Instrumental Music In Worship

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Instrumental MusicIn Worship

• Is it a sin to have instruments of music in
  worship?
• Colossians 316-17

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Introduction

• The first thing that many visitors notice when
  they visit us There is no organ or piano
• Many ask why we do not have one.
• Let me explain

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1 - NT Does Not Include Them

• Matthew 2630 - And when they had sung a hymn,
  they went out to the Mount of Olives.
• Mark 1426 - And when they had sung a hymn, they
  went out to the Mount of Olives.
• Acts 1625 - But at midnight Paul and Silas were
  praying and singing hymns to God, and the
  prisoners were listening to them.

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1 - NT Does Not Include Them

• Romans 159 - and that the Gentiles might glorify
  God for His mercy, as it is written For this
  reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
  And sing to Your name.
• Ephesians 519 - speaking to one another in
  psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
  making melody in your heart to the Lord,

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1 - NT Does Not Include Them

• 1 Corinthians 1415 - What is the conclusion
  then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will
  also pray with the understanding. I will sing
  with the spirit, and I will also sing with the
  understanding.
• Colossians 316 - 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.

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1 - NT Does Not Include Them

• Hebrews 212 - saying I will declare Your name
  to My brethren In the midst of the assembly I
  will sing praise to You.
• James 513 - Is anyone among you suffering? Let
  him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing
  psalms.
• No Instruments are mentioned in any passage!

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2 History / Background

• No instruments were used for the first 600 years
  of the church
• First introduced by Pope Vitalian I 670 AD
  rejected and removed
• Reintroduced about 100 years later
• Greek Orthodox objected and still object
• Most major denominations did not use them when
  1st formed

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3 Biblical Reasons

• No Scriptural authority

• Baptism is scriptural
• Jesus is scriptural
• Organs are not scriptural
• Scriptural means contained, taught, or
  supported in Scriptures (the Bible)

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3 Biblical Reasons

• 2 Thessalonians 36 - But we command you,
  brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
  that you withdraw from every brother who walks
  disorderly and not according to the tradition
  which he received from us.
• John 422a - You worship what you do not know

• No Scriptural authority
• Some Worship is forbidden

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3 Biblical Reasons

• Colossians 222-23 - 22which all concern things
  which perish with the usingaccording to the
  commandments and doctrines of men? 23These things
  indeed have an appearance of wisdom in
  self-imposed religion, false humility, and
  neglect of the body, but are of no value against
  the indulgence of the flesh.

• No Scriptural authority
• Some Worship is forbidden
• Will worship is condemned

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3 Biblical Reasons

• Will worship
• I like it. I want it.
• I enjoy it. It makes me feel good.
• Who is our worship for
• Ourselves?
• OR God?
• We must worship GOD
• Seek what pleases HIM
• Worship as HE instructs

• No Scriptural authority
• Some Worship is forbidden
• Will worship is condemned

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3 Biblical Reasons

• There are 2 kinds of music
• Vocal
• Instrumental
• Aid a thing that helps do the thing commanded
• Illustration Walk
• Cane is an aid
• Ride in a car addition

• No Scriptural authority
• Some Worship is forbidden
• Will worship is condemned
• Instruments are not aids but additions

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3 Biblical Reasons

• Why is it WRONG (sinful) to use instruments in
  worship?
• 1 Corinthians 46a - Now these things, brethren,
  I have figuratively transferred to myself and
  Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us
  not to think beyond what is written,
• Do not go beyond what is written!

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3 Biblical Reasons

• Why is it WRONG (sinful) to use instruments in
  worship?
• Romans 1617 - Now I urge you, brethren, note
  those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary
  to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid
  them.
• Every time they are introduced division results

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3 Biblical Reasons

• Why is it WRONG (sinful) to use instruments in
  worship?
• Acts 242 - And they continued steadfastly in the
  apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the
  breaking of bread, and in prayers.
• Galatians 18 - But even if we, or an angel from
  heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what
  we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

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4 Smoke Screens

• Cant afford to buy an organ or piano
• Shortage of musicians to play it
• We just dont like instrumental music
• Some people are just contrary
• Some object because they are ignorant
• We dont want to be modern, change with the times

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5 Law of Exclusion

• NT excludes instrumental music in worship
• Illustration Noah told to build ark of gopher
  wood no other kind of wood was acceptable.
• I Peter 411a - If anyone speaks, let him speak
  as the oracles of God.
• If we speak where the Bible speaks, and are
  silent where it is silent, we will exclude the
  instrument.

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Summary

1. Unscriptural
2. Unreasonable
3. Uncharitable
4. Useless
5. Rebellious
6. Excuseless
7. Presumptuous
8. Apostate

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Conclusion

• Leave the instrument where the Word of God leaves
  them.
• Leave them in the secular realm band, pleasure,
  entertainment, art, etc.
• Leave them outside the worship of God.