Act of Worship

The greatest opposition to right worship is idolatry. While idolatry, in most people’s minds, consists of an indigenous tribe worshiping a statue (and certainly, that is idolatry), the practice lands closer to the home of the heart than people comprehend. In the Bible there is no more serious charge than that of idolatry. Idolatry called for the strictest punishment, elicited the most disdainful p...

Christianity is unique not only in the fact that believers worship a living God but also that he is a triune God. Furthermore, he is a triune God who works among his people in a triune manner (i.e. three distinct persons in three distinct roles). God’s people then respond to his triune work in both Christian life and Christian worship. “Before religion can be known as a sweet communion, it must be...

The church is a singular body designed by God to exist in union or in covenant with him. Covenant is thematic throughout the story of Scripture and reoccurs throughout the narrative. While Satan tries to thwart God’s plan of redemptive covenant throughout the Bible, it becomes apparent that God turns dire situations into circumstances that glorify himself (Gen 50:20). Creation is meant to glorify...

The subject of worship seems to be one of the most debated topics in churches in recent decades. I boldly suggest that such debates center around a misunderstanding of worship. In response, the church must rediscover the nature and essence of worship from a biblical perspective. Incorrect language has perpetuated a false understanding of worship and, thus, continues to be (often unknowingly) taugh...

Finally, in this section of text dealing with the family, the Apostle Paul gives instructions to children. Nonetheless, he does not negate the responsibility of parents in his instructions, for parents hold great responsibility in the development (especially the spiritual development) of children. A godly picture of the family includes all parties in the unit, which surely comprises children. Whil...

In the second part of this series on marriage, Paul’s address to husbands will be examined. Appropriately, as the head of the family, husbands are devoted a greater portion of the text since certainly, the husband holds a greater level of accountability. Paul’s instructions here point to the husband’s role as a leader but as a leader who imitates Christ and, thus, leads through serving, for this i...

The late Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist, Billy Graham, was once approached and asked if she or her husband had ever thought about divorce. She responded with, “Divorce? No. Murder? Yes.” [1] Marriage is a relationship based on a principle as simple as submission but convoluted by unsatisfied humanity, which is why it only works when true satisfaction is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Marria...

A growing concern in Christian society is that of divorce and remarriage. Certainly, the fundamental instruction concerning the matter is Holy Scripture. While any orthodox believer would claim the Bible as the fundamental guide to their individual and collective (in the life of the church) lives, biblical interpretations concerning divorce and remarriage vary. Moreover, anecdotally, perspectives...

In this episode, Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones interviews Stephen and Leann Abbott, music missionaries to Albertville, France. to find more information about Stephen and Leann, search for France Music Ministry on Facebook or visit their website at www.relevmusic.com. The Abbotts also have music available wherever music is streaming.

Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones give commentary on his hymn, "Above the Heav'ns' Celestial Span"

In areas of theological discourse between various Christian traditions, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper perhaps hold some of the most disparate approaches. While non-Baptist traditions frequently utilize the term, “sacrament,’ to refer to Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, contemporary Baptist traditions usually employ ordinance. Differences of view regularly regard what is believed to occur during the...

Acts of worship come in manifold forms. I continually teach that worship and music are not synonymous; yet, the individual nuances that comprise the act of worship are numerous and multifarious. One such apparatus that fosters worship is difficulty. Difficulty, however, does not automatically equate to worship; it is the response to difficulty that has the potential to result in worship. When pers...

            Worship ministry is often associated with music. Although worship is not synonymous with music, there should be no denying that music is assuredly a strong part of worship, particularly in a corporate sense. Further, the connection between music (or the arts in the broadest sense) and human emotion holds a formidable tie. In fact, I would contend that the...

            While Christian worship is surely trinitarian, it is also christocentric. One may question how both may be true; yet, considering Christ’s complete work in Christian life, an acknowledgement of the christocentricity of Christian worship becomes apparent. Subconsciously, perhaps, many people consider God solely as the Father without realizing the co-equal n...

            The coming May 9 is Ascension Day in the Christian Calendar; the following Sunday, May 12, is considered Ascension Sunday. While such a day is often not recognized in evangelical traditions and particularly in American free church traditions, it is a vital experience that occurred in the life of Christ; thus, it is important for Christians to recognize and...

Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones give commentary on his hymn, "Love Is My Song"

            Matthew’s Gospel teaches that Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Surely, the law could not be abolished so it had to be fulfilled; yet, the only one able to fulfill it was Jesus Christ. Anyone who has been a Christian for any significant length of time has likely had discussions as to what Jesus’ fulfillment of the law implies and even re...

Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones give commentary on his hymn, "My God Who Charges Mountains Stand"

            The Apostle Paul contends, “ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Cor 10:5) in his second letter to the Church at Corinth. In context, Paul was defending his ministry against false prophets by highlighting the difference between worldly wisdom and the...

Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones gives commentary on his hymn, "Oh, Lord, Who Calms Tumultuous Seas"

Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones gives commentary on his hymn, "Thou, the Nations' Great Desire"

            As a worship leader, discussions of the balance between preparation and spontaneity often arise. Inevitably, I hear arguments for spontaneity over preparation usually because it feels better or is cooler and less rigid. Further, a problem arises when the Holy Spirit is solely linked to spontaneity. God the Spirit, however, commonly uses planning, especiall...

Advent begins this coming Sunday. Advent is the beginning of the Christian annual calendar, not the end. The word, Advent, comes from the Latin adventus , meaning coming. It is a crucial time of remembrance, observation, and reality in the liturgical calendar. Advent represents a cycle of light present in a dark world. The season is not synonymous with Christmas, as some might think; yet, Advent p...

When someone who professes to be a follower of Christ sins in a big way, it is often shocking. Often, such sins are public and hold the eyes of others including those who are not Christians. How such circumstances are handled, however, often does not reflect the response demanded in Scripture. When Christians sin big, there is a proper way Christians should respond. How Christians should handle th...

The book of John discusses the person and divinity of Jesus perhaps more than any other Gospel. A concept derived from John’s text is the fullness of Christ. “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Such a concept should be carefully considered, as it holds eternal implications for believers. The most common interpretation of this verse reasons that gra...