{"id":32246,"date":"2022-09-10T16:02:04","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/what-a-conjunction-teaches-us-about-worship\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T16:02:04","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T21:02:04","slug":"what-a-conjunction-teaches-us-about-worship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/what-a-conjunction-teaches-us-about-worship\/","title":{"rendered":"What a Conjunction Teaches Us About Worship"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Billy Walker<\/em><\/p>\n

I thought it\u2019d be fun to get the blood going today by addressing something the Church has yet to get past\u2014\u201cworship wars.\u201d You know, the battles that pit those who like to sing hymns against those who prefer to sing choruses.<\/p>\n

One group says they can do without the \u201c7-11 approach\u201d (repeating seven words, 11 times) while the other complains, \u201cwho really<\/em> knows what an Ebenezer is, anyway?!\u201d<\/p>\n

But I want to look at the subject from a different angle\u2014that of Scripture. Just kidding. I know everyone\u2019s arguments have a biblical basis. But let\u2019s examine what a single conjunction from Scripture tells us about the topic.<\/p>\n

Conjunction Junction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Growing up, I was allowed to watch cartoons on Saturday mornings while waiting for my dad to fix French toast for breakfast.<\/p>\n

As I enjoyed the moments of laughter from watching cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Road Runner, the ABC network would also squeeze some teaching moments into this time frame.<\/p>\n

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One of these animated snippets was, \u201cConjunction Junction!\u201d In front of that TV, I learned how to use these short, simple words. I learned the difference they make in sentences.<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve gotten older, I\u2019ve learned God\u2019s Word is filled with important conjunctions, too. One passage where this takes place is in the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman from John 4:1-42.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Your Function?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As the discussion between Jesus and the Samaritan woman turns toward the difference in the worship practices of Jews and Samaritans, Jesus says, \u201cBut an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him\u201d (John 4:23).<\/p>\n

In the context of this passage, many believers choose to use an \u201cor\u201d between the words spirit and truth when God\u2019s desire is for us to use an \u201cand.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, Not Or<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cTruth\u201d is found in the person of Christ. \u201cSpirit\u201d speaks of the Holy Spirit who combines with our spirits to ignite biblical worship. Why do we attempt to separate these two as if they\u2019re opposed to one another?<\/p>\n

In Desiring God<\/em>, John Piper says, \u201cThe fuel of truth in the furnace of our spirit does not automatically produce the heat of worship. There must be ignition and fire. That is the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many churches seem to feel as though they must choose to either worship in spirit or worship in truth. They don\u2019t take advantage of the opportunity Christ gives to worship freely in and through both.<\/p>\n

So Why Not Both?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Worship done in spirit and in truth allows us to come before a holy God in reverence. The Hebrew definition of worship is, \u201cto prostrate oneself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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See also  Is It \u2018Ministry Failure\u2019 To See a Counselor?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In A Little Book for New Theologians<\/em>, Kelly Kapic reminds us that \u201cthe path of pride burdens us with defensiveness, while the way of humility frees us to receive teaching and correction.\u201d<\/p>\n

The act of singing often speaks to some people in the audience in a way the sermon may not be able to.<\/p>\n

However, being children of God, we can also come to worship with a spirit of excitement and confidence.<\/p>\n

For example, \u201cRock of Ages\u201d is filled with great biblical truth. But when sung with the enthusiasm of a funeral dirge?! Is that really<\/em> incorporating the \u201cspirit\u201d of worship Jesus describes?<\/p>\n

At the same time, just because we modulate up one more half step on the last chorus of \u201cYour Grace is Enough,\u201d doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019ve necessarily had a \u201cSpirit-filled moment.\u201d Perhaps all we\u2019ve done is experienced a nice musical embellishment.<\/p>\n

However, when we come to worship in both spirit and<\/em> truth, it becomes an outward expression of inward living and loving.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God\u201d (Romans 12:1-2).<\/p>\n

Remember the Relationship We Have With God<\/strong><\/h3>\n

What relationship are you a part of that doesn\u2019t include emotion? Now, emotion for emotion\u2019s sake is wrong. But emotion based on truth? Well, you see where this is going.<\/p>\n

Offering ourselves as living sacrifices to God in everything we do is our true worship. This does away with another false dichotomy of \u201csecular versus sacred.\u201d Whatever we do; we\u2019re to do it to the glory of God (Colossians 3:17).<\/p>\n

Therefore, we can come together for corporate worship when we gather in spirit and<\/em> in truth!<\/p>\n

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Billy Walker<\/h2>\n

@billyhwalker<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Billy is a 3rd generation pastor of Calvary Church in Southgate, Michigan. He is the vice president of the Billy Walker Evangelistic Association, and is the president of the Pastor\u2019s Conference for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n