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Lesson 18
Singing In Worship (Part 3)
In Ephesians 5:19 we read, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms,
hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord." Also we read in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching, and admonishing one
another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord." Here we see in our singing, we are to speak,
teach, and admonish one another. This is what God expects us to do
when we sing.
But can a mechanical instrument of music speak, teach, or admonish as God
wishes us to do when we sing? Of course it can not. A mechanical instrument of
music cannot accomplish anything God has commanded when we sing to Him in
worship. Here we see that when we sing, we are "to sing with grace in your
hearts" and "make melody in your heart." The melody God wants is
to come from the human heart and not from lifeless mechanical musical
instruments. The mechanical instrument does not have a heart from which it can
worship God.
In 1 Corinthians 14:15 we read, "I will sing with the spirit and
I will sing with the understanding also." Not only does an
instrument not have a heart, but it also does not have a spirit with which to
understand. Then why use it? It is only because people like it.
It is sad to say but people are more interested in pleasing themselves, than
pleasing God. They are not using the instrument to please God, because God has
not authorized its use in worship to Him. God has only told us to sing. People
like the sound of a piano, organ, or a band. They like to be entertained. This
is what they want. They don't really care what God has authorized. People are
on very dangerous ground when they take this attitude. Please respect what God
wants and has authorized in His word, because this is the only way we will be
able to please Him and go to heaven.
We read in 2 John 9, "Whosoever transgresses and does not abide in the
doctrine of Christ does not have God." To go beyond the doctrine of Christ
is to do that for which we have no authority. We can not practice instrumental
music by the authority of Christ, because Christ has nowhere authorized it, and
because of this we will not have God.
Some people say "I like instrumental music in worship." If this is
the case then what "I like" becomes the authority and not God. When
man becomes his own authority then each worshipper can introduce anything he
likes with no regard to what God has said. It becomes: "I like it, I want
it, and I am going to have it." Their feelings take precedence over
everything else. What God says becomes meaningless when we allow our emotions
and feelings to become our guide. Many people seem to think they are wiser
than God and believe that instrumental music is more pleasing to God because it
seems to be more pleasing to them. The Bible is our only authority in matters of
religion; not our opinions, emotions, conscience, or human feelings.
In Colossians 3:16-17 we read, "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. And whatever
you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." In
verse 16 we are told to sing. In the very next verse we are told, "whatever
you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Notice it says to "do all". Everything we do in religion is to be done
in the name of the Lord Jesus. To "do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus" means that we must do everything by His authority. We can certainly
sing by the authority of the Lord. But where would we go in the New Testament
for authority for instrumental music in the worship of the church? It just isn't
there. But do we really care if it isn't there?
Questions Lesson 18
Singing In Worship (Part 3)
(click on the button of the answer of your
choice)
1) (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16) In our singing in our worship service
We are to entertain one another.
We are to impress others how well we can sing.
We are to speak, teach, and admonish one another.
2)
The mechanical instrument of music speaks, teaches, and admonishes one
another as God wishes.
3) (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16) When we sing in worship we are to make melody
On a piano.
In our hearts.
On an organ.
4)
The mechanical instrument of music has a heart on which God wishes the
melody to be made.
5) (1 Corinthians 14:15) We are to sing with
A piano.
An organ.
The spirit and the understanding.
6)
A mechanical instrument of music cannot accomplish anything God has
commanded when we sing in worship to Him.
7) (2 John 9) If we transgress and do not abide in the doctrine of Christ
We still have God.
We do not have God.
We are well pleasing to God.
8)
To go beyond the doctrine of Christ is to do that for which we have no
authority.
9) (Colossians 3:16-17) All that we do in worship including our singing
Is to be done in the name or by the authority of Christ.
Can be done as we choose.
Should be entertaining to all.
10)
We cannot use the mechanical instrument of music by the authority of Christ in
our worship services.
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