To God and To Each Other

For much of the past decades there has been a renewed interest and effort in addressing our worship on Sundays to God not just about God.  Songwriters have blessed the Church with an abundance of songs that can double as our prayers throughout the week… I can recall many tear-filled drives as I sang full-throated worship in the car, singing Restore My Soul, Lord I need You, Jesus Thank You, and many more. 
 
Some time ago I heard Paul Tripp speaking on Colossians 3 as it related to Worship.  As I listened to the message that day I was reminded that God has designed our worship together with a two-fold purpose.  We direct our worship vertically up to our living, redeemer God but we also sing across the aisle to one another: reminding, encouraging, at times even correcting one another as we have gathered (Hebrews 10:19-25).  It is not only in our fellowship, but in our Worship that we are continually moved along in our process of Sanctification – the process of becoming more like Jesus.
 
“Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” -Colossians 3:16 (CSB)
 
As we worshipped this past Sunday, many of you commented that one or more of the songs spoke directly to you and your situations.  This is a significant part of why we sing the songs we do… we sing both to God and to one another so that we orient our hearts and minds on Him and to encourage one another as go from Day to Day.  As we look at the approaching Sunday, I encourage you to remember that we aren’t preparing for the Gospel message by singing together… we preach the Gospel to one another in our songs.  Don’t miss out on the opportunity to bless one another as we “spur one another on” to a life that is truly changed by the power of the Gospel!
 
For His Glory,
-Pastor Zach