City of Light Church
Sermon Notes: 8.10.2025 Worship
Speaker: Brian Mckee
Locations & Times
City of Light Church
6725 W Burleigh St, Milwaukee, WI 53210, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
In today's culture, many mainstream songs are not just catchy—they are spiritual gateways.
Some glorify murder, rebellion, lust, and witchcraft. Some include:
"Redrum" by 21 Savage(Trap / Hip-Hop, 2024) — Violent imagery and obsession with death, referencing horror symbolism and murder fantasies.
"Fuel" by Eminem featuring JID(Hip-Hop / Trap, 2024) — Provocative references to sexual exploitation and violent controversy.
"Dark Horse" by Katy Perry (Pop / EDM, re-popularized in 2024 TikTok trends) — References spell-casting and spiritual seduction; music video displays Egyptian mysticism and witchcraft.
"Punish" by Ethel Cain(Indie / Ambient, 2024) — Graphic portrayal of sexual violence, trauma, and revenge.
"Unholy Gospel" by Yungblud (Alternative Rock / Punk, 2024) — Twisted religious references, glorifies moral rebellion and sexual deviation.
Some glorify murder, rebellion, lust, and witchcraft. Some include:
"Redrum" by 21 Savage(Trap / Hip-Hop, 2024) — Violent imagery and obsession with death, referencing horror symbolism and murder fantasies.
"Fuel" by Eminem featuring JID(Hip-Hop / Trap, 2024) — Provocative references to sexual exploitation and violent controversy.
"Dark Horse" by Katy Perry (Pop / EDM, re-popularized in 2024 TikTok trends) — References spell-casting and spiritual seduction; music video displays Egyptian mysticism and witchcraft.
"Punish" by Ethel Cain(Indie / Ambient, 2024) — Graphic portrayal of sexual violence, trauma, and revenge.
"Unholy Gospel" by Yungblud (Alternative Rock / Punk, 2024) — Twisted religious references, glorifies moral rebellion and sexual deviation.
It Gets Deeper
Sound is used as a spiritual gateway.
Sound is used as a spiritual gateway.
Music and Generational Crisis
There is a war being waged through sound
What you sing becomes the spirit you summon. Good or Evil
What you sing becomes the spirit you summon. Good or Evil
Music Ritual And Culture: Burning Man
What it is:
Spiritual undertones:
What it is:
Spiritual undertones:
Burning Man & Music
It’s more than a party—it's a form of spiritual expression.
It becomes a gateway to a spirit realm.
It’s more than a party—it's a form of spiritual expression.
It becomes a gateway to a spirit realm.
Using music as a vehicle to access the supernatural isn't new.
As we explore each story, we’ll trace a powerful rhythm that still applies today. These aren’t just steps—they’re a spiritual pattern for building altars of worship where God’s presence can dwell.
As we explore each story, we’ll trace a powerful rhythm that still applies today. These aren’t just steps—they’re a spiritual pattern for building altars of worship where God’s presence can dwell.
I. Worship Is a Gateway to God’s Presence
1. David Played and the Evil Spirit Left Saul
Historical Context:
Historical Context:
Recognize the Need: Saul was tormented and restless.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: David filled the space with worship, not words.
Release the Sound: He played under the Spirit’s anointing.
Receive the Strategy: Peace returned and the torment lifted.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: David filled the space with worship, not words.
Release the Sound: He played under the Spirit’s anointing.
Receive the Strategy: Peace returned and the torment lifted.
David's worship wasn't just music—it was spiritual warfare
You can release a sound of worship to God
You can release a sound of worship to God
2. Elisha Called for a Musician Before He Heard from God
Historical Context:
Historical Context:
Recognize the Need: There was confusion, drought, and military desperation.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: Elisha demanded a shift before speaking.
Release the Sound: The musician played—prophetic clarity followed.
Receive the Strategy: God gave military instructions through music-induced revelation.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: Elisha demanded a shift before speaking.
Release the Sound: The musician played—prophetic clarity followed.
Receive the Strategy: God gave military instructions through music-induced revelation.
Worship became a weapon of revelation
3. Solomon’s Temple: Unified Worship Invites the Glory
Historical Context:
Historical Context:
Recognize the Need: Israel longed for God's manifest presence.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: The people purified themselves in preparation.
Release the Sound: Unified worship created a powerful frequency.
Receive the Strategy: God responded not with instruction, but with invasion.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: The people purified themselves in preparation.
Release the Sound: Unified worship created a powerful frequency.
Receive the Strategy: God responded not with instruction, but with invasion.
Unified worship is a war cry that summons the glory of God
4. Jehoshaphat’s Army: Praise Precedes Victory
Historical Context:
Historical Context:
Recognize the Need: Total defeat seemed certain.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: Jehoshaphat called for worship, not weapons.
Release the Sound: Singers declared, “Praise the Lord!”
Receive the Strategy: God fought for them—the enemies turned on each other.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: Jehoshaphat called for worship, not weapons.
Release the Sound: Singers declared, “Praise the Lord!”
Receive the Strategy: God fought for them—the enemies turned on each other.
When voices rose, Heaven waged war on their behalf
God asked them to do something that would only produce glory for Himself
God asked them to do something that would only produce glory for Himself
When they tell the story, the only result is that God did it
5. Paul and Silas in Prison: Worship Breaks Chains
Historical Context:
Historical Context:
Recognize the Need: Beaten, bleeding, and imprisoned.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: They turned a prison into a sanctuary.
Release the Sound: They sang at midnight—boldly and publicly.
Receive the Strategy: God shook the ground and opened every door.
Rearrange the Atmosphere: They turned a prison into a sanctuary.
Release the Sound: They sang at midnight—boldly and publicly.
Receive the Strategy: God shook the ground and opened every door.
Praise Opened A Portal To Heaven That Removed The Chains Of Bondage
God Is Waiting For Your Song
God invites His people to sing—not just perform songs, but release worship that touches heaven.
Heaven Is Waiting To Hear Your Song
Build Daily Altars of Worship In Songs To God
Start your day with a song—not just music, but intentional praise that exalts Jesus.
Set a time and space in your home or car where God is invited through worship.
Use your playlist as a portal—fill it with sound that aligns your heart with heaven.
Speak and sing God's Word out loud—sound reinforces truth and drives out spiritual darkness.
Set a time and space in your home or car where God is invited through worship.
Use your playlist as a portal—fill it with sound that aligns your heart with heaven.
Speak and sing God's Word out loud—sound reinforces truth and drives out spiritual darkness.
Worship is not just what we do in church. It’s the altar we raise every day to host God’s presence and push back darkness.
I will build an altar of worship in my life—every day, everywhere, with everything I have.
Next Step
14-Day Fast/Prayer
www.mycityoflight.com/fast
14-Day Fast/Prayer
www.mycityoflight.com/fast