Keep the Music Alive!
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
As I have had a chance to reflect on the first Mother’s Day that my mother was not on this side of eternity with me, I have been thinking about the legacy that she has left me. What can I remember about mom? Mom found joy in simple things. She loved to talk about dad, she loved to watch, listen to and draw birds, and she loved old fashioned Christian Music. WCRF, a Moody Bible Institute Radio station, was always on in our house during the day. I grew up listening to George Beverly Shea, Christine Wyrtzen, Dr. James T. Jeremiah and the comforting words of announcer Bob Divine.
Music is a reflection of the condition of the hidden parts of a human being. In our culture, we are wedded to a constant expression of who we are and what we feel through music.
I believe as Christians, our music reflects the condition of our inner man more than we realize.
When I was traveling from church to church several years ago, I could tell the spiritual temperature of the church by listening to the first two hymns. There is a Holy Ghost-wrought excitement flowing from the inner core of a Christian, and it comes out in music.
Some time ago, our family went to see three dynamic Christian groups performing in Kennewick, WA. They were all professional, yet a few individuals stood out… It reflected not talent, but inner relationship and work of God. As we grow cold toward God, the Spirit grows silent… and the flow from inside is dried up… The music dies!
The music starts when you get saved
The music starts when you get saved
A Spirit witness
Romans 8:15-17 - 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
1. Adoption
2. Assurance
3. Joint-heirs
B. A new song
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
1. Up out of a pit! – punishment
2. Up out of the mire – sin
3. Feet on a rock – Jesus!
4. Established my goings – sanctification
5. New song – praise for it all… different than the world's tune!
C. Song of victory
O sing unto the Lord a new song; For he hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
The Lord hath made known his salvation: His righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
D. Song of praise
Psalm 144:9 - I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
Psalm 149:1 - Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. – In the congregation
Music dies when you grieve the Spirit
Music dies when you grieve the Spirit
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
B. Bad fellowship
Ephesians 5:11-12 - 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
1. Unfruitful works of darkness – vs 11
2. Making secrets public – vs 12
C. Foolish walk
Ephesians 5:15 - See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
1. Partakers of disobedience
Ephesians 5:6-7 - 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them
2. Foolish, filthy jesting
Ephesians 5:3-4 - 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
D. Wasting time
Ephesians 5:16 - Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Music dies when you quench the Spirit
Music dies when you quench the Spirit
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
A. Wake up!
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
B. Don't let something else control you
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
C. Quenching the Spirit will silence your:
1. Witness
Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
2. Assurance
Romans 8:16 - The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
3. Song
Ephesians 5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Conclusion:
The power of God does not rest while we hang onto sin. If we have no song from within, it is a sign that we have silenced Him. Repent – seek God and He will be found. Be filled with the Spirit and be restored to where you were before the music died!