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The Church is Changing!
I, and a number of elders,
gospel preachers and other church leaders, am becoming increasingly troubled by
certain changes taking place in the Lord's church. Something is seriously
wrong. Hardly a large congregation in any city is untouched by changes which
polarize the members, kill the spirit of evangelism and drain the heart of
enthusiasm. What is happening? Obviously many have taken a wrong turn
somewhere along the road
For one thing, we have failed
to instill the principles of New Testament Christianity in the hearts of a
generation (or two) of our children. Now we are reaping the harvest of
confusion, unrest, and out and out apostasy from the truth. How would we expect
the Faith to be passed to another generation unless we diligently and
persistently taught the fundamental doctrines? We are "shooting ourselves in
the foot" by neglecting biblical doctrines concerning the one church, baptism,
the one faith, weekly communion and vocal music in worship. It's not enough to
say "We teach doctrine in Sunday School; we don't need to preach much doctrine
in the pulpit". Truth be told, precious little Sunday School time is devoted to
study of biblical doctrine. We have put too much trust in the religion
departments of Christian Colleges. Scholarship can be a friend of the church;
it can also be its enemy. Unless we are people of the Book-true Bible
students-our faith will be shallow, and we will be susceptible to being misled
by others who "think for us". Televised Pentecostal church services are having
an effect on us also. The focus of worship is entertaining ourselves, making
ourselves "feel good" about worship. Musical programs, pageantry, humorous
preaching, personal testimony, raising hands and "feeling the spirit" is
replacing solid gospel preaching, quietness of soul and Christ-centeredness.
"It feels good, therefore it is good" doesn't work in other areas of life: we
don't accept this as a standard for the practice of medicine or flying
airplanes. Why would we think it is valid criteria for acceptable worship? We
need to get back to worship which pleases God-the worship described in the New
Testament. In spite of our disappointments in today's church, I am encouraged
that there are still faithful gospel preachers, elders and congregations
continuing to hold uncompromisingly to the word of God!
-David Tarbet
Singing
I stand amazed at how much the
Bible speaks about singing and how little we say about it. I have at times
heard folk speak of "only singing" as though it were purely optional. Beyond
that, seldom is it seemingly understood as a genuine expression of worship to
our Lord and God. Passages abound in the Psalms. A small sampling includes:
Psalms 30:4; 47:6; 59:16; 89:1. The New Testament is far from silent about
singing: Ephesians. 5:19 speaks of it as "from the heart'; Colossians 3:16 tells
of "gratitude in the heart", Romans 15:9 says to sing "to the name of the Lord";
1 Corinthians 14:15 stresses the "understanding" of what we sing. Look into the
Revelation and see how singing is a vital portion of the heavenly scenes, such
as in Revelation 5:9; 14:3; 15:3-4. The emphasis in each instance is on the
singing as directed by God. In singing we extol and praise God for who He truly
is. Such praise is at the very heart of what we call worship!!! There is little
emphasis on the "music" and what is said focuses on the "heart" of the singer.
It is noted that we understand and put emphasis on the message in singing. It
does not so much require a beautiful voice but a gratitude-filled heart to sing
as God desires us to sing. It is not the sound produced but rather the inner
"praise" that is expressed. Singing is worship! It is a sublime expression of
something God desires.
Via
Bulletin Digest B. Austin Emery Idabel, Oklahoma
The Wednesday Night Crowd
The
Wednesday night crowd doesn't have any more time for church attendance than
anyone else. In fact, some of this number are among the busiest folks around.
But when they are in town, they are part of our worship assembly.
The Wednesday night crowd doesn't ride in more comfortable automobiles to get to
church. In fact, last week one brother rode his motorcycle 10 miles to get
here.
The Wednesday night crowd doesn't live closer to the church building. In fact,
one regular attendee drives 80 miles round trip to work, gets home, and drives 9
or 10 miles in a different direction to get to church.
The Wednesday night crowd isn't younger and more energetic than other folks. In
fact, a couple who are almost always present are in their 80s.
The Wednesday night crowd doesn't have fewer children to get ready. In fact,
last week, as usual, one sister all by herself brought all three of her children
under six years of age.
The Wednesday night crowd has the same work responsibilities, the same number of
out-of -town visitors dropping in unexpectedly, the same number or flat tires,
the same family problems, the same number of headaches, and the same amount of
children's homework (during the school year) as other folks. The difference,
though, is that the Wednesday night crowd feels the need and has made the
commitment to be part of the mid-week worship assembly every week They feel
blessed for having done so
How about
you?
BULLETIN DIGEST
Jim Howard via The Edifier Minden. Louisiana
Is
Instrumental Music A Doctrinal Issue?
In an effort to try to justify
the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, some say that their
use is not a doctrinal issue. God has spoken in the New Testament
that singing is the kind of music we must use if we expect to worship Him
in spirit and in truth. Singing is the limit of God's command.
Some may say, "The Bible does not say not to use mechanical instruments of
music in worship." When God gives a command to do something, He does
not have to say > But don't do this, and don't do that, etc."
People today may think that it
makes no difference if they add mechanical instruments of music in
worshipping God. In the Old Testament we have the example of Nadab
and Abihu who were presumptuous in their thinking that [adding something
to worship] made no difference. In Leviticus 10:1-2 (NIV) we read,
"Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, took their censers, put fire in them and
added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord,
contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the
Lord and consumed them and they died before the Lord.
In Leviticus 16:12-13 God
commanded, "The he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from
the alter of burnt offering to burn the incense in the tabernacle."
But Nadab and Abihu decided to do it their own way and get coals of fire
from somewhere else. They offered unauthorized fire. They died
a horrible death because they did something God did not authorize.
Just as Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire, is there an excuse for
people to offer unauthorized mechanical instrumental music to the Lord?
The use of mechanical instruments
of music in worship does make a difference, because God has never
permitted man to devise the plans or the means for his worship to God.
This is very serious, because we will lose our souls through presumptuous
sins jsut as Nadab and Abihu lost their lives through their presumptuous
sins. Judgment Day will be too late to find out that it is wrong to
use unauthorized mechanical instruments of music to worship God.
Ron Boatwright.
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