The Matter of Music

NOTE: I am NOT against all CCM or modern Christian music.
I do not think drums are Satanic.
This is a message on moderation.

I was once a defender of the opposite side of this issue and a member of a "Christian Rock" band--I was forced to theses conclusions after much study in scripture and hope this will help others who truly want to be obedient to the Bible and healthy in their holiness

Taken from sermon notes from the sermon

“THE MINISTRY OF MUSIC”
Colossians 3:16

Ecclesiastes 7:5 “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”

Colossians 3:16 is as important to a believer as John 3:16 is to an unbeliever!

Music REALLY is the “American Idol” I have heard many say “I can’t live without my music” You will live according to what you listen to …and we all march to the beat of the drummer we choose to follow.

“Give me the songs of a nation and it matters not who writes its laws.” - Plato

Music INFLUENCES & IMPACTS the way we THINK and feel-consciously & subconsciously

The root word of Music is “MUSE” –a spiritual term for thought.

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Music is a meditation of the heart. It’s time to face the music….literally!

The question is………what KEY is music in? >> Is it in tune with God? Is it in HARMONY with HOLINESS? Is it in BEAT with the BIBLE?

Is God truly God of what we listen to? Is He God of your I-Pod?

Without a doubt, music is very closely tied to the Spirit filled life! Eph 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” Note the Very NEXT VERSE ...verse 19,“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Music will either HELP or HINDER you spiritually….there is no neutrality!

Music is MORAL! “I don’t listen to the really bad stuff” …means you admit there is bad stuff!

ALL non Christian music isn’t EVIL—patriotic songs, silly sing along songs etc. But some is.

Music is PHYSICAL! It increases or slows heart rates. Moves your feet….or hips. Makes us snap our fingers

Music is SPIRITUAL! Music has the power to make affect our attitude…. It make us moody or melancholy .

Spiritual music SOOTHES & EXCITES the SOUL.
Sensual music FEEDS the FLESH.

It doesn’t matter from what culture you come , or what your background may be. Marching music sounds the same in every country- for every Army!

- it’s NOT “just the words” - ask someone if they know what he words—and they say “I just listen to the music” .... then ask them about the music and they say “It’s all about the words”

1 Samuel 16:23 “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand (NO WORDS) so Saul was refreshed,(PHYSICAL) and was well, (MENTAL) and the evil spirit departed from him.(SPIRITUAL)”

I. IS DIVINELY DESIGNED

God gave us the gift of Music. The BIGGEST BOOK in the Bible…is a Song book!!!!

When Lucifer ....the music minister was cast out of heaven - he didn’t waste time using it for evil.

I went to a rock concert in Raleigh and the lead singer referred to it as “Worship” He said this was their“Church” . Deut 32:31 “For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.”

Romans_12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

WWJD?

Would Jesus break dance?
Dance Gingham style?
Would He head bang?

Titus 2:12 (Grace teaches) us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously,and godly, in this present world;

"But I like it" Of course we do--the Devil is good at what he does. My flesh still LOVES that kind of music. I went through music withdrawals worse than when I quit smoking.
There’s something that gets inside you and it’s called a HOOK! -always trying to pull you in the same boat

II. IS DOCTRINALLY DEFINED

- the word of God is to “dwell in us richly” in order for it to produce “wisdom.” “ TO THE LORD”; Eph 5:19 & Col 3:16 It is not primarily for the world. .. as a witness tool ..it is for us and Jesus

3 parts required to make music: Each element applies to our being

MELODY- connected to SPIRIT HARMONY- - connected to SOUL RHYTHM-- to BODY

“making melody” is the only one emphasized by God Nothing wrong with Rhythm….in it’s place

>When you hear the car shaking a half mile away—that’s out of order! Most modern music is almost or entirely absent of melody

Church music should remind us of HEAVEN, ...not HONKEY TONKS!

Psalms - sacred songs sung to musical instruments –usually solo. More poetical

hymns - an anthem directly giving glory TO God. More chordal

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” “To God be the Glory” “How Great Thou Art”

“spiritual songs… These are in reference not so much to WHO God IS, as to WHAT He DOES.

“I’ll Fly Away” and even “Amazing Grace” are examples

It is all about the music itself. It is worldly and fleshly. That is NOT a matter of personal opinion , cultue or tastes...it is the definition by the term itself , by the artists themselves! It is a proud part of their purpose and program...the more carnal...the better. Whether it be head banging, hip shaking or foot stomping.
Scientist say that Pop music is basically cranial crack , to the point that they have actually been able to predict which songs would become big sellers by hooking kids up to an MRI scanner and playing previously unheard pop tunes for them. When a future hit came on, the pleasure center of the brain lit up like a Christmas tree.

And not only does your brain go crazy when it hears catchy, poppy music, but also it actually derives pleasure from predicting the melodies as you listen, anticipating the emotion associated with certain types of music. This leads to a one-two punch where you get one thrill when your brain is expecting something to happen, and when it actually does another rush of dopamine comes in from an entirely different part of the brain. And this is where your brain enters Addict Mode. The easiest way for it to get its dopamine fix is tunes that are simple, predictable and repetitive -- so that's what it prefers, no matter your views on the artistic merits. That's right -- no matter how carefully hipster you are, or how hardcore a metalhead image you maintain, your brain is secretly into Bieber.

Now THAT is should scare us all alot! :-)

III. IS DISOBEDIENTALLY DECLINED

Hebrews 2:12 “In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”

This is a command not a suggestion

James_4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

God wants us to use music as a tool - to strengthen ourselves and encourage ONE ANOTHER.

Don’t just hold a hymnbook!! I’m not saying we all have to sing solos….but we are all commanded to sing!

The only bird that doesn’t sing is a BUZZARD!!! (*Evangelist Billy Kelly use to say: “Christians who don’t sing, ought to be sent to Sing Sing till they learn TO sing!”)

Psa 150:1 "praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary"
Psalm 35:18 “I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.” “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” (Matthew 12:34).

Proverbs 29:6 unequivocally says, “The righteous doth sing and rejoice.”
To NOT sing in church...... is to refuse to worship in church! “singing with grace in your hearts,” will help the “word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”

So lift your voice believers......and sing your heart out!!!
Psalm 40:1-2