Worship With Confession
Paul Clark, worship specialist with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, sends out a regular e-mail devotional/newsletter concerning worship in general and worship events across our state. Today's devotional thought centered on the place of confession in our worship and it spoke volumes to me. As a matter of fact, I am using it as the basis of a Bible study/exercise in our services tonight at church. Having received Paul's permission, I am reposting his e-mail devotional thoughts here, along with the worksheet I am using to help process these thoughts. Feel free to use them in your church or small-group setting. To begin receiving Paul's worship newsletter e-mail him and request it.
Paul's newsletter begins here:
The astute Dr. Allison Smith, who is the Worship Music Events Specialist at Lifeway, approached me last Sunday following worship where I am serving as interim music minister. She attends the church, had been in worship that morning and shared some affirming words about the service. She noted that I always seemed to include confession somewhere in the words of worship. I was moved by her comment, and inspired to be diligent in continuing a practice that has been burning as a fire in my soul. As part of any opportunity that I have to plan and facilitate worship in a local church setting I want to include those things that biblically, historically, spiritually, ecclesiastically (church) seem to be (and have been) called for in corporate worship.
One of those "things," those elements, those practices is the act of confession. We are in what should be one of the most confessional seasons of the year! How can we contemplate the cross and not also contemplate our sin? And it is not only our individual sins we should contemplate and subsequently confess to God, but the sins of our churches; the sins of our culture; the sins of our nation; the sins of the world. Don't misunderstand, we are not taking these sins upon ourselves. We are the worshiping Church! We are bringing these confessions before the Savior, Redeemer. "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." And we pray, "Lord, have mercy on us!" Kyrie eleison
As worship music leaders you have opportunity to help the worshipers confess. Look to the songs you sing. Is there confession? Consider:
"Prone to wonder, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for Thy courts above." (Come, Thou Fount)
"Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished" (How Deep the Father's Love)
"All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood" (When I Survey)
Of course, we also know that if we confess, "He is faithful to forgive." And so we also have opportunity to include another element of worship, the Assurance of Pardon for those who claim Jesus as Lord. Part of our worship is this priestly function, to declare His pardon!
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
.Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood." (Blessed Assurance)
"I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well, your Spirit lives within me
Because you died and rose again." (You Are My King/Amazing Love)
As worship planners and leaders you have the awesome privilege and responsibility to decide what words will help to form our worship on any given Sunday. Consider those things that need to be included every time you gather for worship. Let heaven hear the people sing the sweet song of salvation.
Below is the worksheet I created to use in Bible Study. We will use the choruses and look up the hymns, read them, process them, and make notes, Then share with the group.
Discussion: What place does confession have in our worship, corporate and private?
Consider the following choruses and hymns:
"Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished" (How Deep the Father's Love)
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (hymn #15)
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (hymn #144)
Just As I Am (hymn #307)
And we know that if we confess “He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). So forgiveness and the assurance of pardon should also be included in our worship.
Consider the following choruses and hymns:
"I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken
I'm accepted, you were condemned
I'm alive and well, your Spirit lives within me
Because you died and rose again." (You Are My King/Amazing Love)
Blessed Assurance (hymn #334)
Grace Greater Than Our Sin (hymn #329)
Jesus Paid It All (hymn #134)
