Listen in on a new sermon on the subject of worship by Sojourn’s worship arts pastor, Mike Cosper.  Mike is also an elder at Sojourn, a founding member, a multi-instrumentalist songwriter and the record producer for each of our CDs.

As you listen to the sermon, think on these questions:

Sermon Recap: We’ve been taught in our churches and in the Christian marketing subculture that exists around us to treat music as another product for us to consume - just as we have the rest of our faith.  If something doesn’t meet our preferences, we learn to discard it, join another church, or buy a different CD.  We have learned to be spectators on Sundays, listening, enjoying, but not participating. But in the light of Colossians 3:16, this sort of spectator attitude doesn’t make any sense!  God has brought us into his family, and made us a community with one another.  He has called us to sing and to testify with our voices, to teach and admonish with our songs about who he is and what he’s done.  The biggest reason we fail to participate is that we’ve lost sight of this final point - we aren’t acting like recipients of the greatest gift imaginable in the Gospel. Instead, we are consumers, waiting for our preferences to be met and our ears to be tickled.  May the Lord lead us all in repentance and remind us of the beauty of his grace, the glory of his Gospel, and the great reason that we have to sing.

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Questions for reflection (Making the message personal):  Read Colossians 3:11-17We heard in Sunday’s sermon, “Worship has never been merely music - not in the Old Testament, not in the New Testament, not in Heaven. Worship is a life lived in response to God’s glory, a life that seeks to testify to his glory and worth.”

• If worship is more than singing on Sunday, what are some ways we can worship on a daily basis?

We must understand that worship isn’t merely music, though music certainly is worship.  Music is an amazing avenue for us to be able to pour our hearts out to God and proclaim his wonderful truths.

• How does music encourage you personally in your Christian walk?
• What particular songs are currently ministering to you?

WHY DO WE SING? (Colossians 3:16-17)

•1.       We sing out of thankfulness for the peace and unity we have in the Gospel. (v.15-16)

Paul instructs us to be thankful - and it’s a thankfulness that emerges from the peace and unity we have with God and with God’s people through Jesus Christ.

• Even though Thanksgiving just passed, many of us forget to stop and consider what we have to be thankful for.  Take some time and discuss some of the spiritual blessings that are ours because of God’s grace.
• What is the danger of not being reminded of these wonderful blessings often?

•2.       We sing in response to the Bible’s command to sing.  (The command to sing occurs more than 100 times in the Psalms)

• When we come to church, we can either be an observer or a participant.  Why is it essential to be a participant in the worship service?
• What are some things you can be doing throughout the week to be better preparing for the church gathered on Sunday so you can participate and not just observe?

•3.       We sing to teach and admonish others in the church. (v.16-17)

• There are many things for us to do during the service:  Listen, Read, Sing, Think, Bless, Pray.  As you look at this list, what areas are you strongest in and where do you need to grow?

What Do We Sing?  The songs of the church should be as diverse as the community of the church.

• Whether you are at Sojourn or visiting another church, music styles change. What is the attitude of your heart when you do not like the style of the music?
• What are some things you can do to help you worship even though you don’t know the songs being sung or like the style of music being played?

Sojourn’s Order of Worship Service:  Our services are meant to drive people to the cross.  We need to be reminded of the Gospel everyday and this is why our services are structured as they are.  The order follows. (1) Call to Worship, (2) Confession of Sin, (3) Assurance of Forgiveness, (4) Giving of Peace, (5) Preaching of God’s Word, (6) Response through Communion and Singing Songs of Praise, (7) Benediction - a blessing for the road

• Have you ever viewed our weekly service as leading us through these steps?
• How can this be an awesome source of Gospel renewal each week?
• Discuss this statement: “If you do not worship in your private life, you cannot really worship in public at church.”
• How were you encouraged by Sunday’s sermon?

• enclosure: http://www.sojournchurch.com/audio/download/50406/sojourn2007-11-25.mp3 0 audio/mpeg

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