Gtcotr/ws092717
It’s strange for me to imagine that I am now a part of the old school crowd. In 1979 I accepted the call of God on my life to be a preacher and pioneered my first Church that following year. I became a full-time pastor of a new charismatic congregation at the age of 25. Most of our congregation were in their 50’s and I was the new, young, energetic preacher with lofty ideals and the belief that somethings needed to change.
One of the first changes I made revolutionized the song service. I introduced a sound system, added an electric guitar, did away with hymnals, brought in an overhead projector, invited the people to stand throughout the entire worship, and encouraged clapping and the lifting of hands.
Up until that time it was generally accepted in our community that expressive non-conservative worship and especially dancing was simply not done in church. It was like pulling teeth to get people comfortable with this new approach to what we began to call praise and worship.
Adding to the hurdles I began to sing fewer and fewer hymns and started offering scripture verses as songs. This way those who wanted to hold and read something while they sang could feel more secure. I would tell them to turn in their Bibles to a certain passage and we would put those words to a tune. The ones that worked we sang often and it helped to reinforce the scriptures in the hearts and minds of those in attendance. Some songs however never really made it. Either they were too wordy or the tunes just didn’t fit in proper cadence. Nonetheless I continue to this day to sing some of the musical flops from that era when we were stretching out into the new for a generation coming to the Lord.
Some of the songs we sang are still my go-to’s in the shower and during my private worship time each week. Our topic of study has been on my mind this week and I have found myself singing some old familiar songs.
Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 55:12 You shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you, they will be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Jeremiah 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
Ok … well there you go … These new things and new songs and innovative ideas I used to make the song service more spiritual and more relevant and more meaningful have now, in only one generation, become the old things … the old ways … and I’m now a part of the old school.
One thing that hasn’t changed however is the Word of Almighty God and His desire for us to understand it and build our lives upon the Rock so that the gates of hell can never prevail against us. Would you turn with me to our key scripture for this series on the Fruits of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Last week we discussed how these fruits of the Spirits are grown. When we believe in and rely upon Jesus we are Born Again and become like a garden of the Lord. The more time and effort we put into cultivating a spiritual relationship with Jesus, the more fruit of the Holy Spirit grows in our lives. It becomes evident to us and to others that we are changing.
The Word of God is the seed of God. The more we hear and accept the Word of God and put our trust in Him, the more fruit we produce in our lives. We can grow as much love and joy as we are willing to cultivate. Joy enough to have and joy to share with others, despite the circumstances.
This fruit of the Spirit we recognize as joy transcends the natural elements and conditions of this mortal life. We have joy because we know and trust God.
Hebrews says that Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the joy which was set before Him. He was joyful about the future. (Hebrews 12:2)
1 Peter 1 NLT
6 ¶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
9 The reward for trusting Jesus will be the salvation of your souls.
10 ¶ This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you.
11 They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
12 They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
Nehemiah 8:10c Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
