Tenuto Volume 8

A Society of Fools

Devotional thoughts on Romans 1:28-32

 

Every morning when I get up, the first thing I do is check the headlines, and usually I don't want to see the news any more. This has been especially true in the last several months. I read an article in which Bill Nye the Science Guy, told parents that it was harmful for us to teach children Creationism since, science has so clearly shown us what really happened—yeah right. I never felt that the Bible was a science text. I saw where our nation is allowing and even promoting homosexuality, and I remember the violence in Connecticut just about ten days before Christmas. I see these things and words cannot express the emotions that run through my heart.

Some ask questions like; where was the God you worship? Why does He allow these things? I wrestled with this and have, I think found an unfortunate truth—unfortunate for man anyway. Let's look at Romans 1:18-32.

¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools,23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

²⁴Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

²⁶For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

²⁸And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

²⁹being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

³⁰backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

³¹undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

³²who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:18-32(NKJV)

 

When I read this, it occurred to me that the truth is that we are living in a time that God told us was coming. When we realize that God has written all of scripture from cover to cover, we realize that the Apostle Paul wrote this passage as a dictation from God. We see what's happening around us and realize that God told us it was going to happen.

What Bill Nye and others have done, is replaced the creator with the creation. Our society has created an idol out of science and our own human mind, never realizing that what we call science is merely an interpretation, human interpretation, of what God has done. The fact that it is an interpretation by fallen man should ring out as a warning. My wife has a college roommate who was raised in a church, but since her "enlightenment" in college, she has become a Wiccan. She has begun to worship nature—the creation—rather than God—the creator.

In our society we have truly carried out what verse 22 says, "Professing to be wise they have become fools."

In Psalm 14 we read:

1The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

²The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

³They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

⁴Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord?

⁵There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous.

⁶You shame the counsel of the poor, But the Lord is his refuge.

⁷Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalms 14:1-7(NKJV)

 

Our society is beginning to fall into the trap. Look at Romans 1:22 and then look at Psalms 14:1. What do we see? In our movement toward "enlightenment," our society is becoming a society of Fools.

Tenuto Volume 7

On Freedom

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:1-11 NKJV

    The election is over, and roughly half of the country is pleased, and half of the country is displeased. My wife mentioned a quote early in the election season from Chuck Colson that we originally heard in the 1990s thanks to a Steven Curtis Chapman song entitled "Heaven in the Real World." The quote says "Where is the hope? I meet millions who tell me they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the hope? The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people - - and that's where our hope is in this country. That's where our hope is in life." Just think about that a moment.

In March 1998, I left my bride of 7 weeks and took an oath to this great nation. I left for Army Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and then on to Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base to receive additional training. 10 months later, I rejoined my wife, and we lived the next 3 years in Fort Lee, VA where I served as a trumpeter in the 392^nd US Army Band. I played parades, concerts, dances, festivals, change of commands, and many other ceremonies, but none of those were as meaningful as playing "Taps" for the family of a fallen soldier. I lost count as to how many soldiers we helped lay to rest – great men and women who had served this country and its citizens with distinction, men and women who had left their spouses, their parents, their children and gone off to fight in our place – men and women who knew the potential costs, who knew they were putting their lives on the line for you and for me. I am honored and humbled to call myself a Veteran. I am proud of this nation for having a day to commemorate those individuals who stood in the gap for their nation, but I also stop and think about the Savior who was beaten, mocked, ridiculed and crucified for every soul on the earth from the beginning of time until the end of time. I find it fitting when Veteran's Day lands on Sunday. A day we should remember the One who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that all of us, every nation, every tribe, can have a freedom that we can't even fully understand this side of eternity.

The Word concludes Romans 8 with a promise:

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things preset nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I'll leave you with a song as my final thoughts. The Gaither Vocal Band tells it (and sings it!) much better than I could. Besides, I'm a Minister of Music and Worship. We need a song in here somewhere, right?

Gaither Vocal Band "Let Freedom Ring" as recorded at the White House

Tenuto Volume 6

The Advance of the Gospel

¹² I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. ¹⁴ And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

¹⁵Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. ¹⁶ The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Philippians 1:12-18 ESV

    In recent months, I have been confronted by the question of motive, not my motive, but the motive of various music publishers and their production of Christian music for worship. Recently, I learned that not all music publishers are what they seem. For example, one of the best known publishers of music for the church is actually owned by Smirnoff—one of the largest sellers of vodka in the country—and with this new found information; I was confronted with a problem: should I continue to buy music published by this company, or should I avoid them? The underlying problem is motivation. The parent company is not really interested in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ; however, the anthems sold by this company are oftentimes some of the best available. Aside from the reasons that should prevent the purchase of a particular anthem—Theological accuracy, sing ability etc—I am now confronted with a concern over motivation. On the surface this seems difficult, but, as I prayed over it and reviewed scripture, I have to say that it isn't difficult at all.

    In Luke 9:49-50, the disciples reported to Jesus that they had rebuked someone who was casting out demons without being with them, and Jesus rebuked them:

⁴⁹John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." ⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you."

Luke 9:49-50 ESV

 

Why would Jesus make this decision? I believe that the decision is based on the fact that it was not the place of the disciples to interfere with the actions or motivations of the individual casting out the demon. The Minister of worship is not any better that the disciples were; therefore, it is not our place to pass judgment on the motivation or attitude of the ones writing the music we use. In the case I mentioned concerning my seminary class, the question arose, or rather the statement was made that because the owner of the music publishing house was in it "for the money," instead of for the glory of God, we should not be purchasing music from them. My response is from Philippians 1:15-18 in which Paul points out that as long as the gospel is being preached he doesn't care what the motivation of the one preaching is, as long as Christ is being preached.

¹⁵Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. ¹⁶ The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. ¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Philippians 1:15-18 ESV

 

I believe the same thing applies here. As the Worship Pastor (or whatever the title), it is our job to make certain that the music we select is theologically accurate, able to be sung by our congregation, and above all glorifying to God; however, it is not our responsibility to judge the music based upon the parent company of the publishing house, neither is it our right to judge the motivation of the one who composed it. We as Worship leadership have to be very careful that we don't add clairvoyance to the lists of spiritual gifts, as we cannot be caught in the trap of determining what is going on in the minds of the composers and/or publishing house when we determine the usability of their product. Only God knows the inner workings of the heart; therefore, only God can pass such a judgment.

What I Believe Worship Means…

One of my personal favorite definitions of worship is from the book Return to Worship by Randy Owens, and that definition reads as follows:

Worship is the response of an adoring heart to the magnificence of God. In the highest sense of the word, it is the occupation of the created with the Creator Himself. It is the pure joy of magnifying the One whose name is above every other name.

(Owens pg 38)

 
We as fallen man are wholly incapable of saving ourselves; therefore, God stepped in and through the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ His Son has provided a way through grace for our salvation. When Jesus was crucified in my place, He paid a debt that I would never be able to pay on my own, and because of that grace, I am able to know with confidence that I have been saved from the punishment I deserve. My worship, therefore, is my response to God for this great gift. Also, as the created, I have an absolute loyalty and responsibility to worship God. It therefore becomes my responsibility to live my life in a way that worships God.
The primary function of the church is to worship the living God who through His grace provided salvation through the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. I believe that leading worship comes from the overflow of my personal walk with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. I believe that as believers, we worship to the extent the Holy Spirit is permitted to fill us. We are commanded to worship God in "Spirit and in truth"

21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me,
the hour is coming when
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
22 You worship what you do not know;
we worship what we know, for
salvation is
from the Jews.
23 But
the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father
in spirit and
truth, for the Father
is seeking such people to worship him.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:21-24 (ESV)

When we worship, we must allow the Spirit to move through us. Musical style should have no bearing on how we worship because worship stems from our relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit; therefore, our ability to worship is a direct reflection on our Spiritual health.
True Worship is the root of outreach: As the Worship Leader leads from the overflow of his relationship with Jesus Christ, so also the members of our individual congregations are able to minister and share their faith through the condition and overflow of the individual worshipper's heart. This means that when our hearts are filled with worship, we too can minister to others through our overflow. In other words, when we have allowed the Spirit to fill us and lead us in worship, we will have no other recourse but to radiate the love of Christ, and as we overflow with the love of Christ, people around us will take note and perhaps be drawn to the grace of Jesus Christ.
True Worship is lifestyle: Many people believe that worship is that thing we do between Sunday School and lunch on Sunday morning and then we are done for the week, but, I believe that scripture indicates that all we do whether it is work or bible study or shopping, it is an act of worship to God. Because we represent the living God, we must always be careful to show Christ in our day to day activities, whether that is work or play. As we follow the living God who provides us with the grace of salvation, we must live our lives in a way that causes people to wonder what is different about us as compared with others. As Christians, we cannot escape worship, we must be aware of the fact that our very lives must be lived as an act of worship.

 

Graduation Announcement

 The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

announces that
Russell Todd Files

is a candidate for the degree of

Master of Arts

in

Worship Leadership and Christian Ministry

 

Friday May Eighteenth Two Thousand Twelve

at ten o'clock in the morning

Seminary Lawn

Louisville, Kentucky

 

Commencement services will also be live-streamed at

www.sbts.edu

Tenuto Volume 4 - What's in a Name?

a guest blog by Stephanie Crider Files

Names are important.  Biblically speaking God places high regard on names. He gave many people names, and even changing people's names to reflect events in their lives. So when someone crosses your path with the same name as you, does it make you feel differently toward them? For me, it does.  If I see the checkout girl's name tag reads, "Stephanie" I make sure I smile at her.  Likewise, when I found a professor of Russ's classes with the last name "Crider" I felt an instant connection.  We don't know if we're related through genealogy or not, but we are assured of our relation through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the bridge that connects us as brother and sister.  His name has the power to unite us all. "For there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 NASB.  He gives us His name, His grace, and His inheritance. "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:16-17 NIV. He makes us a family.  So today, let me ask you to ponder the following hymn and ask you "Are you a part of the Family of God?"  Seek Him, Know Him! He is everything you are searching for and in His name is awesome power!!

The Family of God
William and Gloria Gaither

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God
I've been washed in the fountain,  cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod;
For I'm part of the family, the family of God.

I know, for me, personally I AM SO GLAD I'm a part of the family of God. Being part of that family makes my own family so much stronger! Being part of that family means meeting other members of the family and having an instant connection and love for one another.  Being part of that family has changed my life forever!!!

Tenuto Volume 3

                Well another semester has come and (nearly) gone and I am left to reflect on what I can take away from the experience.  The first observation I have to make is that when it comes down to it, it is very difficult to memorize music and lyric, especially when you are used to performing with the words flashed on the screen in the back of the room.  I have learned once again that, with the exception of God Himself, my wife is probably my most valuable asset in the ministry.  I have learned that it is difficult to juggle an online course with several courses that meet in the classroom, and I have been reminded—once again—how much I dislike writing papers.  That aside, I have learned quite a few very useful things in the last twelve weeks or so, but, like so many other things it doesn’t matter how much you learn it’s how well you can apply it.

                In reflection I have been reminded of how important it is to cast a vision, a vision that necessarily informs us of our purpose.  We cast a vision for what we want our lives to look like ten years from now, or what we would like to see our children doing when they grow up—some of us want to envision what we want to do when we grow up.  Leading worship is no different.  To be fair, the Worship Pastor or Minister of Music needs to be the one—in conjunction with the Holy Spirit and the Pastor—who casts that vision for the people leading worship.  In fact all of our worship services need to focus on a vision.  Simply put, our vision is the glorification of Jesus Christ, through music and spoken Word.  Our music must always point the congregation to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; yet, it is more important that the sermon laid on the heart of our Pastor be heard.  Our vision, therefore, should be to musically support the Word of God given through the Pastor. 

                Another point of reflection lands in our hearts straight out of the Letter to the Philippians:

Christ's Humility and Exaltation

⁵ Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

⁶ who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God  

as something to be used for His own advantage.  

⁷ Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave,

taking on the likeness of men.

And when He had come as a man in His external form,

⁸ He humbled Himself by becoming obedient

to the point of death—even to death on a cross.

⁹ For this reason God also highly exalted Him

and gave Him the name that is above every name,

¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow—

of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth—

¹¹ and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11 (HCSB)

Our whole vision of worship needs to focus on the gospel and this song written by the Apostle Paul explains that gospel very succinctly and to the point.  Our focus needs to exemplify and glorify that sacrifice.  Remember, we did not earn our salvation.  Remember, we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), the penalty for that sin should be our own death (Romans 6:23), but, because of God’s great love for us, He sent His only Son to take that penalty for us (Romans 5:8) so that when we accept the free gift of Salvation, WE SHALL BE SAVED (Romans 10:9-13)!  How can we not Worship Him?  Our responsibility is to make absolutely certain that the people who come to Worship on Sunday morning hear this message and are given an opportunity to respond to this message. 

                It is true that only the Holy Spirit can cause us to Worship, and it is also true that only the ones who have accepted Christ can truly worship; however, we must never forget that in each service there are those who come who have not accepted Christ and are only with us to fulfill their “religious” duty.  This makes it all the more important that we worship and allow a time of response.  My warning is that when we as a church fail to allow the non-believer to respond in our worship services, then we have become no different than the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ time, because even the temple had a place for the gentiles to participate even though there was not usually an opportunity for a gentile to become a believer.  Our focus, Our Vision needs to be threefold:  1. Worship God with all that we have and are because of what He has done for us, 2. Direct all Worship to the Father in all we do, and 3. allow others to join the family of the living God.  That is our responsibility.

For HIS Glory

Russ

Mark 10:45

HBC Mission Statement

Our God-given mission is to: Provide opportunities for vibrant and meaningful worship and encounter with the Living God Who changes lives and answers prayers. Teach our church family from the Word of God what they need to know to be godly, productive, Spirit-filled, soul-winning Christians. Demonstrate and communicate to all people God's unconditional love and His willingness to receive those people who place their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. To encourage and build up people, and function as a genuine center of caring ministry to our church, our community, our country, and our world. The use of our physical facilities should be maximized to this end.