Church Music, The Issues

Church Music: The Issues

Text: 1 Corinthians 14:12-19

Thesis: To show that the music we offer in worship must be a cappella congregational singing.

Introduction:

  1. The web site HymnLyrics.org gives a list of the 50 most popular hymns, current as of Nov.

        30, 2006.  The top favorites are: "How Great Thou Art", "Amazing Grace", "Great Is Thy

        Faithfulness", "Because He Lives", "Here I Am Lord", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus",

        "I'll Fly Away", "Blessed Assurance", "It Is Well With My Soul", and "I Surrender All".

  2. These songs can be heard in perhaps dozens of church buildings here in our community.

        But one thing that sets us apart is that the songs are always sung without musical instru-

        ments.  A cappella congregational singing is a distinctive mark of Churches of Christ.

  3. Now, however, there are some who are urging us to rethink this position.  One of the largest

        churches in our fellowship has instituted a Saturday evening worship that features singing

        with instruments.  Others are seriously considering making the change.

  4. Is there anything in Scripture to guide us on this question?  Or is it merely a matter of taste?

        If God has something to say on the question, we want to hear it!

Discussion:

I.       The Issue Of Authority In General

A.    "Authority" is an important concept.  If you're visiting the White House and you're found in an "unauthorized" area, you might end up in jail for a few days (or longer).  If the bank discovers that you're transferring money out of someone else's account, you will also be in trouble.  Authority means that you have a right to be doing what you're doing, or to be where you presently are.  In some matters, it is a very big deal.

B.     Authority illustrated by an altar:

1.      Ex. 20:24 - After giving the 10 commandments, God gave instructions for making an altar.  They were to be made of earth, a very unglamorous material.  But God said it was being made "for Me", not for man.  When they followed God's directions, He promised to come to them.

2.      Ex. 20:25 - God also made allowance for an altar made of stones.  But the stones were to be plain; no one should attempt to shape them or otherwise adorn them with a tool.  To do so, God said, would profane the altar.

3.      An altar was very much a part of worship under previous covenants.  But God makes it clear that only certain materials were to be used in making these altars.  If the directions were not followed, would it matter to God?  Would profane worship be OK?

C.     Authority as a concept for our religion:

1.      The question is this: Does it matter how I approach God?  Today's answer is "Certainly not."  We're all different, and we're free to do what we think is best.  But is this the answer we find in the Bible?

2.      Mat. 21:23 - The Jewish leaders challenged Jesus' authority, and He did not think it an inappropriate question. Had they been honest with Him, He would have answered.

3.      Jesus submitted to authority:

a.       Heb. 8:4 - The writer said that Jesus would not be a priest "according to the law" if He claimed to be an earthly priest.  Why not?  There would be no authority.

b.      Heb. 7:13,14 - Jesus was from Judah, "of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood."

c.       This is similar to saying that Arnold Schwarzenegger can never serve as President of the United States.  He was born in Austria, "of which nation our constitution said nothing concerning presidency."  There is no authority for him to take that office.

4.      Col. 3:17 - Simply put, we are to do all "in the name of the Lord".  That phrase means to do things by the authority of God.

D.    How this authority affects us:

1.      When God speaks, we are to listen and to follow what He has said:

a.       If He speaks specifically, then we are to do specifically what He has said.  (When we are told to lay by in store on the first day of the week, that rules out taking up collections on Wednesdays, Saturdays, etc.)

b.      If He speaks generally, then we are free to carry out that command using our own ideas by which to carry it out.  ("Go" and preach the gospel - we may walk, drive a car, ride a boat, etc.)

2.      When God has not commanded us to do something, we should be very careful before venturing into this territory, assuming God will approve whatever we do.

II.    The Issue Of Authority For Church Music

A.    Now that we see the concept of authority generally, we must ask if God has "authorized" music to be used in worship.  If so, are there specifics given?

B.     What God has told us regarding music in the Christian age:

1.      1 Cor. 14 - Singing in the church setting:

a.       v. 15 - The verse that catches our attention is this one which speaks of singing with spirit and understanding.  There is a right way to sing, according to this.

b.      vv. 12,19 - The verses that surround the comments on singing show that the context was "in the church".  When the church is gathered together, singing is authorized by God, and it needs to be done properly.

2.      Singing, therefore, is a form of music authorized by God.  As we will see, it is the only form of music authorized for worship in the Christian covenant.

3.      Eph. 5:19 - The Christians at Ephesus were encouraged to speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

4.      Col. 3:16 - The Christians at Colossae were given a very similar exhortation to sing.

5.      Jas. 5:13 - James urged Christians to turn to singing when they were cheerful.

6.      Singing is the only form of music mentioned for Christians to offer in their worship to God.  Though instruments were familiar to the first Christians, they were not ordered by the apostles.  It would be several hundred years before Christians anywhere began using mechanical instruments of music.

C.     Jn. 4:23,24 - When considering how we will worship God, do we take these ideas into consideration?  Certainly!  God is seeking true worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth.  These will add nothing to what God has said, and will leave nothing out.

Conclusion:

  1. A college girl visited the home of Beethoven. She slipped under the rope and began playing               Beethoven's piano. She said to the one in charge, "I suppose every musician who comes                        here wants to play this piano." He explained to her that recently the great Paderewski was               visiting there and someone asked him to play that piano. He replied, "No, I do not feel                           worthy to play the great master's piano."

  2. One might say that our hearts and our vocal chords are instruments of the Master.  In our

        case, however, God wants us to play these instruments!  When we sing, we glorify Him.

  3. Why continue using congregational a cappella singing in our worship?

        a. It is the only music that is authorized by the covenant under which we live.

        b. It uses only the instruments that God has made, not man-made instruments.

        c. It involves everyone, not just those who can play or sing beautifully.

        d. It shifts the focus from a performance to an offering that all make to the one God.

  4. Hebrews 13:15 - Using our lips to praise God will please Him.