Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Lutherans Write about the Sermon - Worship - III -...":
J-1026
"So it goes in the spiritual government of the Church, as specially indicated in the narrative now before us. Where I have preached and taught during the past ten or twenty years, there another could perhaps, have done more in one year; and one sermon may bring forth more fruit than many others. Here, also, it is true that our labor, diligence and effort can accomplish nothing These two things must go together, namely, that each one does his duty, and that he, nevertheless, acknowledges with Peter: 'My labor cannot bring forth anything, if thou dost not give the increase.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, IV, p. 153. Luke 5:1-11.
Compare and Contrast to the Glory of the (W)ELS
So the question really isn’t whether something in worship is Roman Catholic or catholic. If it conveys God’s truths to God’s people it is catholic and therefore useful. The question should be whether something in worship is excellent.
God demands the very best from us. He commands faithfulness in all we do. He requires excellence in our worship of Him. Yet how many times do we settle for less than the best in our lives, in our faith, in our worship?
God deserves excellence in worship. Worship is for the Lord. It is giving Him what He deserves – praise, honor and glory. It is you offering God your best. Worship is also for us. It is giving us what we need – forgiveness, peace and fellowship. It is God offering us His best in Word, water, bread and wine.
This Gospel of free and full forgiveness in Christ calls for nothing but the best from God’s people in response.
The Holy Spirit not only touches minds, but also hearts. He works through words but also emotions.
http://www.epiphany-wels.org/Sermons/052310.htm
3 comments:
WORSHIP IN ACTION
'What does the Lord require of you? - To do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Your God' - Micah 6 v 8
Truthful worship requires us to be willing to get raw, honest, and vulnerable before God. It is here that God is able to slowly mould and shape our hearts into one that mirrors the heart of Jesus. This change is fuelled by God's great love for us and is designed to propel our focus and attention onto what concerns the Father - His people. This is why the condition of our heart is so critical. Without a heart that mirrors Jesus, we do not see the need around us and our lives become introverted, self-serving and very two dimensional.
Every one of us is capable of affecting and influencing much change on the earth, but we must never underestimate the value of kindness and compassion to the ONE person who is often right in our view if we choose to see them. This is the key to mirroring the heart of Jesus. Even though He was coming to free the whole world and to be the ransom for the whole of humanity - it is often displayed in the gospels how compassionate and gentle he was with individuals. We are able to love others, only because He first loved us. (1 John 3:19)
Worship is the fuel our hearts need to allow our lives to be poured out in service.We must allow our worship and devotion to God to motivate us into action. We were not made to be simply singers of songs, but lovers of God who worship Him not just with our voices, but with our whole lives
http://www.darlenezschech.com/cmspage.php?intid=94
She's so (W)ELS!
A Member Church of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
A thousand years later Jesus Christ came along with a totally different message. Instead of describing the path to happiness as sex, drugs and rock n roll, he talked about things like repressing our animal instincts and doing what is right. He talked about self-denial, sacrificing for others and living for something that lasts more than 5 minutes.
If you want to get really radical about living, Jesus Christ is your only option. He made you. He knows how you are and how you were made to live. He cares about you. Just look at the cross for proof of that. He is getting a place ready for you in heaven. That's right, a special place just for you. And what he taught about how to live while we wait here to get into that place in heaven is absolutely the key to having a great earthly life.
Is the Jesus life always easy? No. Is it always comfortable? No. Will you always understand everything that happens? No. Well then, what's so great about it? The primary objective of human beings was never meant to be "having fun". Our purpose is to be who God created us to be, to live for Someone and something bigger than ourselves. It is to fulfill the mission our Creator and Savior God has planned for us.
This Sunday we are going to study what is called Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. His message is challenging to the core. But isn't that exactly what you would expect from the One who challenged and defeated Satan, sin and death? Join us at 10:00 am and begin living the really radical life.
http://www.lutheranhawaii.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_m3IG24J1U&feature=player_profilepage
I have a question? If I flub a word in the hymn or my mind wanders and at times does after all as a human I am a sinner. Does this mean I no longer am worshipping God in spirit and truth. After all I am not being excellent. Does this mean I'm a sinner? Does this mean I do not go to worship to hear the Word and partake the Sacrament but I worry about being happy and clappy enough? It seems to me happy and clappy is distracting. What say you?
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