Pleasing God in Worship
Even as American civilization has been undergoing massive alterations in its commitment to traditional American values and its Christian underpinnings, so also the church has been experiencing sweeping change, especially in worship. Indeed, Christendom as a whole has imbibed the restless spirit of the age to bring many changes to the basic doctrines of the Christian religion. To make religion more palatable to an entertainment-oriented culture, many churches have implemented “contemporary” worship (“inner-tainment”). This seminar by Dave Miller, Ph.D., provides Bible-based solutions using biblical principles to numerous issues including: How does the Bible authorize our behavior? May we praise God in whatever way we choose as long as we are sincere? What about instrumental music, praise teams, lifting up our arms, clapping and non-vocal additions to our singing?
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Getting God's Permission (Part 1) | Pleasing God in Worship
One very critical principle that is taught in the Bible is the principle of authority. We understand this concept. We understand that there are things in life that require permission. Authority was given by God to Christ; Christ in turn imparted to the apostles; the apostles then embedded God's a...
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Getting God's Permission (Part 2) | Pleasing God in Worship
Clearly, we must go to God's Word and weigh every idea in view of God's directives. We must approach the Bible with the constant humble question: “Lord what would you have me to do?” This question applies in the matter of how I spend my money, in the matter of how I treat my spouse or my employer...
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Getting God's Permission (Part 3) | Pleasing God in Worship
From the very beginning of human history, God has required people to structure their behavior based upon His will, and therefore we human beings have no right to formulate our own ideas concerning religious truth. We must have God's approval for everything we do. Another way to say this is: “Are ...
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Applauding God | Pleasing God in Worship
When you attend a sporting event, do you find yourself getting excited? Maybe expressing your excitement by clapping? When you attend a concert, do you express your approval and appreciation by clapping for the performers? Well, someone asks, "Since this is just part of our society, is it not jus...
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Lifting Up Hands | Pleasing God in Worship
The practice of lifting up hands in religious worship assemblies has become commonplace. If you watch television, go online and look at this practice, you see a lot of variety: some hold both arms up above their heads, some only one arm; others hold arms up and to their sides, while others in fro...
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Praise Teams | Pleasing God in Worship
A very popular feature of Christian worship assemblies in churches all over the country, is the matter of praise teams. Typically, a praise team consists of anywhere from 4 to 15 men and women. They have their own microphones, separate from the congregation. Sometimes praise teams remain seated a...