The Worship Quote of the Week for (08/26/2008):

Unity in Worship Unity in the church sounds like a great idea; but we must take care that our closeness is based on a perfect standard and not on our human weakness. If we strive for unity and close fellowship without striving for Christ, we will never find the oneness we were meant to enjoy. Today's WORSHIP QUOTE is from the pen of A. W. Tozer. UNITY IN WORSHIP Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same [tuning] fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers met together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become "unity" conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. [Tozer ends the chapter with a prayer.] O Lord, I have heard a good word inviting me to look away to Thee and be satisfied. My heart longs to respond, but sin has clouded my vision till I see Thee but dimly. Be pleased to cleanse me in Thine own precious blood, and make me inwardly pure, so that I may with unveiled eyes gaze upon Thee all the days of my earthly pilgrimage. Then shall I be prepared to behold Thee in full splendor in the day when Thou shalt appear to be glorified in Thy saints and admired in all them that believe. Amen. ---A. W. Tozer, in THE PURSUIT OF GOD, Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1948, p. 97. [Lord, protect us from any "unity" that would dull our vision of your glory. A. W. Tozer served as the pastor of Chicago's Southside Alliance Church from 1928 to 1959. He never went to be a Bible school, seminary or university, but his many writings consistently direct the reader's attention to the amazing God who desires our love, devotion and worship. AUDIO SERMON: You may enjoy listening to a recording of A. W. Tozer. You can choose which sermon series you want to hear at www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer/audiosermons.jsp. Enjoy.] 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. ===========================