Derek Thornton

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

Posts tagged worship

4 notes &

Regulative vs. Normative?

There are two ideas on how men can worship the Lord.

The Regulative Principle which basically says that nothing is allowed that is not commanded in scripture.

The Normative Principle that basically says that anything is allowed that is not forbidden by scripture.

In my opinion, the Regulative Principle can be too strict and relies far too much on OT laws, while NT worship is far less regulated. Also people that espouse this view usually exhibit very little tolerance with the opposing view.

On the other hand, people that follow the Normative Principle can tend to get a little overboard and not be as discerning as they should about what they allow in worship.

I admit towards leaning towards the Normative Principle far more.

That being said, I think there is a deeper question here that both sides forget.

Is the worship edifying?

Filed under regulative normative edification worship

49 notes &

The ultimate goal of theology isn’t knowledge, but worship. If our learning and knowledge of God do not lead to the joyful praise of God, we have failed. We learn only that we might laud, which is to say that theology without doxology is idolatry. The only theology worth studying is a theology that can be sung!
Sam Storms

Filed under Sam Storms quote worship

7 notes &

Psalm 150

Praise the LORD!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

     praise him in his mighty heavens!

Praise him for his mighty deeds;

     praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Praise him with trumpet sound;

     praise him with lute and harp!

Praise him with tambourine and dance;

     praise him with strings and pipe!

Praise him with sounding cymbals;

     praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

Praise the LORD!

(Psalm 150:1-4)

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And David danced before the LORD with all his might. 

(2 Samuel 6:14a ESV)

Filed under Dance praise worship psalm psalm 150 David

29 notes &

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Jesus-(John 4:23-24 ESV)

The Samaritans had spirit, but no truth in worship.

The Jews had truth, but no spirit in worship.

Everybody in the Body: The Assembly Part 2

Filed under Worship Spirit Truth God Father

6 notes &

Soli Deo Gloria: In reply to Derek

fivesolas:

derekthornton:

fivesolas:

“1 person esteems 1 day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The 1 who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord” - (Rom 14:5-6)

I agree, and see no inconsistency.

1. the context is not talking about any man…

I suggest this sermon series my pastor finished a month or so back on the matter of matters of indifference it applies to so much more than I ever thought and shows the right response to weaker brothers is always love. It also exposed some areas in my life that I thought I was the stronger brother in, but in fact I was the weaker brother.

Questions and Quarrels Part 1

Questions and Quarrels Part 2

Questions and Quarrels Part 3

I believe I have addressed what I needed to. Man made tradition for worship is not a valid argument for christian liberty. If that is so, then all sin is permissible for they have “weaker” faith. I still show my love in reproofing their error. Showing them that all days are the same.

This will be my last reply because I like to follow Titus 3:9.

It isn’t about reproofing their error (if indeed they are in error) or permitting sin. I can see you did not even listen to the sermons from your response. You need to read the rest of Rom 14 and 15 and consider what it means to “bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves”.

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

(Colossians 2:16-17 ESV)

It seems to me that this does refer to OT festivals and such, but the substance has already come. Hmm…the substance belongs to Christ and his life which fulfills these things was recorded for us in the four gospels. So shouldn’t it be permitted to worship the substance which is such a glorious story from birth, life, death, resurrection to ascension!

Can it be wrong to worship at any time the one who was born to die?

To take a stand that says basically that people are wrong to worship their Lord and Savior’s birth can not be right. He is worthy of worship at all times as the pagan wise men that came to visit Him recognized.

There is not a lot of instruction in the NT on worship compared to the OT, but that is on purpose because now those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. We are not given whole books of instruction on how to worship, it is left to us for the most part. For the birth of Christ we have chapters of Truth, and a spirit of joy at the thought of what God has done in sending His Son to die for us miserable sinners!

(Source: meditatiotheologica, via meditatiotheologica)

Filed under Christmas xmas Christ Jesus worship