"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship" ~ Romans 12:1

While music can beautifully express worship, it does not define worship. Music is only one aspect. A more definitive term associated with worship is obedience, Romans 12:1. Worship is primarily a biblical and theological issue. Why? Because it's about God, His character, what He's done, and what He has said in His Word! We long for young adults to grasp this truth: "Worship is so not about us... It's about the most holy God and His radiant glory!"  If worship is about ascribing to an infinite God that which He is worthy of receiving then our worship must be far more encompassing than what we do during a set of music.  As the hymn writer put it, God  "...demands my soul, my life, my all!"

There is something about music that stirs the hearts of people. This is especially true among young adults. There seems to exist this mysterious tie between music and the identity of young adults. There is something about certain tunes, certain rhythmic beats, certain sounds that have a seemingly magical way of stirring up young people, isn’t there?

When it comes to music in the church, there should be something more than the music itself that stirs us. Whether it’s a classic hymn of the faith or a contemporary praise song, we need to ask ourselves the question, “Do the lyrics of this song glorify, magnify, and bring honor to One who deserves all praise?”

Musical instruments and arrangements will change from era to era, but what Christians should never lose sight of are the lyrics. We strongly believe music intended for worship is music that causes deep reflection on the God of the Scriptures. Church people singing a catchy tune isn't worth much if the lyrics of the song and the under-girding mindset of the singer is man-centered.

It's been said, "If the lyrics are fittingly romantic for your girlfriend, they're probably not fit to address the holy God of the universe."

In Matthew 15, Jesus quotes Isaiah 29 and says: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me..."

And then our Lord said in John 4: "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Our goal in the young adult ministry is to see music as a means to declare the glory of our great God. Our desire to accomplish this is through music that exalts a right view of God, is Scripturally sound, and moves us toward God-glroifying obedience, so as not to "worship in vain." God-centered music and musicians whose lives reflect a God-entranced view are imperative for biblical music and worship.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! For the glory of God alone!

To get more information, contact James Beery, or feel free to check out our website: http://rbcyams.com/

For more on our philosophy of  Music and Worship, check out Pastor Paul's thoughts on music in the Publications section on this page

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