Growing in Christ and Musical Vocation

We ended the month of September concluding with four Scriptures that shape our spiritual formation as children of God as well as our calling in music ministry. As a pastor would prepare a message for a Sunday morning, so did I prepare these Scriptures to help us grow in spiritual maturity and musical understanding. Each week students received a worship studies assignment in addition to their musical homework that they were to reflect and respond to in their journal. The video lecture link below goes over what we learned from the following Scriptures.

1.     Obedience

If we love the Lord, our actions and lifestyle will demonstrate what we believe. Jesus teaches us that loving Him requires obedience. The first calling to any vocation is complete submission to the will of God. “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15, NIV).

2.     Relationship

Doing spiritual things does not confirm a relationship with Jesus. Sadly, the following passage warns us of those who based their relationship with God on spiritual works alone. “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23, NIV).

3.      Teaching with Song

Music can be used to teach the message of Christ. As music ministers, this gives us exciting opportunity to lead people with music into the love and forgiving power of God. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16, NIV).

4.     Praise Him with Music

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Offering a sacrifice of praise with instruments celebrates the King of kings. Music ministers have the exciting opportunity to create and celebrate Christ with music who is worthy of all praise and glory forevermore. “Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord” (Psalms 150, NIV).

(Video Lecture) Growing in Christ and Musical Vocation

Jonathan Michelsen M.A., B.S.