Singing or Playing?

     Hello from up in the country, Enola, Arkansas and the Enola Church of Christ.  We had another great day this past Sunday (1^st) with 137 assembled together for Bible study, fellowship, and worship.  Everyone seemed to be excited to be back into the “old school” routine.  After all, it’s September!  Gary Beeson did an outstanding job directing the service as we sang psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with melody in our hearts to God.  We always sing this way; in spirit and in truth, without a piano or an organ, without guitars, percussion, or any other mechanical instrument of music.  We specifically choose to worship God this way.  Why?  Well, when I read the Bible I find that Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn (Matthew 26:30).  You will not find a place in the Bible where Jesus ever played an instrument or was in a service where instruments were played or commanded or even inferred that mechanical instruments of music could be used in worship.  When Paul wrote to the Christians in 1 Corinthians 14:15, he mentioned singing.  He wrote, “What is the conclusion then?  I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding.  I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding.”  Very simple.  Paul once again writes about singing in Ephesians 5.  In verse 8-10 he writes; “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”  Did you see that?  “Finding out what is acceptable to the Lord…”  Now read chapter 5, verse 17. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  Read that again.  Is anyone interested in this modern day of ours what the will of the Lord is, or what is acceptable to the Lord?  In verse 19 we can read about singing, not playing instruments.  In his letter to the church of Christ at Colosse we see that Paul once again wrote about singing.  In chapter 3, verse 15 he writes, “And let the peace of God rule your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”  One body!  Of course we know that the “one body” is the church that Jesus built (Ephesians 1:22-23).  The very next verse (16) Paul writes, “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.”  Once again, let me ask:  Did you read about any instrument of music?

     I realize that King David in the Old Testament loved instruments of music and included various mechanical instruments of music in temple worship.  We no longer live under the authority of the law, the prophets, the psalms, or the proverbs.  We live under the authority of Jesus Christ.  He has all authority (Matthew 28:18).  God has spoken to us today not through the law or the prophets, but through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2).  When Jesus was transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John in Matthew 17, Peter said to Jesus, “If You wish, let us make three tabernacles; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  Note what happened next.  God spoke from heaven and said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  Hear Him.”  Did you catch that?  Who is it we are to hear today?  Moses?  No.  Elijah?  No.  Jesus.  Absolutely.  James wrote about singing in such simple terms.  In James 5:13 we read, “Is anyone among you suffering?  Let him pray.  Is anyone among you cheerful?  Let him sing psalms.”

     Believe me.  I understand that mechanical instruments of music can create much excitement and can be played in such a way or in such combinations that our emotions can be moved to tears or to great joy.   Just think about it though.  When it comes to what we do when we meet together for worship, who are we trying to please or impress:  People?  Ourselves?  Or God?  I also understand that some people are very talented when it comes to playing the piano, the guitar, the drums, or other instruments.  Play these instruments at home, at school, at work, or for your pleasure, but when the church comes together to worship God, let us put aside these things and our own desire to be seen and heard and applauded in order to worship Him in the way that pleases Him.

     This coming Sunday (9^th) we will continue in our series “The Facts of Life” and think about how long eternity is.  Yes.  Life is short.  And eternity is mighty long.  Our suffering in this short life cannot be compared to the peace and joy we will experience in heaven forever.  On Sunday evening we will have a very special guest preacher; Brother Bill Cline with Truth for Today.  May God bless us as we put Him first in life and living every day.