Worship Thoughts - April, 2012

Easter preparations got a little crazy, and as you may have noticed, I missed a few weeks! I may start just posting when I have something good, rather than trying to blog every week :-)

I came across a great blog post about worship this week that I wanted to share:

We should NOT be relying on the music we play to bring us into a state of worship. If we come to church on Sunday not worshiping already, then we're bound to be disappointed by something in the service (and let's face it: the music is always the first thing to receive criticism). If, however, we can teach ourselves and our congregations that worship is more about lifestyle than it is about song choice, then we can pour our hearts out to God with any song (that's theologically sound, anyway)

I believe the reason Hebrews 13:14-15 refers to a "sacrifice of praise"is that offering our praises to God requires a conscious choice! Here's the passage:

"For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name."

If we are already "making melody in our hearts to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19) upon entering the Worship Center, I don't think the song selection or musical style will be able to stop us from exalting our Glorious Savior! See you Sunday morning :-)

Steve

Worship Thoughts - March 11, 2012

I'm stealing something from Julie Florom's weekly newsletter to those involved in connecting ministries - it's about preparing for Easter...

In 31 days, a very old story will be told, but 
In 31 days, will there be anyone new who hears it for the first time?
According to research included in Thom Rainer’s book, "The Unchurched Next Door," 82% of those invited are “at least somewhat likely to attend” church. 38% are even MORE likely to attend on a special day like Easter. However, only 31% of church attendees would invite someone to attend. 
In 31 days, we will celebrate Easter.
Obvious: Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
Not so obvious: Many times I think Easter is a celebration of “us,” the churched, the under-standers of what Easter means. We come to church wanting the service to be a little bit more special than other, ordinary weeks of the year. However, we may want everyone else to make it special for us, and not be too interested in serving others on that particular day. 
In 31 days, we need to be ready for company. Mark is sending out a letter next week with some specifics. Please read it and help us get ready for a wonderful weekend of Easter celebrations at First Free.
Looking forward to serving with you on Sunday morning.
Julie

I know "Radical" is over as a Sunday morning series, but we are called to have a radically different view of life than those who are not born again. We know something - the Gospel - that has the power to change a person's eternal destiny. We have hope in Jesus that reminds us that what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal! (2 Corinthians 4:18). Please join us in praising Jesus, our Faithful Savior, this Sunday morning!

Steve

Worship Thoughts - March 4, 2012

Last Sunday, we focused on the fact that only Jesus Christ, through His atoning work on the cross, can save sinners from eternal punishment and separation from their Creator. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Some see this as narrow and intolerant, when actually it's the most gracious act of all time. God didn't make His plan of salvation confusing; he made it so clear Jesus is His Son that after He raised Him from the dead (a first in human history), He caused our calendar to hinge upon His death and resurrection.  And then there are the over 300 prophesies in the Old Testament that predicted His coming, birthplace, hometown, activities, manner of death, etc. God did not make His plan of salvation a riddle which can only be solved by the most brilliant of human minds; children actually have an easier time than adults understanding and receiving the Gospel by faith!

I intended to post this "Radical" quote about the cross last week, but as we wrap up the series this Sunday, it's still just as relevant: 

“The Cross, therefore, has been and must be the Church’s path of victory. And we know that the Church has been great when she has cast herself straight into the teeth of history at her Master’s bidding. When she has grown fat and sought to avoid the Cross, she could neither be great nor produce greatness. The calling of the Church cannot, then, be an easy calling. The church whose calling is easy is no church and no agent of the gospel of redemption. For the redemption of man entails a cross. It is not a matter of conquest and gains, nor yet of gadgets and creature comforts; it is Almighty God laying down of himself to bring forth a new creation in his image. The Kingdom of God is, therefore, victorious by the Cross, and is entered by the Cross. And it is mediated to the world only by a Church that lays down of itself – and takes up that Cross." (from "The Kingdom of God" by John Bright)

Please join us Sunday morning as we talk about what it means to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus. And please come again Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. as we take time to praise our gracious God and Savior, pray for His continuing transformational work in our lives and share testimonies of the radical changes He is bringing about through His word and Spirit! Don't miss these gatherings; this is where the rubber meets the road!

Steve

Worship Thoughts - Feb. 12, 2012

Friends,

This week I want to share something that's on my heart; something that hopefully ties in to our "Radical" series a bit. Since I was little, I've been inundated with the idea that I should be able to pursue my dreams and achieve great success in life, if I really believe in myself. As a Christian, I've learned that my dreams are only in line with God's plans for my life if I surrender everything to Him and stay close to the Vine, relying on His life, wisdom and power to accomplish His purposes for me. I've also learned that achieving worldly success leaves me empty, while abiding in Jesus satisfies completely. However, I've noticed that many times in Christian circles, the "success pep talk" I used to hear in the world is still present. The new twist goes something like this: "God wants you to achieve your dreams, so trust in Him to accomplish great things with your life." I'm troubled by this line of thinking when I read passages like Luke 22:25-27: 

"So Jesus told them: Foreign kings order their people around, and powerful rulers call themselves everyone's friends. But don't be like them. The most important one of you should be like the least important, and your leader should be like a servant. Who do people think is the greatest, a person who is served or one who serves? Isn't it the one who is served? But I have been with you as a servant." (CEV)

I'm going to be very transparent with you: when I was young, I dreamed of being successful as a musician, singer and songwriter. I drew pictures of billboards where "The Steve Mills Band" was performing. As an adult, I have had a little success recording several albums and having a few songs placed on other artists' projects. Part of me still wishes someone would "discover" one of my songs, pitch it to a big artist, and that I would experience a much higher level of "success" in the Christian music world.

However, as I keep reading God's Word, seeking to be like Jesus, I don't see Him promoting Himself; I see Him lowering Himself to the level of the "invisible" people of the world - the lepers, the prostitutes, the children. I feel convicted that I'm not really supposed to seek recognition for myself; I'm supposed to seek to recognize the infinite value of those God is calling me to love - even the people who are difficult to love. It just occurred to me this morning that if I ever write a book about serving Jesus (which I don't plan to do), I think I'll title it: "Think Small." :-)

Thanks for indulging my thoughts this week. Please join us Sunday morning as we come before our Servant-Savior-King, "who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6-7)

Worship Thoughts - Feb. 5, 2012

Friends,

Sorry to miss another week...got a little busier than expected! I'm finding myself wrestling with one main theme as we progress through this "Radical" series. I become more and more convinced that though we are blessed to live in our country, for which I am very grateful, we wage war with one great enemy every day: COMFORT. I feel the pull of comfort every time I seek to obey commands like "Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2), and "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). I'm seeing how following these commands requires a daily, conscious decision; it's not something we determine to do just once, which then comes naturally. Every day I have to choose to deny myself, take up my cross and follow my Savior; however, this is definitely not something I can accomplish in my own strength. He is the vine that gives and sustains my life; apart from Him I will wither and die - I am powerless. When connected to Jesus, I have everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Hallelujah!

May we seek to make any radical changes needed in order to follow and obey our Lord. Sitting in a new seat in church is one thing; dying to my selfish desires daily is another.

On Sunday morning, please come ready to give all glory and honor to our King! We'll be singing: "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow," "All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises," "I Lift My Heart," "Jesus Saves" and "My Hope is in You."

By His Grace Alone,
Steve

Worship Thoughts - Jan. 22, 2012

Are you satisfied with your current walk with the Lord? Do you believe you have experienced enough of His love, grace and power? I doubt if you feel that way - I know I don't! However, I often become complacent and satisfied with lesser things than the spiritual blessings God offers when I quiet my heart and draw near to Him, worshiping in the splendor of His holiness. A.W. Tozer said the following:

"I believe that God wants us to long for Him with the longing that will become love-sickness, that will become a wound to our spirits, to keep us always moving toward Him, always finding and always seeking, always having and always desiring. So the earth becomes less and less valuable and heaven gets closer as we move into God and up into Christ." ("Man, The Dwelling Place of God," p. 107)

I encourage you to take time every day to seek after God; to draw near to Him, delighting yourself in the God Who made you, saved you, and is coming back in glory to claim you as His own! (see Psalm 37:4-6) I also encourage you to join us Sunday morning in worship, longing to know and praise the One True God with your brothers and sisters in Christ! This Sunday, we will sing: "Our God is Greater," "The Rock" and "My Hope is in You." If you want to hear this new song before Sunday, here is a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kftUFUccg-A

See you Sunday morning!
Steve

Worship Thoughts - Jan. 15, 2012

Brother and Sisters in Christ:

I hope you're all having a great week and planning to join us Sunday when we gather to worship our Great God! I'm really excited to have our High School Worship Band join me as leaders this week; they bring an awesome energy and passion to worship. One of the things that encouraged me most about my initial visit to First Free was the way the youth group worshiped; I observed them praising God with joy, passion and an abandon often lacking with us adults! Please allow their joy and energy to encourage you as you offer your thanks and praise to God this Sunday :-)

Here is a passage I'm working on memorizing from Titus (2:11-14) that reminds me Jesus is coming, and that He redeemed me with His blood to belong to Him, pure and zealous for God! - 

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."

See you Sunday morning!

Steve