Act of Worship

Act of Worship

By Jonathan Michael JonesReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
Download on the App Store

Act of Worship episodes

  • Theology of Worship Part 4: Idolatry

    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 polemic, prompted the most extreme measures of avoidance and was
    regarded as the chief identifying characteristic of those who were
    the very antithesis of the people of God, namely the gentiles.[1]

    In Scripture, idolators were commanded to be executed (Exod

    32:25-29). The apparent conclusion then is that God takes idolatry seriously,
    for he is jealous of the worship of his people (Exod 34:14). Where anything or
    anyone else takes s greater level of attention than that of the triune God, he
    rightly demands that such a focus be severed.

    For Christians to severe the root of idolatry in their

    lives, however, it should be understood what is meant by idolatry. This
    chapter, thus, is meant to define idolatry and includes a call to action. There
    subsist manifold definitions of idolatry. Suffice it to say that an idol is
    love of the world.[2]
    Therefore, severing the root of idolatry requires the believer to live within
    the new nature found in Christ in such a manner that love of the world is
    virtually nonexistent. To improve individual worship, a daily process of dying
    to self and living to new life in Christ must permeate Christian lives. It is a
    war and indeed a war against the flesh.

    There are three aspects to understanding idolatry I would

    like to cover, which land close to the home of the human heart. Comprehending
    these truths of idolatry should aid in fighting it and severing its insidious
    root.


    [1] Brian S. Rosner, “The Concept of Idolatry,”

    Themelios, 24.3 (May 1999): 22.

    [2] John Piper, “What Is Idolatry?” Desiring

    God. August 19, 2014,
    https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-idolatry.

    29 min
  • Theology of Worship Part 3: The Essence of Christian Worship in the Triune God

    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 known as an answered summons.”[1]
    Worship is a call (by God) and a response (by his people). Still, such call and
    response are carried by triune work. The triune God, both as object and
    subject, is the essence of Christian worship. Worship both declares and
    embodies the triune love relationship between the members of the Godhead.
    Moreover, worship must realize the balance that exists in Christian life: the
    workings of the Trinity.


    [1] Franklin M. Segler, Christian Worship:

    Its Theology and Practice (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1967), 61.

    32 min
  • Theology of Worship Part 2: Worship in Creation and Covenant

    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 God, and humankind is meant to glorify God by worshipping
    him alone. The purpose of everyone’s existence is worship. Worship and creation
    and stalwartly linked in such a way that no one may escape their own dominating
    purpose of worship.

    29 min
  • Theology of Worship Part 1: Worship Defined

    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) taught and discussed in improper and exceedingly convoluted
    terms. Much must change if Christians desire to not only understand biblical
    worship but also change the narrative and practice to that which honors God. To
    do so, God’s people should appropriately define worship and then act in
    accordance with such a definition, which requires comprehending the what, who,
    when, and why of worship.

    32 min
  • As to the Lord Part 4: The Submission of Children to Parents and Parents to God (Ephesians 6:1-4)

    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. While various ideas exist concerning the age
    Paul had in mind here, suffice it to say that a child may be considered one for
    whom a parent is responsible morally, ethically, and legally. Could that appear
    differently between cultures, societies, and contexts? Yes. Thus, each parent
    must determine those for whom they are responsible in such a manner and apply
    this text to those people.

    Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:1-4 are positioned around

    obedience and honor with an overarching theme of doing what is right. The
    rightness of such attitudes is what constitutes behavior (i.e. Christians obey
    and honor God because it is right irrespective of personal feelings or
    sentiments). Furthermore, the God-ordained family structure is dependent on
    parents and children doing what is right in a broad sense: namely submitting to
    God by submitting to one another. A key difference in parental submission and the
    submission of children, however, is that the role of a child includes obedience
    to his or her parents. Adults do not necessarily have such a charge in every
    context.[1] From the
    text, three truths may be gleaned concerning children.

    1.     

    The motivation for obedience is the fact that it
    is right;

    2.     

    honor is a primary commandment concerning
    children toward their parents; and

    3.     

    authority brings up, not down.

    These factors should
    offer a supreme example to families as to how children and parents should
    interact with one another in a godly manner.

    [1]

    This statement is meant to imply that obedience is not sometimes necessary for
    adults (e.g. adults should obey their employers and legal authorities).

    39 min
  • As to the Lord Part 3: The Servant Leadership of Husbands (Ephesians 5:25-33)

    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 is how Christ led his people in his earthly ministry.

    Paul’s instructions are explicit: the husband is to love

    his wife as Christ loves the church. The implicit idea is that Christ gave all
    for his bride and left nothing in doing so: he gave his life. The husband’s
    leadership is imperative to any successful marriage. As such, the husband
    should carefully consider what it means to 1) submit to God and 2) lead his
    family through serving as Christ has modeled. Paul submits that marriage is a
    mystery, for the union portrays Christ and the church. The husband then should
    seek to imitate Christ in how he handles his marriage. In Ephesians 5:25-33,
    three conclusions may be drawn from the text that revolve around the husband’s
    role as a servant leader.

    1.     

    Christ is the ultimate model for husbands;

    2.     

    as the church is one with Christ, the wife is
    one with her husband; and

    3.     

    the mystery of marriage is led by the husband.

    These truths resonate in a godly

    marriage, which is precisely that for which husbands should strive.

    34 min
  • As to the Lord Part 2: The Submission of Wives (Ephesians 5:21-24)

    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. Marriage is submission. Where submission is not
    present is not only a failed marriage but a marriage that does not do what it
    should: display a picture of Christ and his bride, the church.

    This series will be divided into three parts: 1) focusing

    on wives, 2) focusing on husbands, and 3) focusing on children and families and
    centering around the text in Ephesians 5:21-6:4. The common thread through the
    entire text is submission (first to God and then to each other). God has
    initiated a design for marriage that reflects his character, and it is not to
    be ignored, for doing so begs for failure. God-honoring marriages and families
    should conform to the instructions presented in Scripture.

    This portion of the series deals with wives. Although wives

    are addressed first in the text, most of Paul’s instructions are delivered to
    husbands. Any wives prone to offense by Paul’s address, therefore, should take
    comfort in the fact that his address to husbands soon follows. The charge to
    wives centers around submission. Submission, however, is not to be considered a
    negative term or inferior action, for it is necessary among all believers. For
    the wife, the responsibility in a marriage is to, yes, submit to the husband
    but first to God. Likewise, the wife’s submission to her husband presupposes
    the husband’s submission to God so that her best interest is considered. In the
    text considered today (Ephesians 5:21-24), three key essentials may be pulled from
    Paul’s words.

    1.     

    Gospel-family dynamics are founded upon
    submission to Christ;

    2.     

    the wife’s submission is subsequent to
    submission to Christ; and

    3.     

    the wife is a representation of the church.

    These three elements are crucial to

    understanding various roles in marriage and especially the role of the wife.


    [1] Catherine Klasne, “Divorce? No. Murder? Yes,” UWWM,

    n.d.,
    https://www.uww-adr.com/uncategorized/divorce-no-murder-yes#:~:text=The%20late%20Ruth%20Bell%20Graham,Murder%3F.

    36 min
  • As to the Lord Part 1: Divorce and Remarriage from a Biblical Perspective

    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 often shift throughout the course of one’s
    life depending on his or her own individual circumstances, which is indicative
    of misinterpretation or, at best, a self-centered hermeneutic. To approach all
    areas of life with Scripture as the primary guide is to conform to its
    standards no matter the situation or sentiments, which may be derived from it.

    In this paper, I will argue for two legitimate reasons for

    divorce: 1) adultery and 2) abandonment. Additionally, both cases should not be
    considered mandates or excuses to get out of a marriage but should be
    approached carefully and through the lens of the gospel. A summary of the five
    primary views on divorce and remarriage will be presented, ensuing an analysis
    of the Bible’s teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, which stems from
    the nature and essence of marriage itself: an earthly display of Christ and his
    bride, the church. The conclusion will then be supported that divorce is only
    allowed for two reasons and should not be sought with ease. Marriage is a
    picture of Christ and the church and should be held with such determination.
    Jesus offers his bride great mercy and grace. So also should spouses with each
    other.

    1 hr 1 min
  • Interview with Stephen and Leann Abbott
    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.
    52 min

About Act of Worship

From the publisher's feed

Dr. Jonathan Michael Jones' discussions of worship, theology, and culture