This is my project for the Essentilas Blue Course.

I have found it difficult to condense all I’ve learned into a couple of verses of a song. However, there are two themes that have captured my thoughts – ‘Gods justice’ and the ‘Kingdom of God’.

The start of the song (Psalm 119:73) reminds me that my source is God. I am created by Him and am subject to His authority, therefore I serve Him. For some reason He also loves me. The combination of all these truths leave me with a longing to see His Kingdom in my life. I am also left with a longing for justice, to see wrongs made right which I know happen in His Kingdom.

As a worship leader my awareness of who I am in relation to God has been heightened by this course and makes me feel humble before Him. I also have a new confidence that in worship I become closer to what I was created to be.

Andrew

Song

let your kingdom come

“For: The Institute Of Contemporary And Emerging Worship Studies, St. Stephens University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt“

God is the creator of all things. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit ‘God is not the creation’ [1] and He is not a human being. He is above all things – bigger and better. All life, all physicality, all we see and touch originated from God. God has provided, and continues to provide all that we need.
We, human beings, are imago Dei, created in His image but because of our sin we are no longer like Him. We are created, yet are also creative but we are not creative like God. We are sub-creators; we reflect the creative nature of God but do not emulate it.

We cannot be God but we strive to be like Him. We are a fallen people separated from God by sin but God has allowed us back in through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. God delivered justice on Jesus to allow us to become what we are meant to be.

We have access to the presence of God through Jesus and we are His Kingdom on earth. The Kingdom of God is where His work is being done and where His power is manifest. Gods work can be done through us and His power manifest in us, therefore His Kingdom is expressed in the world by His people doing His work. When Gods people are living in obedience His Kingdom is present. In the church we see the Kingdom of God in our worship, our teaching, our prayers, our serving one another. Gods Kingdom is where healing and deliverance and peace are found. If these things are in the world, in our relationships or in our church then that is where the Kingdom of God is.

Our final destiny is eternal life (which isn’t final at all). We are already living eternal lives. The way we live now, however, is only a dim reflection of how we will live in heaven. “Earth and heaven were made to overlap with one another, not fitfully, mysteriously, and partially as they do at the moment, but completely, gloriously and utterly” [2]. This is where human history is going and, in its current form, is where it will end. Those who choose God as their King and accept his grace will live in this complete kingdom as true image bearers of the living God.

[1] Wilt, Dan: Essentials in Worship Theology: The nature of the human being p26
[2] N.T. Wright. Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense p.217

Week 3 of the course is almost over. I’m not quite sure how I’ve lasted this long ’cause it has pretty much consumed all of my spare time. I’m not complaining though, I’ve learned so much in just 3 short weeks and there’s still more to come.

 This week our subject was “Fully Human – What Does It Mean To Be A Human Being?”.

One of the areas we looked at was ‘what does it mean to be a relational being?’ I often hear people say that they don’t know their neighbours or “I only know them to say hello to”. To some degree I fit into this as I only have conversation with the next door neighbours on either side of me. I find an anomoly in this because I love to socialise and have a good chat yet I’m apprehensive when meeting new people.

God did not create us to be alone or to be self centred  and self sufficient. God wants us to be a community, sharing our lives, our experiences and being there for someone in need. Our relationships with others affect our relationship with God. How can we suppose to love God if we are neglectful of others.

Our relationship with God and others also affects our relationship with ourselves. If I was to say that I love myself I might be perceived as being full of myself. The truth is I do love myself, I have to. I am with me 24 hours a day. I decide what I wear, where I go, what I think. I also decide how I feel about myself. This doesn’t mean that I am self centred (I hope) but that I have self worth. I have two beautiful daughters and I tell them, constantly, that they are beautiful, wonderful people. I truly believe that they are and I want them to believe it too. This is how God looks on us as well. We are made righteous through Jesus – when God looks on us He loves us. I imagine God as a proud father looking at His children just as I look at mine.

If I am of worth to God then I have worth. The important thing is to accept that our worth comes from God and not of ourselves – no pride or selfish boasts. Can we really love God and others if we don’t love ourselves?
Maybe our relationship with self is more important than we might think.

All of my relationships have been brought into focus this week -  God, others and self. I cherish them more today than before. I hope they develop and deepen. I hope there is more to come.

God bless, Andrew.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need “- Matthew 6:33 NLT.

My week on the course has been shaped by the truth of the Kingdom of God and the truth that God is King.

The teaching I receive in my church regularly refers to the Kingdom of God, in fact I would be confident that there is a reference to this every week, and it has re-shaped my perception and experience of the power of His Kingdom in my everyday life.  Mark 1:14 states that “the Kingdom of God is at hand”. So where is the Kingdom of God and what is it all about?

You’ve got to open your mind a bit because I see the Kingdom of God being a non-physical entity. It isn’t an area of land. It doesn’t have borders. But it does have a King! Gods Kingdom is where His work is being done and where His power is manifest. As christians we have Christ in us, and through Him we have access to God, our King. When I talk like this it seems so far removed from the reality of everyday life but the reality is that the Kingdom of God is in everyday life if we submit to the power and authority of the King.

Imagine what the world would be like if Gods people truly lived in submission to His sovereignty. We often hear prayers requesting of God that His Kingdom be extended. Maybe the challenge is to extend Gods Kingdom in my own life, dedicate more time to His Word, ask God if He wants me do or say something in any given situation at any given time. I don’t know if I can change the world but I know that I can change my world by allowing God access to my heart and mind. Maybe then I will see the Kingdom of God extended in my life. If others are doing the same we may see the Kingdom of God change the world.

More next week.

God bless, Andrew

Th

What an eye opener this week has been. I’ve blogged for the first time (am I the last to join this strange new world), I’ve set up stuff on my laptop that I don’t even understand and have studied formally for the first time in twenty years. Other than that it’s been a pretty standard week!!

Currently, I am one hour and twenty minutes away from my Friday midnight deadline so I should cut out the blethering and get on with it.

I’ve just watched Dans’ video again ”The Rise Of  The Worship Artisan”. I’ve been leading worship in one guise or another for most of my adult life and I must confess that church history, even recent history, hasn’t been of huge interest to me. I actually now feel that I’ve missed out on something by always looking ahead, but never looking back. I love to worship using music and song. I love it even more when I am surrounded by Gods people lifting Him up with our voices, unfettered in our expression and basking in His presence.

I also know about Romans 12, that worship is a lifestyle, a sacrifice, a witness. I have tried to live by these truths and might even say that sometimes I have succeeded, although that is all to do with Gods grace.

Being a Worship Artisan will change me. Maybe it is more about attitude and perspective, I’m not sure yet. One thing is certain though – I must develop. Dan speaks of investment in theology, of understanding history, of being a craftsperson, of drawing on tradition and ancient skill sets. Ironically, all this old stuff sounds pretty new.

I love the picture of the Glory of God being a human being fully alive. God created us in His image so we are not made only to exist but to live, to be alive. If we are fully alive our lives will be full and rich. We will create and enjoy what others have created.

I am looking forward to the unpacking of the Worship Artisan to deepen my understanding of God and His purpose for me as a worship leader and as a human being.

Week one has been very interesting and at times complex (thinking of the computer stuff again). Roll on week two. I think!!

God bless, Andrew