Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

What do I love?

Greatest challenge as a leader is not the program or the message but what I bring inside of myself.

For years churches have argued about style, instruments and personalities, but the real battle in our worship is found within us.

It is much more significant!

Do we love God or do we love something that looks like god?

Idols enslave and ensnare.

Ps106:36

Powerless idols

The most powerful idols, however, are the ones that we cannot see.

What is your idol?

Type of worship?

God uses issues in my life to reveal long standing sin.

—Life is hopeless w/o proper worship

2 Timl.

3:

Love and Worship

Mattew 22:37

Question to ask:

How do I know what I love the most?

By looking at my life outside of Sunday morning.

What do I enjoy the most?

What do I spend the most time doing?

Where does my mind drift to when I don’t have anything to do?

What am I passionate about?

What do I spend my money on?

What makes me angry when I don’t get it?

What do I feel depressed without?

The great God values not the service of men, if the heart be not in it: The Lord sees and judges the heart; he has no regard to outward forms of worship, if there be no inward adoration, if no devout affection be employed therein.

It is therefore a matter of infinite importance, to have the whole heart engaged steadfastly for God.—Isaac Watts “Discourses on the Love of God”

What Do I Believe?

Know who your are talking about and love that person.

Theology and Doctrine

Depth of what we sing is important.

The music notes are great and helpful, but the words speak our doctrine and theology.

We need help and it is important to immerse ourselves in true doctrine and theology and get help from reliable source.

Common misconceptions

Studying this stuff shouldn’t be hard

Know God better through music than words

Theology and Doctrine cause problems

Doctrine does not divide, it unifies around the truth of the Bible.

Right doctrine points out the fakes.

2 Peter

Doctrine should humble an individual not make him more proud:

1 cor.

Good theologians are increasingly humbled by the God they study.

The heart and mind together .

Strong, passionate desires for God flow from and encourage the faithful, thoughtful study of God—his nature, character and works.

What do I practice?

Skill and ability assist in glorifying the Lord.

No fly by night services.

Skill is a gift for God’s glory

Skill must be developed

Skill doesn’t make worship more acceptable to God.

Skill should be evaluated by others.

Skill is not an end to itself.

What does skill help us do?

Focus on God:

Serve in the church

I Pter 4:10

Multiplies serving opportunities

Conclusion

Heart issue

Not just about music

Worship is about personal, spiritual depth