Pleasing God in Worship: Why We Sing a Cappella (2)

2002035

Topic # 1884

Introduction:

A. This morning…discussed 2 kinds of music – instrumental & vocal!

1. Vocal music all that used in NT.

2. 9 verses mention music in NT – none of them mention IM – just singing.

B. Our motive for not using IM in worship centers around our desire to please God.

1. 2 Cor. 5:9; Heb. 13:15-16

2. When it comes to how we worship God – we must ask, “What can be done in worship to please God?”

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

D. Tonight, we’ll answer just a few arguments made in favor of using IM – and whether or not this really matters in the big picture.

I. Arguments answered.

A. God did not specifically forbid IM.

1. Yes…that’s true.

2. But…there is biblical evidence that suggests God intends for His specific prescription of ways to worship Him be exclusive. Which means – there are acceptable & unacceptable ways to worship God!

a) Lev. 10:1-2

b) Nadab/Abihu disregard God’s specific instructions.

c) When God gave Moses the law – he was very specific!

3. Make no mistake: God always expects man to follow His instructions!

a) Did they do some things right?

b) But…they added to His plan and DIED!

4. Ashby Camp: If I asked my daughter to bring me a hot dog with ketchup and mustard, and she, wanting to do something special, brought me a hot dog with ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, I would not be pleased. I would appreciate her motive, but that would not alter the fact that she had brought me something I did not want.

B. What about the people in the OT who praised God w/IM?

1. 2 Chr. 29:25. Note that they had been specifically commanded by God to use the IM here.

2. Christians today live under the New Covenant. Hezekiah & David lived under the old covenant.

3. And…no doubt the OT writings are valuable today. See Rom. 15:4

a) OT teaches us about nature of God; nature of sin; man’s relationship w/God; salvation, etc. etc.

4. But as far as specifics go – we get those from the NT.

5. If specifics from OT binding then we are under obligation to:

a) offer up grain offerings according to Lev. 2:4-9

b) offer up sin offerings according to Lev. 1:1

c) build tabernacle according to specifications in Ex. 25:27

d) Worship on the Sabbath; observe all the commandments associated w/it.

C. IM is an expedient.

1. Expedient = “something fit or suitable to the end in view.” A helpful means to carry out a command of God.

2. IM is NOT an expedient! Some claim it helps the singing.

a) It in no way expedites/assists singing. It is wholly a different kind of music.

b) Notice Col. 3:16 again…essential idea stressed by Paul is by singing we teach, admonish, and make melody in our hearts.

1) IM does not assist in teaching & admonishing another.

2) IM does not assist in making melody in one's heart.

3) If anything it is a hindrance to these things (commandments)

II. Does it really matter?

A. It matters because it matters how we worship God.

1. Jhn. 4:23-24 – This is an eternal principle.

2. Worship that only has the authority of man is not in truth.

3. It is no more than “will worship.” See Col. 2:23

B. It matters because we must respect the authority of the Scriptures.

1. 1 Peter. 4:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17

2. Christians have been told to test all things- 1 Thess. 5:21

a) Beliefs & practices are to be tested to determine whether or not they’re good.

b) Only legitimate examination comes from Scriptures.

3. For things for which there is no authority – must be rejected!

C. It matters because apostles were told to include only things in the pattern which were consistent w/God’s purpose.

1. Mt. 18:18

2. 2 Tim. 3:16-17

3. Mt. 28:20 – teach all things God commanded.

4. Jhn. 16:13 – would be guided into all truth.

5. To suggest they overlooked so obvious an item of worship would imply failure in their teaching & practice.

D. It matters because we are not to go beyond what is written – 1 Cor. 4:6

1. We keep the tradition of the apostles – 2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Cor. 11:2

2. IM = tradition of men. Falls into same category as Jewish foot washing – Mk. 7:1-13

E. It matters because if we compromise here – it opens the door to an endless list of innovation.

1. Burning incense.

2. Wednesday evening communion

3. Saturday worship services

Conclusion:

A. There is no room for fellowship when worship is corrupted.

1. Jhn. 4:24 – to worship in spirit & truth.

2. No truth allows IM.

3. Therefore fellowship must be broken. 2 Jhn. 9-11; Rom. 16:17

B. No…the majority will not understand nor applaud why IM does not belong in the worship service.

1. Can expect our objections to be ridiculed; and disregarded.

2. But Christ is still Lord over His church, the Bible is still right, acceptable worship still requires submission to heaven’s will, and singing remains the only music ever authorized for Christian worship.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Pleasing God in Worship: Why We Sing a Cappella (2) 2002035 Topic # 1884 Introduction: A. This morning…discussed 2 kinds of music – instrumental & vocal! 1. Vocal music all that used in NT. 2. 9 verses mention music in NT – none of them mention IM – just singing. B. Our motive for not using IM in worship centers around our desire to please God. 1. 2 Cor. 5:9; Heb. 13:15-16 2. When it comes to how we worship God – we must ask, “What can be done in worship to please God?” C. Because God has not specified that He wants to be praised w/an instrument in worship – we do not use them. D. Tonight, we’ll answer just a few arguments made in favor of using IM – and whether or not this really matters in the big picture. I. Arguments answered. A. God did not specifically forbid IM. 1. Yes…that’s true. 2. But…there is biblical evidence that suggests God intends for His specific prescription of ways to worship Him be exclusive. Which means – there are acceptable & unacceptable ways to worship God! a) Lev. 10:1-2 b) Nadab/Abihu disregard God’s specific instructions. c) When God gave Moses the law – he was very specific! 3. Make no mistake: God always expects man to follow His instructions! a) Did they do some things right? b) But…they added to His plan and DIED! 4. Ashby Camp: If I asked my daughter to bring me a hot dog with ketchup and mustard, and she, wanting to do something special, brought me a hot dog with ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, I would not be pleased. I would appreciate her motive, but that would not alter the fact that she had brought me something I did not want. B. What about the people in the OT who praised God w/IM? 1. 2 Chr. 29:25. Note that they had been specifically commanded by God to use the IM here. 2. Christians today live under the New Covenant. Hezekiah & David lived under the old covenant. 3. And…no doubt the OT writings are valuable today. See Rom. 15:4 a) OT teaches us about nature of God; nature of sin; man’s relationship w/God; salvation, etc. etc. 4. But as far as specifics go – we get those from the NT. 5. If specifics from OT binding then we are under obligation to: a) offer up grain offerings according to Lev. 2:4-9 b) offer up sin offerings according to Lev. 1:1 c) build tabernacle according to specifications in Ex. 25:27 d) Worship on the Sabbath; observe all the commandments associated w/it. C. IM is an expedient. 1. Expedient = “something fit or suitable to the end in view.” A helpful means to carry out a command of God. 2. IM is NOT an expedient! Some claim it helps the singing. a) It in no way expedites/assists singing. It is wholly a different kind of music. b) Notice Col. 3:16 again…essential idea stressed by Paul is by singing we teach, admonish, and make melody in our hearts. 1) IM does not assist in teaching & admonishing another. 2) IM does not assist in making melody in one's heart. 3) If anything it is a hindrance to these things (commandments) II. Does it really matter? A. It matters because it matters how we worship God. 1. Jhn. 4:23-24 – This is an eternal principle. 2. Worship that only has the authority of man is not in truth. 3. It is no more than “will worship.” See Col. 2:23 B. It matters because we must respect the authority of the Scriptures. 1. 1 Peter. 4:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 2. Christians have been told to test all things- 1 Thess. 5:21 a) Beliefs & practices are to be tested to determine whether or not they’re good. b) Only legitimate examination comes from Scriptures. 3. For things for which there is no authority – must be rejected! C. It matters because apostles were told to include only things in the pattern which were consistent w/God’s purpose. 1. Mt. 18:18 2. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 3. Mt. 28:20 – teach all things God commanded. 4. Jhn. 16:13 – would be guided into all truth. 5. To suggest they overlooked so obvious an item of worship would imply failure in their teaching & practice. D. It matters because we are not to go beyond what is written – 1 Cor. 4:6 1. We keep the tradition of the apostles – 2 Thess. 2:15; 1 Cor. 11:2 2. IM = tradition of men. Falls into same category as Jewish foot washing – Mk. 7:1-13 E. It matters because if we compromise here – it opens the door to an endless list of innovation. 1. Burning incense. 2. Wednesday evening communion 3. Saturday worship services Conclusion: A. There is no room for fellowship when worship is corrupted. 1. Jhn. 4:24 – to worship in spirit & truth. 2. No truth allows IM. 3. Therefore fellowship must be broken. 2 Jhn. 9-11; Rom. 16:17 B. No…the majority will not understand nor applaud why IM does not belong in the worship service. 1. Can expect our objections to be ridiculed; and disregarded. 2. But Christ is still Lord over His church, the Bible is still right, acceptable worship still requires submission to heaven’s will, and singing remains the only music ever authorized for Christian worship. C. I N V I T A T I O N