What is the abundant life?
As a young believer I was taught to define “abundant life” as abundance of material possessions. I have to admit that it was comforting to be told that God wanted me to bless me and prosper me. In contrast, much of what I had heard preached from mainline pulpits in this regard didn’t sound like good news to me. So when I heard some Bible teachers talk of a God who wanted to bless and prosper me, supply all my needs and add abundance to my life, it was a welcome message.
Unfortunately in today’s world it is common practice to handle truth, especially in the area of religious faith, as if we were going through a buffet line. I’ll decide what I like, what I hope is true, or what I can wrap my brain around. Then I’ll proceed happily on my way believing that what I hope is true, is true for me.
If we handled physical truth in this way the folly would be obvious. The one who jumped off a cliff for example would not be borne aloft simply because he didn’t believe in gravity. But when dealing with truth that is unseen it's easy to deceive ourselves.
So often when we read the Bible we are unaware of our personal frame of reference. My reading of John 10:10 focused on the word "abundant" but Jesus as it turns out focused on the word "life."
I enjoy the fact that Jesus is always careful to define, and at times redefine the words He uses. As I was meditating on John 10:10 the other day the Spirit began to walk me through some other “life” verses.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life." John 6:63
“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Col. 3:4
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6
As we consider the question of defining abundant life we must remember that the one who spoke of abundant life Himself had nowhere to lay his head. He’d left His throne in glory and then called us to come and follow Him.
It also stands to reason that if anyone lived the abundant life, it was the apostle Paul. Yet he was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, stoned and left for dead. Yet Paul laid claim to a vital kingdom building principle: learning contentment whether experiencing material abundance or material lack.
Jesus himself challenged the idea that abundant life was synonymous with material wealth. “Then he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” Luke 12:15
So what is the abundant life? You’ve probably figured it out by now. Let’s look at an equation of two profound spiritual truths.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
When you add "I come that they might have abundant life" + "Jesus said He is the life" you discover that Abundant Life = Abundant Jesus.
In my personal experience I’ve found that abundant life is abundant Jesus. Abundant Life is a person, not a material lifestyle. When I apply this truth to my material possessions I find that…
God will bless me with…
…the things that will enable my growth and maturity in Christ (both good and bad).
…the things that will help advance His larger Kingdom agenda.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Worship Leading Choir
A few years back I embarked on a journey that would distinctly change my life and challenge the direction of my ministry. Everywhere I turned (and I turned a lot of places) growing churches were opting to cancel their choir (and instrumental) programs. Newly planted churches were choosing to go with a praise band only. Many traditional churches with long histories of choral music were shrinking and even closing their doors.
Ironically, although growing churches spoke a great deal about discovering your gifts, then using them to glorify God, without a choir (or larger instrumental groups), in many settings only a small percentage of select musicians had this opportunity. I had to believe God had a better plan.
Surprisingly, on every hand I also saw God moving mightily in the area of Biblical worship, birthing an intense desire for passionate worship among His people. As I continued to pray and seek God it became clear to me that the problem wasn't choir as a concept. It was more how it functioned that was at issue.
Most churches (and colleges) are familiar with choirs as performing organizations. Yet as I searched God's Word, try as I might, nowhere could I find a performance model of a choir. What I did find in God's Word were choirs and instrumental groups whose sole responsibility was 1) to worship God and 2) to lead others in worship. God was the audience, the choir and musicians were the prompters, and the congregation were the actors, as it were, responding in worship.
When this realization began to sink in, it changed my perspective significantly. I decided to embark on a six month research sabbatical. As I traveled the country I was looking for churches that were growing, contemporary, evangelistic, yet still had choir as a centerpiece. And every time I found one, I found a new (or rather very old) paradigm; a worship leading choir!
My friend Dave Williamson of Worship Leading Choirs International contrasts this very Biblical concept of the choir with more traditional models...
The worship leading choir...
...is not primarily about performance; it is primarily about worship.
...is not about being slick, it is about passion.
...is not about acquaintanceship; it is about family.
...is not about momentary emotion; it is about eternal significance.
...is not about competition; it is about servanthood.
...doesn't view talent as primary; it does view character and faithfulness as primary.
As I continued to explore the whole idea of a worship leading choir, the Lord has allowed me some wonderful experiences. During my sabbatical I "happened" upon one of the most dynamic worship leading choirs, right in my own back yard. It was at Riverside Baptist in Denver, Colorado. Their amazing director, Joel Allen, invited me to join their choir (when I was not traveling) and observe it from the inside out.
At my first rehearsal the choir president welcomed me. As we sat down he proceeded to tell me that the main point of their choir wasn't the music, it was brokenness. He proceeded to share how, through a series of trials within their ministry god had knit them into a family of worshippers. A refreshing perspective, to say the least. That Christmas I was blessed to participate in a nationally televised concert with the Riverside Choir and a CD project entitled Hope Has Come, featuring artists Geron Davis and Kindred Souls.
A few summers back I had the opportunity to be part of a live recording project at Saddleback Church. Worship Leader/Song Writer Tommy Walker recruited 125 worship pastors to fly in early to Saddleback's annual worship conference, to form a mass choir for his CD project, Breakthrough. It was an amazing experience with 125 worship pastors in the choir and 4,000 worship pastors in the audience!
But I must say my most formative and transforming experience was as director of the choir at First Free Church in Rockford, Illinois. Over the last five years we have come miles in our understanding and experience of what it means to lead others in worship and adoration of the Living God. In that context we have not only been able to record two CD projects, but have had the honor of leading worship alongside artists such as Geron Davis, Dave Williamson, Charles Billingsley, Steve Green and Sandi Patty, among others.
The following Thoughts for Worship Leading Musicians were pounded out in the crucible of experience (though a few are borrowed from my friend Joel Allen!).
Thoughts for Worship Leading Musicians
1. Don't just rehearse the music, rehearse the worship!
2. A song will never mean more to the people than it means to you.
3. God transforms us as we are committed to spending time in daily worship.
4. As you sing and play, don't forget to engage your heart!
5. Don't let people just sit there! Draw them in!
6. Your depth of expression is a reflection of your testimony and witness.
7. A life of obedience is the foundation of passionate worship.
8. God expects us to be committed to "cleaning the inside of the cup."
9. Worship without passion is a contradiction in terms.
10. Take the message of each song we sing and make it personal.
11. God expects us to fulfill His command to forgive as we have been forgiven.
12. What will it cost you to convey this song with total authenticity?
13. There is nothing worse than a boring choir!
14. God's worth remain constant, regardless of how we are feeling on a particular day.
15. God challenges us to walk in humility, seeking the last place.
16. Our goal is to turn passive observers into active participants.
17. God is the audience, we are the prompters, the congregation, the actors.
18. Our calling is to help facilitate a Throne Room Encounter.
19. Not just a worship ministry, but a ministry of worshipers.
20 God blesses us as we are committed to lives of servanthood.
Today many contemporary churches are beginning to rediscover the concept of the choir, including some of the fastest growing and largest in the country. In many settings, having a choir is an entirely new concept. However, this time the emphasis is not performance, but worship.
Ironically, although growing churches spoke a great deal about discovering your gifts, then using them to glorify God, without a choir (or larger instrumental groups), in many settings only a small percentage of select musicians had this opportunity. I had to believe God had a better plan.
Surprisingly, on every hand I also saw God moving mightily in the area of Biblical worship, birthing an intense desire for passionate worship among His people. As I continued to pray and seek God it became clear to me that the problem wasn't choir as a concept. It was more how it functioned that was at issue.
Most churches (and colleges) are familiar with choirs as performing organizations. Yet as I searched God's Word, try as I might, nowhere could I find a performance model of a choir. What I did find in God's Word were choirs and instrumental groups whose sole responsibility was 1) to worship God and 2) to lead others in worship. God was the audience, the choir and musicians were the prompters, and the congregation were the actors, as it were, responding in worship.
When this realization began to sink in, it changed my perspective significantly. I decided to embark on a six month research sabbatical. As I traveled the country I was looking for churches that were growing, contemporary, evangelistic, yet still had choir as a centerpiece. And every time I found one, I found a new (or rather very old) paradigm; a worship leading choir!
My friend Dave Williamson of Worship Leading Choirs International contrasts this very Biblical concept of the choir with more traditional models...
The worship leading choir...
...is not primarily about performance; it is primarily about worship.
...is not about being slick, it is about passion.
...is not about acquaintanceship; it is about family.
...is not about momentary emotion; it is about eternal significance.
...is not about competition; it is about servanthood.
...doesn't view talent as primary; it does view character and faithfulness as primary.
As I continued to explore the whole idea of a worship leading choir, the Lord has allowed me some wonderful experiences. During my sabbatical I "happened" upon one of the most dynamic worship leading choirs, right in my own back yard. It was at Riverside Baptist in Denver, Colorado. Their amazing director, Joel Allen, invited me to join their choir (when I was not traveling) and observe it from the inside out.
At my first rehearsal the choir president welcomed me. As we sat down he proceeded to tell me that the main point of their choir wasn't the music, it was brokenness. He proceeded to share how, through a series of trials within their ministry god had knit them into a family of worshippers. A refreshing perspective, to say the least. That Christmas I was blessed to participate in a nationally televised concert with the Riverside Choir and a CD project entitled Hope Has Come, featuring artists Geron Davis and Kindred Souls.
A few summers back I had the opportunity to be part of a live recording project at Saddleback Church. Worship Leader/Song Writer Tommy Walker recruited 125 worship pastors to fly in early to Saddleback's annual worship conference, to form a mass choir for his CD project, Breakthrough. It was an amazing experience with 125 worship pastors in the choir and 4,000 worship pastors in the audience!
But I must say my most formative and transforming experience was as director of the choir at First Free Church in Rockford, Illinois. Over the last five years we have come miles in our understanding and experience of what it means to lead others in worship and adoration of the Living God. In that context we have not only been able to record two CD projects, but have had the honor of leading worship alongside artists such as Geron Davis, Dave Williamson, Charles Billingsley, Steve Green and Sandi Patty, among others.
The following Thoughts for Worship Leading Musicians were pounded out in the crucible of experience (though a few are borrowed from my friend Joel Allen!).
Thoughts for Worship Leading Musicians
1. Don't just rehearse the music, rehearse the worship!
2. A song will never mean more to the people than it means to you.
3. God transforms us as we are committed to spending time in daily worship.
4. As you sing and play, don't forget to engage your heart!
5. Don't let people just sit there! Draw them in!
6. Your depth of expression is a reflection of your testimony and witness.
7. A life of obedience is the foundation of passionate worship.
8. God expects us to be committed to "cleaning the inside of the cup."
9. Worship without passion is a contradiction in terms.
10. Take the message of each song we sing and make it personal.
11. God expects us to fulfill His command to forgive as we have been forgiven.
12. What will it cost you to convey this song with total authenticity?
13. There is nothing worse than a boring choir!
14. God's worth remain constant, regardless of how we are feeling on a particular day.
15. God challenges us to walk in humility, seeking the last place.
16. Our goal is to turn passive observers into active participants.
17. God is the audience, we are the prompters, the congregation, the actors.
18. Our calling is to help facilitate a Throne Room Encounter.
19. Not just a worship ministry, but a ministry of worshipers.
20 God blesses us as we are committed to lives of servanthood.
Today many contemporary churches are beginning to rediscover the concept of the choir, including some of the fastest growing and largest in the country. In many settings, having a choir is an entirely new concept. However, this time the emphasis is not performance, but worship.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
How to Deal with Spiritual Crisis
featured article on www.ministryLIVE.org
“Which is the best response in the midst of a crisis; to begin to worship or to stand on the word?” To be honest, this question from my brother confused me a bit, partly because I had never considered there to be a dichotomy between holding fast to God’s word and praising him in the midst of trial. But beyond this was a more subtle question. Does the proper response in the midst of a crisis ensure our deliverance?
Those who emphasize standing on the word point to passages such as Joshua 1:8
This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you might be careful to do according to all that is written in it.…for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8.
In a similar fashion many turn to 2 Chronicles 20 when teaching on praising God in the midst of trials. Three armies were coming against God's people. As King Jehoshaphat and the people sought the Lord they said, "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You." God assured them that "The battle is not yours, but the Lords. Stand and see the salvation of God." The next day, as they went to the battle field, they placed the singers in front of the army, where they began singing praises to God, "For His mercies endure forever." As they sang, God began to route their enemies and they began destroying one another.
A similar example is found in Acts 16. Paul and Silas had walked in radical obedience to God, yet in spite of this they found themselves beaten, imprisoned and apparently forsaken. How did they respond? They began to lift up hymns of praise. At midnight, in the midst of their praise, God sent an earthquake and delivered them.
Based on these and other examples, many believe that by definition praise is an opportunity to express their faith in God's power, when facing life's challenges. Just as Job prayed, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15).
We note in each of these examples that both praise and worship and standing on God’s word are central. In fact there is a strong Biblical precedence for proclaiming God's mighty deeds in the midst of trial, as a means of bolstering faith and giving Him glory. David practiced this throughout the Psalms (set to music), as did Stephen when he was on trial in Acts 7.
Many who teach on speaking or singing the word also see these responses as a means of spiritual warfare. In these discussions they point to Paul's statement…
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this present world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)
From this perspective praise and prayer are seen as closely related. One example is Daniel who prayed for 21 days before an angel arrived in response to his cry (Dan. 10). The angel declared that, though he was sent the moment Daniel began to pray, he was delayed in battle with heavenly forces. The implication being that Daniel's faithful intercessory prayers were instrumental in his victory.
It is important to balance this discussion and understand that nowhere in the Bible does it state that our praise controls, releases or forces God's hand. I guarantee to you that Paul and Silas’ motivation for praising the Lord from prison was not that by praising God they would ensure their deliverance. Rather it was a passionate love for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yes, God responded by delivering them, but what about Steven and James?
The reality is that God delights in the praises of His children. As a result it’s true that, in His sovereignty God often chooses to affirm and move in the context of His praising people. It’s also true, as in Stephen's case, that at times deliverance and victory may not be fully achieved until we have passed this life. Just as with Stephen and the saints in Hebrews 11, at times the fullness of God's promises may not be fully realized until after death.
However this is no way reduces our reason to praise His name! One would have to have a very limited, temporal perspective to call this bad news. Sacrificial worship indeed is laying up treasures for the life to come.
“For eye has not seen no ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him!” (1 Cor. 2:9)
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (Jas. 1:12)
Consider Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When faced with a firey furnace, note their response.
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Dan. 3:17-18
I submit that worshiping God and standing on His word is always the right choice; a way of expressing our unwavering faith in Him. I also submit that God will respond by implementing His unique and sovereign will in each circumstance. Praise puts me in my proper place and God in His. And that’s a good place to be.
In closing, I come back the original question. I am reminded of the verse in Revelation 12:11 that states that "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death."
“Which is the best response in the midst of a crisis; to begin to worship or to stand on the word?” To be honest, this question from my brother confused me a bit, partly because I had never considered there to be a dichotomy between holding fast to God’s word and praising him in the midst of trial. But beyond this was a more subtle question. Does the proper response in the midst of a crisis ensure our deliverance?
Those who emphasize standing on the word point to passages such as Joshua 1:8
This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you might be careful to do according to all that is written in it.…for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8.
In a similar fashion many turn to 2 Chronicles 20 when teaching on praising God in the midst of trials. Three armies were coming against God's people. As King Jehoshaphat and the people sought the Lord they said, "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You." God assured them that "The battle is not yours, but the Lords. Stand and see the salvation of God." The next day, as they went to the battle field, they placed the singers in front of the army, where they began singing praises to God, "For His mercies endure forever." As they sang, God began to route their enemies and they began destroying one another.
A similar example is found in Acts 16. Paul and Silas had walked in radical obedience to God, yet in spite of this they found themselves beaten, imprisoned and apparently forsaken. How did they respond? They began to lift up hymns of praise. At midnight, in the midst of their praise, God sent an earthquake and delivered them.
Based on these and other examples, many believe that by definition praise is an opportunity to express their faith in God's power, when facing life's challenges. Just as Job prayed, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15).
We note in each of these examples that both praise and worship and standing on God’s word are central. In fact there is a strong Biblical precedence for proclaiming God's mighty deeds in the midst of trial, as a means of bolstering faith and giving Him glory. David practiced this throughout the Psalms (set to music), as did Stephen when he was on trial in Acts 7.
Many who teach on speaking or singing the word also see these responses as a means of spiritual warfare. In these discussions they point to Paul's statement…
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this present world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)
From this perspective praise and prayer are seen as closely related. One example is Daniel who prayed for 21 days before an angel arrived in response to his cry (Dan. 10). The angel declared that, though he was sent the moment Daniel began to pray, he was delayed in battle with heavenly forces. The implication being that Daniel's faithful intercessory prayers were instrumental in his victory.
It is important to balance this discussion and understand that nowhere in the Bible does it state that our praise controls, releases or forces God's hand. I guarantee to you that Paul and Silas’ motivation for praising the Lord from prison was not that by praising God they would ensure their deliverance. Rather it was a passionate love for their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yes, God responded by delivering them, but what about Steven and James?
The reality is that God delights in the praises of His children. As a result it’s true that, in His sovereignty God often chooses to affirm and move in the context of His praising people. It’s also true, as in Stephen's case, that at times deliverance and victory may not be fully achieved until we have passed this life. Just as with Stephen and the saints in Hebrews 11, at times the fullness of God's promises may not be fully realized until after death.
However this is no way reduces our reason to praise His name! One would have to have a very limited, temporal perspective to call this bad news. Sacrificial worship indeed is laying up treasures for the life to come.
“For eye has not seen no ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him!” (1 Cor. 2:9)
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (Jas. 1:12)
Consider Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When faced with a firey furnace, note their response.
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Dan. 3:17-18
I submit that worshiping God and standing on His word is always the right choice; a way of expressing our unwavering faith in Him. I also submit that God will respond by implementing His unique and sovereign will in each circumstance. Praise puts me in my proper place and God in His. And that’s a good place to be.
In closing, I come back the original question. I am reminded of the verse in Revelation 12:11 that states that "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death."
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