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NASB | 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 2:15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. |
Bible Question:
Believers are usually encouraged to be like Bereans to examine what has been preached to us with the Scriptures. Unlike traditional music ministry where a choir sing classical hymn, contemporary style incorporates modern hymns (many of their lyrics are more or less problematics), prayers, scripture reading and a bit sharing by the leader. In order to guard against what will be said is unbiblical or man-centred or wholly emotional driven, should the pastoral office exercise a certain level of control such as requiring the submission of the transcript and modern hymns beforehand? Though it is not as intensive as a pastor preaching on the pulpit, the contemporary worship style still has the function of teaching/preaching to the congregation. How should we balance the "freedom of speech", "trust" and "accountability" as per James 3:1? Thanks and Shalom Azure |
Bible Answer: Dear Sister Azure, The focus of church in worship is Gospel-centered, God honoring, Christ magnifying, Spirit led. Consequently, we make every effort to magnify the Word. Music prepares the heart so that people whose lives are being changed by the Gospel, led by people whose lives have been changed by the Gospel, may more readily receive the ministry of the Word. Hence, our music must augment our doctrine and be consistent with our doctrine. As believers, our affections are changed from love of the world to delight in the Lord -- does our music diminish the one and magnify the other? As believers, our minds are transformed from carnality to the Word -- does our music diminish the one and magnify the other? As believers, our bodies are not vessels of sensuality, but living sacrifices -- does our music diminish the one and magnify the other? As believers, all things are brought into subjection to the Lord of us all. Therefore, our objective is to creatively seek to design all of our activities to honor and reflect the character of the King. Below are some quotes that I find helpful. In Him, Doc Of worship and worship styles: "[The Master] did not will in outward discipline and ceremonies to prescribe in detail what we ought to do (because He foresaw that this depended on the state of the times, and He did not deem one form suitable for all ages)... Because He has taught nothing specifically, and because these things are not necessary to salvation, and for the up-building of the church ought to be variously accommodated to the customs of each nation and age, it will be fitting (as the advantage of the church will require) to change and abrogate traditional practices and to establish new ones. Indeed, I admit that we ought not to charge into innovation rashly, suddenly, for insufficient cause. But love will best judge what may hurt or edify; and if we let love be our guide, all will be safe." --John Calvin "All worshiping, honoring, or service invented by the brain of man in the religion of God, without His own express commandment, is idolatry. We may not think us so free nor wise, that we may do unto God, and unto His honor, what we think expedient." --John Knox "There are always two parts to true worship. There is seeing God and there is savoring God. You can't separate these. You must see Him to savor Him. And if you don't savor Him when you see Him, you insult Him. In true worship, there is always understanding with the mind and there is always feeling in the heart. Understanding must always be the foundation of feeling, or all we have is baseless emotionalism. But understanding of God that doesn't give rise to feeling for God becomes mere intellectualism and deadness. This is why the Bible continually calls us to think and consider and meditate, on the one hand, and to rejoice and fear and mourn and delight and hope and be glad, on the other hand. Both are essential for worship." --John Piper |