Worship and Mission

Wow. Sometimes I realize the 'meat' and truth in a song. Today is one of those days.

My wife and I have been taking this course once a week called "Perspectives." It is about learning to see 'the world Christian movement' through God's perspective. Or at least through a perspective that is focused on God and the revelation He brings of Himself to the nations.  It has been sweet to engage in this class and embark on a journey that will only lead to being impassioned and empowered to be Global Christians.

Anyway, on my bike ride to work this morning (yeah I know...) I had this song floating around in my head. I've always loved the song because of it's thickness and passion for being sent out. But, I was struck once again with the realization of the reason we go.

The song is "Mission's Flame" by Matt Redman.

It's very premise holds to the answer for the age old question "Why are we here? or Why do we exist?" The answer is found in Genesis 12:1-3 in the call to Abram:

The Call of Abram

 1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, 

    your people and your father’s household 

    to the land I will show you.

 2 “I will make you into a great nation,

   and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

   and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

   and whoever curses you I will curse;

   and all peoples on earth

   will be blessed through you.” (emphasis mine)

Answer: Abram was called to be a blessing to 'all peoples.' His blessing came only that the nations would be blessed through him. God chose to bless Abram so that His name, not Abram's, would be spread through the nations.  Short answer --> We are here to bless the nations through bringing them into a knowledge of God and, with the New Testament in mind, a relationship with God so that they will bring God more glory.

John Piper says, "Worship is ultimate, not Missions" and that the heart of missions is found in one thing. Worship.  In his book, Let the Nations Be Glad, he summarizes, "Mission begins and ends in Worship." He argues that the reason we go is because we have been changed and therefore are moved to take action and GO! And, the end result of going on mission (telling every nation, tribe, and tongue) about God and His Son Jesus is, you guessed it, MORE WORSHIP! 

So, Matt Redman writes,

Mission's Flame

Let worship be the fuel for mission's flame

We're going with a passion for Your name

We're going for we care about Your praise

Send us out

Let worship be the heart of mission's aim

To see the nations recognize Your fame

'Til every tribe and tongue voices Your praise

Send us out

Chorus

You should be the praise of every tongue, Jesus

You should be the joy of every heart

But until the fullness of Your kingdom comes

Until the final revelation dawns

Send us out

Bridge

Every tribe, every tongue

Every creature in the heavens and the earth

Every heart, every soul

Will sing Your praise, will sing Your praise

Every note, every strain

Every melody will be for You alone

Every harmony that flows from every tongue

We'll sing Your praise, we'll sing Your praise

Check out the song now and worship with all the world as we sing it. Don't let your heart be unmoved. Don't let yourself forget our purpose. Let this song be a continual reminder of this story and move you once again to action.

"Lord, help us to realize Your desire to bring worship to the nations."
-Luke

Book Review - Here I am to Worship

Aloha.

Tim Hughes wrote a book entitled 'here i am to worship' titled after his song. I had been neglecting it far too long and so i read it. It was a great book for worship leaders and musicians. I would highly recommend having your worship team read this because of the basic practical side of the book as well as the focus on our heart as worshippers.

Tim expands on and unpacks a quote by John Piper that I love, "Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is." Tim goes on to point out that 'Worship is our Highest Calling' and that worship will last forever. But, what about our time here on this earth. According to Romans 12:1 we are to offer our lives as living sacrifices to Him as worship. That is a here and now statement. Tim wrote, "We first worship the Lord then from that place we look to love those around us. We cannot worship if we don't also serve."

I love that connection. We are going to be worshipping God forever but that starts today in our daily lives. No matter what it is, as we do it unto God we worship Him(1 Cor 10:31). So... building houses, waiting tables, selling cars, pouring coffee, eating, drinking and yes even playing music is all worship when done unto God. We also worship by loving and helping the widows, the fatherless, the broken, the discouraged, and the damaged.

Basically, great book.

Here is the top 5 reasons to read it:

5. Tim even writes with an awesome accent.

4. This book portrays the heart and humility needed by worship leaders

3. It tackles the stuff worship pastors have a hard time saying.

2. There are some great practical tips for leaders and team members.

and the # 1 reason: What would Jesus do? ... he would read it.