Pleasing God in Worship: Why We Sing a Cappella (1)

2002033

Topic # 1884

Introduction:

A. Most often asked question: “Why do you not use IM in worship?”

1. Question usually comes from good & honest people.

2. This is a good & legitimate question worthy of a biblical answer.

B. Two kinds of music – vocal & instrumental.

1. NT indicates that God’s people did not use IM in worship. Praised God vocally. Obviously we use vocal music in this place.

2. And so – when people visit w/us – they find things much different from most denominational churches.

3. People react in different ways – some find it exhilarating & enjoy it – while others are less impressed.

C. Churches of Christ are not alone in not using IM – but we are probably the most well known.

1. Primitive Baptists and some orthodox churches do not use them.

D. Reason for our abstinence from IM is that we see no example of them being used in NT worship. Observe the following Scriptures.

1. Mt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26

2. Ax 16:25; Rom. 15:9; Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:11-12; Js. 5:13; 1 Cor. 14:26

E. Note all music mentioned in NT is vocal in type.

I. A look at history.

A. 150-300 yrs ago – many present day denominations believed IM unscriptural. Singing was a cappella. Few examples…

B. Methodists

1. Adam Clarke – notable Methodist preacher – 1762-1832.

2. In his commentary on 2 Chr. 29:25 he says…

3. Note his words at Amos 6:5…

4. John Wesley – founder for the Methodist church – 1703-1791…

C. Presbyterians

1. John Calvin – 1509-1564 …

2. John Girardeau – 1888 – made several arguments against IM in a book called Instrumental music in the Public Worship of the Church.

D. Baptists

1. Charles Spurgeon – 1834-1892 …commenting on Psa. 42

E. Lutherans – Martin Luther – 1564? …

F. Church of England – Joseph Bingham …

G. Ben Franklin – 19^th century Christian - …

H. On the meaning of a cappella…

1. We use the phrase to mean “w/o the use of IM.”

2. Word = Italian expression in chapel style or as in church.

3. Scholars have determined that IM was absent in Catholic church for almost 1000 years.

I. Should be easy to see that up until 150 years ago – IM was absent in just about every non-Catholic church in America.

J. But…history is NOT the primary reason why we do not use IM in worship. What is it?

II. A simple explanation of why we do not use IM.

A. Our goal is to please God.

1. Because He has not indicated that he would be pleased w/IM – we do not use them in worship.

2. Must seek to please God in every aspect of life. In our dealings w/kids; spouse; neighbors; family; strangers; in worship; everywhere!

3. Pleasing God must become the primary goal in our lives!

B. Take a look at the following scriptures:

1. 2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 5:8-10; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Thess. 4:1-2; 1 Jhn. 3:21-22; Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Tim. 2:1-3

2. Pleasing God needs to be our primary aim as we worship Him.

C. Unfortunately, instead of the primary aim being to please God in worship – many make their primary focus to please self.

1. Across country – worship increasingly measured by how it makes US feel emotionally & how pleasing it is to US.

2. Our first question as we approach God in worship needs to be, …”what can be done in worship to please God?”

3. Look back at Heb. 13:15; 2 Tim. 2:1-3.

D. Pleasing God or self?

1. Just because something pleases me – does not mean that it pleases God.

a) Dan Chambers explains the reasoning of many…

b) I just know that instrumental music is true. I just know in my heart that God is pleased w/instrumental music.

2. We cannot know what pleases God unless He tells us!

a) 1 Cor. 2:11

b) Again…just because something pleases us doesn’t necessarily pleases God.

3. John Stott: It is impossible for human beings to read the mind of God. If we are to ever know His mind he must speak; he must clothe his thoughts in words.”

4. That’s what God has done! 2 Tim. 3:16-17. Scripture is God-breathed!

5. Want to know what pleases Him – must look to Scripture!

a) 1 Thess. 4:1-2

III. God has specified singing as the acceptable mode of praise.

A. Heb. 13:15 – fruit of lips…

1. This phrase means heartfelt words of praise!

2. Expressed through singing & praying. See 1 Cor. 14:15.

B. Look again at Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:18-20; Acts 16:25

1. note the phrases…

2. singing….to God.

3. singing & making melody in your heart to the Lord.

4. they were singing and praying to God.

C. That’s an offering! That’s worship! No doubt God was pleased w/it!

D. From the Scriptures…He told us HOW he wants us to praise Him!

1. that is, we are to praise Him w/words of praise; adoration; and thanksgiving.

2. F. LaGard Smith: In contrast to the many OT passages referring to musical instruments in temple worship, in the NT text not one sound of a musical instrument is heard – not a trumpet, not a harp; not the quietest jingle of a tambourine! Singing yes. Musical instruments, no. Relative to musical instruments, there is only an ominous haunting silence.

E. Because God has not specified that he wants to be praised w/an instrument in worship – we do not use them.

1. Unless God has indicated that He is pleased w/IM – all the personal confidence in the world that he would be pleased w/them IS NO GUARANTEE that He will be!

Conclusion:

A. This is a simple explanation of why we sing a cappella.

1. tonight – we will answer some of the common arguments made in favor of IM.

2. And, most importantly, we’ll discuss whether or not it really matters in the big picture.

B. Appreciate your kind attention.

C. Talked about pleasing God.

1. Is your primary aim in life pleasing Him?

2. We can help you get on track toward a god pleasing life.

3. Obey the gospel today!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Pleasing God in Worship: Why We Sing a Cappella (1) 2002033 Topic # 1884 Introduction: A. Most often asked question: “Why do you not use IM in worship?” 1. Question usually comes from good & honest people. 2. This is a good & legitimate question worthy of a biblical answer. B. Two kinds of music – vocal & instrumental. 1. NT indicates that God’s people did not use IM in worship. Praised God vocally. Obviously we use vocal music in this place. 2. And so – when people visit w/us – they find things much different from most denominational churches. 3. People react in different ways – some find it exhilarating & enjoy it – while others are less impressed. C. Churches of Christ are not alone in not using IM – but we are probably the most well known. 1. Primitive Baptists and some orthodox churches do not use them. D. Reason for our abstinence from IM is that we see no example of them being used in NT worship. Observe the following Scriptures. 1. Mt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26 2. Ax 16:25; Rom. 15:9; Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:11-12; Js. 5:13; 1 Cor. 14:26 E. Note all music mentioned in NT is vocal in type. I. A look at history. A. 150-300 yrs ago – many present day denominations believed IM unscriptural. Singing was a cappella. Few examples… B. Methodists 1. Adam Clarke – notable Methodist preacher – 1762-1832. 2. In his commentary on 2 Chr. 29:25 he says… 3. Note his words at Amos 6:5… 4. John Wesley – founder for the Methodist church – 1703-1791… C. Presbyterians 1. John Calvin – 1509-1564 … 2. John Girardeau – 1888 – made several arguments against IM in a book called Instrumental music in the Public Worship of the Church. D. Baptists 1. Charles Spurgeon – 1834-1892 …commenting on Psa. 42 E. Lutherans – Martin Luther – 1564? … F. Church of England – Joseph Bingham … G. Ben Franklin – 19^th century Christian - … H. On the meaning of a cappella… 1. We use the phrase to mean “w/o the use of IM.” 2. Word = Italian expression in chapel style or as in church. 3. Scholars have determined that IM was absent in Catholic church for almost 1000 years. I. Should be easy to see that up until 150 years ago – IM was absent in just about every non-Catholic church in America. J. But…history is NOT the primary reason why we do not use IM in worship. What is it? II. A simple explanation of why we do not use IM. A. Our goal is to please God. 1. Because He has not indicated that he would be pleased w/IM – we do not use them in worship. 2. Must seek to please God in every aspect of life. In our dealings w/kids; spouse; neighbors; family; strangers; in worship; everywhere! 3. Pleasing God must become the primary goal in our lives! B. Take a look at the following scriptures: 1. 2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 5:8-10; Col. 1:9-10; 1 Thess. 4:1-2; 1 Jhn. 3:21-22; Heb. 13:15-16; 1 Tim. 2:1-3 2. Pleasing God needs to be our primary aim as we worship Him. C. Unfortunately, instead of the primary aim being to please God in worship – many make their primary focus to please self. 1. Across country – worship increasingly measured by how it makes US feel emotionally & how pleasing it is to US. 2. Our first question as we approach God in worship needs to be, …”what can be done in worship to please God?” 3. Look back at Heb. 13:15; 2 Tim. 2:1-3. D. Pleasing God or self? 1. Just because something pleases me – does not mean that it pleases God. a) Dan Chambers explains the reasoning of many… b) I just know that instrumental music is true. I just know in my heart that God is pleased w/instrumental music. 2. We cannot know what pleases God unless He tells us! a) 1 Cor. 2:11 b) Again…just because something pleases us doesn’t necessarily pleases God. 3. John Stott: It is impossible for human beings to read the mind of God. If we are to ever know His mind he must speak; he must clothe his thoughts in words.” 4. That’s what God has done! 2 Tim. 3:16-17. Scripture is God-breathed! 5. Want to know what pleases Him – must look to Scripture! a) 1 Thess. 4:1-2 III. God has specified singing as the acceptable mode of praise. A. Heb. 13:15 – fruit of lips… 1. This phrase means heartfelt words of praise! 2. Expressed through singing & praying. See 1 Cor. 14:15. B. Look again at Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:18-20; Acts 16:25 1. note the phrases… 2. singing….to God. 3. singing & making melody in your heart to the Lord. 4. they were singing and praying to God. C. That’s an offering! That’s worship! No doubt God was pleased w/it! D. From the Scriptures…He told us HOW he wants us to praise Him! 1. that is, we are to praise Him w/words of praise; adoration; and thanksgiving. 2. F. LaGard Smith: In contrast to the many OT passages referring to musical instruments in temple worship, in the NT text not one sound of a musical instrument is heard – not a trumpet, not a harp; not the quietest jingle of a tambourine! Singing yes. Musical instruments, no. Relative to musical instruments, there is only an ominous haunting silence. E. Because God has not specified that he wants to be praised w/an instrument in worship – we do not use them. 1. Unless God has indicated that He is pleased w/IM – all the personal confidence in the world that he would be pleased w/them IS NO GUARANTEE that He will be! Conclusion: A. This is a simple explanation of why we sing a cappella. 1. tonight – we will answer some of the common arguments made in favor of IM. 2. And, most importantly, we’ll discuss whether or not it really matters in the big picture. B. Appreciate your kind attention. C. Talked about pleasing God. 1. Is your primary aim in life pleasing Him? 2. We can help you get on track toward a god pleasing life. 3. Obey the gospel today! D. I N V I T A T I O N