The Worship Quote of the Week for (05/06/2008):

Through the Power of the Holy Spirit In these days before our observance of Pentecost, it is good to remember the crucial role of the Holy Spirit in Christian faith, life, and worship. Today's WORSHIP QUOTE is from a fantastic new book by Bob Kauflin—highly recommended for pastors, church musicians, worship planners, and worshipers of our great God. THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Just as we can't worship the Father apart from Jesus Christ, worship is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit. Scripture describes the Spirit as the member of the Trinity who reveals the reality, presence, and power of Christ to us, for the glory of God. Paul proclaims that "through him"—through Jesus Christ—all believers "have access IN ONE SPIRIT to the Father" (Ephesians 2:18). It is this Spirit who initially opens our eyes to see our sin and causes our hearts to trust in the Savior for complete forgiveness. He causes our dead spirits to come alive (Galatians 5:25). The Spirit confirms to us that we are children of God and shows us what God has freely given us (1 Corinthians 2:12). He comforts us in our trials, enlightens us in our confusion, and empowers us for serving others, all for the Father's pleasure and the Son's glory. All this is part of the broad work of the Holy Spirit. As one author [Robert Rayburn] starkly put it, "If worshipers are not consciously dependent upon the Hoy Spirit, their worship is not truly Christian." —Bob Kauflin, WORSHIP MATTERS: LEADING OTHERS TO ENCOUNTER THE GREATNESS OF GOD. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2008, p. 81. ISBN-13: 978-1-58134-824-8. Highly recommended—this is a fantastic volume. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to unpacking Kauflin's thoughtful definition of a faithful worship leader: A faithful worship leader magnifies the greatness of God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit by skillfully combining God's Word with music, thereby motivating the gathered church to proclaim the gospel, to cherish God's presence, and to live for God's glory. (p. 55) ===================================== MORE WORSHIP QUOTES FOR PENTECOST ===================================== www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2000-06-06 (Harold Best) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2005-05-17 (Valley of Vision) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=1997-05-20 (9th-century hymn) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=1999-05-18 (Dudley-Smith hymn) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2006-06-06 (Dudley-Smith hymn) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2004-06-01 (Dudley-Smith hymn) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2006-05-30 (John Stott) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=1997-05-13 (John Stott) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=1998-05-26 (T. S. Eliot) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=1999-05-25 (Gordon Fee) www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2008-02-05 (Michael Haykin) ===================================== Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.wqotw.org www.sbts.edu/icw =========================== WORSHIP QUOTE OF THE WEEK: To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view a complete index of worship quotes, please visit http://www.wqotw.org. ===========================