Now To Him: Putting Christ back at the centre of our worship

by Simon C. Ponsonby, J. John

The authors, a theologian and a worship leader, are concerned that modern worship is growing self-indulgent: more about performance, less about an encounter with the divine. They consider what the Bible teaches about worship, addressing four key concerns: Worship as entertainment; worship which lacks wonder and awe; worship as irrelevant to mission; worship which gratifies the worshipper rather than honouring the Almighty. The authors each contribute six chapters, looking at biblical aspects of worship. They tackle worship and holiness; worship with passion; worship and the danger of idolatry. How, they ask, can we rediscover the mystery of an encounter with God, in corporate worship? How can leaders open themselves and their congregations to the heart of God, releasing his presence and power? How should we craft the unique dynamic of a people gathered to sing to God?

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2011

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an AMAZING book! If ever a man was ordained to preach the Bible, Simon Ponsonby is it! The book is broken up into chapters where Neil Bennets and Simon Ponsonby author specific chapters. The entire book is about putting Christ back at the center of worship. Here are some excerpts:

"Many people are quick to sing on Sunday and sin on Monday. But 'worship' is our 'walk' with God. Whatever we do, we do as unto the Lord. Whenever we step out in faith or sacrifice the flesh, we are worshipping - offering ourselves as a sacrifice to God"

"We worship at God's footstool, we worship at His feet, we acknowledge our dependence and creatureliness, we humble ourselves and we honor God. But even as we humble ourselves before God, we are also aware that we meet Him as the beloved before our divine lover"

With respect ot how easy it is to be distracted in prayer,John Donne is quoted,"I throw myself down in my chamber, and I call in and invite god and his angels thither, and when they are there, I neglect god and his angels for the noise of a fly, for the rattling of a coach, for the whining of a door".

"The most important thing we must grasp is that worship is about giving to God - it's for His benefit, not ours".

"When we praise God, God draws near. Worship woos Him, it intensifies His presence, making more of the God who is with us; and when God is present, He is present in power and glory".

This is just a very small sampling. The book is full of great stories and explainations of scripure and guidance to help you have a healthy worship life and truly understand worship for what it is and what it is intended to be in our lives.