“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.
A friend shared this with me and I just couldn’t resist posting it here.
What do you think? Is this take on the contemporary worship service fair or unfair?
Posts Tagged: worship
11
May 10
Sunday’s Coming: A Take on Contemporary Evangelical Worship
13
Jul 09
Song of Praise, Song of Pride
So we raise up holy hands
To praise the Holy One
Who was and is and is to come
Yesterday at church we sang “Unchanging” by Chris Tomlin. As we arrived at the above chorus for the first time I was struck by how easily a song of praise and worship to my Lord could become a prideful abomination.
Song of Praise
My hands are righteous and holy for one reason and one reason only – they were made holy by the blood of Christ.
For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19, ESV)
Apart from Christ, I am a sinner, an object of wrath, an enemy of God. How sweet it is, then, to be able to raise up hands made righteous by Christ’s obedience and sacrifice upon the cross. I raise up my hands in thanks and praise – in absolute awe of my God, his mercy and grace.
Abomination
If, however, I have convinced myself that my own righteousness might exist apart from Christ Jesus, then my song of praise has become a religious perversion of the truth. If I have convinced myself that I am good apart from my Savior, worthy to raise so-called “holy” hands in the presence of a most-holy God, then my song of worship has become an prideful abomination. How that song must grieve the heart of the Lord.
Nothing Alike
Two very different songs were sung yesterday morning in my church. One, a song of praise and worship to the Holy One. The other, a religious song of pride and self-righteousness. They have the same lyrics and sound identical to the human ear. They are nothing alike, however.
Which song were those around me singing? Which song did I sing?
22
Apr 09
Worship and Earth Day
As you probably already know, today is Earth Day. According to the Earth Day Network, April 22 marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970:
On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.
Earth Day is Good
Earth Day provides a wonderful opportunity for Christians to step back and and worship their God as the creator and sustainer of the universe.
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20 ESV)
Earth day is also a great time to consider the concept of stewardship. How can I be a better steward of all that the Lord has given me, natural resources and the earth included?
Earth Day is Bad
I fear, however, that Earth Day means something very different to many in the world around us. At its worst, Earth Day plays out in idolatry and pantheism. Today, many will engage in the worship of Mother Earth, as creation assumes a status of which only God himself is worthy. As Christians we must be very careful that we do not lift up creation as an idol. Note that, according the the above verse from Romans, God’s attributes can simply be perceived “in the things that have been made.” God is not creation and creation is not God.
Let Us Worship
Therefore, let us celebrate Earth Day (very carefully) and worship our God, the Maker of heaven and earth and the Author of our salvation. To Him be the glory!
Do you celebrate Earth Day? Have you seen examples of Earth Day as idolatry or pantheism? Please comment!
24
Feb 09
What Are You Giving Up for Lent?
Lent begins tomorrow. Do you participate in this season of fasting? What will you be giving up?
Comment below.
