April 22, 2001 Volume 2 Number 16
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First of all, many people who appeal to David’s example of using instruments are under the false impression that this was something David decided to do and initiated of his own accord, therefore we are at liberty to do the same thing. The Bible teaches, however, that when David erred by going beyond what God authorized, the Lord did not hesitate to correct him (2 Sam. 7:1-8; 1 Chron. 13). Secondly, note that David
was an inspired prophet of God (Matthew 22:43; Acts 2:29-30). He, along
with Gad and Nathan (2 Chron. 29:25), were commanded to use instruments;
they could not have done otherwise and been pleasing to God. We cannot
claim to have a direct command to use instruments in New Testament style
of worship. Fourth, note that the Scriptures do not teach that instruments were a regular part of the worship of the nation of Israel. God ordained the musicians well after Moses had received the Law, beginning when David moved the ark from Kirjath Jearim (1 Chron. 13:8) and continuing until the completion of the Temple (1 Chron. 6:31-32; 2 Chron. 5:13; 7:6). Thereafter, we find instruments specifically mentioned only at times of dedication or rededication of proper Temple worship (2 Chron. 29; 35:15; Ezra 3:10; Neh. 12:36). To assume that any instruments were used as a regular part of every worship from David’s day forward is to go beyond what is revealed in the text. The use of musical instruments in the Old Testament was instructed and regulated by God. It was part of a system that foreshadowed the priesthood of Christ (Heb. 8:4-6), a priesthood more glorious than anything which we can attain through our physical talents. With Christ as our eternal High Priest, and our spirits being built into an everlasting dwelling of the Lord (Eph. 2:19-22), His music of choice is our singing played on the instrument of the heart (Eph. 5:19-20). “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Col 3:16-17) “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.” "Brass Tacks" article in Focus Magazine (Jan 01)
Life is filled with seemingly "impossible" situations, those where it seems that nothing we can do will make any difference for good. There may be some small step that we could take in a positive direction, but the devil is quick to discourage us: "The little things you could do wouldn't be enough to change the outcome. Why waste your effort? Wouldn't it be easier just to give up?" As always, of course, the devil is lying. To start with, when we stay focused and patiently do one little thing after another, we're often able to do what the devil said couldn't be done: change the outcome. But even if not, there happen to be plenty of other reasons for doing what's good. Just a few days ago I was rereading a favorite book by J. R. R. Tolkien and came across a long-forgotten passage where he has one of his characters say, "There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark." I was reminded of how nourishing Tolkien's fiction was to me in my youth. The work of this Englishman is one of the great literary monuments to the truth that honor always does what it can do, and that great good comes from the "little" actions of those who, not knowing the outcome, go ahead and do whatever's right in the present moment. Those who know their Bibles, of course, know that this truth is biblical truth. How many examples can we think of where God called upon individuals to do something that to them would have seemed a waste of effort? When Jesus asked His apostles what they had with which they could feed the multitude, Andrew said, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (Jn. 6:9). Before the day was done, however, Jesus had fed the five thousand and proved again that God is able to take small resources and produce astonishing results. Having read this story, how can we ever say, "Lord, what good will it do?" The very essence of "faith" is the willingness to do whatever we know God would want us to do, whether we can see how it will "work out" or not. When Jesus instructed the apostles to launch out into the deep and let down their nets for a catch, Peter's answer was, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net" (Lk. 5:5). Whatever his misgivings may have been, Peter did what the Lord said because it was the Lord speaking! If we say we have faith, but we're not willing to act when we can't see the outcome, then it's not God's foresight that we trust, but our own. Faith takes God at His word and does whatever He says, disregarding the devil's lie that "it won't do any good." It always does good to do good -- whether we live long enough to see the good or not. A few years ago I had to make a decision that was far more difficult than the sum total of all the others I'd had ever made. After many agonizing, indecisive months, most of which were consumed trying to foresee the "consequences" of all the alternatives before me, it finally occurred to me that consequences can't be allowed to have the final say in matters of right and wrong. Honor simply does what one's deepest conscience determines to be right, and leaves the outcome in the hands of a wise God who can see much farther down the road than we can. Shortsightedness (often coupled with selfishness) is a serious hindrance to our decision-making. When we know what we should do, but we're wondering what good it'll do, we tend to define "good" in terms of very short-term benefits (often those that will accrue to us personally). But even if we knew how a decision would play out for the remainder of our days, one human lifetime is but a tiny fragment of what God deals with. Shouldn't we let Him determine what "good" consequences need to be set in motion? Solomon wisely advised his son, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Prov. 3:5). And it was also Solomon (it seems to me) who gave this very practical advice in Ecclesiastes: "As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good" (Eccl. 11:5,6). The fact is, we don't have to know all that God knows. It's His job to run the universe, and we can trust that He'll do it perfectly. Meanwhile, there are many productive things we can do if we'll just focus on doing our best with the present moment. When a child of the King is faced with any "hopeless" situation, giving up should never be an option. It is far nobler to die, if need be, fighting beneath His banner than to "save" ourselves by succumbing to evil. May God give us not only the courage to follow our conscience, but the wisdom to trust His foresight. The consequences of right conduct won't be fully known until eternity. In the meantime, the wise are those who remember: it always does good to do good. Not Exactly Perhaps you've seen the TV
commercial for Hertz rental cars. A man is asked a series of questions by his
boss. Each response is given as "not exactly". Finally, the boss
asks the man if he's expecting a promotion. You know what Suppose we were to pose the
same type of questions to members of various sectarian churches: "Is
the Bible your only guide?" would be one question to ask. If they
were honest they'd have to say, "not exactly." Though they
might give lip-service to the authority of the scriptures, they'd have to
admit they rely on creeds, manuals and constitutions. Some rely on church
leaders or scholars, others on tradition, feeling or human logic. The apostle
Peter "Is your church organized like the churches of the New Testament?" would be another question. Again, they'd have to admit, "not exactly." Some have the minister in charge (called the pastor system). Often women exercise authority over men. Many have regional, national or international head-quarters. The Lord's will is to have elders in every church Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23. Exactly! "Is your worship
the same as it was in the New Testament?"
Here again, "not "Do you teach the same plan of salvation as did the New Testament Christians?" Once again, if honest, "not exactly." They teach faith only, grace only, the "believer's prayer," and shout that water baptism has nothing to do with salvation. Then they declare that once you're saved, you can't fall from grace. The Bible tells us how to be saved James 2:24; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 10:12. Exactly! Before we get too smug, perhaps we ought to examine our own beliefs and practices 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.” It's possible a list of questions could be drawn up to which we might be embarrassed to have to reply, "not exactly." Remember 1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Exactly! The Best People in Any
Town It might surprise you to know that the very best people in any community ought to be the people of God. The "people of God" must have "honorable conduct" among their neighbors and friends so that their "good works" will yield glory for God (1 Peter 2:10-12). When the apostle Paul addressed the Philippian Christians (the collectivity of them composing the church at Philippi) he wanted them to comprehend their peculiar position in that City. In effect, Paul charged them with the responsibility of being the very best people in town. In 2:14, he exhorted: "Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine forth as lights in the world." Paul saw it as imperative that these Christians radiate a good influence in their effectiveness could be diminished by unnecessary and senseless complaints and arguments among themselves. They had to be more than just "good moral people". They must be Christians in the truest sense of the term. The very best neighbors, parents, employers, and employees in any town should be Christians, men and women, boys and girls, who have been added to the church of Christ (Acts 2:47). If they are not, Jesus will be ashamed that they wear His name. To be sure, there are other good people besides Christians in any city. But there should never be anyone better than the disciple of Christ. ~In Gospel Power The Spirit Expressly Says
... Is Jesus God? The Gospel of John presents a clear picture of Jesus Christ, and His work. In addition, John's gospel presents Jesus Christ, as The Son of God. Therefore, He Is Divine! Note, the seven I AM's concerning Christ:
What do you think of this One called Jesus Christ? Food For Thought “Be a person of integrity, lest your footprints on the sands of time leave only the mark of a heel ” “Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength” We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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