True Worshipers By Kauflin Summary
In Kauflin’s “True Worshipers,” he explains the concept of worship from a Christian’s perspective. He talks about struggles, questions, and different ideas people have when they worship. He explains a deeper concept of the truth and theology about worship. The gospel should always be the foundation of our worship.
In chapter one, Kauflin talks about why “true worshipers matter” in the real world we live in. John 4:23 says, “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.” Worship is now a genre of music, but that is not what the word “worship” was intended to mean in the bible. Worship includes music along with praying, reading the bible, being in fellowship with other believers, and so on. When Jesus was telling the woman at the well of how we are to worship, he did not mention music once; that’s because it is not foundational. We need a foundation of worship in our lives before we can bring our music to God.
In chapter two, Kauflin talks about true worshipers receiving and our inability to worship on our own. 1 Corinthians …show more content…
4:7 says, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” When we worship, God comes first; he is the reason we worship. We are not able to worship on our own; we need the Holy Spirit to teach us how to worship and why we worship. It is amazing what God will show us when we allow him to reveal his presence in our worship.
In chapter three, Kauflin talks about true worshipers exalting God. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” It’s easy for us to worship in the “wrong direction,” referring to worshipping idols. That is why a better translation of the word “worship” is “exalt,” the meaning God intended worship to be. Exalting God is literally giving our lives to him, worshipping him with all that we are. We exalt God in our hearts with our thoughts, love, faith, gratefulness, and longing. We exalt God in our actions with our obedience, praise, speech, serving, and witness. When we live completely for Christ, we are always living the gospel.
In chapter four, Kauflin talks about true worshipers gathering in community. Hebrews 10:25 says, “…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” God intended for us to come together to worship. It brings unity to the body of believers when we participate in corporate worship. We are receiving the word together while we serve and care for each other in the church. God is glorified when we praise him as a church family rather than keeping our worship to ourselves.
In chapter five, Kauflin talks about true worshipers edifying and maturity. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says, “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all thing be done for building up.” God knew what he was doing when he made different parts of the body work together. God gave us all different gifts and callings so that we could work together for his glory. When we work together, we have to think of others and put their needs first. We have to serve others with the love God has shown us. When we work together, we do not put ourselves above others; we must help to build others up. For anyone to be built up, the gospel must be the foundation.
In chapter six, Kauflin talks about true worshippers singing music.
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” The first record of song in the bible is when the Israelites were singing praises to God for leading them out of Egypt. God gave them a reason to sing, as he continues to do today. If our worship is selfless, it is expressed out of thanks to God for all he has done for us. Singing is an encouragement to others of what God is doing in our lives. Singing is a tool we use to remember scripture. Singing is used for teaching and learning experiences. Singing expresses our emotions and unity with the church. God created singing for our benefit and for his
glory.
In chapter seven, Kauflin talks about true worshipers keep singing and perseverance. Psalm 71:14 says, “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” Whether we were given the gift of musical ability or not, we are called to sing and give thanks to God. It is a selfless act and comes more difficult to some than others. When it is uncomfortable, it is hard to follow God’s command. God does not pay attention to the genre or time period of the song, he listens for the heart behind it. He knows if you mean the words you say or if they are convicting you of a sin. If a song is being led that you do not theologically agree with, say a prayer to God that ties into the theme of the song; music is a prayer to God anyways.
In chapter eight, Kauflin talks about true worshipers encountering the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 14:25 says, “…the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” The presence of God never leaves us and we can never flee from it. When Jesus died and rose again, God gave us his Holy Spirit to live within us. He is omnipresent and makes himself known everywhere. We are to live completely dependent upon our faith of what God is capable of doing; we are to expect great things. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we are to be responsive and obedient to what he has to say. When we get to heaven, we will be in the very presence of our creator, and that is something we should long for.
In chapter nine, Kauflin talks about true worshipers anticipating eternity. Revelation 22:3-5 says, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” One day, we will get to spend eternity in heaven because this is what God has promised us. It is not that we deserve it, but because Jesus paid the price for us to spend eternity with him. We long for the day without sin, pain, or sorrow because we will be rejoicing forever with all of God’s children.
Bob Kauflin did a fantastic job at explaining and answering questions people often have on worship, although we will never fully comprehend the one we worship. We worship to give thanks to God for the unconditional love he has shown us. We obey his command to do this through congregational meeting and song. God knows our hearts and desires; he knows who or what we are truly worshiping.
In chapter one, Kauflin talks about why “true worshipers matter” in the real world we live in. John 4:23 says, “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.” Worship is now a genre of music, but that is not what the word “worship” was intended to mean in the bible. Worship includes music along with praying, reading the bible, being in fellowship with other believers, and so on. When Jesus was telling the woman at the well of how we are to worship, he did not mention music once; that’s because it is not foundational. We need a foundation of worship in our lives before we can bring our music to God.
In chapter two, Kauflin talks about true worshipers receiving and our inability to worship on our own. 1 Corinthians …show more content…
4:7 says, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” When we worship, God comes first; he is the reason we worship. We are not able to worship on our own; we need the Holy Spirit to teach us how to worship and why we worship. It is amazing what God will show us when we allow him to reveal his presence in our worship.
In chapter three, Kauflin talks about true worshipers exalting God. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” It’s easy for us to worship in the “wrong direction,” referring to worshipping idols. That is why a better translation of the word “worship” is “exalt,” the meaning God intended worship to be. Exalting God is literally giving our lives to him, worshipping him with all that we are. We exalt God in our hearts with our thoughts, love, faith, gratefulness, and longing. We exalt God in our actions with our obedience, praise, speech, serving, and witness. When we live completely for Christ, we are always living the gospel.
In chapter four, Kauflin talks about true worshipers gathering in community. Hebrews 10:25 says, “…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” God intended for us to come together to worship. It brings unity to the body of believers when we participate in corporate worship. We are receiving the word together while we serve and care for each other in the church. God is glorified when we praise him as a church family rather than keeping our worship to ourselves.
In chapter five, Kauflin talks about true worshipers edifying and maturity. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says, “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all thing be done for building up.” God knew what he was doing when he made different parts of the body work together. God gave us all different gifts and callings so that we could work together for his glory. When we work together, we have to think of others and put their needs first. We have to serve others with the love God has shown us. When we work together, we do not put ourselves above others; we must help to build others up. For anyone to be built up, the gospel must be the foundation.
In chapter six, Kauflin talks about true worshippers singing music.
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” The first record of song in the bible is when the Israelites were singing praises to God for leading them out of Egypt. God gave them a reason to sing, as he continues to do today. If our worship is selfless, it is expressed out of thanks to God for all he has done for us. Singing is an encouragement to others of what God is doing in our lives. Singing is a tool we use to remember scripture. Singing is used for teaching and learning experiences. Singing expresses our emotions and unity with the church. God created singing for our benefit and for his
glory.
In chapter seven, Kauflin talks about true worshipers keep singing and perseverance. Psalm 71:14 says, “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” Whether we were given the gift of musical ability or not, we are called to sing and give thanks to God. It is a selfless act and comes more difficult to some than others. When it is uncomfortable, it is hard to follow God’s command. God does not pay attention to the genre or time period of the song, he listens for the heart behind it. He knows if you mean the words you say or if they are convicting you of a sin. If a song is being led that you do not theologically agree with, say a prayer to God that ties into the theme of the song; music is a prayer to God anyways.
In chapter eight, Kauflin talks about true worshipers encountering the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 14:25 says, “…the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” The presence of God never leaves us and we can never flee from it. When Jesus died and rose again, God gave us his Holy Spirit to live within us. He is omnipresent and makes himself known everywhere. We are to live completely dependent upon our faith of what God is capable of doing; we are to expect great things. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we are to be responsive and obedient to what he has to say. When we get to heaven, we will be in the very presence of our creator, and that is something we should long for.
In chapter nine, Kauflin talks about true worshipers anticipating eternity. Revelation 22:3-5 says, “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” One day, we will get to spend eternity in heaven because this is what God has promised us. It is not that we deserve it, but because Jesus paid the price for us to spend eternity with him. We long for the day without sin, pain, or sorrow because we will be rejoicing forever with all of God’s children.
Bob Kauflin did a fantastic job at explaining and answering questions people often have on worship, although we will never fully comprehend the one we worship. We worship to give thanks to God for the unconditional love he has shown us. We obey his command to do this through congregational meeting and song. God knows our hearts and desires; he knows who or what we are truly worshiping.