Worship With Gratitude
Hello, Agape students! This month we learned why giving thanks to God is an important responsibility we have as music ministers. Below are the Scriptures observed that we reflected on to help us grow stronger in our personal and corporate expression of worship.
1. Giving Thanks to God In All Circumstances
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV). Life can be challenging. We all go through seasons of uncertainty. But for children of the Most-High God, though we may experience sorrow, grief, and suffering, we know that no matter what we may go through, salvation belongs to the Lord. Giving thanks to our God affirms His sovereignty over our lives personally and corporately helping us to fix our eyes above our circumstances on to the One who is above it all. Music ministers are responsible to lead worshipers in thanksgiving that they may be reminded that their hope is in the love of Christ. We have the opportunity to lead people to the salvation, love, and kindness of God whose love endures forever. What an opportunity we have! God deserves our praises of thanksgiving for all that He has done.
2. Singing to God with Gratitude
“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). As children of God, we must sing with gratitude in our hearts for all that the Lord has done for our salvation. Singing with thankfulness gives us the right heart posture when we come to worship in Spirit and in truth personally and corporately. The very breath in our lungs has been given by God. All things have been created by Him and for His glory. When we come together to sing and express our thankfulness, love, and adoration to God, we are acknowledging all that He has done. Music ministers have the oppertunity to build up the congregation with song, teaching one another about the freedom and power of Christ who redeems our souls. Music ministers are not entertainers, we are worshipers leading others in worship with skillful sounds of praise.
3. Exalt Him with Thankfulness
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:2-3, NIV). The Bible commands us to extol the living God with music and song! He is the King above all kings, the only true God who has created heaven and earth. No one is worthy more of our praise than Christ who has redeemed us from the transgressions of our sins, giving us life in His presence forevermore. Friends, we will spend eternity praising our God where there is no more sin, death, sorrow, and no more tears of pain. Music ministers have the opportunity to bring people before Him with thankfulness to experience the love and power of God.
(Video Lecture) Worship With Gratitude
Jonathan Michelsen M.A., B.S.