Worship Team Devotional: Apologetics 3

The following is a short devotional that I wrote for my worship team at Standing Stones Community Church, in Phoenix, AZ. For previous blogs in this series: Apologetics 1, Apologetics 2. This specific post is summarized from portions of When Skeptics Ask: A Handbook on Christian Evidences by Norman Geisler and Ron Brooks (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1996).

Worship Team Devotional: Apologetics – Existence of God

September 24, 2015

What follows is a (very) brief summary of the traditional arguments for the existence of God.

Cosmological (argument from creation): This argument is based on the law of causality, which says that every limited thing is caused by something other than itself. Therefore, the universe, which is limited, must be caused by something other than itself. Some counter with the steady state theory: that the universe is eternal. Science, however, shows that the universe is running out of usable energy (i.e. second law of thermodynamics). Philosophically, it is impossible to pass through an infinite series of moments because you can never finish an infinite series of real things.

Teleological (argument from design): Watches imply watchmakers. Paintings imply artists. The greater the design, the greater the designer. Monkeys might type words, but they would never type Hamlet. A single DNA molecule has information the equivalent of one volume of an encyclopedia. Some may counter that this could have come about through random chance. Science, however, is based on repeated observation, not chance, so this counter is unscientific. In probability, the chances are a lot higher that there is a designer than that random chance produced the universe. One scientist places the odds for chance producing a single, one-celled animal at 1 in 10⁴⁰⁰⁰⁰. The universe is fine tuned for life on Earth, each fine tuning with its own unlikely ratio of probability if left to chance.

Axiological (argument from moral law): All humans are conscious of a moral law. Moral laws imply a lawgiver. Social conventions do not explain morals as there are certain values that all societies everywhere consider wrong, like murder and rape. If they claim the morals are subjective, then they fall into a self-defeating argument, since they are making an objective value statement about morals even while stating that all value statements are subjective. Finally, consider that evolution through random chance can only explain what is, not what ought to be.

Ontological (argument from being): Whatever perfection can be attributed to a most perfect Being must be attributed to it. Necessary existence is part of what makes a perfect being perfect. If God exists, then he must be necessary.

Often you will notice that people behave like a God exists, even if they would never admit it. For example, normal, sane people believe that life is valuable, which is not something that random chance can ascribe to anything. Another example, people complain when their rights are trampled on, yet if we are all merely a conglomeration of cells produced by random chance, then we have no intellectual basis by which to talk about rights. I can’t reasonably complain if someone wrongs me because the concept of “wrong” doesn’t exist. Random chance can only explain what is, not prescribe what should be. It cannot ascribe value.

Challenge:

This week, pay close attention to those around you to see if what they say they believe about God’s existence actually matches their actions (see above paragraph). If you decide to share these arguments with this person, remember to do so with humility, love and respect.

Worship Team Devotional: Apologetics 1

The following is a short devotional that I wrote for my worship team at Standing Stones Community Church, in Phoenix, AZ. I publish this here in hopes that it will be helpful for others:

As a worship team, it is important that we all understand what we believe and share it with others. For the next few months, we are going to focus in on Christian apologetics. “Apologetics” is a reasoned defense of something, so Christian apologetics is a reasoned defense of Christianity. But before we can begin with rationale arguments for the tenets of our faith, we must lay some groundwork.

Peter wrote the following to Christians suffering at the hands of persecutors: “Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:14b-15).

Notice that he exhorts them to share with “gentleness and respect.” We need to truly love and cherish those with whom we share, regardless of how they may act toward us. For some reason, talking religion and politics can bring out the worst in people. Emotions can start to boil up, and a friendly debate can easily degrade into a full on brawl. However, if you truly love someone, then you will want to share in a way that will actually help the person. Calling them an idiot is probably not going to help. 😉 As a first step, then, I believe we must pray both for our unbelieving friends and family and for ourselves, that we would grow in true love.

A second step is to seek God’s wisdom to discern what blinders need to be lifted in a person’s life. The Holy Spirit can use many tools to do this, and often, he uses people as part of his process. So what are some biblical examples of addressing these blinders? (The following is summarized from a portion of my dad’s Sunday school notes: Dr. Charles Rasmussen, taught 8/30/15.)

• King Nebuchadnezzar believed in the gods of Babylon and believed that they communicated to him through dreams. God, therefore, spoke to him through dreams and then prompted Daniel, a Jewish exile living in Babylon, to interpret them. (Daniel 2)
• Some Corinthians were causing confusion among the young believers by questioning the resurrection with naturalistic arguments. Paul responds with a reasoned argument (1 Corinthians 15:36-38).

Notice that the approach was different based on the audience: Nebuchadnezzar didn’t need a reasoned argument but the Corinthians did. For some people, loving actions are far more powerful than the Kalom argument for the existence of God. Yet others need words and rationale evidence. Others need to see changed lives. Others need to experience God’s love. Others are blinded by their love of sin. We know from Romans 1:18-20 that God has made himself clearly evident to all people but that people suppress the truth by unrighteousness. Our goal, then, is to let the Holy Spirit use us to help people see this truth once again.

Next week, we will dive into apologetics, looking specifically at God as creator. But for this week, here are your challenges:

1. Pray for those around you, and ask God to help you address their blinders. 
2. Find tangible ways to show lovingkindness to others. In other words, let your life be a light to others. 

Worship Team Devotional: “Excellence Vs Perfectionism” from “Heart of the Artist” Part 2

I prepared this short devotional outline for my worship team at Standing Stones Community Church in Phoenix, AZ. The following is a summary of some key points in the second half of chapter four, “Excellence Vs Perfectionism” of Rory Noland’s Heart of the Artist. Click the following links to read my devotional outlines for the book’s introduction, chapter one, chapter two, chapter three, and chapter four part 1. 

Last week, I went through the half of the chapter addressing perfectionism. This week, I’ll focus on excellence. Noland points out that excellence is “doing the best you can with what you have.” This means that the final product by a hard working beginner can still be excellent, even if it is not at the same level as a professional. With this in mind, here are ways to pursue excellence, no matter where your current skills lie.

1. Develop your skills: 1 Chronicles 25 lists a group of musicians for the temple and states that they were all trained and skillful. A note that it also states that teachers and pupils made up this group, so being “trained and skillful” doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re already a master teacher. Psalm 33:3 tells the string players to “play skillfully.” How do you do this? Expose yourself to quality art. Between work, school, and family, you may not be able to put in as much time as you’d like, but take the time you do have and keep moving forward in your skills. Consider taking private lessons on your instrument. Surround yourself with musicians who can give you good tips along the way.
2. Give God your best: In 2 Samuel 24:24, we have a picture of David’s heart. A man named Araunah offers to give the land and supplies that David would need to offer a sacrifice, but David refuses it, saying that he will not offer the Lord that which costs him nothing. Our music may be beautiful, but if it costs us nothing, then it is not a true sacrifice. A note from Noland for perfectionists: remember that “your best” is a moving target; keep aiming for excellence and this target will also keep moving forward.
3. Be creative and original: Psalm 33:3 and many other verses tell us to sing a new song. Why? This is a way to interact with what God does for us. It is a testimony to the unique things God is doing in your life and the life of those in the church. You can’t write songs, you say? My toddler Lucy can’t say more than a few words, but I’ve heard her make up songs. This is proof to me that all of us can “sing a new song” to the Lord, even if it isn’t ready for any sort of public debut. Now, if you happen to be skilled at songwriting, then by all means share it so that the whole congregation can be edified.
4. Effective communication: Keep in mind that the point of all of our efforts is in the message. This means that we can only reach people if we are effective communicators. Think about how you present yourself on stage. Are you stiff or focused only on the music? Your body is always communicating something, even if you’re not playing or singing. Have your music learned well enough that you can look up and engage the rest of the congregation. If you’re not playing during a section, consider taking the opportunity to raise your hands up to God in prayer.
5. Spiritual preparation: This goes hand in hand with effective communication. You can’t lead others in worship if you aren’t worshiping. Consider using your devotional time during the week to reflect on the lyrics of the songs in the set. Ask God to prepare your heart so that you enter service Sunday morning with your cup full. If you arrive with your cup overflowing, then you’ll be able to be a blessing to those whose cups are empty. Remember that unconfessed sin has a direct affect on your prayers (Psalm 66:18).

As Noland points out, perfectionism has a tendency to work against excellence because our focus gets in the way. I’ve personally observed musicians who kept taking chances, something that a perfectionist would never do, and this brought about true skill and excellence. So with this in mind, let us continually strive to improve our skills, even as we guard against perfectionism.

Worship Team Devotional: “Proven Character,” from “Heart of the Artist”

This is my second short devotional based on Rory Noland’s Heart of the Artist, as prepared for my worship team at Standing Stones Community Church in Phoenix, AZ. The following is based on chapter one, “Proven Character.” For my devotional based on the book’s introduction, click here!

Spiritually mature, skilled artists: Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God, was talented in the visual arts, and knew how to teach and mentor others in his craft. God chose him to work on the Tabernacle, the very place where God would make known His presence to His people, the Israelites. (See Exodus 35:30-35.) What an honor! Bezalel paints the standard: creative types in the church should strive for both artistic skill and good character.

Integrity: Who are you when no one is looking? Has hypocrisy entered your life? Does your outward image on Sunday mornings match your inner life? As a leader through your music in the church, you should set an “example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Good character is not just a requirement for pastors and teachers but for all who serve in the church. Even early church servants selected to wait tables were required to be of “good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3).

How? We build character as we persevere through trials. Romans 5:3b-4: “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” When you receive constructive criticism, when someone steps on your feelings, when you’re called to put someone else before yourself, or when you are tempted by perfectionism – these are all tests of your character. Success in these small tests breeds success when the larger trials of life come. When a person comes to believe in Christ, God sends His Spirit to mold us into the image of Christ. Evidence that you have the Spirit is that you portray the fruits of the Spirit in ever increasing measure (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control [Galatians 5:22-23]). Having the Spirit does not mean that full character development into the image of Christ will be easy or instant; it just means it will be possible. It will involve daily dying to yourself and following Christ (Luke 9:23). It is typically slow and painful but oh so worth it!

Step 1: Taking Inventory

Ask the Holy Spirit to convict your heart of sin areas in your life. This list below can be a guide:

• Servanthood: Do you put the needs of others ahead of your own?
• Teamwork: How are you at resolving relational conflict in your life?
• Perfectionism: Do you understand the difference between excellence and perfectionism? Are you overcome with self-criticism when you make a mistake?
• Defensiveness: How do you respond to constructive criticism? Do people feel that they must walk on eggshells around you?
• Jealousy and envy: How do you react when others have more talent or success than you?
• Managing Your Emotions: Are you ever controlled by your emotions? Do people say that you’re too negative or moody?
• Sin: Are there any ongoing sins or bad habits in your life? Is there a sin that you’ve redefined as “not sin”? Have you believed the lies of the world in redefining morality?
• Spiritual Disciplines: Do you have a regular quiet time (i.e. Bible study, prayer, meditation)? How is your relationship with the Lord these days?

Step 2: Take Action

• Find an accountability partner as you move forward in addressing sin in your life. This doesn’t have to be time consuming. A quick call once a week can go a long way in motivating each other to stick to the course. But this is important! Don’t wait until tomorrow; do it now!
• Choose a verse or two to memorize to help you through temptation. Need a suggestion? Try 1 Corinthians 10:13.
• Make a plan with a specific place and time for your daily Bible study and prayer. You won’t get far in tackling temptation without these things!

Worship Team Devotional: Introduction to “Heart of the Artist”

The following is based on the introduction to Rory Noland’s Heart of the Artist. I prepared this as a five minute devotional for my worship team at Standing Stones Community Church in Phoenix, AZ, but I hope that others may find it beneficial, too. 

But then, no artist is normal; if he were, he wouldn’t be an artist. Normal men don’t create works of art. They eat, sleep, hold down routine jobs, and die. You are hypersensitive to life and nature; that’s why you are able to interpret for the rest of us. But if you are not careful, that very hypersensitiveness will lead you to your destruction. The strain of it breaks every artist in time. Irving Stone, Lust for Life

Often, artistic types are looked at as moody, irresponsible and overly sensitive. We seem to think that the more eccentric an artist, the more of a genius he must be. Many churches struggle with the question of whether to have excellent musicians with questionable morals or mediocre musicians with Christ-like righteousness. Let’s commit to excelling musically and spiritually.

As motivation, consider the importance of the arts to God. (This list is not exhaustive!)

• Poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
• Visual Arts: Bezalel and Oholiab created beautiful works of art for the tabernacle. Solomon did the same for the temple (Exodus 31:2-6).
• Dance: Miriam, a prophetess and Moses’ sister, danced in praise after the miracle at the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20). David danced before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14-15) and includes dancing in the Psalms (Psalm 150:4).
• Music: The Book of Psalms is a collection of music used in worship. Also, we have many examples of singers and instrumentalists using their gifts to praise God (1 Chronicles 15:16, 2 Chronicles 35:15, and Psalm 68:24-25, just to name a few)
• Drama and storytelling: Ezekiel the prophet used drama to communicate God’s message (Ezekiel 4-5). Jesus used the power of a story many times through His parables (Matthew 22:1-14, Luke 15:11-32, and many others).

Church music is not just a stepping stone for musicians wanting to get into the Christian music industry, complete with record deals and radio time; church music has significant eternal value in and of itself! Here are a few purposes of the arts in the church:

• Worship: As we sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19), we give glory and honor to the very One who saves our souls. What a privilege!
• Evangelism: An unbeliever who enters our worship can be edified by meaningful words used in services. (1 Corinthians 14:23-25) The arts can help break down barriers where mere words fall short, not in a manipulative way but in an authentic, holistic way.
• Encouragement: The Psalms address the many variety of needs among humanity. Whether we come in need of admonishing or comfort or whether we need to rejoice or mourn, we can and should do so in unity with those in the church.
• Celebration: Many times in the Old Testament, God calls His people to remember through celebration. Celebrations are perfect times to remember what God has done so that we don’t lose heart when trials come.

Application:

1. Evaluate your motivation for being on the team. Do you recognize the importance of what you are doing? If not, ask God to give you His eyes. Search His Scriptures for truth.
2. Do you see yourself as a victim of your artsy personality? Remember that God made you and can redeem every part of who you are for His kingdom if you let Him. For example, you can be sensitive with deep emotions without being controlled by your emotions.
3. Are you as committed to growing spiritually as you are to growing musically? Look at how you spend your time outside of work and school. Is communing with God a daily, even hourly, part of that?