Worship, Music, And The Great Commission

Jonathan Evans • Drummer • Planetshakers Church • Melbourne, Austrailia

Music is an amazing communicator of a message to different cultures. When Jesus walked the earth, He understood the power of communicating through the relevant vehicle. When He spoke to different groups, He communicated in a way they connected with and could relate to. When Jesus spoke to tax collectors He spoke about money. When He engaged with fishermen He spoke about fish.

Matthew 4:18 (NLT) “One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.”

Jesus spoke in stories and parables to paint pictures for the average person so that they could connect and relate to them.

The church needs to speak the language of the day to the generations that we are trying to reach… The language or method may change but the message should never change.

His method of communication was a vehicle for His mission. Jesus also had the power to change people’s lives. When confronted with people’s challenges in life, He had the power to see change. In other words, the power of God He operated backed up His mission.

This brings me to modern worship.

The style of our worship is all about bringing the mission of Jesus to every generation in the language they can connect with. Music is the thing that most people relate to. Daniel understood this- he spoke Babylonian to the people of Babylon; he spoke in the language of the day.

Youth Leaders Only, in its 38th year, helps youthworkers in thousands of churches be aware of the music their students are listening to, use all forms of music in their ministries, and equip their students to make wise choices about the music & media they have in their earbuds 9 hours every day. A membership costs less than the price of a pizza each month! The theme of the current YLO is “Missions And Service: Crossing Boundaries To Make A Difference.” Click here to get it!

The church needs to speak the language of the day to the generations that we are trying to reach.
Just a side note- Daniel didn’t defile himself in the culture. He spoke the language but didn’t become the culture. He prophesied into the culture. This is very important in relating to generations. The language or method may change but the message should never change. We can’t let worldly thinking infiltrate biblical values.

The Bible says the Word of God is powerful and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. The Bible also says to use the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. This is important because we need to make sure modern worship keeps equipping people with biblical lyrics and concepts to use in our daily lives so we can use the Word of God to destroy the works and lies of the devil. The Word of God in our mouths is powerful.

Worship is also a vehicle to evangelize. When we lift Jesus up it draws all men unto Him. When our message is understood through the method of speaking the language of the day, as we lift Jesus up it connects both Christians and non-Christians alike to the mission of Jesus to bring the Kingdom of God to earth.

These are the ingredients that all Christians need to realize and operate in: speak the language of the day, have the power of the Word of God operating in our lives to back up the message, and lift Jesus up… which are critical to reaching each generation to encounter and be a part of the mission of Jesus and the church.

Go and make disciples!