Sermon nuggets Mon April 12, 2010
Theme- Music
Verses 2 Kings 3:10-20
Affects of Music
We seldom if ever have a worship service that does not involve music. It is an essential part of a Christian’s life. Unless it is a teaching service, Sunday School class, or prayer meeting, music is part of church life.
Moishe Rosen, founder of Jews for Jesus, said that in heaven there will be little, if any preaching. We won't need admonitions, instructions or reproof because we'll all know the Lord and how to please Him. But there will be lots of music, singing and praising.
Music is something that God gave to man. It is a means of communication that goes beyond just words. God enjoys our praise and our talents as they are given for him and His glory.
In our passage today we see Elisha's need for having music affect him and inspire him to be used for God. The context of this Scripture is a story of the Kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom. Joram of Israel is an evil King. He is the son of Ahab and Jezebel who hated Elijah. Their son was not any better. However, the King of Moab was paying extortion money to Ahab and after Ahab died he stopped payments. Joram still wanted the money and made a pact with Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah, and with the King of Edom to attack Moab. However, water dried up and the troops couldn't fight. Jehoshaphat asked the other two kings to bring a prophet of the Lord so they might get spiritual wisdom as to how to proceed with this military campaign.
Two evil kings and one good king were teamed together. One of the officers of Joram reminded them that Elisha wasn't too far away and he could be called. They do so to seek God's will regarding this battle. Elisha was indignant that Joram, this wicked king, would come to him for godly advice when he was hypocritical Baal worshiper. But seeking Jehoshaphat was reason that he would wait and see if God would give him any message. So he was to wait upon the Lord.
How does he do that? Interestingly, Elisha calls a harpist to come and play music for him. He apparently calms his emotions and seeks the Lord by preparing himself listening to music. It has an effect on him to put him in a place to hear from the Lord.
I want to center our thoughts this week on this passage and the topic of the ministry of music and its place in a Christian's life.
What type of music puts you in a mood for worship? Quiet? Praiseful? Mellow?
There are a variety of styles of music can all of them be used of God? This is a hot topic in most churches since people know what they like and want they don’t like and since it is part of worship can take strong positions that differ with one another.
What is it that pleases the Lord?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Tues April 13, 2010
Verses II Ki 3:14-16
14 Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or even notice you.
15 But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha
16 and he said, "This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches.
Music Affects the Emotions.
In this topical approach to theses verses I thought I would highlight some of the affects that music has in life and in spiritual life.
Elisha was in no mood to receive a word from the Lord. He was angry. He was indignant that a persons as evil as Joram and the King of Edom would come to him for godly advice when they had nothing to do with God. He needed to emotionally calm down. He called a harpist to help him be put in the right spirit to pray and think about the Lord.
Music indeed affects our emotions and can help us prepare for worship. The tone, volume, melody, harmony rhythm have effects on people and alter moods. Various experiments have been done from time to time. I don't know who would allow this, but babies have been tested psychologically on their responses to various music. Some babies were placed in room without any noise or sounds. Some were placed in rooms with quiet and soothing music and some with rock music. Those in the rock group were agitated, nervous, upset and excitable. Those with the quiet music were much more content, at peace and ultimately appeared happier than even those without any music or sound.
At home if you are feeling down, or angry or upset, I suggest you get some good Christian music, and let it help change your moods. Although I am not a singer I will sing at times when I am not in a mood. I am not always sure if the music affects the emotions or the emotions affect the music. I think both are true. There are times when many who lead in worship realize the flow of the songs and the style of the music that can enhance worship. Other times our moods move us to listen or sing a certain type of music.
Proverbs 25:20 says, "Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." Sometimes certain music is not appropriate. You do not sing "Come on Lets get happy, or “Whistle a happy tune" to someone who has just lost a friend in death. There are appropriate tunes and melodies for various occasions. Funeral music is mean to be more quiet and reflective.
I realize music is also cultural and personal. People from different countries and cultures and sub-cultures learn to appreciate different styles of music. Japanese music is generally not received that well down south. You don't play African music in the high churches of Europe. Many love certain types: country music, Jazz, classical, pop, opera styles that appeal to the various tastes of people in our own country. The Appalachian music in church services is appreciated in one congregation whereas the rhythmic clapping and shouting excites another church crowd. Some congregations will not allow instruments at all and others regularly have full orchestras.
The temptation is to think that what someone likes is what God likes. Yet it is apparent that God enjoys variety, but the heart is what makes the difference.
I am glad that within our sub-culture of Stanchfield we can allow some variety and not feel so selective as to ignore one another. I believe that is as it ought to be. That shows love for one another. As one mountain preacher put it, "Some things are better felt than telt." And many times the emotional result of a musical number speaks much better than any sermon you will hear, for we are listening and communing with God in music.
Augustine said, "How greatly did I weep in thy hymns and canticles, deeply moved by the voices of thy sweet-speaking church; the voices flowed into mine ears, and the truth was poured fourth into my heart, whence the agitation of my piety overflowed, and my tears ran over and blessed was I therein."
Are we prepared like Elisha to want to receive a message from God? Although there are many styles that affect our emotions that which allows us to focus on Him brings a spiritual quality unlike any other.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds April 14
Verses- II Ki 3:15-18 But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha
16 and he said, "This is what the LORD says: Make this valley full of ditches.
17 For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.
18 This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also hand Moab over to you.
Music Affects the Mind
Elisha is seeking to be put in a right frame of mind so that God will speak to his mind. There is a message to be received. He conveys that message to the kings. God was to show them his glory. Elisha was willing to speak God's truth fearlessly even before kings. He was desirous of sharing God's word be it curse or blessing. It was the message they wanted to hear.
Paul says in I Cor. 14:15-17 “I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying. You maybe given thanks well enough but the other man is not edified."
You see there is a place for music that inspires emotions, but it is also a tool to inspire the mind with thought and doctrine. Music becomes a tremendous tool to convey truths about Christ. One of the tools of worship is to speak to us through emotion that will affect our minds to God's truth. Music works the message into the consciousness and with rhythms instills it on the memory.
The harpist playing for Elisha allowed him to calm his emotions and start thinking and praying and listening to what that voice of the Lord is saying to him. Since music often has words put to the song it is clear it affects our thinking.
Much of the worldly values are conveyed not only through rock but in all styles of music that affect its listeners. Be careful of what you listen to. Many of the top country Western ballads and popular pieces as well promote morals that are ungodly. We soon get so used to it we don't realize how it changes our thinking.
Within the church we also know that music is a teaching tool. I think it is important to have Christian music played at home where children are, as well as in the car and especially children songs too. We need to evaluate what we sing. Does it convey Biblical truth? Do we think about the words that we sing, or are sung to us? Just because it is a Christian song doesn't mean it is appropriate to use in many occasions.
Many groups seek to be evangelistic conveying through mood and music the story of Jesus Christ. There are some groups believing their message will be better received if it is in the style that is more popular to the non-Christian. I even heard of one woman listening to a Christmas carol on the radio. It was used of the Lord to cause her to question some of the things of her faith and ultimately come to know Jesus Christ as her personal Messiah.
Do the words in a hymn or special music convey truth about God or doctrine? Many songs and hymns have lousy theology. I think of the chorus, "God can do anything, anything, anything." Well, I understand that in the context of children's teaching of the omnipotence of God, but God cannot do anything. He cannot lie; He cannot steal; He cannot go against his perfect character; He cannot accept anyone into his kingdom without repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ; He cannot save people outside of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus
One young man stood up to sing and said, "the Lord gave me this song." and proceeded to sing, "all we need is love. That is the first and only thing we need in knowing Jesus is to love." Well, I don't know where he got his song, but it wasn't from God, because it isn't true to the Bible. The first and only thing we need is not love. We need repentance we need confession, we need to be made righteous by his grace; we need much more that just love. We need self control, we need kindness, we need patience, and we need fear. If he would have sang that greatest of the commandments is to love the Lord your God and love your fellow man then it would be truth.
Think about what we sing and then sing it heartily unto the Lord as spiritual worship or to others as affirmation and proclamation of our faith. Good music affects the mind with truth.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs April 15, 2010
Verses II Ki 3:15 But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha.
Music Affects the Soul
Elisha was also ministered unto. God spoke to his soul. The spiritual relationship was with God, Himself. Only God can fill the heart with Himself and His spirit. There is a close connection with moving of our emotions and moving of our souls toward God. Our emotions too often can be moved and we can praise the musician. When our souls are moved we praise our Lord. Our emotions can be touched and we enjoy the beauty and entertainment and enjoyment of the experience. When it touched the soul we come into the presence of God in a renewed and wonderful way. We are reminded about His character and His goodness; we want to pray, or communicate that message from God to others.
The Lord has used secular music to speak to my heart and to make that a personal spiritual experience too. One friend mentioned to me that he didn't know if a certain musician was a Christian or not, but his music caused him to think about God. There was another secular contemporary number that God used to speak to me about my lack of proper devotion to Him and about the priorities of my life. The Holy Spirit can use music in ways I'm sure the musician never intended. But that is the great thing about God- when we are ready to listen He speaks in ways that maybe no one else will hear.
I read an article in Christianity Today called “The Lord gave me a song and the copyright laws have taken it away.” Mr. Bigalow wrote asking permission to use songs for worship by various publishers and artist and discovered that most charged form $5 to $100 for one time use in congregational worship on overheads or in a printed bulletin. There are many court battles concerning unauthorized copying of music. This raises an important legal and ethical question. At what point is God using gifts and talents to be given to Him and how to we properly compensate Christian musicians, especially if this is part of their lively hood?
Our church, like most, pays an annual fee to CCLI that handles the copyright legal question allowing us to use some projection of songs from the musical books that we have purchased or the right to use them in group settings. The company makes sure that publishers and writers are getting some money for the privilege of singing their songs. We want to be ethical and if the law restricts the public use of some song then I guess the Lord has something else we should sing or play. If we are unwilling or unable to pay someone what they ask, then perhaps God has someone else in mind to bless our hearts. But don’t mistake being cheap with being pious. Just because someone is a Christian doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be generous with our blessing in financial ways as well.
Sacred music is the greatest of all music for it praise God and give expression of hope and joy and faith. It is not glorifying to God to take entertainers who use gospel songs solely looking for fame and riches. I get troubled with using church for purely entertainment and personal popularity. I would much rather worship with someone who loves the Lord with all their heart and be a little off key than to hear excellence sung or played for the wrong reasons.
Are you conscious of God presence in worship, or in music? Maybe it isn't the fault of musicians or the numbers that are used, but your own heart and thoughts? Only God knows your hearts. Maybe we would get more out of worship and delights our souls if we deal first with sin, or rebellion, or poor attitude, or the spiritual struggles.
What is music that affects your soul?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri April 16, 2010
Verses- II Kings 3:12-13 Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the LORD is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What do we have to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." "No," the king of Israel answered, "because it was the LORD who called us three kings together to hand us over to Moab."
Music Affects our Actions
Although these verses are a prelude to the harpist playing for Elisha, the kings were waiting for a word of prophecy from the Lord. Jehoshaphat from Judah wisely did not want to do battle on his own power or against the enemy without the Lord’s help. He desired that since Elisha had the hand of God upon him they should seek him out to hear from the Lord and respond accordingly.
What action did they want from Elisha? Simply to listen and speak truth. Two kings only wanted the blessing of their already made plans. Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from the Lord whether or not that word was for or against them. He did not want to do action on his own without it being in the will of the Lord.
We had discussed how music affects our emotions, our minds, our souls, and you could say our bodies, but I want to say our actions. Yes, there are physical responses to music that might result in toe tapping or clapping, dancing, or raising of hands, or smiles, or tears- all of which are physical responses to music. But it also moves people to do something or say something they wouldn’t otherwise.
Music has been practically used to call armies to battle. Pep bands in school arouse excitement among the players and encourage them to victory and playing better games. Sometimes athletes will listen to some music to encourage a higher level of performance There are blues that cause people to feel melancholy. Some lose weight exercising better to the beat of music. There are lullabies to bring babies to sleep.
The TV advertisers are masters in seeking to have music influence your action to buy their product. They creates moods and jingles to help you remember their product. Many times children will hum and sing jingles to our embarrassment advertising a product we do not endorse.
There is problem with much music today that gives very ungodly, and indeed, perverse messages so we now have warning labels on many of the rock albums. There are some seminar leaders warning of the affect that some music teens listen to result in actions that are illegal and immoral. They point out a direct result of activities promoted by the songs and music of some groups in doing violence, having sex, or doing drugs and even death. The times indeed have changed from what radio would allow in my day. Many records today use subliminal messages where words and phrases that are unintelligible to our ears but to our subconscious pick up erotic words, sensual words on various speeds and sounds. Messages received through sub consciousness have showed to have a serious affects on the actions of many of the listeners. This moves into mind control without awareness or permission.
I had recently preached a sermon on the purpose of music following the passage of the praise response by the Israelites to God following the escape from Egypt and the drowning of their soldiers in the Red Sea. I pointed out that Christian music can be focused on upward, inward, and outward direction. We want music first to praise and honor the Lord. The actions we desire are to live lives dedicated and holy unto Him. God has used music to bring about repentance and confession and correction with hearts pointed God ward. Lives of dedication in love and service as we are in the presence of the Lord and listening to music designed to have that spiritual effect.
Music outward is encouraging and teaching one another as fellow believers. Some of the Bible lessons I learned came from singing songs in Sunday School. Those I remembered the best. But action songs were also meant to do more than just teach but bring about life changes in honor to the Lord. It can be a call to service or to action to follow the truths of the Bible.
The prophecies from Elisha moved the kings to war and see the plan of God carried out just as it was predicted.
Music also has the focus on the unsaved in evangelical testimony, or even entertainment that can be used to bring people to a place to meet God. We see God using individuals and groups in their talents to serve him in order to change their lives for eternity by putting their faith and trust in the Lord.
How has music helped in your faith walk? How has music gotten in the way? May it be used to praise and power in Christian commitment and living.
Pastor Dale
