A Few Concluding Observations:
- We often love to praise God for loving us, but how often do we praise Him for His judgment? How often do we even speak of His judgment? Not speaking of God as a god of judgment can reflect a one-dimensional view of God who is love, but also a God of holiness and justice that hates sin enough to send people to hell for all of eternity. This should cause us a holy fear of God and magnify His justice and mercy shown to us in Christ on the cross.
- The mighty works of God throughout history have not come to an end. A reason why a new song is sung is because God will do amazing works at the end of history that He hasnt received praise for yet. When God does something great in your lifepraise Him for His marvelous works!
- We are only able to clothe ourselves in bright and pure fine linen and worship God through the blood of the lamb spilt for us. Praise be to God for His immeasurable grace shown us in the gospel!
Music Is Ultimately From God And When We Sing Or Play Our Music For His Glory We Are Offering Our Gifts And Talents As A Dedication And Offering To Him
Our God is the ultimate Creator. Because He has created us in His image, we too have been given the ability to create. All beauty is from God no matter where it is found, the artistic creativity of people is Gods good gift .
Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works. The Greek word for masterpiece here is poiema, which refers to a work of art. Music is ultimately from God, and when we sing or play our music for His glory, we are extending our gifts and talents as a dedication and offering to Him. Music is more than a study. It is the stewardship of a God-given skill and a means of giving back to He who has blessed us in many ways.
The Theology And Place Of Music In Worship
The people of God sing. The role of music in worship is biblical. After escaping from the Egyptians and crossing the Red Sea, the people of Israel sang a song to the Lord . Singing was part of Israels formal worship in both tabernacle and temple . The Psalms bear rich testimony that in joy and sorrow, in praise and lament, the faithful raise their voices in song to God. Hymn singing was practiced by Jesus and his disciples . The Apostle Paul instructed the Colossians, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly teach and admonish one another in all wisdom and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him .
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- Sarah
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I like listening to both modern Christian music and Disney music. But online I came across some discussion boards saying Disney music is bad because it talks about magic and its one of Satans ways of distracting us from God. Im trying to figure out how exactly that could be.
Heres some lyrics I found:Come into a world of wonder waiting just for you.A special place where all our friends belong.Come into a land of laughter and dreams come true.Like a star thats ever shining, for all to wish upon.The magic lasts forever as Disney dreams go on.
- Scott Forrester
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What do you think about listening to music by The Eagles? If it was known that the Eagles band members would use cocaine to inspire their creative song writing, would it be wrong to listen to such music? Some of the lyrics from One of These Nights include,
Ive been searching for the daughterOf the devil himself
What Does The Bible Say About Music And What We Should Listen To
The music of the Gospel leads us home. – Frederick W. Faber
Music as an art form has always connected deeply with people of all cultures and languages throughout human history. Making melodies with voices and instruments has been a key part of the expression of mans experiences. When words fail us, and the circumstances of our physical lives confine us, music is an outlet for the hopes and dreams, passions and desires, the tension and confusion, and even the transformation taking place within us.
Music connects with us on a level nothing else does, and for that reason, people have always recognized a divine power and spirituality to music.
Yet no matter how societies around the world relate to music, Gods people should realize they have a special claim on the art of song. The power of great music lies in the power of the gospel story, of God calling his people home. As a Gospel Coalition writer says, If you believe in God, you have a framework for enjoying music that is more satisfying to heart and mind, and more authentic to the actual experience of that enjoyment.
So while the world at large may use music in their search for meaning, for expression, or simply pleasure and distraction, the Bible reveals a much deeper, ancient, and powerful purpose at work when followers of Christ lift their voices.
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul .
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The Emotional Power Of Music Rightly Employed Is A Vital And Moving Aid To Worship
Music, quite apart from an associated text, is capable of evoking powerful emotions. Hearts are stirred and feet set to tapping by a rousing Sousa march, while another melody may move people to tears. Calvin recognized the emotional power of music and for that reason included the singing of Psalms in the church in Geneva. Such singing lends dignity and grace to sacred actions and has the greatest value in kindling our heart to a true zeal and eagerness to pray . Music can indeed excite piety, and depending on its mood, move individuals to penitence, thanksgiving, adoration, love, or any one of a host of emotions. Those who love the Lord are encouraged to sing till we feel our hearts ascending with our tongues . It is, therefore, important that the emotional mood of a particular tune be commensurate with the sense of the text. It is also important that the emotional power of music in worship be evocative rather than manipulative, honest rather than manufactured, and that the congregations singing allow for the full range of emotions in worship.
Sing And Make Music To The Lord
The recurrent theme throughout the Psalms is singing and making music to the Lord. There is music all around us in nature as the Creator put it in creation. As believers of Jesus Christ, we are uniquely set apart for the glory of God that is revealed in us in music. Start today to sing and make music to the Lord in your own special way.
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Influence On Later Music
Music historian William Smoldon notes that despite the fact that instrumental music was not revived and used in the synagogue after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, “the chant continued, and of late years research has made it increasingly clear that many of the forms and even melodic patterns of the and Western Christian chants were adaptations from the music of the synagogues.”
He also notes that after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the “one steadfast feature was the Western Christian Church” which was “respected by the barbarians.” He adds that there seems “little doubt that the worship-music of the early Church, i.e. at such centres as Jerusalem, Damascus, Antioch and Alexandria, grew from materials . . . of Greek and Syrian origins, together with the service-chants of the Jewish synagogue.”:20
- Psalms
The Psalms have been sung through all the ages up to the present. Whitcomb describes the importance of the Psalms:
- “the Crusader has chanted them as he ascended the Hill of Zion and the victorious general was welcomed on his return by a hallelujah chorus. The sailor on the dark night at sea, the shepherd on the lonely plain, the little waif upon the street, have alike been cheered by the music of the Psalms. They have enlivened the vintage-feast, the boatman on the Rhine, the soldier by his camp-fire have been softened and the sad have been cheered by these sweet inspirations to faith, penitence, thanksgiving, and adoration.”
What Does The Bible Say About Worship Through Singing
What is worship? Worship is a truth-based, spiritual relationship with God that responds to Gods greatness by a daily dying to oneself, internalization of His truths, and practice of faith-filled actions in Christ. Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 1 Corinthians 10:32 whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Why does God want us to sing? Singing is one aspect by which we worship God, publicly proclaiming His glory and holiness and our gratitude to Him for who He is and for the gift of Son for our salvation. Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
What does God want us to sing? Scripture-Focused Songs: Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
What sorts of methods & instruments should we use for worship in song?
How does God want us to sing?
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Heaven Has Three Meanings In The Bible
The word heaven is used to describe several different places in the Bible. Firstly, the Bible speaks about the endless planets, stars and galaxies of the universe as being heaven. “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place” .
Secondly, the Bible speaks of the atmosphere that surrounds the earth as heaven or heavens . This would be the realm where birds and clouds are that surrounds the entire earth.
Lastly, it can mean Gods dwelling place. The Bible says, “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” . Gods throne is also mentioned in connection with the mountain of God . This is the unseen heaven most Christians are referring to, and is where we will reside after our passing.
Do Animals Go To Heaven
Where does this lead us in terms of whether animals go to heaven? We can say confidently that animals will be part of the new creation. Christs redemption is expressed in the re-creation of all the created order. As Gods kingdom is established upon the earth, this will undoubtedly involve the re-creation of the animal world. Dogs, cats, rabbits, mosquitos, crocodiles, and spiders will roam the new earth, just as much as they do this one. Similarly, Gods kingdom will also involve the re-creation of trees, flowers, rocks, and brambles. All are remade.
Does this mean that our beloved cat Fluffy”, or our faithful companion Rex, will come bounding toward us when we arrive in heaven? Unfortunately, Scripture does not answer this question. This is because this question would never have crossed the minds of the biblical writers. Dogs, specifically, were understood to be unclean scavengers. Scripture contains no positive reference to a dog. Thus, the idea of a dog being given a name, a bed, and a squeaky toy, would be unthinkable to those in the ancient world.
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We Will Have Work To Do
The idea of working in heaven is foreign to many people. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches it. When God created Adam, He took the man and put Him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it . Work was part of the original Eden. It was part of the perfect human life. God Himself is a worker. He didnt create the world then retire. Jesus said, My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working . Heaven too will be a place where we serve and work. Revelation mentions this several times how we will be serving God. That is why God gave us work to do in the garden.
Song Of The Creatures And Elders
Fell down before the Lamb The four living creatures and the 24 elders fall down to worship the Lamb. He was worthy to die for the sins of the world, worthy to open the scroll, and is worthy to be worshipped.
The Lamb is about to receive the same accolade as the Father, “Worthy art Thou” .
A harp and golden bowls The bowls of incense are explained. They represent “the prayers of the saints”. The harps therefore must represent the songs of Gods holy ones.
In Christian worship we do not use the symbols themselves, but what they represent. We do not use bowls of incense, rather we offer prayers. Likewise, we do not worship with harps or other musical instruments, rather we sing praises.
A new song This is a new song, an anthem not for one nation but for all the earth, for “every tribe and tongue and people and nation”.
This is a new song to mark a new way of salvation made possible by the Lamb of God. This song in heaven proclaims the same gospel that is written in the scroll and delivered by the seven spirits to all the earth.
Reign upon the earth In Revelation 20:6 this “reign upon the earth” is represented as a “reign with Christ”. Here is an important question: Where is Christ during this reign? Many say “on earth” but the Book of Revelation says he is in Heaven .
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Does It Draw You Closer To God
The second question regarding if Christians can listen to secular music is to ask yourself if the music you are listening to is drawing you closer to God.
As a Christian, you are called to live in light of eternity and be captivated by who God is. This comes from having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and walking in the Holy Spirit.
If you were able to answer yes to the first question about secular music glorifying God, then you can ask yourself this second question. Does the music you listen to give you deeper knowledge and understanding of who God is? Is it drawing you closer to Him and causing you to praise Him?
Another way to answer this question is to picture Jesus sitting in your car with you while you play secular songs through your car speakers. Would He be listening to the songs that you play?
Remember Jesus is still beside you in that car even if you cant see or feel Him.
There are definitely songs that honor and worship the Father that Jesus would listen to, but obviously, there are many other bands, albums, and songs in this world that He would not listen to because it does not respect or honor His Father.
During His time on earth, Jesus showed that He was intent on being close to His Father. He often went away to a quiet place away from all of the noise just to be with Him.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35 ESV
Bible Verses About Music
Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! .
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live I will sing praise to my God while I have being .
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up .
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise .
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord let us make joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! .
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart .
For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work at the works of your hands I sing for joy .
Sing to the Lord, all the earth proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise he is to be feared above all gods .
For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name .
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God .
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