Worship

So many worship teams have fallen into this pattern of two fast songs followed by two slow songs. This has made the worship segment in church become very predictable. Where do these formulas come from and better yet, are these formulas killing our ability to depend on and be led by the Holy Spirit?

Spring is also the time of year we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which is the greatest hope of life we all have. There is no better way to celebrate hope and life than with singing.

Of all the important insights we can take from the amount of music in the book of Revelation, one of the most significant realizations that has implications for us now is that worship in heaven includes both old and new songs. If we are going to be singing old and new songs for eternity, let’s explore some important Biblical themes in both old and new songs.

Many of these ancient hymns offer a broader scriptural perspective of Easter and remind us of deep truths that can enrich our appreciation and understanding of Christ’s sacrifice and victory.

Sarah Hamaker shares with us eight worship songs and hymns that will help to prepare us for Easter this year and beyond.

Shepherds were considered among the lowest caste of society and the very poor commonly ate sycamore figs. Amos’ background adds irony to God’s choice for a spokesman because the wealthy oppressed the poor.

One thing that can help us as we reflect on Holy Week is listening to worship music. There are some beautiful songs that have been written that remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, and the hope we have in the resurrection. These songs provide such a great backdrop as we prepare to celebrate our Savior.

Worship, as depicted in the Bible, extends far beyond the songs sung on Sunday mornings.

There is a great misunderstanding of the purpose of music in Christian worship. Many Christians tend to grant music a sacramental power which Scripture never bestows upon it.

These worship songs are filling churches, playlists, and hearts right now. Discover the 10 Christian hits everyone is singing and the powerful messages behind them.

There are so many beautiful songs that could have made this list, but here are our 15 favorite traditional hymns!

Music and signing are not reserved only for times of joy. In fact, Scripture-based hymns can speak hope into the darkest parts of our lives. May thee seven hymns turn your heart back to worship, even when things are bleak.

Whether you prefer hymns, contemporary Christian music, or a bit of both, I pray these Ash Wednesday hymns and songs focus your thoughts on Jesus now and throughout the year.

While playing secular music in church seems culturally sensitive, there is the danger of it backfiring, in that many unchurched newcomers come to the church to seek a different approach to life and their problems. Thus, hearing pop or country music may just do the opposite of being attractive.

Individualism is one of the greatest threats to our faith. It encourages us to act in our own interests instead of looking to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). Individualism values independence, autonomy, and self-sufficiency rather than growth in community and dependence on God—two defining characteristics of Christian doctrine.With the rise of “me” culture, individualism has become more prevalent. Personal freedom to do what we want has replaced biblicalboundaries instilled by God for our protection. The fixation on self has become toxic to families, churches, and workplaces, resulting in a higher incidence of divorce, decreased church attendance, and individuals who care more about climbing the corporate ladder than working collaboratively for the good of the group.In a world that tells us our autonomic self is our only authority, how can we help restore God to His rightful position on the throne of our lives? It starts by acknowledging Jesus is Lord, worshipping Him, and living in a way that glorifies God.Here are 5 ways to avoid self-serving worship so you can grow in your faith and honor your Heavenly Father:Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Iyan Kurnia