MUSIC IN OUR WORSHIP

{Note: This post was originally intended to complement a couple of post by Bro. Archbishop that he posted back in December or January but no longer appears on this blog.}
(Delivered September 25, 1992 as the Music Report to the Annual Messenger Meeting of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Association of Oklahoma hosted by the North Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Bethel, Oklahoma). ---A compilation of material by Joseph L. Looney (2) at that time Pastor of Pine Top Missionary Baptist Church, Broken Bow, Oklahoma---

The Bible places great emphasis on music and singing as part of our service to God. Words related to praise, singing, and music occur approximately 575 times throughout the Bible. References to music are found in 44 of the 66 Books of the Bible. In Exodus 15, Moses and Miriam led the Israelites in a song of victory. One can find songs: of praise in Judges 5; of joy in I Samuel 2; of sorrow in II Samuel 1. Many of the 150 Psalms were originally used as a songbook. Psalms 92 says, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praise unto Thy name, O most High." Psalms 95:1,2 instructs us, "O come, let us sing unto the LORD: Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms." Many scriptures instruct, and yes, even command us to use our singing voices as instruments of praise unto the LORD.

Ever person who becomes a believer should also become a singer. There are no qualifications for a saved person to use his/her voice in praise and worship. The Scriptures do not say, "Sing unto the LORD... if you have a beautiful voice, if you feel like it, or if you are in the choir." The Scriptures do say, however, to "Sing unto the LORD." This is part of the believer's service to the LORD as is witnessing, giving, attendance, prayer or Bible study. Hebrews 2:12 states of Jesus, "I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." Jesus apparently led the disciples in the singing of praise to God in Matthew 26:30. Paul and Silas sang songs in jail in Acts 16. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus in Ephesians 5:18,19 to be "filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD." If then, we ignore this command and choose not to sing, we are being disobedient to God's instructions.

Music is not a time filler, nor mere decoration in our worship services; it must serve a valid, scriptural purpose. There is a trend in many of today's contemporary "churches" for music to become a form of Christian entertainment. God forbid! The Bible sets forth some very specific purposes and Christian entertainment is not one of them. One of those purposes is praise. Psalms 147:1 states, "Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely." We can easily see in this scripture that singing and praising are closely related. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to glory of God." If use of music in worship is motivated for any other reason or by anything other than a desire to "do all to the glory of God," then that effort fails to what is right according to the Scriptures.

Church Music in worship services is preaching and teaching in one sense because the music portion of the service teaches and gives testimony to and about God. Yet it should never take the place of the preaching service nor should more emphasis be placed upon it. And just as the Pastor and the Church are held responsible by God for what is preached and taught from the pulpit, likewise they are responsible for the music program. Colossians 3:16 states, "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 you hearts to the LORD." These instructions are unmistakable. The music we use must instruct us in the eternal truths and principles of God's Word. This then demands that the lyrics of each song be scriptural (that is, they should not say anything that is contrary to the teachings of the Word of God) and of unquestionable integrity. This also demands that special music only be rendered by those whose testimony is consistent with the Word of God. These servants should, therefore, be faithful members of a New Testament Church of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Thus extreme care should be taken and the help of God sought to insure that the selection of music for worship is Scriptural in its text, preparation, and presentation, whether this music be sung by one, a few, or many, or if it be played on any of hundreds of musical instruments. Singing heresy is just as wrong as preaching or teaching heresy.

Music should be designed to prepare hearts and minds to worship God in the greatest possible way. Hymns which appeal to the flesh rather than the Spirit nature should be avoided. The Word of God presented in a musical manner has the potential of attracting listeners that the spoken word might leave unattracted. Because of the unique qualities of music, it should be used as an evangelistic tool in spreading the Gospel and in teaching to observe the "all things" of Matthew 28:20.

The LORD desires that men and women dedicate their lives to Him so that their talents can be used in His service. However, His main concern is that we be available to Him. Even so, the Bible sets very high standards of personal commitment on the heart and life of the believer who sings. Ephesians 5:18 says we should be "filled with the Spirit" when we sing. The LORD sees our motivation for singing and the condition of our hearts. Our singing, to be pleasing to God, must be accompanied by a life which seeks to please the LORD in every way. Without personal holiness and a dedication to the LORD, public praise becomes an abomination that the LORD refuses to hear. Consider the words of the LORD in Amos 5:21-24, "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."

May God help us to be diligent to use our voices and instruments in a Scriptural way as we worship and praise Him. Only in this way can God get glory from the praise and worship rendered to Him in church music.

Respectfully Submitted
PINE TOP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

--A compilation of material by Joseph L. Looney from the following sources:
Paulk, Mike. Letter to Joseph L. Looney. 14 March 1992 (With written permission to use any or all of his material in any way chosen).

Pine Bluff Missionary Baptist Association Messenger Meeting held at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Benton, Ark., 15 October to 16 October 1981. 1981 Minutes And Yearbook, "Church Music Report."

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Association of Oklahoma Messenger Meeting held at Pine Top Missionary Baptist Church, Broken Bow, OK, 29 September 1984. 1984 Minutes, "Music Report" by James Holdiness.

Macedonia Missionary Baptist Association of Oklahoma Messenger Meeting held at Glover Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, Glover, OK, 30 September 1989, 1989 Yearbook (and Minutes) "Music Report" By Doyle Nations.

WHY I PREFER THE KING JAMES VERSION, Part 1

When I started this blog, one of my goals was to give some of the more experience brethren in our work a forum in which to speak out on issues that are facing our work today. On that note, the following has been submitted by Bro. Wendell Butte. I hope to receive more articles from him on this subject and historical articles on the ABA, the Cumberland River Association (which is the oldest local association affiliated with the ABA), Regular, Separate, and United Baptists, and perhaps a biographical sketch on some of the men that he taught with and sat under:

I have been trying to preach about 50 years now. I went to Eastern Baptist Seminary,where Dr. I.K. Cross was the president. J.C.James, Freddie Holmes,Walter Jones, Howard Prather,Warren Carroll, Chester E. Tulga, and many more have also taught there.

I also attended and taught for 10 years at Somerset Baptist Institute. Earl McBride, Ewell Hargis, and many others taught there. I presently teach at Cumberland Baptist Institute. I have taught about 15 years at these two schools. My subject is church history, but I have taught many other classes and still do.

I want to write first on the KJV. Today many are turning from it to many questionable translations.

Things I Study About When I Think of Other Translations

What they do to the virgin birth of Christ, the deity of Christ, the blood of Christ, the doctrines of repentance, salvation, hell? They use generic terms and remove hell out many times, deny that Christ was manifest in the flesh, give the appelation of the bright and morning star to Lucifer instead of Christ, omit so many verses out, and on and on we could go.

I have studied Bible translations for 50 years. I know what I am talking about. I have most other translations to compare and have taught about these in the churches that I have pastored and on my radio program. The Voice of the Cumberland 90.5 airs each sat night at 8.45 pm. Download King of Kings Radio, then go to schedule, and then go The Voice of the Cumberland.

WHY I PREFER THE KING JAMES VERSION, Part 2

This is the second part of the series by Bro. Wendell Butte on the KJV:

1. If things are different, then they cannot be the same

2. The word of God is settled forever in heaven.

3. I am talking about the King James Version and not the NKJV. Many say the New King James Version is just like the King James Version, but a honest look will show one different.

4. The King James Version is a tried and trusted translation .

5. The King James Version has been around almost 400 years.

There were changes made from the old english in 1611 kjv to the current 1789 edition that we have today. Words like thee, words like Hee for God. Words like gofpel to gospel etc. But no damage was done to the doctrines of the old 1611 kjv.

6. The KJV, does not do damage to the Blood of Christ-many remove the word blood. You might say prove it. Give me time, and by the help of God I will later.

7. The KJV does not do damage to the virgin birth of Christ.

8. The KJV does not do damage to the deity of Christ.

9. I believe that the KJV has beautiful language.

10.The argument that the KJV has hard words and the modern versions have easier words does not sell to me.

11.Some say we cannot understand the KJV, but I thought we were real educated .

12. Later I will write about hard words and easy words.

13.Sometimes some will say and write what has happened to the word or Bible doctrine of repentance?
It has been removed in many translations,we had better open our eyes. In Luke 13.3,5:

Jesus said. " I tell you,nay :but,except ye repent,ye shall all likewise perish ." Verse 5: "I tell you,nay : but,except ye repent,ye shall all likewise perish. "

Now think of that except ye repent-- they take repent out and put except ye change. I believe repent or repentance is turning from the sin of unbelief and to belief on and in Christ. How dangerous is a translation that changes repent to change? I know and you know that you mat change from the sin of cussing, gambling, drugs,etc and still not be saved. This is very, very dangerous don't you think? Keep looking. There will be more to follow.

Pastor's Stand on Performing Marriage Ceremonies

An ordained preacher has the right to perform the marriage ceremony in a state if he is registered in one county (or parish). As a young preacher, I was advised by an older pastor to decide on a policy concerning which ceremonies I would agree to perform. Every preacher should give this matter some consideration.
The Bible teaches marriage is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman until death (1 Cor. 7:10, 11, 12, 13, 27, 39). Preachers have frequent opportunities to perform a ceremony - but do not have to comply with every request to do so. In order to follow the teachings of the Bible concerning marriage, I determined at the beginning of my ministry to perform some marriage ceremonies and to refuse others. The Bible teaches a believer not to marry an unbeliever. 2 Cor. 6:14. The pre-wedding counseling is a wonderful opportunity to question the prospective couple, to hear their testimonies and to witness to them if one or both is not saved. I do not perform a ceremony for a believer and an unbeliever.
The Bible is so clear concerning divorce and remarriage that I determined I would not perform a ceremony if either one has been divorced for any reason. Matt 5:31, 32; Matt 19:3, 8, 9; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:3. Taking God's Word as my guide for my ministry, I could not do otherwise. This policy has to be consistent with friends, family, church members and others alike. Preachers who follow the Bible concerning which marriage ceremonies they will or will not perform take a stand for God and His Word concerning the institution of marriage.

Pastor's Marital Status

Satan attacks God's preachers through their marriages. Preachers are not immune to failing marriages. The devil's strategy is to thin the ranks of those biblically qualified to serve a NT church as pastor. Although there are several spiritual and moral qualifications in 1 Tim. 3:1-7, the marriage qualification is under heavy attack. In order for a pastor to be unblameable before the world and set the right example for the church he pastors, he must be the husband of "one wife." 1 Tim. 3:2. As with "widows indeed," the similar expression is used, the Bible does not mean one husband or one wife at a time. Literally, it is a "one woman man" for a pastor and a "one man woman" to be a "window indeed." Matt 19:6 speaks of the unity or oneness of marriage. In the unity or oneness of marriage, the pastor and wife must reflect the Bible standard for marriage, which pictures the relationship of Christ and His bride.
The customs of false religions are not by the Bible in this regard. The Jewish custom of the OT priest included not taking a wife that was a harlot or divorced; the high priest could not marry anyone that was not a virgin. Lev. 21 The high qualifications of a priest pointed to Christ, our High Priest. The qualifications for pastors are high to make a difference between false worship and true worship. Robert Gromacki, in his book on 1 Timothy entitled Stand True To The Charge, page 80, wrote a pastor cannot "have more than one living wife. The phrase prohibits divorce and remarriage...Consequently,...there must be no record of divorce or other marital infidelity in the candidate, even before his conversion...Even though he could be forgiven...he would no longer be blameless in his marital life." Many try to excuse divorce and remarriage on the basis that it occurred before salvation. It is still on a person's record before men. Although it became common among the Romans and the Jews in NT times, Paul instructed Timothy that the pastor of a NT church must not be divorced and remarried.
The marital status of pastors is one standard of God's Word this is now under attack and being compromised. In his influential role, the respect and honor due a pastor of a NT church is to be reserved for those men who have no cause for reproach. It is Satan's strategy to reduce the ranks of qualified men to serve as pastors by disqualifying them in their marital status. Young preacher, be careful when choosing a wife. The only way to prevent some divorces is to prevent some marriages. Married preacher, don't take your marriage for granted. Satan is on the prowl.

The Cross on which Jesus Died

For the Greek geeks, was Jesus hung on a literal tree or on a beam cut from a tree?

Popular Appeal of False Religion

Human reasoning finds false religion very appealing. There are hundreds of millions who devote themselves faithfully to the practice of false religions. The loyalty of God's poeple is constantly being tested by the attraction of false religions which allows religious people to worship and to be like the world. Hosea refers to Beth-Awen (house of nothing) in 10:5. This was a location of an idolatrous temple where a bull was worshipped. Beth-Awen is in great contrast to Bethel (house of God). Those who seek to obey God in true worship follow the doctrines of Christ which seem foolish and undersirable to the world.
False worships offers guaranteed results. Some prefer the name it, claim it gospel where the desires of the people are automatically promised if they have sufficient faith. Some actually believe they can put God in their debt by their works of worship. They believe God is obligated to bless them according to their desires. The name it, claim it gospel is far removed from biblical teachings. God's people should pray as Jesus prayed, "Not my will, but thine be done." Human reasoning prefers guaranteed results to being dependent one the will of God.
False worship promotes materialism (the inordinate desire to accumulate money and possessions). 1 Tim. 6:19; Matt. 6:24. The health and wealth gospel is a way of life that lives by the premise that the more you give, the more you will be blessed. If one is religious enough, he may become welathy. The health and wealth gospel is a way of life in stark contradiction to the poverty Jesus suffered. Jesus was very religious. He did not own a home, his own bed and had to borrow another man's tomb. How did Jesus miss the health and wealth gospel? Human reasoning prefers the health and wealth gospel to submission to the will of God.
False worship is a convenient religion. Deut. 13:2 reveals false worship was conducted "upon the mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree." People may worship anywhere, on any day, at any time, at any place and by any method they choose. False worship made it unnecessary for the Jews to make the trip to Jerusalem to the house of God. God's house is the divinely designated place where a New Testament church, the "pillar and ground of the truth," 1 Tim 3:15, gathers for worship. Human reasoning prefers a convenient religion.
False worship is an ecumenical religion. It makes sense for everyone to worship together, doesn't it? It makes sense for all religions to get together, doesn't it? It makes sense for the doctrines of truth not to get in the way of ecumenical progress, doesn't it? To men, yes - but to God, NO! In both the OT and the NT God plainly teaches His people to separate themselves from false worship 2 Cor. 6:14-17. Jesus instituted and organized one true way of worship during hIs personal ministry on earth. He said, "I will build my church," Matt 16:18. He did and He is continually building up true local churches. All others are built by men. Human reasoning prefers an ecumenical religion that brings all people together regardless of Bible truth.
False worship is a humanistic religion. False religion pleases the desires of the flesh. Those who are artistic may worship statutes, images and paintings they have devised. Some believe in the philosophy, "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." Satisfaction in false worship is found in emotional euphoria, heavy drinking and erotic fulfillment (sexual preferences accpeted that fulfill anyone's desires). Human reasoning prefers to please the desires of the flesh rather than pleasing the God who made us.
While the appeals of false religion are many, God still demands His people worship Him "in spirit and in truth," John 4:24.