Music in Worship
My wife and I were seated high in the Minneapolis Civic Auditorium, where approximately seven thousand were celebrating our denomination's centennial. Up front, four choirs were leading in worship. To demonstrate both diversity and unity in Christ, the choirs were from Hispanic, Korean, anglo, and black churches.
At one point the black choir from Oakdale Covenant Church in Chicago burst into a rousing anthem that asked everyone to "stand up and be a witness for Jesus." Almost in unison, the entire centennial congregation stood, clapping and singing, to declare its solidarity as witnesses called of God.
Then the four choirs began to mingle in what seemed a chaos. To the pulpit came a pastor, who read the majestic words of Revelation 7, "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!'"
Suddenly the combined multi-ethnic choir exploded in the mighty words of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." Again the audience was on its feet. Some heads were bowed. Others were held high with hands outstretched. Radiant smiles were on faces and tears were in eyes. Hands were clasped as the entire company of believers joined in joyful, loving praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It was an eternal moment that illustrated music's incredible power, as Bach put it, to "glorify God and recreate the spirit."
Purpose
When we reflect on the life of God's people, both in Scripture and in church history, it is obvious that God loves music! From Jubal ...
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