Seek Worship Band Devotions

Worship shapes us into the people God designed us to be. These devotions focus on the shape of worship, ten descriptions of a worshipper.

Transparency - part 4
Sometimes at the end of a well-crafted sermon full of vivid illustrations and emotional depth, there is no response from those who heard it. How can such wise and persuasive words have no effect on the hearts of the listener? It might be because there is more to preaching than words.

In the same way, there is more to leading worship than playing an instrument or singing a lyric. Read what Paul said regarding effective preaching, and apply it to leading worship:

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

When the power of the Holy Spirit was shown as the source of Paul’s preaching, hearts were touched, souls were saved, and lives were changed forever. Certainly there have been preachers along the years whose words were both wise and persuasive. But it is God’s Spirit who makes the message take effect.

In the same way, you can study music theory, memorize scales, mimic famous musicians, even play the top-ten songs. But if you hope for your ministry of leading worship to have any substance or power, it must find its source in the Spirit of God.

Be sure to notice the reason Paul stated for his source being the Spirit instead of human skill: so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Yes, you have wisdom and skill. Otherwise you would probably not be chosen as a leader. But don’t rely solely on these human strengths. Remember this: the test of your worship ministry will not be measured by your success, but by your failures. When your human strength fails, if God’s powerful Spirit is still demonstrated, then you can call your ministry a success.

Lord, give me strength beyond myself, even if it means taking my strength away. Make me skillful in your ways, even if it means losing my human skill. Establish your wisdom in my heart, and replace what I thought used to be so wise so that when others look at me, they can see past my human weakness and notice you instead.

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