Last year I gave a devotion on how to be a more effective worship leader, and the main point I made was this: If you are a worship leader, you are called to lead with ZEAL. Romans 12 specifically states, “the one who leads to lead with zeal.”  So what is zeal?  The definition of zeal is: Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.  What a great definition for Worship Leaders.  Great energy in pursuit of a cause, and what is our cause?  To worship God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to encourage others to join us! To put it plainly, IT IS A SIN TO MAKE GOD APPEAR BORING.  If you are a leader you have been charged to lead with ZEAL.  So what specific actions can we as worship leaders do to fulfill our charge?

HAVE A JOYOUS COUNTENANCE. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”  So when we lead others in worship we are looking to God, and it ought to reflect on our faces. We should not look somber. We ought to reflect the glory of God while we are worshipping Him. For some of us this means we ought to smile every once in a while. When you lead, are you thinking about your countenance? Are you thinking, “how do I appear to the people I am leading?” Let God’s glory show on your face.

Another way we can lead with zeal is by using physical expression in worship. The book of Romans instructs us to give our entire body as a living sacrifice. Psalm 33:3 says to SHOUT for joy, which means worship involves more than just singing. Singing isn’t the only way to worship God. There are a multitude of other physical expressions that are used throughout the Bible to worship Him. Among those are: raised hands, clapping, shouting, bowing, kneeling, standing in awe, and playing instruments. God gave us these expressions to help us portray what we feel in our hearts.

There are a lot of public places where it is perfectly accepted by society to express what is in your heart. If I go to a concert and hear a great band, I will clap after a fantastic solo.  If I go to an art gallery, I will stand in awe of the masterpiece before me.  If I go to a high school sporting event, I will shout encouragement to the athletes.  Why is the church the only place we feel awkward expressing what we feel in our hearts?  Bob Kauflin says:

“Our bodies naturally reflect what affects us.  I cringe when a glass of milk is about to be knocked over; I open my arms wide as my daughter runs to greet me; I jump up from the couch with my hands raised when my team scores the winning touchdown; I gratefully applaud unselfish acts of service; I cry when a friend’s child dies.  Is the church the only place where our bodies can’t express what our minds are comprehending and our hearts are feeling?

A good question to ask yourself is this: Is there any physical expression of worship that God has given us in Scripture that I’ve never displayed? If so, why? I can tell you why: most of the time it’s the fear of man.  We are terrified that if we express what is in our hearts, people will look at us differently.  They’ll say things like, “Why were they crying during worship?  I wonder what’s wrong?”  “What are they doing kneeling on the ground?  Are they some kind of weirdo?”  I know this is the reason because I’m a worship leader, and I struggle with thoughts like that.  If there is anyone who ought to be clapping, kneeling, bowing, and dancing it ought to be me, and you don’t see me do much of that do you?  Now, there is appropriateness to consider in each environment and culture.  For example, if I go dancing down the stage when the song begins, it might be hard for everyone else to sing with no leader (and while watching my crazy dance moves).  But at FCC I don’t think we struggle with distracting physical displays of worship. Praising God with physical expression can draw unbelievers to Christ.  Psalm 33:1 says “shout for joy in the Lord O you righteous!  Praise is becoming to the upright.”  It is becoming. One of the most effective forms of evangelism is observed worship.  You don’t have to sit down with a lost person and walk them through the salvation plan to affect others for Christ.  Just show up here and express what is happening in your heart when you worship God.  That’s the job of the worship leader. Our ultimate goal is to worship in such a way as to make Christ known as He is: Glorious.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Isn’t that your entire body?  Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice-this is your true and proper worship.  We all have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us.  If it is to serve, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to lead, then lead with ZEAL.  We should never let the fear of man keep us from expressing the joy we feel from worshipping the God who has saved us.

Here are some ideas for using appropriate physical expression from Bob.  He says:

As we sing “No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from his hand,” some might raise their hands to thank God that His plans to save us cannot be thwarted. As we sing, “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin, not in part but the whole, has been nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,” some might kneel in grateful adoration that ALL their sins have been paid for. After singing, “Crown Him ye kings with many crowns for He is King of all!” we might hear joyful acclamations of praise to the omnipotent, sovereign, reigning Savior.

What he is talking about is allowing your body to respond to the truths you are singing about.  Our bodies should respond to the words we are singing.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Sometimes I don’t feel excited when I worship God.  I don’t feel like raising my hands or clapping or even singing.”  Because honestly, sometimes we walk in here and we’ve just come off a rough week.

Here’s one last thought from Bob in case you are in a place where you don’t feel like worshipping God.

Even when my heart isn’t affected by what I’m singing, expressing my devotion to God bodily can stir up affection in my heart. I raise my hands because God IS worthy to be exalted. I kneel because I AM completely dependent on God for mercy, sustenance, and wisdom. My feet move for joy because my greatest problem – my sin against the holy God – has been solved through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

It doesn’t matter how we feel when we come to church. Feelings are deceptive and fickle.  One day we’re happy, the next day we’re sad. We gather each week to remind ourselves of the truth in spite of our feelings. God loves us; He is sovereign; He has a plan for our lives; and He has solved our greatest problem by forgiving our sin and allowing us to have a relationship with him.  We forget that when we go about our day to day activities so we come here to remind ourselves and each other of that truth.  You are all worship leaders.  You have been called to make God appear as He is: GLORIOUS.  Worship God with your heart, mind, soul, and your entire body because He is worthy

Categories: Paul Austin Uncategorized

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