Imagine the following exchange: Someone walks up to you and says, "I just want to say 'thank you.'" "For what?" you reply. "For nothing...just 'thank you.'" This exchange really doesn't make sense does it? It is simply nonsense to say thank you to someone if there is nothing in view for which the thanks is being given. The act of giving thanks is dependent upon truth.
Jesus told the woman at the well (Jn 4), Christian worship is worship in Spirit and in TRUTH. As we worship God individually and corporately, that worship must be centered on God's truth and, specifically, the truth about who He is and what Has done in Christ as revealed in Scripture. Only insofar as we do this can we truly express thanks to God. It boils down to this: no truth, no thanks, no worship.
Paul writes, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16 ESV). It is significant that the singing of "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" is connected to letting the "word of Christ dwell"in us. Paul goes on to connect the attitude of thankfulness to this truth-filled worship.
Our church is blessed to have a very dynamic worship leader, Gary Brumley. Gary does as good a job of integrating biblical truth and quality music as anyone I know. The music portion of our worship services involve a variety of elements, including corporate Scripture reading and songs that focus on biblical truth. I am appreciative of his approach because by putting God's truth at the center of our worship, we as a congregation are encouraged to dwell deeply upon God's truth and return thanks to Him for His great person and work.
Gary has put the words of 1 Timothy 1:17 to music. I recommend that you check it out. Lyrics, sheet music, and a demo can be found on his website: http://www.newmonikermusic.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=143&Itemid=124.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,
The only God, eternal, immortal, invisible
Be honor and glory, honor and glory,
Forever and ever, Amen,
Forever and ever, Amen.
Lyrics: 1 Timothy 1:17
by Gary Brumley © 2009 New Moniker Music.
www.newmonikermusic.com
Grace & Peace,
Jonathan
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