OUTLINE:
Personal Favoritism (ala Jas 2:1)
Why is our inclination to adopt world standards and meet its esteemed proponents at levels that they define for us? Why are we plagued with a desire to please those same people, proportional to their social reputation, even though they couldn’t care less about our Lord?
Is Our Faith Genuine?
According to Holy Scripture, “faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (Jas 2:17). Even believers can apply this test to their faith. For example, if you say you’re impartial (aka you sow good works), then why do you treat others with “personal favoritism” (Jas 2:1), revealing “evil motives” (Jas 2:4)?
The World’s Take On Religion
Never, EVER receive wisdom from the world as anything other than what it truly is – human, earthly. Even the most well-intentioned unbeliever has nothing to add to what is available to you in the Word of God, especially on the topic of true faith/religion.
Co 2:18 [ESV]
Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind…v22baccording to human precepts and teachings…v23a These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion.
The World’s Take On Religion
Never, EVER receive wisdom from the world as anything other than what it truly is – human, earthly. Even the most well-intentioned unbeliever has nothing to add to what is available to you in the Word of God, especially on the topic of true faith/religion.
“singing and making melody with your heart”
Spiritually speaking, music is worship. While we worship in groups sometimes, worship ought never be any less personal. The Bible instructs us to sing “with our heart TO the Lord/to God” (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). Worship must be directed to God, NOT our emotions.
Music Ministry Context
Like any form of worship, if the individual isn’t personally, actively involved in worshipping the Lord, they are not worshipping Biblically (I’m not talking about physical singing abilities; rather, personal engagement beyond one’s emotions).
Worship
Worshipping the Lord, in ANY fashion, is NOT supposed to be a PASSIVE exercise. The Bible speaks about music as a form of ACTIVE worship, NOT entertainment.
Pastor Jeff Pollard
“Many Christians are not worshipping God, they are worshipping how they FEELabout God.”
Worship Error
It’s possible, even common, for Christians to forget/ignore what the Bible says about music worship. If it’s merely an “emotional pick-me-up,” something vital is missing. Intoxication is “dissipation,” which is NOT “being filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).
Mt 6:7
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.”
The Music Worship Example
If we’re deceived, and our FEELINGS become our god, we live to serve them instead of our Lord! Perverted music worship is a SYMPTOM of emotionalism, which means we must discern all areas of our lives where emotionalism dominates (e.g. relationships, family, work, etc.).
Religion Is Big Business!
The KoD promotes the whole scheme by SELLING religious formulas, such as, “Do this religion and be rewarded with happiness!” You might even make lots of money!
Religion Is Big Business!
Christianity is nothing more than a lever…a tool, that once perverted, can be used to advance the causes of Satan and the kingdom of darkness.
Celebrating/Worshipping Feelings
Sin has lied to billions of people over the ages, proposing that as long as it “feels” good/right, it may be construed as such. On the flip side is Truth, which makes enemies, “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth” (Gal 4:16)?
2Co 2:11
so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.[Implies Biblical knowledge/wisdom]
Following Our Prototype
Jesus Christ is called “a man of sorrows acquainted with grief” (Isa 53:3b). Living for Christ in the devil’s world means being well acquainted with sorrow and suffering (Mt 5; Jn 16:33).
Mk 4:24
And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to.”