When Worship Music Ain't Worship | 1 Timothy 3:16

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. — 1 Timothy 3:16 So I read several commentaries related to this text. And all of them make remarks about the chiastic structure and the theological underpinnings of this text — which are important. But instead of chasing that academic approach today, I want to get right to some real-time application. I think it is super interesting that Paul uses a song to address untruth. He uses a song, like a worship song, to right wrong theology and then to set up an attack on false teachers, which happens in chapter four. And the reason I find this so interesting is that it seems to me in the church today, we do the opposite. Rather than use songs to teach doctrine and worship the greatness of God, we leverage music to elicit a feeling from people. We lead the church in worship that doesn't really worship God. What these so-called worship songs do is sprinkle in bits and pieces of the truth, leaving openings for untruths that elicit feelings but don't worship God. Therefore many of the people participating feel as if they have worshipped, but it's all based on untruth. Then they leave church feeling close to God, but instead, they are not close to God. They are close to their good feelings and are now indoctrinated with untruths they have accepted as truth. But not Paul. He used a hymn to teach rich theological truths about Jesus, to worship God, and to attack untruths. So the next time you are sitting in church or listening to worship music, make sure you ask two questions about the song you are listening to: Who is this song to? (If it's to anyone but God, then maybe it's not worship to God) What is this song about? (If it's about anyone but God, then maybe it's not worship about God) Try it this week and see. Cause if you ain't worshipping God, then you are only worshipping yourself. ASK THIS: Are you worshipping God, or are you worshipping your feelings? DO THIS:  Listen to Christian music this week and ask those two questions. PRAY THIS: God, adjust my thoughts, actions, and speech to your truth. PLAY THIS: Truth I'm Standing On. Check out other all Vince Miller's videos and audios for small groups at: https://beresolute.org/ Get Vince's most widely read resources The Daily Devotional at: https://beresolute.org/mdd Check out more ALL IN products like the one Vince is wearing at: https://beresolute.org/product-category/all-in-hats/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with Vince socially: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/millervince INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vinceleemiller LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemiller TWITTER: https://twitter.com/vinceleemiller