Post by pitbull on Feb 8, 2006 12:18:31 GMT -5
This principle should be obvious, but from what I have personally witnessed I believe this Biblical guideline needs to be stated. Christian musicians must be dedicated to the Lord — not worldly or egotistical.
It's amazing when God sought for a man after His own heart, God picked — a young musician named David. When God picked His king for Israel, it was — a young musician named David.
· “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:” [Acts 13:22-23]
It's interesting to note that before David was a soldier — he was a musician.
It's interesting to note that before David was king — he was a musician.
It's interesting to note that when God choose David — he was a musician.
It's also very interesting that when the servants of Saul sought for a musician to play before Saul because an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him, they chose David.
· “But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.” [1 Samuel 16:14-18]
(These verses CLEARLY “knock out" that myth that music is neutral.)
Noticed in verse 18, the testimony of David:
· that is cunning in playing - Good musician
· and a mighty valiant man – Valiant: heroic, courageous
· and a man of war - How did they know that? David hasn't fought Goliath yet
· and prudent in matters – Prudent: wise and disciplined in conduct
· and a comely person – Comely: fair, handsome, modest
· and the LORD is with him - The world knew David was dedicated to God
Christian musicians, like David, should have a clear-cut testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian musicians, like David, should be separate from the world — Saul's servants KNEW David was different.
Christian musicians, like David, should have this testimony — "the LORD is with them".
Christian musicians like David, should be dedicated to the Lord.
In the Old Testament the Levites had a special place with the Lord. They were the spiritual leaders. And do you know whom God told David to choose for musicians. THE LEVITES.
· “And David spake to the chief of THE LEVITES to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.” [1 Chronicles 15:16]
God did NOT allow just anybody to be His musicians. Apparently the Lord took His music very serious. For when He choose His musicians — He SPECIFICALLY choose the most dedicated and consecrated tribe in all of Israel — the LEVITES. The Levites were separated for the service of the sanctuary. The priests were also chosen from the Levites.
How does that compare with what is happening today. We've got people today, who are supposed to be God's musicians who have openly committed adultery, been arrested for child molestation, used drugs, fellowshipped and singing ungodly, wicked songs and on and on and on. And all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is not just restricted to CCM. All Christian musicians should be completely dedicated unto the Lord in their ministry just in the same fashion as preachers and other servants.
I am sure that there is someone who is going to say, “But that was the Old Testament. That was the children of Israel. What about the New Testament?” I'm glad you asked.
In Ephesians 5:19, the Lord mentions "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
· “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Look at the verse 18, the requirement for verse 19, "be filled with the Spirit".
· “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Also, look at verses 20 and 21, that also qualify (see the semi-colon;) verse 19 —
· “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
In Colossians 3:16, the Lord has another qualification for His musicians:
· “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 your hearts to the Lord.”
Did you notice the requirement in Col. 3:16 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY" — A Christian musician should be a serious student of the Word of God. A Christian musician should "teach and admonish" in his songs because the Word of Christ is dwelling in him. The Christian musician should KNOW the Word of God. So any musician who makes the excuse that they are not there to “preach” the Word, you should be a “fruit inspector” to determine that an unbiblical attitude has just been expressed. Any that demonstrated such an unsubmitted spirit clearly have violated the following two requirements:
· Christian musicians should be "filled with the Spirit".
· Christian musicians should be "filled RICHLY with the Word of God".
Test your musicians according to this Biblical guideline. Do they demonstrate this type of heart or an attitude of rebellion? Please keep in mind that Christian musicians must be dedicated to the Lord — not worldly. It is a serious ministry of praise unto the Lord and edification of the saints.
It's amazing when God sought for a man after His own heart, God picked — a young musician named David. When God picked His king for Israel, it was — a young musician named David.
· “And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:” [Acts 13:22-23]
It's interesting to note that before David was a soldier — he was a musician.
It's interesting to note that before David was king — he was a musician.
It's interesting to note that when God choose David — he was a musician.
It's also very interesting that when the servants of Saul sought for a musician to play before Saul because an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him, they chose David.
· “But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.” [1 Samuel 16:14-18]
(These verses CLEARLY “knock out" that myth that music is neutral.)
Noticed in verse 18, the testimony of David:
· that is cunning in playing - Good musician
· and a mighty valiant man – Valiant: heroic, courageous
· and a man of war - How did they know that? David hasn't fought Goliath yet
· and prudent in matters – Prudent: wise and disciplined in conduct
· and a comely person – Comely: fair, handsome, modest
· and the LORD is with him - The world knew David was dedicated to God
Christian musicians, like David, should have a clear-cut testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. Christian musicians, like David, should be separate from the world — Saul's servants KNEW David was different.
Christian musicians, like David, should have this testimony — "the LORD is with them".
Christian musicians like David, should be dedicated to the Lord.
In the Old Testament the Levites had a special place with the Lord. They were the spiritual leaders. And do you know whom God told David to choose for musicians. THE LEVITES.
· “And David spake to the chief of THE LEVITES to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy.” [1 Chronicles 15:16]
God did NOT allow just anybody to be His musicians. Apparently the Lord took His music very serious. For when He choose His musicians — He SPECIFICALLY choose the most dedicated and consecrated tribe in all of Israel — the LEVITES. The Levites were separated for the service of the sanctuary. The priests were also chosen from the Levites.
How does that compare with what is happening today. We've got people today, who are supposed to be God's musicians who have openly committed adultery, been arrested for child molestation, used drugs, fellowshipped and singing ungodly, wicked songs and on and on and on. And all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is not just restricted to CCM. All Christian musicians should be completely dedicated unto the Lord in their ministry just in the same fashion as preachers and other servants.
I am sure that there is someone who is going to say, “But that was the Old Testament. That was the children of Israel. What about the New Testament?” I'm glad you asked.
In Ephesians 5:19, the Lord mentions "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
· “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”
Look at the verse 18, the requirement for verse 19, "be filled with the Spirit".
· “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Also, look at verses 20 and 21, that also qualify (see the semi-colon;) verse 19 —
· “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
In Colossians 3:16, the Lord has another qualification for His musicians:
· “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 your hearts to the Lord.”
Did you notice the requirement in Col. 3:16 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY" — A Christian musician should be a serious student of the Word of God. A Christian musician should "teach and admonish" in his songs because the Word of Christ is dwelling in him. The Christian musician should KNOW the Word of God. So any musician who makes the excuse that they are not there to “preach” the Word, you should be a “fruit inspector” to determine that an unbiblical attitude has just been expressed. Any that demonstrated such an unsubmitted spirit clearly have violated the following two requirements:
· Christian musicians should be "filled with the Spirit".
· Christian musicians should be "filled RICHLY with the Word of God".
Test your musicians according to this Biblical guideline. Do they demonstrate this type of heart or an attitude of rebellion? Please keep in mind that Christian musicians must be dedicated to the Lord — not worldly. It is a serious ministry of praise unto the Lord and edification of the saints.