Words of Worth
Jubalatte Bible Study I
The Christian Performance
1.6 The Presentation
Presentation: the giving of something to someone, especially as part of a formal ceremony ~ Oxford Dictionary
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I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22
Ponder a Moment
Could a concert be compared to presenting a harvest banquet?
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How much preparation goes into the feast?
Tilling the ground, planting, watering, fertilizing, weeding, pruning, harvesting…
Planning the menu, gathering the ingredients, measuring, mixing, stewing, baking, roasting, filling the dishes, laying the table…
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How much preparation goes into a concert?
Long tones, scales, exercises, etudes, book 1, book 2, this sonata, that concerto, lessons, rehearsals…
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How much preparation goes into bearing fruit in Jesus Christ?
The good fruit we bear in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will come through the music we play.
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
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Scripture reading
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Read: Psalm 24
Read once, as if you were hearing David sing these words to his God.
Read again, imagining these words coming from the loudspeaker during the pre-concert announcements.
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For Discussion
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What in this psalm is applicable to a concert?
For example:
v.1- List every thing and every one who is in that concert venue. All belong to the Lord.
Does this realization affect your perspective?
v.3- Is the stage a holy place?
v.7- Do you (metaphorically) lift up your head when you lift up your instrument?
v.8- Is the King of Glory present?
Mind Flash
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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
Place yourself in Plato’s time. No iPhone, no recorded music, no blue jeans, no pizza, no violin, no piano, no trumpet… No worries for intonation, metronome, tone, reeds, wolfs, scratches, or squeaks.
Improvise with song. Sing to the Soul of the universe. Let your imagination fly. Sing with the life God gave you. (Better hide yourself in a cave first.)
Ponder a Moment
What’s in a bow?
(Not wood and horsehair, but bending the head or upper part of the body as a sign of respect or greeting.)
Applause is the audience saying “Thank you”. The bow is to simply reply, “You are welcome.”
(We will here disregard performers who mistake the definition of a bow as a sign of “Look at me. I am terrific!” Give these folks a dictionary.)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8
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Performance Etudes
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An artist may or may not have the intent to draw the viewer to God. Nevertheless, a sunset, or water lilies, or a stormy sea are from God and he reveals himself to us through art.
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Charles Turner 1774-1857
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Go to a concert or watch an online performance. Listen and watch with a mindset to hear and learn what the Lord is giving to you.
Performance Exercises
- Pray that the fruit of Christ’s life within you and the fruit of your labors are presented to others.
- Alone in your practice room, perform a concert for God. Know that he loves and accepts you.
- Give a concert for a friend or a family member. Express your love for them.
- Give a concert in a retirement home, or preschool, or homeless shelter, or on a street corner.
- Express God's love to you and through you.
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