Tag: Church

What Ever Happened To The Hymns?

On By BrianIn Hymns3 Comments

I have been teaching a class on the Great Awakening for some teens from Christian families in our area.  This last week, we looked at Charles Wesley.  I gave them a list of some of his hymns and asked how many they were familiar with.  Even after exploring some of the titles, the most any of them recognized was four.  Four!  Here are some of the titles from the list:

A Charge to Keep I Have
And Can It Be that I Should Gain
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Depth of Mercy
Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
O For a Heart to Praise My God
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Rejoice, the Lord Is King

Most were not familiar with And Can It Be or For A Thousand Tongues To Sing.  I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.  I know many churches no longer sing hymns.  And yet, I found their ignorance of even the most well-known hymns incredibly depressing.  We are losing our Christian heritage.  The church I grew up in really never taught about the history of the church, but at least I had the great hymns.  Many of the next generation don’t even have that anymore.

I’m not here to knock new choruses and hymns.  There are some great new songs worth learning and singing for the rest of our lives. But there is a place for the old hymns too, for at least the following reasons:

1. The hymns connect us to our heritage, reminding us that we are part of something bigger than just today.  The church didn’t start in my generation; it has been here for 2000 years, and the hymns help us connect with the wisdom of those who have gone before us.

2. Many hymns have incredible theological depth.  In an age of theological shallowness and downright ignorance in the church, we  need all the help we can get to teach the doctrines of the faith.

3. Many of the hymns have incredible experiental depth.  They are not passionless theological treatises, but passionate responses to who God is, what he has done, and what he has yet to do.  Many of the hymn writers had an experiential walk with God that puts ours to shame.  We need to be reminded that our lukewarm state is not normal.

4. Over time, the best hymns have been passed on, while most of the chaff has fallen away.  Wesley wrote 9000 hymns, yet we only sing a fraction of what he wrote. (I’ve read some of the hymns that rightly didn’t make the cut!)  Perhaps there are some jems that over time were overlooked and lost.  Undoubtedly there are some inferior songs that have somehow been passed on.  But overall the old hymns in our hymnals today are the best of the best.  Undoubtedly there are some new songs that will likewise stand the test of time and be sung down through the ages, but many will fall away like chaff.

5. We need to sing the same songs year after year so that we might memorize them.  As we learn them, they can over time form us.  Even more they can encourage us in times of trouble.  And should our memories start to go in old age, those hymns we learned as children and sang all of our lives have incredible staying power.  I distinctly remember my grandpa advanced with Alzheimer’s disease unable to remember much of anything but yet able to sing many of the old hymns from memory.  And many have told me of similar experiences in older folks that they have known.  What about the next generation that never sang a song more than two months before the moving on to the next great hit?

With all of the above in mind, I want to do my part to encourage the continued use of the old hymns.  That means, among other things, that I am starting a new feature on this blog.  I want to regularly feature a great hymn of the faith.  Each feature will include the words, a link to the music, some commentary, and when possible some history behind the hymn.  Stay tuned!

Better Than You

On By BrianIn Virtue of Humility

“An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest” (Luke 9:46).  Can you imagine that?  Grown men arguing about who was the greatest!  And this, just after Jesus, the truly great one, had spoken of becoming low for us! 

To get their attention, Jesus takes a child – with no status, no power – clearly not great.  “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.  For he who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48).  The child, least in their eyes, is great.  Greatness is not about status or power.  It is not about being better than others, exalting oneself above others.

If receiveiving a child is like receiving Jesus, like receiving God, then the child has great significance.  And so do all of us, for we are all made in the image of God.  No one is better or worse than others, we are all equally valuable.  So arguing about who is greatest is nothing short of foolish.

I suspect few of us would argue with someone else about who was greater.  And yet, how easy it may be for us to act like we are greater than another.  How easy to start thinking we are better than another.

I’m better than you because I am a Baptist, a Methodist, a Charismatic, a Calvinist, an Arminian, a Dispensationalist, and the list could go on.  I’m better than you because of my spiritual gifts, and I minister this way, and you don’t.  I’m better than you because my family does things this way, and your family does it that way, and that seems really odd to me.  I’m better than you because I make more money than you, I have a higher standard of living.  I’m better than you because you hurt me which makes you a terible sinner.  I’m better than you…. 

Father, how easy it is for us to begin to think that we are better than others.  The smallest differences can introduce this idea to our minds, and our pride grasps and feeds the idea.  Guard our minds.  Throw down our pride.  Help us to give up our pursuit of being being better than others.  Let us learn from Jesus who, though greater than all, humbled himself and became one of us to save us.  Amen.

Let Us Go Over

On By BrianIn Church Life

Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”  And his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish.  Behold, I am with you heart and soul.” – I Samuel 14:6-7

“Come, let us go over”

The Philistines had invaded Israel.  The two armies were camped on either side of a large ravine.  Jonathan wanted to go over to these uncircumcised – those who were not God’s people, those who did not know God.  His mission was to defeat them and chase them out of the land.  We too need to go over to those who are not God’s people, who do not know God.  Our mission however is different – to make disciples, to show the way to God, to point people to Jesus.

Jonathan needed courage to go.  There was a great risk.  He could have been killed.  We too need courage to go, though the risk is not usually physical death but death to our pride – they might ridicule us, laugh at us, reject us.  It would be easy for us to sit around as Saul did (see v1-5), but God calls us to go.  Are we seeking opportunities to share the gospel with others?  Come let us go over.

“It may be that the Lord will work for us”

Jonathan is hoping God will deliver Israel from the Philistines and bring about a great salvation.  We hope that God will deliver people from their sins and bring about a great salvation.  Salvation is God’s work.  We must go over and share the gospel, but God must convict of sin, and give grace to respond.  We are completely dependent on God for the results of our going over.  As such, we ought to pray, asking God to bless our efforts, asking God to change lives.  Pray – it may be that the Lord will work for us.

“By many or by few”

Saul was concerned with numbers – 600 Israelites against thousands of Philistines.  Jonathan understands that numbers mean nothing when God is at work, and so he goes over.  The result?  God brings a great victory (see v8-23).

Have you noticed that God loves to use the small, the humble, the few?  Jonathan and his armor-bearer against thousands.  David against Goliath.  Gideon amasses a great army, and God says, “Too many.”  God reduces the army until we would say, “Too few.”  But God uses them to bring about victory.  There is a church near us in a town of 125.  Four years ago the church had 6 people.  Today it has over 100.  God delights to use the small, the few, the humble.  Will we trust that God can work through us?  By many or by few.

“I am with you heart and soul”

Jonathan’s armor bearer is also a great example to us.  He is of one heart with Jonathan.  They will go over together.  As local churches, we must be united around the great commission.  We ought to pray for each other to have opportunities to share the gospel, and courage to make use of those opportunities.  We ought to support our church’s outreach efforts – whether through prayer, or inviting people, or helping to do the work.  What a wonderful thing when each person in a church can say to the other – “I am with you heart and soul.”

Come, let us go over!  It may be that the Lord will work for us – by many or by few.  I am with you heart and soul.

Web Weekly

On By BrianIn Idolatry, PASSION Points

It has been a few weeks since I have surveyed some of the best from the web, so here is a compilation of the last few weeks.

Tullian Tchividjian quotes from Sinclair Ferguson with a necessary reminder that our focus must not be on ourselves, not even on our spiritual growth, but rather our focus must be upon Christ – and then we will grow.

If we focus on our our own growth instead of Christ we will either get big heads thinking (falsely) that we have arrived, or we will mope about as we realize how far we have to go.  It is this moping constant guilty feeling that Kevin DeYoung addresses, as he reminds us of our need to cling to the gospel.

There are a number of good articles to read about various spiritual disciplines that help us grow (habits of love), including confession (DeYoung), Scripture memory (John Piper), and church membership (DeYoung again quoting from Jonathan Leeman).

Finally, Crossway gives us a portion of  Tullian Tchividjian’s new book Surprised By Grace.  This portion deals with one of the recurring themes here on this blog – the important issue of idolatry that steals our passion for God.

The Coming of the Spirit 4

On By BrianIn Church Life, God & His Glory

The Spirit comes and not only makes us part of his church, empowering us to minister and witness, but he also dwells among us.  I Corinthians 3:16 remind us that the church is God’s temple where his Spirit dwells.  As we gather together, the Spirit of God is among us.

Do we gather ready to enter his presence?  Are we even aware as we gather that God is with us?  How often are we like a poor host who neglects his guest?

The church is God’s temple where the Spirit dwells.  Temples are places of worship.  Do we gather not only recognizing his presence, but also ready to worship?  To submit our lives to his Word?  To bring our gifts to him?  To bring our cares before his throne?  To praise and honor him with our songs and our hearts?

The Spirit has come and dwells in his church.  As we gather, let us recognize his presence, bow down, and worship.

The Coming of the Spirit 3

On By BrianIn God & His Glory

The Holy Spirit makes us part of the church and empowers us to witness.  He also empowers us for ministry to one another.  We are not just called to serve one another, we are also empowered to do so.

In I Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul tells us that there are various gifts given by the Spirit for the common good of the church.  God empowers us with these gifts to serve one another.

Are we seeking his power as we minister.  Often I think we are tempted to serve in our own power.  Then only natural things happen.  But when God works, supernatural things happen.  Are we seeking God’s power?  Are we asking God to powerfully work through us for the good of his church and for his glory?

We need the Spirit’s empowerment.  May we seek it and serve in his power.

The Coming of the Spirit 2

On By BrianIn Church Life, God & His Glory

In the last post we saw how the Spirit empowers us to witness.  But the Spirit does much more.  In this post we want to see that the Spirit makes us part of his church.  Paul tells us in I Corinthians 12:13 – “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”  When the Spirit comes into our lives at salvation, he baptizes us into the church; he makes us part of the Body of Christ. 

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus foretold the coming of the Spirit, telling the disciples that they would be baptized by the Spirit in a few days.  At Pentecost the Spirit came, and the church was begun.

The Spirit makes us part of the church.  We are no longer on our own.  We are related to Christ and to other Christians.  We are part of one body, one church, one family.  We cannot go it alone, trying to be a lone ranger Christian.  The Spirit has made us part of a family.

Paul goes on to apply this truth in I Corinthians 12.  He tells us that though different, each is important.  And we are to use our differences to serve one another.  We are to care for one another, coming alongside one another in the good times and the bad.

The Spirit made us part of the church, part of a family.  Are we serving and caring for others in our family?  How might we do so this week?

Humble Giving

On By BrianIn Book of Luke, Virtue of Humility1 Comment

We often think of the 12 disciples when we think of those who followed Jesus, but he had many other followers – including many women.  These women not only followed Jesus, but they provided for him and his ministry from their own means.  They give us an example of humble giving to God.

Are we following their example?  Are we providing for the ministry of our local church out of our means?  Not occasional token gifts, but true regular giving to the Lord out of what God has graciously given to us?  Have we discovered the joy of giving?

I know of numerous missionaries who are stranded in our country, unable to go to the missions field because they can’t find the support.  Yet we are the wealthiest country in the world!  This is a huge indictment upon the American church.  Are we serving God with our money or ourselves?  Are we bowing down to the Lord or materialism?

How we need to follow the example of these dear women.  How quickly we could send out these missionaries if all of God’s people regularly and joyfully gave back to God a portion of what he has given to them.  Not a meager portion.  But a generous portion for his work and his glory.  Father, grant that we would humbly give to you.

(Luke 8:1-3)

Web Weekly

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

All kinds of good stuff this week!

First, Crossway has several excerpts of Trevin Wax’s new book Holy Subversion.  This is a book I have wanted to read – even more so after reading the excerpts.  These excerpts all relate to how we use our free time.  The last one relates to my last several posts on being a church family as he addresses relationships and free time with application for the church.  See here, here, here, and here.

First Things shares the secret to appreciating church – and it closely relates to being a church family.

Also related to being a church family, and especially unity amidst offenses is Ray Ortlund’s helpful post on guarding and repairing relationships.

Finally, Donald Whitney has a great strategy for outreach that shows real compassion for people.

The Family of Jesus 4

On By BrianIn Church Life

The church is the family of Jesus.  We are called to unity and community.  We have considered our need for unity amidst differences and offenses.  And we have considered our need to be a community together.  Today we conclude with our need to be a caring community.

Caring Community

Healthy families practice the one anothers.  They care for one another.  They serve one another.  They encourage one another.  They pray for one another.  They simply love one another.

And the New Testament clearly calls us to live out the one anothers as a church.  The church must be characterized by the one anothers.  Care for one another.  Serve one another.  Encourage one another.  Pray for one another.  Love one another.

It would be good for us to regularly ask questions like these:  Who could use some help in my church?  Who could I seek to encourage this week?  Who do I need to pray for?  Who is lonely that I could show love toward?  May we not only ask these questions, but also act on the answers – that our churches might be caring communities.

Conclusion

God has made us the family of Jesus.  He calls us to unity amidst differences and offenses.  May we strive to maintain that unity with humility and love.  He calls us to be a caring community together.  May we strive to build deeper relationships that we might be a more caring community.  May we live as his family – for his glory!