worship. The most useful and special instrument to the Lord regarding the song service is that man or woman who will sing and especially lead the music.
It is just as vital today and so utterly important that people who have the gift of music be appointed for the song service unto the Lord, just as David set musicians apart for this ministry. There should be time allowed for preparation for the song service, which includes training and developing talent and purchasing of proper equipment. Leading the song service is much more than just getting up and singing or performing some music. The church that will enjoy the blessings of the song service is the church that expects their musicians to spend as much time in preparation as the preachers and teachers of God’s Word do.
The congregations that get to enjoy worship leaders who are trained and skilled for music in the house of God are those who prayerfully search for them. They seek the Lord asking Him to raise up families, either from within or outside the church to come in. These worship leaders should be able to teach and be submissive to authority. The Bible says that the singers that David appointed were “…old and young alike, teacher as well as students.” (1 Chronicles 25:8) It also says that they were under supervision. (1 Chronicles 25:6)
Every church that regularly enjoys jubilant life-giving song services are churches that protect the time of their worship leaders. They allow them time to prayerfully prepare and work with the pastoral staff to create song services that go with the theme of the message the Lord has for the church. They are given time to work with others in the church to allow them to grow in the ministry of music.
Churches that have discovered the value of seeking, training and allowing skilled song leaders to work Biblically in the church are churches that attract people that have musical gifts. While attending a pastors’ conference in Birmingham, Alabama, I spoke personally with Jukka Palonne, one who is trained and skilled for music in the house of God. He is one of the keyboard players in Times Square Church. He also works with the Times Square Church’s outreach teams and goes all over the world leading the song services for Pastor David Wilkerson and Pastor Carter Conlon. He flies from Birmingham, Alabama every week to be a part of the song service team in Times Square Church.
As I visited with him, he shared with me how he is blessed to work with congregations that do not have to be dragged into the song service. He has always been blessed with the opportunity to work with and lead people who are respectful and responsive to the Biblical music minister.
King David had a heart for the song service and he was a musician, writing songs that glorify the Lord and proclaim God’s mighty works. He had it in his heart to have a public song service in the temple of God. God raised up musicians for him to appoint because of his heart. When he was old and full of years God made available 288 song leaders (1 Chronicles 25:7) and there were 4,000 who could praise the Lord with musical instruments. (1 Chronicles 23:6)
The church that is truly hungry as David was for music in the house of God may pray and ask the Lord for music ministers that are trained and skilled. How is your hunger for praising the Lord in song? Are you praying for worship leaders that not only have revelation of God’s Word but are Holy Spirit Illuminated about the truths they sing? What will be your response to those whom the Lord places before you as song leaders?
The Song Service that has Biblical Character is the Service that has Songs which are Theologically Literate
Those who lead in the song service are God’s music ministers and there is another vital truth to expressing “Singing Faith.” The song service that has Biblical character is the service that has songs which are theologically literate. It is best that the writers of these songs and the song leaders have a heart that is after God. Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)
Steve Camp wrote, “Those who have the privilege to represent Jesus Christ in the arts should be galvanized by mission, not by ambition; by mandate, not by accolades; by love for [Jesus Christ], not by allurements of this world.” Therefore, the song service is to have the mark of Christian character birthed forth through personal integrity in the leader or writer and there must be a heart for the holiness of God found in those who participate in the song service. Those who want the Lord in their song services agree with the psalmist who wrote, “Your decrees are the theme of my song…” (Psalm 119:54)
The song service that expresses the most about God, the Lord Jesus and opens the heart to enjoy the Holy Spirit’s presence is the one that has the holiness of God as the theme of its music, God’s Word as its song book and His statues for guidance in its songs. The song service of true character expresses, “The law of your mouth [O’ God] is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” (Psalm 119:72) Steve Camp wrote powerfully in his call of “Reformation in the Contemporary Christian Music Industry.” He writes, “Scripture speaks to all of life-therefore, our music may speak to the very aspect of living. However, it must be based upon and not contrary to God’s Word in principle, ethic, content and conduct.”
Those who put together the song service have a great responsibility because they are teaching and proclaiming, thus the worship leader must be a prayerful reader, studier and doer of God’s Word. They have these instructions in the New Testament, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16) And James gives them this warning, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) The fact is you can teach and learn a lot through songs, whether healthy or unhealthy doctrine. The character of the song service is to be that of healthy doctrine.
A faithful response to God involves a broad range of songs
The character of the song service is to be Biblically accurate and a faithful response to God involves a broad range of songs. Ephesians and Colossians tell us to speak to or admonish one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:20)
With “psalms” we are to sing songs that consist of short sentences expressing praise for the Lord’s character or actions. Many of our choruses fit into this category and they should be sung by all no matter what age and sung with the purpose of pleasing the Lord Jesus. At times when appropriate we are to sing psalms that express lament (Psalms 12; 44; 74; 79), confession (Psalm 51), of thanksgiving (Psalm 30; 66; 116; 138), and of wisdom (Psalms 1; 37; 49; 119) as well as other types of psalms.
With “hymns” we are to proclaim the wonderful works of God. Many say a hymn is an anthem. A hymn can also be a proclamation of the promises and works of God. We are to allow time for “spiritual songs” which are brought forth as the Holy Spirit moves upon the Lord’s congregation.
We Are To Worship Unto The Lord In Accordance To That Which Brings Glory to God
The character of the song service is to be that of one that is worship unto the Lord in accordance to that which brings glory to God. Psalms 29:1-2 says, “Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD of glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” (Spurgeon; Vernon McGee; The Expositors Bible Commentary; The Pulpit Commentary; Matthew Henry says that this verse can pertain the mighty men of power on this earth are to worship the Lord.)
These verses are a call to adoration and it is to be proclaimed with a clear appeal, such as the sound of thunder. (The Treasury of David) The opening of the song service should be with that which draws attention to all in earshot that now is the time for singing the praises of God. Unbelief and distrust, complaining and murmuring are not to be found in or about the song service for they rob God of His honor.
Therefore, the children of God make all the sacrifices that must be made in order to give true worship to God. Christians are not to sing what they want but what the Lord wants and the song leaders are to live in such a way that reflects hearts that are able to catch God’s will for the song service. They should be Holy Spirit-led so the congregation will have a trust that the songs they are singing are what God wants them to sing. When the church is Holy Spirit-illuminated of the truth that God guides His surrendered servants to what songs to sing, they will be singing the songs for the Lord’s glory in a manner due His Name. These Christians want the holiness of God put into their hearts and lives.
A song service of real godly character will draw those with ears to hear into worship that is given not because God needs it, but because He is deserving of praise. After all there is nothing we have that He has not given to us. This song service is to draw worshipers to an awareness that whatever God has entrusted to them is for service to Him. True worshipers will lay at Jesus’ feet their scepters, swords, keys, bank accounts, literally all that they have so as to be used for His purposes.
What is your heart attitude about the Lord’s song leaders? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to bring the Lord presence into your heart and causing you to sing the praises of God in spirit and truth? Are you laying down all at Jesus’ feet so you can have a heart that is receptive to what God has for you in the worship service?
The Holy Spirit moved Steve Camp to write, “Music is a powerful tool from the Lord Jesus Christ to His church intended for worship, praise, encouragement, edification, evangelism, teaching, admonishing and exhorting God’s people to holiness.
Gordon MacDonald shared about a time when he and his daughter, Kristy attended the New Year’s Eve celebration at the Inter Varsity Urban Missionary Convention in 1976. The night closed with a Communion Service. After the benediction, 17,000 students began to head for the arena portals and their buses for the trips back home. Someone in the crowd-not a song leader, but a worshiper—began the song “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord.” It is the one where the men sing a line and then the ladies echo back.
Some 17,000 people stopped in their tracks and sang! They sang it over and over again without song leaders or musicians. No one wanted to leave from the place that became holy ground. No one wanted to leave the sacred hour to memories. They just kept singing for a while.
It was after some time of singing into the night when Kristy, who was only nine years old at that time, grabbed her daddy’s hand and spoke softly, “Daddy, this is what heaven is going to be like.” Mr. MacDonald felt that his daughter may very well be right.
The church that has true Biblical character in its song service is the church that will regularly spend more time loving God through personal and corporate expression in song. It is up to the worship leaders and the congregations they lead to how much of God’s presence they want to experience.
A good song leader is a precious gift and a song service of Biblical character ushers in the presence of God. The congregation that treats and responds to their song leaders in such a manor will know and enjoy God’s presence and people will leave the service saying, “This is what heaven is going to be like.” The choice is ours. Let us now stand and “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord.”
by Terry Laughlin | Jul 31, 2017 | Song Service
Connecting with God in the Song Service
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)
The heart attitude that is pleasing to the Lord is the one that says it is all about you Lord, and not about us
It should be noted that the entire church service is to be considered as a time were Christians can worship the Lord in spirit and truth. Sunday school is a wonderful opportunity to study the Word of God with other people. The announcements are a wonderful opportunity to share with others all of what God has coming up in the church. The proclaiming of God’s Word should be prepared properly and received with expectation that God will have correction, guidance, and comfort for you. Jesus said that God’s house should be called a house of prayer. (Matthew 21:13) It is also a time in which all should gather together and sing praises to the Lord.
Psalms 147:1 says; “How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him.” The heart of this psalmist reflects what should be in the heart of all Christians as they participate in the song service. The heart attitude that is pleasing to the Lord is the one that says it is all about you Lord, and not about us.
Steve Camp, in his written reformation to the contemporary Christian music industry wrote; “Music is a powerful tool from the Lord Jesus to His church intended for worship, praise, encouragement, edification, evangelism, teaching, admonishing and exhorting God’s people to holiness. Its chief aim is always to glorify God and worship Him.”
I would propose to you that God wants you to worship Him in spirit and truth. He longs to deliver His people from the religious bondage that comes from legalism, traditionalism, denominationalism and faddism. Our Lord longs for His church to look into God’s Word so He can birth forth worship in the song service that has freedom and actions that are a response from a joyful undivided heart.
Just what does the Bible say about “Expressions of Worship” in the song service? What can we or rather how are we to express our love while singing praises to God?
The New Testament does not give any pattern for conducting a specific corporate worship service in the Lord’s churches. It does not tell how long the services are to be, how many psalms, hymns or spiritual songs are to be sung and it does not tell us how long to stand or sit down. The New Testament does not tell us the styles, types of music or what instruments can be used.
The Bible does tell us what expressions are to be used in our worship to the Lord. The child of God who looks attentively into the Word of God and then meditates on how to implement His instructions is the Christian who will overcome the conjecture of men and sing praises to God, which ushers in the presence of the Lord into his heart and life. There are church services that are experiencing the Lord in great measures because of their heartfelt song services and powerful proclaiming of God’s Word.
All through Biblical accounts of the song service unto the Lord we read it ushering in a powerful presence of God, thus, lives are touched, empowered and comforted.
Terms to describe the Music that Comes from a Spiritual Heart
There are truths that are worth grasping in God’s Word in regards to expressions of worship. Let us began with His simple instructions found in Colossians 3:16 and from Ephesians 5:19.
Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” This text is breathed forth by the Holy Spirit of God and therefore must be used in guidance to expressions of worship in the song service. Paul uses three terms to describe the music that should be coming out of the spiritual heart. The first is psalms.
Psalms (psalmos) are sacred songs sung to musical instruments and they may be referred to as a chant. (Spiros Zodiatiates) Psalms of praise consist of short sentences expressing praise for the Lord’s character or actions. Many of the modern day choruses fit into this category and they should be sung by all no matter what age and sung with one purpose and that is to please the Lord Jesus.
There are various types of psalms that can be sung unto the Lord in the song service such as psalms of praise (Psalms 8; 29; 33; 104; 111; 113), psalms of thanksgiving (Psalms 30; 66; 116; 138), psalms of lament (Psalms 12; 44; 74; 79) or psalms of wisdom (Psalms 1; 37; 49; 119). Matthew Henry writes; “By psalms, he may have meant to sing the songs written by David or such other composers, they are to be sung with musical instruments.”
The child of God who has Holy Spirit illumination about the singing of psalms will not be saying, “This is what I like, or we like and always do.” No, they sing knowing that it is not about them; they have died to self-pleasure and take into consideration of what the Lord wants.
The second term used by the apostle Paul is hymns (hymnos). The Greek word hymns is only used twice in the New Testament. Some say a hymn is an anthem. The words in a hymn are to be a direct address of praise and glory to God. Augustine writes, “A Hymn has three characteristics: It must be sung; it must be praise, it must be to God.” It is not for self-pleasure but for the pleasure of God, and then in return this makes a heart ready to enjoy the presence of the Lord. Abboth Smith describes a hymn as a “festal song in praise of gods and heroes.”
There is the wonderful hymn that is an anthem that should be sung often within our hearts and in the song service, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” In this hymn there is a stanza that is a proclamation of a truth which says, “Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball, to Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all.” The most distinctive feature that is to be heard in the Christian hymn is that it is to express a confession of faith, which praises the redeeming power of God in the gospel. This is wonderfully expressed in the Hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story.” I think of the stanza, “I love to tell the story, for some have never heard, the message of salvation, from God’s own holy Word.”
JBH wrote: “There is something about a fine old hymn. That stirs the heart of a man. That can reach the goal of his inmost soul, such as no preaching can. It is more than a tune of the song he sings. And more than the poet’s rhyme. It’s the Spirit of God working through them. That gives them power sublime. So we thank thee Lord, for the grand old hymns. May we use them again and again, as we seek to save from the grave, the souls of our fellow man.” Dr. Ralph Earle writes on Ephesians 5:19, “It may not be out of the way to observe here that hymns should be regularly used in the Sunday morning service.”
It must be remembered, that the power of the hymns comes from the Holy Spirit. Not from the style it is proclaimed in, or that it is in the hymnal or on a screen. The Holy Spirit is not aroused through legalistic control, tradition or following the fad of the day. His presence is embraced only by a seeking heart that longs to proclaim the truth of and express love toward Jesus Christ.
The third term Paul used is “spiritual songs.” According to Alpha – Omega Ministries, the Greek word for spiritual songs (Penumatikas) in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 is the very moving of the Holy Spirit, not the worship leader. Thayer’s Greek – English Lexicon tells us this is “…divinely inspired, and so redolent of the Holy Spirit.” The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament tells us that it is “…those composed in the Holy Spirit…” Practical Words Studies tells this Greek word is used referring to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the source.
Tod Williams of Times Square Church and John Oldfield tells me it takes a mature worship leader, who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s moving on the congregation to bring them into a time of intimacy during the song service. The worship leader simply introduces this time to the congregation during the song service and allows them to worship Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
It takes a complete trust of the Holy Spirit’s working and a complete surrender on the worship leader’s part in surrendering the congregation into the hands of an all loving God, who is fully able to move His people to express themselves as He so desires. The question is, “Will the worship leaders and the congregation allow the Holy Spirit freedom to move in the body of Christ?” Fear, unbelief and a lack of spontaneity have robbed most congregations out of this special part of the song service.
God’s people have every reason to rejoice and sing and make music in their hearts unto the Lord, singing with their voice from the heart with various forms, styles and mixture of music.
We Are To Be Expressive
We are to speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. And we are to be expressive in our worship unto the Lord. There seems to be little concern about worshiping God on His terms and through His instructions. Traditionalism and sensationalism has replaced worship in spirit and truth. The guide that the Holy Spirit is going to use to instruct the Body of Christ in regards to expression of worship is the Word of God. All forms of worship are to find their place within the guidelines of the written Word. According to the Word of God we can be and should be expressive in our worship to the Lord, however, not through theatrics that draw attention to one’s self.
We are never to use bodily expressions to work up the congregation. Our expressions are to be shown forth through heartfelt affections. When this is done under the moving of the Holy Spirit, God is blessed, Jesus is glorified and the church of Jesus is edified.
Did you know you can dance before the Lord? Psalms 149:3 says; “Let them praise His Name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute.” Matthew Henry wrote: “Dance includes moving of the feet.” Yes, in church, we can get all excited and dance. The Bible says let them praise His Name with dancing!
King David knew how to have expressive worship. In 2 Samuel chapter six we read, “Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD,” (2 Samuel 6:12-16)
It is important to note that the Ark of the Covenant denoted the presence of God and a type of Christ. (Thru the Bible; The Pulpit Commentary; Matthew Henry’s Commentary) Michal, David’s wife and daughter of Saul, despised him in her heart. (2 Samuel 6:16) King David and his wife had words over this issue and he told her, “I will celebrate before the Lord!”
Bonnie and I found great joy in taking Caleb and his brothers to watch the Norton football games. I found it interesting that certain proclaiming Christians would go crazy, jumping up and down when we made a touchdown, especially when the game was close. There is nothing wrong with that.
However, I have also attended their special worship services, services beyond the regular Sunday morning service. I notice they don’t show that kind of expression in their special worship services honoring God and recognizing God’s mighty hand upon them and His presence among them. As a matter of fact, I have a concern they may even despise those who are expressive during worship services.
There is a warning for us in 2 Samuel 6:20-23. David and Michal are having words over his dancing before the Lord. David’s answer to Michal was, “…It was before the LORD… I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.” (2 Samuel 6:20-23)
At the crossing of the Red Sea, “…Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them, ‘Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and rider thrown into the sea.” (Exodus 15:20-23)
Matthew Henry gives us this advice, “We should be afraid of censuring the devotions of others though it may not agree with our sentiments. Who are we to despise those whom God has accepted? Let us never be driven from our duty by the fear of approach, let us not be ashamed to own it.” To bring clarity, let us not be too reserved in our expressions of worship, when it is to be done unto the Lord.
When appropriate, we can express worship to the Lord in a dance. However, it must not draw attention from worship to the Lord and attention to us. While attending a David Wilkerson pastor’s conference in Birmingham, Alabama, I saw people off to the side dancing and some were waving banners that brought people’s attention to the Lord. The Holy Spirit so anointed the service, that I was able to see so many different expressions of worship and not one bit of it was distracting to the song service.
Baptist Theologian Dr. Jay Vernon McGee writes, “Personally, I would like to see more rejoicing as David did in praising God today… God does not like it my friend, when he sees long faces, we are to enter his presence with joy.” May I add with Biblical expressions of joy?
Let Us Bow Down
When the time is right and when it adds to the song service, there should be some dancing before the Lord and the Bible also says we can bow down or kneel down to the Lord. Psalms 95:6 says; “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”
When someone feels like coming to the altar and without drawing attention to themselves while their doing it, they may bow down. Someone may slip into the isle and kneel down to worship when it is appropriate, it pleases the Lord. To fall to the ground is a gesture of worship. In Matthew 2:10-11 we read the Magi, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” Never is this posture out of place or should be peculiar to worship in times of great joy or in great sorrow, especially while expressing one’s self during the song service.
Christians Should Be The Most Expressive
Christians should be the happiest and most expressive people around. When Holy Spirit led, they can dance, bow, clap and shout. Psalms 47:1-2 says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!” I like the way the King James puts it, “Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with a voice of triumph…”
The most natural and most enthusiastic expression of exultation should be used in view of the victories that Jesus Christ won upon the Cross of Calvary and in His resurrection. Our joy in the Lord may be demonstrative and I can assure you that God is not going to censure it.
Our family owns a video made in 1997 and it shares the history of the Green Bay Packers. In that video the narrator says, “Thousands gather at the cathedral of Lambo Field.” In another place in the video it refers to the Green Packer fans as worshiping.
There are three brief definitions in the Winston Dictionary on worship that deserve our consideration here. 1.) The act of paying reverence, adoration or homage to God. 2.) Excessive admiration. 3.) To perform religious services. The New International Dictionary of the Bible tells us this about worship. It is “The honor, reverence and homage paid to superior beings or powers, whether men, angels or God. The English word means “worth ship,” w-o-r-t-h-s-h-i-p and it denotes the worthiness of the individual receiving the honor. …Worship in the New Testament consisted of preaching, reading of Scripture, alms giving, prophesying and tongues and singing.”
During the football season of 2004-2005, many times the Green Bay Packers were behind in the last two minutes of the game. The fans did not just set down quietly and wonder if their star quarterback, Bret Farve would be able pull out some miracle and win the game. No, because of the worthiness of his skills, endurance and faithfulness, they were on their feet, clapping and shouting. Showing him the honor he so long worked for because many is the time he lead the team to triumph in such an occasion.
We have a faithful God who called us to Christ through the Holy Spirit, it is Christ who paid the highest price that can be paid for the redemption of sinful man, and it is the Holy Spirit who seals and sanctifies us for the glory of Christ. Because of Christ living in us through the power of the Holy Spirit, we may choose to have victory over the sins that once held us in bondage and kept us out of fellowship with the Lord. Jesus Christ is worthy of our standing, the clapping of our hands and giving shouts of triumph for without Him we cannot live a triumphant life.
There is a popular expression today that says, “It is not about me, but you Jesus.” That is truth and those who have Holy Spirit enlightenment no longer speak about the song service with words like, “This what I like or what we want.” No, their singing and worship style is birthed forth from God’s Word. Nothing else satisfies and brings unity in the song service.
What then is the essence of the song service? It is the celebration of and to the Lord Jesus Christ. When we sing songs for His glory, we exalt God and Christ. Singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs is only pleasing to God as we sing them in spirit and truth. The song service is not to be done haphazardly or poorly; it is not even to be done merely as a performance.
We celebrate the Lord when we look into His Word, enjoy and participate according to His prescribed ways, thus, throwing off legalism, traditionalism and avoiding faddisms. When visitors walk in our church what do they sense in and during the song service? Is it life, freedom and Holy Spirit led? Is there work that still needs to be done in our song services and more precisely, are we willing to allow the Lord to do His work?
by Terry Laughlin | Jun 17, 2017 | Patriotism
Grasping the Faith of Our Founding Fathers
It has been well said, “If we do not know the foundation on which the Founding Fathers laid for this nation, then we as a nation have no understanding on what we are to be today, thus we are a nation that has no clear vision for tomorrow.” (Author Unknown) In the Book of Judges, we read of a time in Biblical history when the people of God were given their own nation. Those people served God during the lifetime of Joshua and they saw all the great things the Lord had done. Sadly, after Joshua and the whole generation of his time died, “another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done” for His people. The generation after Joshua “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” and served the gods of the people around them. “They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors. They aroused the Lord’s anger.” (Judges 2: 1-12)
There is a lack of understanding of the Biblical truths on which the Founding Fathers of this nation laid this country’s foundation. This ignorance erodes the Christian values the Founding Fathers had set for a course for the United States of America. Therefore, God’s elect, Christians, are to be prepared to give a testimony of their belief that it was God who raised up this nation, He has blessed this country and how He will deal with Americans, depending on the choices they make.
There are a lot of historical facts about the beliefs of the men who laid the foundation of this country. This Fourth of July season is a good time to gain an understanding of the heart of many of the men who signed The Declaration of Independence. Men who knew the Bible says, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God.” (Isaiah 45:5) Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, had a firm conviction, there is one God and Jesus is the King of kings. Two signers, John Adams and John Hancock on April 18, 1775 said, “We Recognize No Sovereign but God and no King but Jesus!”
Knowledge of God’s Word: Psalm 22:28 says, “for dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.” The King James Bible says, “…He is the governor among nations.” In 1973, The University of Houston, Political Science Department released the results of a ten year study, revealing the sources our Founding Fathers used most frequently in forming our present system of government. From the pool of nearly 15,000 documents from our founding period, the researchers selected 3,154 documents they considered most significant to our Founding Fathers. The research revealed, our Founding Fathers quoted heavily from three intellectuals, Montesquieu, Blackstone and Locke. The most interesting conclusion from the research, our Founding Fathers were more dependent upon the Bible than they were on these three intellectuals. The Bible was quoted 4 times more than Montesquieu, 16 times more than Blackstone or Locke. Ninety-four percent of the quotes of the Founding Fathers were based on the Word of God. Thirty-four percent of those quotes were direct from Scripture and the remaining 60% were taken from quotes where they had used the Bible to arrive at their conclusions. The Book quoted most often by the Founding Fathers was Deuteronomy. The great theme of Deuteronomy is “Love and Obey.” Jesus, based His statement “If you love Me, keep My commandments” from the truths found in Deuteronomy. So explicit was the Word of God in the lives of men in this nation’s early years, Charles Finney, the Billy Graham of the 1800’s, came to Jesus Christ by reading “Blackstone’s Commentaries on Law.” Blackstone unashamedly used Scripture, referring to chapter and verse for every principle of law he cited. Blackstone’s Commentary on Law, introduced in 1757, became the law textbook for lawyers for 160 years, and the Supreme Court quoted from it to settle cases. It explains: For Tax Exemption for Churches our Founding Fathers looked to Ezra 7:24. The three branches of government are based on Isaiah 33:22 “For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Lawgiver, The LORD is our King; He will save us” and the separation of powers is based on the Book of Jeremiah. The inscription on the Liberty Bell, the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly asked that a portion of Leviticus 25:10 be used. There are a lot more historical truths which prove our Founding Father had good knowledge of God’s Word. (Liberty University Faculty Publications and Presentations, Clarence Holland; Wall-Builders, David Bartan)
Blessed Is The Nation: Psalm 33:12,18 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord… the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him.” A God fearing people can make a powerful difference in God’s dealings with a nation. The Bible gives us powerful truths worth clinging to, “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11) On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from Great Britain. On July 4, the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed. Four days later, July 08, 1776 – members of Congress took that document and read it aloud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, after which the Liberty Bell rung. The inscription around the top of the bell, a key truth found in Leviticus 25:10 – “…proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” John Adams wrote to his wife in a letter about the day America declared her independence. He wrote, “This day will be the most memorable time in the history of America. …it will be celebrated by succeeding generations…” Mr. Adams said, “The general principles the Fathers achieved in independence were the general principles of Christianity.” The Founding Fathers had a reverent fear of the Lord. A truth God still honors today. John Adams, concerning Independence Day celebrations said, “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” (Wall-Builders, David Barton) Earlier Court Convictions: The Bible says, “Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (Deuteronomy 16: 18-20) George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” America needs God to restore our Supreme Court system to making decisions like the one made in 1892, “Our laws and our institution must necessarily be based upon and embody the teaching of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and institutions are emphatically Christian. This is a religious people. This is historically true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour, there is a single voice making affirmation. We find everywhere a clear recognition of the same truth. These, and many other matters which might be noticed, add a volume of unofficial utterance that this is a Christian nation.” (Justice Brewer delivered the opinion of the court on February 29, 1892) In the late 1950’s the former Chief Justice Earl Warren, addressing the annual prayer breakfast of the International Council of Christian Leadership said, “I believe no one can read the history of our country without realizing that the Good Book [the Bible] and the Spirit of the Savior [Jesus Christ] have from the beginning been our guiding geniuses. Whether we look to the first Charter of Virginia or to the Charter of New England or to the Charter of Massachusetts Bay or to the Foundational Orders of Connecticut, the same objective is present: A Christian land governed by Christian Principles. I believe the entire Bill of rights came into being because of the knowledge our forefathers had of the Bible and their belief in it: freedom of belief, of expression, of assembly, of petition, the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of the home, equal justice under the law, and the reservation of powers to the people. I like to believe we are living today in the spirit of the Christian religion.” The lack of hunger for God’s Word, the living for self, the influences of this world views, the lack of knowledge of our Founding Father’s efforts to please the Lord in governing this nation has caused many Americans to loose sight, “God Rules Over Nations.” This fact is seen in declarations made by several of our resent national leaders saying, “Americans do not consider ourselves to be a Christian nation” in attempt at historical revisionism. Chief Justice William Rehnquist wisely observed, “No amount of repetition of historical error… can make the error true.” (Wallace v. Jaffree, 472 U. S. 38, 106-107 (1984), Rehnquist, J.) The Holy Spirit of Christ wants Americans to understand, we are to appoint “judges” (Hebrew- sapat) who have the conviction that they are judging for the Lord. Servants Who Fear God: The Lord had called forth a great leader, Moses. While Moses was judging the disputes of the people, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, gave Moses some very good advice that Americans would do well to heed. “Select capable men from all the people–men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain–and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.” (Exodus 18:21) Matthew Henry in his exposition on Exodus 18:21 wrote, “[Jethro] advised such a model of government… [which believes] there is a God above them, Whose eye is upon them, to Whom they are accountable….”
We need statesmen, not politicians, who are men and women of prayer and who passionately seek God’s wisdom through the written Word of God. Most of our Founding Fathers had great knowledge of God’s Word and they knew what was to be done. One of them was Noah Webster. He wrote: “When you become entitled to exercise the right to vote for public offices let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose as rulers men who rule in the fear of God… The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect this duty and place unprincipled men in office the government will soon be corrupted…” It is a necessity that we have leaders who have the Godly character of Hezekiah who “…trusted in the Lord…. He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow Him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses.” (2 Kings 18:5) God has always raised up possible rulers: 1.) Those who serve themselves, taking from the people of God (1 Samuel 8) or 2.) Rulers who rule in the true fear of the Lord. Which one will you vote for?
Separation of Church and State: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…” (excerpt from Amendment I, U. S. Constitution) The phrase, “Separation of Church and State” is not in the Constitution nor, according to the Congressional Record, was it ever even mentioned during the framing of that document in 1789. The phrase is not Constitutional at all! It has been wrenched out of context from a private letter written in 1802, 11 years after the First Amendment was ratified. There was a widespread rumor going around at the time that one particular denomination was to become the official national religion. This concerned the other denominations a great deal since some had fled religious persecution by the official church of England. President Thomas Jefferson wrote to the concerned Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut assuring them that under the Constitution the federal government would not, and indeed could not, establish a national Christian denomination. In other words, the United States Congress could not legislate that all Americans had to be Lutherans, or Episcopalians, or Baptists, or whatever. The courts, media and special interest groups have convinced the American people that we must have freedom from religion in the public square. Nothing is further from the truth. As a nation, we have been increasing the judicial and public approval and practice of shedding innocent blood of the littlest human beings, flaunting all sorts of abominations and sexual sins, forsaking our marriage covenants, calling good evil and evil good, and now pushing even the mention of God’s Holy Name out of public life under the false guise of “Separation of Church and State.” To such a people God’s Word says, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13) At this time of history God’s Word says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord…” (Isaiah 55: 6, 7a) The Hebrew word “wicked” (rāšā) is used 264 times, often referring to those who are in the wrong. It is wrong to keep Americans from the historical facts, as a whole, our nation’s Founding Fathers never intended to keep God’s truths from having an influence on the governing of a nation with a motto, “In God we trust.”
Reformation is Called For: Biblically examining the rule of kings who oversaw the nations of Judah and Israel reveals the truth, God blesses obedience and He chastens for disobedience. 2 Chronicles 17-20 reveals God’s view on the reign of Jehoshaphat. Understanding how God worked in the life of King Jehoshaphat helps us understand how the Lord wants to work in America. Like Jehoshaphat, American government has given into the desires of the wicked, giving them what they want, even though it breaks the heart of the Lord. Just like the “seer, Jehu” was sent to King Jehoshaphat, it is time for modern day teachers of God’s Word to begin to rebuke politicians who help those whom the Bible says live in ways that are displeasing to God. Sadly, many in leadership claim to know God, but choose to live for the flesh and are lured by a world view. Watching the TV news and reading the daily newspaper reveals God’s wrath being poured out. (Read Romans 1:18-32) After the man of God’s rebuke to Jehoshaphat for showing un-biblical love to those who hate the Lord’s truth, the Bible records the fruit of repentance the king showed. He went among the people of the land and told them to return to the Lord. He appointed judges in the land, told them that they should carefully choose what they do, for they were to be judging for God, not for man. They were to let the fear of the Lord be in their hearts. These judges were to warn people not to sin against the Lord, otherwise God’s wrath will be upon them. (2 Chronicles 19: 1-10)
The questions must be asked, does our education system teach these historical facts? Do you live by the truths laid down by the signers of The Declaration of Independence? Does our government have the same convictions as our Founding Fathers? This Fourth of July, do you live by the general principles of Christianity? Americans need to become wise – they need to do the hard work of study, find out what our Founding Fathers truly believed. Take God at His Word, repent, turn to Christ and beseech God to intervene for our nation once again. This July Fourth, take time to thank God for His blessings and chastisements upon the United States of America!
by Terry Laughlin | May 13, 2017 | Memorial Day
God’s Wonderful Flower of Remembrance
Most people associate Memorial Day with firing up the barbecue, opening the beach house and other rituals of the summer season. Years ago, Memorial Day was a more somber observance of the departed, especially those of service men and women lost in war. For those who have lost a father, mother, son, daughter or a dear friend during a conflict of war, the term Decoration Day touches their hearts in a different way in comparison to the common modern observation of Memorial Day by most in this country. The whole of Scripture teaches us there is a conflict of war that takes the lives of all of us in its proper season, physical death. (Genesis 3:3; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; James 4:14) The lost of these loved ones has left a scar needing to be healed just as well. It seems like in this day of self-indulgence and pleasure mentality, little is said or done to remember those who have fallen in the conflict of worldly and spiritual war. Thankfully, there are loved ones who see the need to commemorate the lost of someone who was dear to them.
We serve a God who is Sovereign and has in these modern times gave us flowers to commemorate the death of loved ones who have passed away. One of those flowers are Peonies. Peonies are the traditional flower for Memorial Day decoration of soldiers’ and loved one’s graves. Pretty much everywhere, Peonies is the flower of choice for those who want a memorial remembrance that survives the winter of death – it is a flower which comes back year after year, often becoming lusher as the seasons go on and on. Peonies have been grown since the Middle-Ages in Europe. It came to American colonies and was carried out west by settlers in their wagon trains. It is hardy as an oak tree along with (most Peonies), exceptionally long-lived. On many farmsteads long neglected for centuries past, Peonies are the most persistent survivors while all other flowers have faded away. Deer and other pests do not bother them. (Home and Garden) According to Grade Side Flowers Inc. Peonies are a symbol of healing.
Before you can fully enjoy what, the Lord has for us in His enabling mankind to produce Peonies, you must grasp the Sovereignty of God on all things. (Job 36: 23-24; 36:27-33; Job 37:1-13; The whole book of Ruth; Ester 5:1-8; Amos 1:3-2:3; Psalm 115:3-8; Acts 4:24; Acts 14:17; 1 Corinthians 15:28) The Bible says, “Oh, the depths of riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33) “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things…” (Romans 11:36) “Through Him” (Greek: ἐξ—διά—εἰς) means God and Christ are the maintainers, preservers, rulers over all things that happen upon this earth. (Word Studies in the New Testaments; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-17) C.H. Spurgeon wrote about God’s Sovereignty, “There is no attribute more comforting to His children than that of God’s sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that His Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, His Sovereignty overrules them, and His Sovereignty will sanctify them all. There is nothing for which the children ought to more earnestly contend to than the doctrine of their Master over all creation—the Kingship of God over all the works of His own hands—the Throne of God and His right to sit upon that throne…for it is God upon the Throne of Whom we trust.” – (Galaxies Software. (2002). 10,000 Sermon Illustrations. Biblical Studies Press)
Christians know that it is God’s Sovereignty in creating Peonies, they understand it is His hand in preserving and blooming them in just the right time for us to enjoy around Memorial Day. Peonies can be a wonderful choice to plant at grave sides. They will still be there when those who planted them have passed on. In most parts of the world, Peonies can be a yearly reminder, after winters death has done its worse, spring conquers, just as Christ conquered death and the grave by rising again on Easter Sunday. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Those who have died in Christ, did not feel winter’s death, they went on to be with the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:50-58) Peonies are a symbol and reminder that Christian loved ones are not in the grave, but alive in Christ in heaven. Just as the root of Peonies are under ground during winter’s death, then comes spring, producing new life, there will be a day of resurrection. Christian bodies will come out of the grave to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Christians will receive a glorified body that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-44; Philippians 3:20-12) The consequences of sin and death will no longer bother them or have any kind of victory over them.
This Memorial Day season, let the beauty of Peonies remind you of our Lords victory over winter’s death. Let Spring’s beauty remind you of the beauty of Christian loved ones being in heaven, no longer being affected by this sin-cursed world. Let God’s wonderful flower of remembrance raise up a joy of hope, there is going to be a resurrection of those who are in Christ, receiving an eternal body that will last forever. One that will be incorruptible, perfect and glorified just as Jesus’ Body is.
by Terry Laughlin | Mar 11, 2017 | St. Patrick's Day Messages
A saint has been defined as “a man in whom Christ lives”
The writer of the Book of Hebrews has some real sound advice for the children of God, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:7)
A saint has been defined as “a man in whom Christ lives.” The real leader of the church preaches and lives in Christ. Men are captivated by Christians who live out what they believe. Mankind will not necessarily agree with what a man preaches, but they will take note of how he lives.
The writer of Hebrews talks about the nature of all great leaders for the Lord in this dispensation. All Christian leaders have their part in the drama of life and then the curtain comes down. However, Christ is the same yesterday and today and will be forever. Just as Christ hates evil and calls out to sinners, He sends out those who will be obedient to do His work today.
One of the great leaders of New Testament is the Apostle Paul and he gives us this exhortation in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Pray!
Just what is worth grasping as we look into the lives of men of faith?
Men are imitative beings, and from a law of their nature, those whom they most admire and whom they most associate with will have an effect on their character. This is why the Apostle Paul implores us to become imitators of him only as he follows Christ. Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Christians who desire to imitate Paul’s faith in Christ will meditate on what the Bible says about him and appreciate the work God has done in men and women who have taken on the work of Christ since Paul’s going home to be with the Lord. As we have just passed St. Patrick’s day it would be good for us evaluate the outcome of the way of life of the Apostle Paul and St. Patrick.
I would like to read a prayer of St. Patrick titled “I Rise Today;” “I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three. I bind this day to me forever by power of faith in Christ’s incarnation, His baptism in the Jordan river, His death on the cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spiced tomb, His riding up the heavenly way, His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today. I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to harken to my need, the wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward, the Word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard. Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me; Christ to comfort and restore me; Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of a friend…I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three, of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word; praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!”
I would propose to you that Christians who walk in obedience to God’s call upon their lives are worthy of our attention and we should imitate their faith. As I have taken time to prayerfully consider our message today. I was intrigued over the comparisons of the call of and the ministries given to the Apostle Paul and this man we call St. Patrick. Their lives show how to follow the call of God and the impact it can have upon the lives of those who hear the message of the Lord.
The first base to cover in imitating the faith of someone is to make sure that they have had a genuine conversion to Christ. In considering the outcome of the way of life of the Apostle Paul we should read of his heart before and after receiving Christ. Acts 26:9 records Paul’s conversation with King Agrippa saying, “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the Name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Luke also writes about Paul’s hope in Christ after his conversion, “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.” (Acts 26:4-6)
The Apostle Paul knew what it was that kept him from being in the center of God’s will, he repented, produced the fruit of repentance and confessed to those to whom he wanted to preach Christ. Paul told King Agrippa about his experience on the road to Damascus. (Acts 26:12-18) Listen to these words of Christ in Paul’s confession. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14) Because of spiritual blindness, Paul, suffered a short term physical blindness, however, his short term bondage opened the way for him to receive Christ as Savior and Lord.
Like Paul, St. Patrick had a season of bondage that opened his eyes to Christ. Listen to his confession, “I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many, had for a father the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Potitus, a priest… I was taken captive about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people according to our sins. We were quite drawn away from God. We did not keep His precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation. The Lord brought down on us the fury of His being and scattered us among many nations, even to the ends of the earth, where I, in my smallness, am now to be found among foreigners. And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And He watched over me before I knew Him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and He protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.” Both Paul and St. Patrick walked a season in unbelief in the Christ who showed his love for them upon the Cross, before they could express true love back to Him. God brought both Paul and St. Patrick to repentance through affliction and enabled them to enjoy conversion in Christ Name. All non-Christians are in bondage of some kind due to non-belief and living for self. When a sinner has the courage to recognize the true condition of his spiritual heart, an enemy against God he may imitate the faith of Paul and St. Patrick.
This imitation of confessing and repentance to Christ leads to the joy and peace expressed by the Apostle Paul who wrote, “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:10-11)
The first steps to cover in imitating a Christian’s faith in Christ are to recognizes one’s true condition before the Lord, receive forgiveness found in Jesus and be reconciled unto God.
Life’s focus is on the “Great Commission
The next step in imitating someone’s faith in Christ is to make sure their life’s focus is on the “Great Commission.” Matthew 28:16-20 says, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in of the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
An examination of the Apostle Paul’s and St. Patrick’s lives, and a study of their God ordained ministries challenge all Christians to be open to the call of God on their lives. God used them powerfully and there is a heart attitude that must be grasped for the child of God who wants to enjoy the life changing ministry that they enjoyed. These two pillars of faith were committed to getting the gospel to those whom the Lord wanted them to, regardless of the price.
Christians who understand the forgiveness of God and the price paid for them on the Cross of Calvary have Holy Spirit enlightened hearts on God’s direction for them and they have an enablement to pray through their mission.
In Acts 21:11-13 we read of Paul’s willingness to take whatever comes his way for the sake of achieving God’s plan for him. At this time in Christian history Paul is making his way to Jerusalem to fulfill God’s will for him. In His farewell speech to the Ephesian elders Paul says, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:22-24)
In Acts 21 Paul has been staying at the house of the evangelist Philip, who was one of the Seven. (Acts 21:8) While in Caesarea the prophet Agabus comes to Paul and tells him what awaits in Jerusalem. The Bible says, “Coming over to us, [Agabus] took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, ‘The Holy Spirit says, In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.’ Then Paul answered, ‘Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’” (Acts 21:11-13) The message from God through His faithful prophet gave Paul the confirmation he needed to achieve the Lord’s will and call for him regardless of the response of those to whom he went to proclaim the gospel.
This is the same heart that is reflected in the life and speech of St. Patrick who said, “Am I willing and able to forgive those who have caused pain in my life? Am I willing to follow the call of God and even give my life to those who enslaved me?” Paul was about to go to Jerusalem where there would be uncertain turbulent times and St. Patrick was willing to go back to a place that held him slave to a warlord, working as a shepherd for six years.
It would be wrong to say or believe that every child of God who is greatly used by the Lord will face what the Apostle Paul and Patrick did. What the Holy Spirit wants you to ask yourself is, “Will you be found faithful to the work God has called you to regardless of the opposition you may face?”
Grow in their faith in turbulent times through prayer
Christians who follow God’s call are worthy of our attention. So are Christians who grow in their faith in turbulent times through prayer. The Apostle Paul tells us, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life… But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you helped us by your prayers…” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)
The Apostle Paul and those serving the Lord with him were taken through some trials that caused them to even despair of life down here, yet they saw these trials as opportunities to see God do a powerful work in their lives and before mankind. The Apostle Paul underscored it forcefully to illustrate how powerless both he and the church are apart from God and the importance of prayers.
The Arabs have a proverb, “All sunshine makes a desert.” The danger of prosperity is that it encourages a false independence; it makes us think that we are able to handle life’s trials alone. William Barclay wrote, “For every one prayer that rises to God in days of prosperity, ten thousand rise in days of adversity.” During his presidency Abraham Lincoln said, “I have often been driven to my knees in prayer because I had nowhere else to go.”
Paul’s outcome and that of his fellow servants of Christ was they developed an unshakable confidence in the Lord and they rested in His unmovable faithfulness. Everyone who imitates Paul’s faith in Christ says as the psalmist who wrote, “For you O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:8-9)
St. Patrick said “Am I willing to draw closer to God in turbulent times.” It was during St. Patrick’s time in slavery that he grew to have faith in prayer. He wrote, “I would pray constantly during the daylight hours… and faith grew… During the day I would say as many as 100 prayers and at night only slightly less.”
Christians who imitate faith in Christ as Paul and St. Patrick did “Pray continually.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
These Christians understand the truths presented by Christ when He said, “…And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.” However, when the Son of man comes, will He find faith upon the earth?” (Luke 18:6)
Faith opens doors for guidance
Christians who grow in adversity and prayer have faith in Christ that is worth imitating. Such faith opens doors for guidance. Psalm 31:3 says, “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your Name lead and guide me.” Psalm 73:24 says, “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”
In his physical affliction of blindness, an outward symbol of his spiritual blindness, the Apostle Paul received divine direction. In Acts 9:12, “The Lord told [Ananias] ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” Ananias, being obedient to his vision from God went and placed his hands on Paul, who was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 9:17-18)
It was God’s leading that led Paul to the place in his heart and life where he could be set free from spiritual and physical blindness, and it was God’s leading that enabled St. Patrick to find his freedom from six years of slavery. St. Patrick writes, “I use to pasture the flock each day. Praying in the icy coldness, in rain… And it was there of course that one night in my sleep I heard a voice saying to me, ‘You do well to fast; soon you will depart for you home country.’ …a short time later there was a voice prophesying, ‘Behold, your ship is ready’ And it is not close… two hundred miles away… …Shortly thereafter I turned and fled… …by the power of God who directed my route until I reached that ship.”
True faith in Christ and a walk in obedience opens the doors to freedom from all spiritual bondage, and as God wills, physical bandages.
The faith in Christ that Paul and St. Patrick expressed opened the doors for ministry guidance. It was in a vision Paul saw that Ananias was going to lay hands on him. It was through divine guidance Paul got his Macedonia call. Acts 16:9-10 says, “During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
It is encouraging for us to know that it was a divine leading that showed St. Patrick how to get to the ship that got him to the place the Lord wanted him to be, it was also a vision that moved St. Patrick back to Ireland to evangelize the people there.
St. Patrick writes, “…After a few years I was again in Britain with my parents… …there in a vision of the night, I saw a man whose name was Victoricus coming as if from Ireland with innumerable letters, and he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter; ‘The Voice of the Irish,’ and as I was reading the beginning of the letter… it seems at that moment I could hear the voices of those who were beside the forest of Foclut which is near the western sea, and they were crying as if with one voice; ‘We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and walk among us again.’ …thus, I woke. ‘Thanks be to God, because after so many years the Lord bestowed on them according to their cry.” St. Patrick set his heart to complete his “Commission.”
It should be noted that Divine revelations appear to have come to the people of God in different ways, through dreams or visions, (Acts 16:9,10; 18:9; 22:18-21) through an angel, (Acts 27:23) through prophets and teachers as led by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2, 21:11) and most often, through a strong leading of the Holy Spirit, prompting the child of God to complete a ministry with the Lord. It is imperative that any visions, a word spoken or promptings be checked to the whole counsel of God’s Word before beginning to act upon them.
Christians who imitate the faith in Christ that Paul and St Patrick had begin first by getting right before God, focus on the “Great Commission, grow in trials and through prayer so they are able to hear and obey divine leading. We have over past years had people leave the Sunday morning service, hearing from the Lord and they have enjoyed the fellowship that comes with obedience to God’s call.
Enjoy what only God can do
Imitating faith in Christ as Paul and St Patrick did opens doors for Christians to participate in the “Great Commission.” It also enables the child of God to enjoy what only God can do. The Apostle Paul has a doxology in Ephesians that is worthy of our attention as we consider his faith in Christ. He writes, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Paul presents before us the glorious picture of the bride of Christ. This world is not what God attended for it to be, it has opposing forces that try to discourage and put a stop to the work God has called His children to. It is God’s perfect will that all come to repentance and he has personally revealed to us in Scripture to be a part of His great world wide work.
There is absolutely nothing Satan can throw at the Lord’s church that God will not use to build the character needed for the soldiers of Christ. Listen to these confessions of St. Patrick as the Holy Spirit wants to use them as you consider God’s call on your life. We all have the opportunity to imitate the faith in Christ that Paul and St. Patrick did. In my opinion St. Patrick became an Apostle to Ireland. He writes: “Behold now I commend my soul to God who is faithful and for whom I perform my mission although being unknown, but God is no respecter of persons and He chose me for this service that I might be one of the least of his ministers [sent].” Christians do not need to be well known before God can use them, they need only to commit themselves to the God who is faithful.
As St. Patrick was allowing God to do a work in him and through him in prayer, he was attacked, He writes, “And then I was attacked by a goodly number of my elders… They brought against me after thirty years an occurrence I had confessed before becoming a deacon.”
Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelations 12:10) and he will come against all Christians who choose to walk in obedience to the Lord’s call.
There were many things that came up against St Patrick before he made it to Ireland and he shares why, “[That] I might come to the Irish people to preach the Gospel and endure insults from unbelievers… if I should be worthy. I am ready to give even my life without hesitation; and most willingly for His name.” Christians who follow the faith of others in Christ will be tested and prepared for their calling.
The Lord blessed St. Patrick’s faithfulness, thousands were baptized and directed to seek the holiness of God in their lives and the Lord ordained clergy through the ministry He gave to St. Patrick.
The Apostle Paul and St. Patrick expressed a faith in Christ that is worth considering and the Holy Spirit gives us permission to follow them as they followed God who called them, Christ who purchased them and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies them into the image of Jesus Christ.
All Christians can follow the faith in Christ that the Apostle Paul and St. Patrick had. They need only come to Christ in true repentance, have their focus on the “Great Commission, grow in tribulation through prayer, have spiritual ears to grasp God’s call and trust in God to do more than they can even hope or ask for. Trust God for great things as we seek Him for souls to come to Christ in Norton and in our families.
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