Transformational Worship

By Pastor Chad A. Stafford

       

 In Worship and Witness by David Wheeler and Vernon Whaley, they state that worship is transformational. [1] They argue that “God uses our obedience, repentance, spiritual growth, and relationship with Him to transform us.” [2]  They say further that “one way we experience transformation is through obedience to the Holy Spirit’s direction.” [3]  I too believe that God transforms the worshiper through obedience. King David equated obedience as the highest form of worship. “When our hearts remain attentive to the Spirit’s transformational work, we can experience transformational worship and display the Spirit’s work to the world.” [4] A great example of this can be found in Acts 1 and 2 at Pentecost when the disciples’ tarried in Jerusalem for the fulfilled promise.  Their obedience to the command of Christ was an act of worship that placed them in a position to receive the promise of the Spirit’s power. 

“Sin robs us of our ability to be Great Commission worshippers.” [5] The Bible teaches that sin is enmity to God and thus separates us from Him.  The word enmity literally means to be hostile or opposed to God.  Living a life that is hostile to God is obviously incongruous and antithetical to a life of loving worship and devoted obedience.  It simply is not possible to please God with a divided heart.  Our sin must first be dealt with if we want to commune with our God who is holy. Think Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 6.  Our sin must be remitted or taken away as Isaiah’s was. [6] This happens when our spiritual eyes are opened to behold His glorious splendor and we recognize His true holiness in light of our sinful depravity.  Once we have been enlightened by the Truth, conviction comes to us by the Holy Spirit and we are given an opportunity to repent and be set free.  Repentance involves a change of mind AND direction which leads to life transformation, or transformational worship as the authors’ call it.  In Isaiah 6, God initiates Isaiah’s vision, cleansing, pardon, and calling – and so it is with us.  God initiates the redemptive act and we are saved by grace as we respond in faith, confession, and repentance.  God always takes the initiative in restoring the broken relationship between God and man.  Our humble acknowledgment and repentance from sin leads to transformation and readiness for service.

The authors’ describe spiritual growth as a result of transformational worship.  Just as a flower naturally grows from a seed in the ground or a baby eventually grows to become a toddler, a child, a teenager, and eventually a full grown adult, spiritual growth naturally occurs over time in the life of the healthy believer who is walking with God in obedience to his Word. So, if you are struggling with obedience - don't give up.  He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it, but you also must cooperate with that work of obedience by renouncing sin in your life. This turning from sin and obedience to God’s Word leads to spiritual growth AND transformational worship!  David said in Psalm 1 that the righteous ones who meditate upon God’s Word day and night would be like trees planted by living waters that never stop bearing fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither.  Jesus also said in John 15 that as we abide in Him multiplication will naturally occur.  Jesus calls us to not only to bear fruit but to bear much fruit.  However, apart from Him we can do nothing!  Therefore, I would argue that Christ-connectedness and dependency upon Him is the key to personal spiritual growth and transformational worship. 

In other words, we need to see transformational worship and spiritual growth as the natural and eventual outflow of a healthy and abiding relationship with Christ. The authors correctly argue in Worship and Witness that God “greatly desires an active and personal relationship with His children.” [7] How did God demonstrate this to us?  By giving His only Son to die in our place while we were still in our sins. [8] What further proof do we need to be convinced of God's love and desire for a restored relationship with mankind?  In John 15 we see that our connection to Christ involves intimacy, communion with, and dependency upon Christ.  Jesus said in verse 4, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” [9] 

Finally, we were created for relationship with God AND others which is why Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” [10] God desires a love relationship with his children.  In Christ, we are no longer strangers but sons and daughters of our Abba Father.  Living in an intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ wipes away all fear. Fear involves punishment but we have been made friends of God brought near by the blood of Christ.  We have access through Christ to the God who is love and perfect love casts out all fear.  The authors relate our relationship with God to a marriage relationship where a man and woman dedicate themselves to loving and knowing one another intimately.  Building a love relationship takes time, even with our Heavenly Father.  We come to know Him better as we abide in close relationship with Christ who is the image of God.  This is a relationship where love, devotion, communication, and trust can flourish because it is built upon mutual affection, trust, and commitment. As stated earlier, God uses our obedience, repentance, spiritual growth, and relationship with Him to transform us.  Like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly we too are transformed and conformed to the image of Christ through intimate relationship with Him which is the highest purpose of transformational worship. Let us daily aspire to this abiding relationship so that we may experience His transforming power in our own lives!

Mega transformational blessings to you in Christ!!

[1] David Wheeler & Vernon M. Whaley, Worship and Witness: Becoming a Great Commission Worshiper, (Nashville, TN: Lifeway Publishing, 2012), page 38.

[2] Ibid., 61.

[3] Ibid., 41.

[4] Ibid., 40.

[5] Ibid., 45.

[6] Ibid., 42-43.

[7] Ibid., 56.

[8] John 3:16 & Romans 5:8

[9] John 15:4

[10] Matthew 22:37-40

48 Choir Robes for Sale on Craigslist!!

Only 48 Robes Left - $480 for the entire set ... 
Excellent Condition!
Purchase individually or as a set @ only $10 p/ robe.

Check out at Craigslist for much more detail.  If you know a church that needs choir robes please pass this link along to them and tell them to give the church a call.

Thanks!

Click here:   http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/clo/3992957556.html.

7 Easy Steps to Choir Membership!

7 Easy Steps to Choir Membership! (click here)

Hymn Story: At Calvary (circa late 1890's) By William Newell

William Newell was a noted evangelist, Bible teacher, and superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute in the late 1890’s. One day on his way to teach a class he began to meditate on the suffering of Christ and what Calvary meant to him as someone who was once a lost sinner. William Newell became overwhelmed with the thought and stopped into an empty classroom and penned the words to this song, “At Calvary”.

Do you ever stop to think about the high price that Christ paid for your sin? Calvary means “the place of the skull”. It is amazingly ironic that such a place of intense pain and immense sorrow for our Lord could bring you and me such joy and freedom.

As we sing, At Calvary this Sunday morning, let’s give our attention once again to the wondrous grace and mercy that Christ demonstrated through his death on the cross. In this song we exalt our Lord for conquering sin and death and for being our Redeemer. We praise Him for bridging the mighty gulf between God and man through His atoning sacrifice upon the cross.

NEW SONG THIS WEEK! "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)" by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Scott Cash

(Please listen and learn for Sunday, August 11th)

Verse 1

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear

Chorus 1

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies is always by my side
The One who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies is always by my side

Verse 2

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
(Whom shall I fear)

Misc 1

(Bridge)
(And) nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
(REPEAT)

CCLI Song # 6440288

• © 2012 Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
• Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
• A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
• Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
• McTyeire Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 383283

This Week's Announcements! - August 4-11, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4-11, 2013

CHOIR PRAYER NEEDS THIS WEEK:  From board and taken from the floor.

 CHOIR WARDROBE SCHEDULE:  Brown, Cream, and Tan this Sunday, August 11, 2013

 STAGE ETIQUETTE:  (FINAL MENTION)  No purses on seats  while singing / No beverages in sanctuary (only water bottles) / Give your respect and full attention to the pastor during the message / No web surfing, texting, or social networking on the platform / Get plenty of rest the night before – DO NOT FALL ASLEEP PLEASE! / Avoid any and all distracting actions / Do not leave the platform except in an emergency / Keep your voices quiet and low when leaving the platform until in the rehearsal room / Do not blow your nose or slam doors back stage.

FALL CHOIR ENROLLMENT BEGINS THIS SUNDAY: Please be in prayer and invite someone to join the choir this fall.  Enrollment will be open August 11-25.  

SUNDAY LINE-UP TIME:  Choir needs to line up in a timely manner (both service) by the 4-minute countdown mark.  Choir processional begins at the 2-minute mark.  Bill Underwood has been asked by PC to head this up, so please follow his direction on Sunday mornings. 

SUPPORT TEAM MEETING:  This Sunday, August 11^th – 1:00-3:30pm.  2012-13 team members mark your calendars.

 PRAISE TEAM REMINDER:  (FINAL MENTION) All praise team members are requested to stay thru the end of second service on the Sunday they are scheduled to sing and also to sing on the following Wednesday night team.

DEDICATION SERVICE:  Sunday, August 25^th .  Need all choir members here.  Please mark your calendars for this historic day in the life of South Metro Ministries. The choir will sing “This Is Your House” and “Not Unto Us”. 

AUDITIONS:  If you would like to audition for the solo on “Lion of Judah” please sign up on bulletin board in hallway.  Auditions will be held next Wednesday.

MUSIC LISTENING/PRACTICE THIS WEEK:  SONG THIS SUNDAY: “Total Praise” (3x)

All Things Are Possible to Him That Believes! By Charles H. Spurgeon

"All things are possible to him that believeth." / Mark 9:23 

Many professed Christians are always doubting and fearing, and they forlornly
think that this is the necessary state of believers. This is a mistake, for
"all things are possible to him that believeth"; and it is possible for us to
mount into a state in which a doubt or a fear shall be but as a bird of
passage flitting across the soul, but never lingering there. When you read of
the high and sweet communions enjoyed by favoured saints, you sigh and murmur
in the chamber of your heart, "Alas! these are not for me." O climber, if thou
hast but faith, thou shalt yet stand upon the sunny pinnacle of the temple,
for "all things are possible to him that believeth." You hear of exploits
which holy men have done for Jesus; what they have enjoyed of him; how much
they have been like him; how they have been able to endure great persecutions
for his sake; and you say, "Ah! as for me, I am but a worm; I can never attain
to this." But there is nothing which one saint was, that you may not be. There
is no elevation of grace, no attainment of spirituality, no clearness of
assurance, no post of duty, which is not open to you if you have but the power
to believe. Lay aside your sackcloth and ashes, and rise to the dignity of
your true position; you are little in Israel because you will be so, not
because there is any necessity for it. It is not meet that thou shouldst
grovel in the dust, O child of a King. Ascend! The golden throne of assurance
is waiting for you! The crown of communion with Jesus is ready to bedeck your
brow. Wrap yourself in scarlet and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day;
for if thou believest, thou mayst eat the fat of kidneys of wheat; thy land
shall flow with milk and honey, and thy soul shall be satisfied as with marrow
and fatness. Gather golden sheaves of grace, for they await thee in the fields
of faith. "All things are possible to him that believeth."