In my study of worship I have noticed that worship is vocal; it is something we utter with our mouth. The same is true of one who is being saved.

The apostle Paul wrote, The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-13).

As it is with using our mouth in the confession of our faith in the Lord, so also is using our mouth in praise and worship a strong representation of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I would also think that vocalizing our worship helps us focus on the Lord, build up others and brings us into a personal level with the Lord Jesus Christ.

At home one week a friend of mine came to visit. I had urged him to bring his flute along so we could spend time together playing old hymns and choruses. My friend is almost totally deaf in both ears and has hearing aids. It is amazing that he can hear at all. We sat down and in turn picked songs that we liked and played for most of the night. The Lord was right there with us and it was amazing how it ministered to both of us at that time; bringing to life His word in our hearts.

So often we may choose songs that sound good and are popular for a church congregation. Why? My friend and I experienced the Lord teaching us through worship. As leaders we also need to keep in mind the value of teaching God’s word through songs and worship. This will give the Holy Spirit opportunity to minister to people.

Do we believe what we are singing? It has to be real in our lives first before we can minister to others. If we believe the words are true, they are in our hearts. When we sing them with our mouth it is then established in our lives and in turn strengthened by His truth. In teaching God’s word in singing we can have a greater understanding of who He is.

As worship leaders we can help people by ministering to them out of the presence of God not through our talents or gifts. When people see our hearts and our relationship with the Lord in worship, through His presence, it causes them to see God in us and therefore is an inspiration for them to seek Jesus. Their hearts may be turned and their lives given to Jesus Christ. By the renewing of their minds and experiencing the presence of the Lord in worship, they will be saved.

In this all glory goes to Jesus Christ. It is His Spirit and His presence that turns people’s hearts and changes their lives. From the commission to go seek and save the lost, people can find Jesus in worship.