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A word from Rich
to the church
THE Leader of Worship
By Richard Foster
Genuine worship has only one Leader, Jesus Christ. When I speak of Jesus as the Leader of worship I mean, first of all, that He is alive and present among His people. His voice can be heard in their hearts and His presence known. We not only read about Him in Scripture, we can know Him by revelation. He wants to teach us, guide us, rebuke us, comfort us.
Second, Christ is alive and present in all His offices. In worship we are prone to view Christ only in His priestly office, as Saviour and Redeemer. But He is also among us as our Prophet. That is, He will teach us about righteousness and give us the power to do what is right. George Fox said, "Meet together in the Name of Jesus...he is your Prophet, your Shepherd, your Bishop, your Priest, in the midst of you, to open to you, and to sanctify you, and to feed you with Life, and to quicken you with Life."
Third, Christ is alive and present in all His power. He saves us not only from the consequences of sin but from the domination of sin. Whatever He teaches us He will give us the power to obey. If Jesus is our Leader, miracles should be expected to occur in worship. Healings, both inward and outward, will be the rule, not the exception. The book of Acts will not just be something we read about but something we are experiencing.
Fourth, Christ is the Leader of worship in the sense that He alone decides what human instrumentalities are to be used, if any. Individuals preach, or prophecy, or sing, or pray as they are called forth by their Leader. In this way there is no room for the elevation of private reputations. Jesus alone is honoured. As our living Head calls them forth, any or all of the gifts of the Spirit can be freely exercised and gladly received. Perhaps a word of knowledge is given in which the intent of the heart is revealed and we know that King Jesus is in charge. Perhaps there is an exhortation that puts us on the edge of our seat because we sense that the word of the Lord has been spoken. Preaching or teaching that comes forth because the living Head has called it forth breathes life into worship. Preaching that is without divine unction will fall like a frost on the worship. Heart preaching inflames the spirit of worship; head only preaching smothers the glowing embers. There is nothing more quickening than Spirit-inspired preaching, nothing more deadly than human-inspired preaching.
Some deeper things to ponder this week - see you Sunday!
In His grace,
Pastor Rich