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“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Renewing Your Mind. Romans 12:1-2. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”. Renewed View of Worship. “Worship” is going through a change in America Not unusual to see two services advertised: Traditional and Contemporary

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“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

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  1. Renewing Your Mind Romans 12:1-2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

  2. Renewed View of Worship “Worship” is going through a change in America Not unusual to see two services advertised: Traditional and Contemporary Additionally, “worship” has taken on all appearances of entertainment with big bands, “gospel rock,” special costumes, stage lighting, etc. Many similarities to night clubs, with all the bodily movements and gyrations, except they include the name of Jesus! Poll the people to see what they want! What affects society also affects the church.

  3. How Shallow Is Our Concept of Worship? Do we look around society and imitate what they do? I Sam 8:5 - “like the nations” Do we look to God’s word to see what pleases Him? “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve [worship] the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son [do homage], lest he be angry,and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”Ps. 2:10-12

  4. “Worship” By Definition It has nothing to do with what pleases me or deriving pleasure, or being a “pal” to God! Hebrew: “shachah” “to bow down, fall down” before someone Slave before master, subject before king, or worshipper before God Greek: “to kiss” “fall down before” As in kissing one’s hand, kneeling, showing reverence, rendering homage

  5. Attitudes of Worship Have Consequences  If sense of true worship is missing, and personal pleasure is the goal --- New avenues of expression will appear Sensual Pleasure will be the goal (idolatry) Type of dress will change (casual, informal) Direction of worship is changed: Not God-ward but toward man and his pleasure  In fact, this is what has happened in today’s world of worship

  6. Example of Modern Worship Nashville, TN - (as the preacher rises on wires into ceiling)…”The abrupt flight of this Pentecostal Peter Pan in a gray suit brings gasps from many of the 6500 faithful at Phoenix First Assembly. Joining the extravaganza are a $500,000 special-effects system, 200-member choir and a 25 piece orchestra.” (This imitates the show at Bally’s Casino in Las Vegas…)

  7. Continued “He packs the pews with such special effects as his recent flight toward heaven on hidden wires, cranking up a chain saw and toppling a tree to make a point in another sermon, the biggest Fourth of July fireworks display in town and a Christmas service with a rented elephant, kangaroo and zebra” (Wall Street Journal, Dan Chambers, Showtime! Worship in the Age of Show Business. Nashville, 21st Century Christian, 1997).

  8. What Does God Want? Has anyone read their Bible lately? 1 Sam 15:22 - “Has God as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah?

  9. Example: Singing vs Instrumental Music  Bible Singing – Eph 5:19; Col 3:16 – has been changed to instrumental worship  Nine mentions of music in NT always affirms singing: Mt. 26:30; Mk 14:25; Acts 16:25; Rom 15:9; 1 Cor 14:15; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Heb. 2:12; James 5:13  Did God mean what he said? Can we understand His word? Eph 3:4 What pleases & exalts God?

  10. Efforts To Re-Define Worship As An Attitude Direct it toward man and what he wants “Worship” in all we do when we wash dishes, mow grass every act 24/7 is “worship” Abraham knew difference Gen 22:5 2 Sam 12:20 David knew the difference Bible describes “acts” of worship that must arise from the heart John 4:24

  11. Worship Has a beginning and an end It can be done in a particular place (in an assembly or other place) at a particular time God has assigned 5 acts of public worship: singing (Eph 5:19), praying (Acts 2:42), teaching (2 Tim 2:2), contribution (1 Cor 16:1-2) and the Lord’s supper (1 Cor 11:20-30). Private worship is not just an attitude, but similar acts: prayer, singing, etc.

  12. Is Worship A “Love Affair” With Jesus? Several books are popular among our sectarian neighbors heralding this theme. Chuck and Nancy Missler wrote a book called Faith in the Night Seasons which has one section entitled, "The Love Affair," with two chapters titled " Further Blessings from Intimacy" and "My Own Love Affair with Jesus." Michelle McKinney Hammond has a book called Get A Love Life: How to Have a Love Affair With God. The popular use of this terminology crosses denominational boundaries. (Cont’d)(Harry Osborne, www.reasonforhope.org)

  13. It is used by Catholics as is evident in God's Blue Book II written by a Jesuit wherein he portrays Jesus as saying: One thing that pleases Me is your union with Me, the ardent, longing love you give to Me. To sit and tell Me how you long to be with Me and want Me so much! I want a love affair with you. I want emotion, heartfelt emotion. Oh, little ones, listen! Emotion! Action from your heart! Enkindle your love affair with this ardent lover. I am a furnace on fire for love of you, My beloved servant. I need your love affair with Me…..(excerpt published at www.Shepherds-of-Christ.org).

  14. “But Traditional Worship Is Boring” “We want worship to be exciting,” “relevant to my needs,” and “uplifting.” All this has a basic flaw in misunderstanding what worship is! ..what we give…or get? Is worship for me or for God? People confuse worship with the effect of worship Effect of worship should be relevant and uplifting, but pointed toward God, not man.

  15. How Do We Show Our Love For God? John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 15:10 “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” 1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

  16. What is the Difference…. Between the idol temple in Corinth that employed 1000 harlots to draw worshippers.. And the church that patterns its worship after Las Vegas casinos? Can we not tell the difference between self-centered worship and reverent worship of Almighty God? Are we looking for entertainment (“like going to a movie, only better…”) or a worship of God? Heb. 13:15

  17. Let Us Renew our View of Worship Read God’s word as an expression of God’s mind Prepare to worship by thinking of laying your treasure before God’s throne Don’t compare God’s worship with items of fun, games, TV, secular music, etc. Allow the inner man to control the outer man – concentrate on spiritual matters Don’t judge the Lord’s church by men’s.

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