Sources of Encouragement
Joe R. Price
The
theme of the epistle of Paul to the Philippians is joy in Christ. There is
no doubt that Paul was an example of joy in Christ as he faced the trials of
his life; he could “do all things through Christ” who strengthened
him (Phil. 4:13). We, like the Philippians, should follow his example
(Phil. 4:9).
But like
any of us today, Paul had to learn the contentment and joy that defined his
life. And, like us, Paul needed encouragement. He was a prisoner in Rome
due to persecution by faithless Jews and men-pleasing politicians; he was
misrepresented by brethren whose selfish ambition engendered envy and strife
rather than goodwill; and some of his fellow workers were divided in spirit
where oneness of mind should have prevailed.
Listen to Paul as
he teaches the Philippians saints what would truly encourage him:
“Therefore if
there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy
by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one
mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of
you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others.”
(Phil. 2:1-4)
Notice the
blessings that are found in Christ: consolation (encouragement), comfort,
fellowship, affection and mercy (v. 1). These are real spiritual blessings
we have in Christ. Joy is made complete (“fulfilled”) when brethren
are united in Christ: “…fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the
same love, being of one accord, of one mind,” v. 2). Thus, we correctly
conclude that unity is an encouragement to God’s people, but division
produces discouragement, doubt and disarray (Eph. 4:1-6; 1 Cor. 1:10-11;
11:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 2:14-18).
Unity with its
corresponding ability to encourage will not exist unless and until we
eliminate pride from our hearts (see Phil. 2:3-4). Acting out of
“selfish ambition” and “conceit” prevents unity and keeps us from
encouraging others. This is true at school, on the job, in the home and in
the church. The humble heart is not selfish; it thinks of others instead of
itself. When our hearts are humble we become great sources of encouragement
and joy to others. But, when selfishness reigns in our heart, the needs of
others (including the need for encouragement) remain unfulfilled. With the
humility of Jesus Christ as our guidepost may we “look out not only for
(our) own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil.
2:4-5).
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The History of Instrumental Music in Worship
Joe R. Price
How men
and women approach God in worship is of fundamental importance to God.
Therefore, it must also be important to us. From the dawn of humanity God
has expected men to approach Him in worship as He prescribes and not upon
the basis of human ingenuity (Gen. 4:1-8; Heb. 11:4). The priests Nadab and
Abihu were devoured by fire from God because they did not offer the fire God
had commanded (Lev.10:1-2). Other Old Testament examples show God’s
insistence upon man worshiping according to His stated will (1 Kgs.
12:25-13:6; 2 Kgs. 17:16-18).
Jesus taught the very same principle when He instructed, “God is Spirit, and
those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jno. 4:24). God’s
pattern for authorized and approved worship for the local church is singing,
praying, preaching, eating the Lord’s Supper and giving (Eph. 5:19; 1 Tim.
2:8; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29; 1 Cor. 16:2). We must carefully adhere to
Christ’s revealed pattern of acceptable worship (Heb. 8:5, 1-2; Col. 3:17).
If not, how are we any better – and safer – than Nadab and Abihu??
As
time passed men became dissatisfied with this simple order of worship.
Innovations were gradually introduced and made to the New Testament’s design
for true worship. Among these was the use of instrumental music to worship
God. God did not command the church to use it; men introduced it. It is
true that worship at the temple during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah
included the use of mechanical instruments of music (2 Chron. 29:25). The
instrumentalist appeals to that practice to legitimize the use of
instrumental music today. He would not tolerate offering burnt offerings of
animals on an altar today even though this was also a part of the temple
worship (2 Chron. 29:26-28). Approving one act of worship under the Law of
Moses obligates one to take all of its worship according to Galatians 3:10
and 5:3, something the instrumentalist is unwilling to do. His use of Old
Testament passages that approve the use of instrumental music in worship do
not approve its use under the gospel of Christ; the law has been changed
(Heb. 7:12). The gospel of Christ commands and approves singing but not
playing as acceptable music in worship.
History
shows the use of instrumental music in the worship of the church resulted
from men’s additions and not from the commandments of God. The following
citations illustrate the historical conflict over using instrumental music
in worship.
Edwin Dickinson,
Professor, Oberlin College: “In view of the controversies over the use of
instrumental music in worship which have been so violent in the British and
American Protestant churches, it is an interesting question whether
instruments were employed by the primitive Christians. We know that
instruments performed an important function in the Hebrew temple service and
in the ceremonies of the Greeks. At this point, however, a break was made
with all previous practice, and although the lyre and flute were sometimes
employed by the Greek converts, as a general rule, the use of instruments in
worship was condemned.” (History of Music in the Western Church, 54)
John Girardeau,
Professor, Columbia Theological Seminary (Presbyterian): “It has thus been
proved, by an appeal to historical facts, that the church, although lapsing
more and more into defection from the truth and into a corruption of
apostolic practice, had no instrumental music for twelve hundred years; and
that the Calvinistic Reformed Church ejected it from its services as an
element of Popery, even the Church of England having come very nigh to its
extrusion from her worship. The historical argument, therefore, combines
with the Scriptural and the confessional to raise a solemn and powerful
protest against its employment by the Presbyterian Church. It is heresy in
the sphere of worship.” (Instrumental Music in the Public Worship of the
Church, Girardeau, 179)
John Calvin
(Presbyterian founder): “Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of
God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up
of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The papists,
therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from
the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but
the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more
pleasing to Him.” (Psalm 33, Calvin’s Commentaries)
John Wesley
(Methodist founder): “I have no objection to instruments of music in our
chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.” (cited in Clarke’s
Commentary, IV, 684)
Such citations could be multiplied but space prohibits it. The point is
made; historians and Bible commentators admit the use of instrumental music
in worship was added by men long after the days of the New Testament. The
religious leaders of movements that now use instrumental music rejected it
as an element of “Popery” since it was sanctioned by the Roman Catholic
papacy in the seventh century (see American Encyclopedia, XII, 688).
Undoubtedly, man introduced, approved and advanced its use in worship, not
Jesus Christ.
We
urge a return to the simplicity purity of New Testament worship. We urge
using the music commanded by Christ through His apostles; singing. Vocal
music honors God; instruments of music in worship honors men as innovators
of worship (Eph.5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; Jas. 5:13; Matt. 15:7-9). Who
will you honor?
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Our Great Salvation
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 2:1-4
1.
Devil tempts Christians with wrong thinking about being a Christian, like:
“Why should I bother?” “What is the point?” “What difference does it
make?”
2. Book of Hebrews teaches us why it matters: The great salvation we have
in Jesus Christ!
I.
SALVATION, Lk. 19:10; Acts 4:12.
A. It
is a Superior Salvation, Heb. 2:3 (Heb. 1:4-14; Gal. 3:19; Acts 7:53; Gal.
3:18, 21); 10:1-4.
B. It is Spoken Salvation, Heb. 2:3.
1. Spoken first by Lord, Acts 10:36-38 (Lk. 4:18-21; 16:16); Jno.
12:49-50 (Heb. 1:1-2).
2. Spoken by the apostles, Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 13:46-49; Rom. 10:8
(1:15-17); Col. 1:4-8.
C. It is Confirmed Salvation, Heb. 2:3.
1. What? Gal. 1:11.
2. How? Heb. 2:3-4 (Acts 1:8; 10:38-43); Mk. 16:17-20 (Jno. 3:2; Acts
2:7, 12; 10:38).
3. Why? Exo. 4:1-5, 29-31; Acts 2:12, 14; 11:3, 15-18
II. HOW
SHALL WE ESCAPE…
A. If
We Neglect our Great Salvation? Heb. 2:3.
1. By failing to grow, Heb. 5:12-6:3.
2. By becoming spiritually sluggish (lazy), Heb. 6:9-11 (10:36); 1 Tim.
4:6; 2 Tim. 3:10.
3. By willfully sinning, Heb. 10:26-27 (Presumptuous, high-handed) 25;
Deut. 1:41-44; Heb. 11:25-26.
B. If We Drift Away? Heb. 3:12-13; 6:4-6; 10:39
Conclusion
1. No
escape if we neglect our great salvation:
a. LOM shows God justly punishes sin (Heb. 2:2; 10:28-31).
b. Our God is a consuming fire against those who refuse Him who speaks,
Heb. 12:25-29
2. May God perfect us “in every good work to do His will,” Heb.
13:20-21.
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Credibility
Joe R. Price
The
United Nations Security Council has demanded that Iran, a member state of
the U.N., cease its enrichment of uranium by Friday, April 28. Iranian
President Ahmadinejad said Thursday that his nation would continue to enrich
uranium and not bow to international pressures. Also on Thursday U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it was “highly unlikely” that Iran
would comply with current U.N. demands, noting that Iran’s refusal to comply
with U.N. demands will test the credibility of the U.N. Rice observed, “It
goes without saying that the United States believes that, in order to be
credible, the U.N. Security Council, of course, has to act” (“UN must be
ready to act on Iran: Rice,” today.reuters.com/news).
This
battle of wills reminds me of what goes on between parents and children.
When a child openly defies his parents’ will the credibility of the parents’
authority or right to rule is at stake. And be assured, children do
test the credibility of their parents (“Will mom and dad really
punish me if I don’t do what they say?”) Whose authority will rule in the
home; the parents’ or the child’s? When a child throws a tantrum to “get
his way” and parents give him his way to “avoid a problem” instead of
punishing as promised, the child quickly learns that he or she is really
the one in charge.
Such
credibility can be regained, but not easily. Authority has to be
reestablished; once rule is handed over to a child it is reluctantly
relinquished. The child must know the rules and know he or she will be
punished if the rule is disobeyed. Then when it is, the child must be
punished. Parents must be consistent in their discipline so the child knows
he will be punished when he (or she) disobeys (cf. Eccl. 8:11).
“He who
spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly”
(Prov.
13:24; see 3:11-12).
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