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Worship and Celebration
God’s amazing grace—creation and redemption. WORSHIP AND CELEBRATION Changing the name from "worship" to "celebration" often reflects a deeper shift from a service that is God-centered to a service that is human-centered, focused on our celebration rather than on the One who is worthy of our fear and praise, adoration and thanksgiving. But in the biblical view, the worship service is not primarily our offering to God, but his offering to us. It is his coming again and again into our lives, judging, justifying; condemning, delivering; crushing, restoring. Our response must accommodate all of these divine actions. Michael Horton, IN THE FACE OF GOD: THE DANGERS AND DELIGHTS OF SPIRITUAL INTIMACY, from Appendix B: "Questions for Further Reflection." Dallas: Word Publishing, 1996, pp.215-16. ISBN: 0-8499-1302-0 [Do you notice that modern-day Christian communities are increasingly reluctant to use the "S" word (sin) in their corporate worship? Perhaps the idea of personal moral accountability before a holy God is a little too close for comfort. Do you remember the story that Jesus told in Luke 18:9-14 about the Pharisee and the publican? Somehow the prayer "Lord have mercy on me, a sinner" made an impact.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |