The Worship Leader Within
Lisa Cooke
Philippians 3:3
“For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
Romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Worship leading is a vital position in most churches today. A lot of emphasis is put on the best sound, the current look, the most engaging personalities, all for the purpose of leading the congregation successfully into the portion of the service we call worship. There are lots of opinions out there as to whether this is a good thing or a bad thing and I’m sure sometimes it is good and sometimes it is bad. There does seem to be a lot of “catering to the flesh” in this realm of church life and that can be problematic if not managed well. Most pastors I know want the best for their congregations. They will work hard to provide a pleasant and appealing worship experience for their people.
But I have wondered if we are making a mistake in putting so much pressure on the natural aspects of worship and not enough emphasis on the beautiful spiritual facets of worshiping our God?
Through the gift of God, we have the sacred privilege of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within our regenerated spirit. We are the temple of God and His Spirit dwells in us. As a temple, there ought to be constant worship occurring, and who is better to lead that worship than the Holy Spirit who knows the heart of the Father? Do the people know that the Holy Spirit within them wants to lead them in worship that pleases God? Do they know how to follow the Holy Spirit in this way?
Andrew Murray said in his book The Spirit of Christ, “Regard thyself with deep reverence as God’s holy temple.” I think that deep reverence is what many of us are missing because we consider ourselves according to the flesh instead of the Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, He equips us to be able to worship God in Spirit and in truth. We truly can worship God acceptably when we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
This worship will transcend singing and lead us into obedience, sacrifice, honor, and many other worthy ways of worship. Our very lives will become outwardly worshipful as we inwardly follow the Worship Leader, the Holy Spirit.
When we do come together as a congregation, the worship portion of the service will take on a deeper richness that reflects each individual’s devotion to the Lord, developed throughout the week as they daily follow the Holy Spirit in worship.
- Teach the people to present their bodies to God.
Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” - Teach the people that they truly are in the Spirit by the work of Christ.
Romans 8:9
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
- Teach people that they can know the truth by the Holy Spirit in order to worship in Spirit and truth.
1 John 2:20
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (NIV)”
John 4:23-24
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him much worship in spirit and in truth.
