Music plays a very important part in the worship services of any New Testament Church. Today we are seeing a lot of changes in the music programs across the nation. While change is not always a bad thing, the current trend is to make the music more like the world. We are exhorted in the Bible to be different. We are in the world, but not of it. There is a fine line drawn today between Godly music and worldly music. Our goal is not to see how close we can get to the world, but to stay true to what God would have us do. Our goal is not to please man, but to please God. I believe that the Bible encourages us to maintain what is referred to today as a traditional style of music. We must realize that any turn towards the world is totally against scripture. Here are three simple thoughts to keep our music philosophy where it ought to be:
I. "By God's Book". Music is definitely suppose to be a part of our worship. Psalm 100:2 tells us to "Come before His presence with singing. We are commanded to sing. Even for those of us whose voice may not be the best, God tells us to make a joyful noise. However It must be scriptural. We must make sure that what we sing does not stray from the Word of God. The words must be doctrinally correct. In Colossians 3:15, the Bible says "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.." The believer must allow God's word to be dwelling, or taking up residence, in him in order for the music to be right. The source of all our music must be based upon God's Holy Word.
II. "From the heart". Today's modern or "contemporary" movement is directed more toward performing, or entertaining, rather than ministering. A lot of good churches have been caught up in the "success" of this philosophy. The praise of the singing of the song goes to the singer instead of the Savior. I believe every song sung, whether by children, or adults; solos, group or congregational singing, has a purpose to minister to whoever hears it. Back to Colossians 3:16, it says "teaching and admonishing one another". It doesn't say to entertain. Ministering and entertaining are two different things. In the modern service we see a lot of hand-clapping for specials. I believe we should be very careful not to pull the attention of the song away from the Savior and give it to the singer. The one ministering must also make sure that the music is coming from the heart. It is important that the message be given out in a way to be understood and received. Our music should never be just a filler, or something sung in haste. It must come from the heart. Every song selected and prepared is done with the purpose of ministering to whoever hears it. I must add here that the music does NOT take the place of the preaching of God's Word. The preaching is the most important part of any service. Music can and should prepare the heart for the preaching of God's Word.
III. "For His Glory". "sing with grace in your heart to the Lord." As we minister in music we must always realize that we are singing or playing for the Lord. Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Here is our main purpose: to bring Glory and Honor to our wonderful Lord. May every song sung, every song played, bring Glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We sing for Him. We play for Him. God has given us the talents that we have that we might use them for His honor and glory.
There are a lot of other things we could discuss here on music, but this is my basic philosophy and if people would just think about it, I believe it is found scriptural.
"By God's Book, from the heart, and for His glory".
I. "By God's Book". Music is definitely suppose to be a part of our worship. Psalm 100:2 tells us to "Come before His presence with singing. We are commanded to sing. Even for those of us whose voice may not be the best, God tells us to make a joyful noise. However It must be scriptural. We must make sure that what we sing does not stray from the Word of God. The words must be doctrinally correct. In Colossians 3:15, the Bible says "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.." The believer must allow God's word to be dwelling, or taking up residence, in him in order for the music to be right. The source of all our music must be based upon God's Holy Word.
II. "From the heart". Today's modern or "contemporary" movement is directed more toward performing, or entertaining, rather than ministering. A lot of good churches have been caught up in the "success" of this philosophy. The praise of the singing of the song goes to the singer instead of the Savior. I believe every song sung, whether by children, or adults; solos, group or congregational singing, has a purpose to minister to whoever hears it. Back to Colossians 3:16, it says "teaching and admonishing one another". It doesn't say to entertain. Ministering and entertaining are two different things. In the modern service we see a lot of hand-clapping for specials. I believe we should be very careful not to pull the attention of the song away from the Savior and give it to the singer. The one ministering must also make sure that the music is coming from the heart. It is important that the message be given out in a way to be understood and received. Our music should never be just a filler, or something sung in haste. It must come from the heart. Every song selected and prepared is done with the purpose of ministering to whoever hears it. I must add here that the music does NOT take the place of the preaching of God's Word. The preaching is the most important part of any service. Music can and should prepare the heart for the preaching of God's Word.
III. "For His Glory". "sing with grace in your heart to the Lord." As we minister in music we must always realize that we are singing or playing for the Lord. Colossians 3:17 says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Here is our main purpose: to bring Glory and Honor to our wonderful Lord. May every song sung, every song played, bring Glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We sing for Him. We play for Him. God has given us the talents that we have that we might use them for His honor and glory.
There are a lot of other things we could discuss here on music, but this is my basic philosophy and if people would just think about it, I believe it is found scriptural.
"By God's Book, from the heart, and for His glory".