OUR MUSIC IN WORSHIP TO GOD

Text: John 4:23-24

Introduction:
  I. In our text, as well as other passages, we can that 
     God expects His followers to worship Him.
 II. What is worship?
     A. Reader’s Digest – The adoration, homage, or 
        veneration given to a deity or to something 
        regarded as sacred.
     B. American Heritage – The reverent love and 
        allegiance accorded a deity, idol, or sacred 
        object.
III. Today, I would like to notice one aspect of our 
     worship of God, music.

Body:
 I. What type of music are we to use in our worship of God.
    A. There are two types of music.
       1. Instrumental
       2. Vocal.
    B. The Scriptures teach that we are to use vocal 
       music.
       1. Scriptures:
          a. 1 Corinthians 14:15
          b. Ephesians 5:19
          c. Colossians 3:16
          d. James 5:13
       2. This includes both public and private worship.
    C. A brief notice of a few arguments in favor of 
       instrumental music.
       1. The Bible does not say not to use it.
          a. Two types of commands (General and Specific)…
          b. God has specified what kind of music He wants.
       2. It is used in the Old Testament.
          a. Plural marriages are in the Old Testament.
       3. We will have “harps” in heaven.
          a. This is found in book of Revelation (a book of 
             symbolic languages.
          b. Even if true, some things that are true in 
             heaven is not true on earth (Matthew 22:30).
    D. Why preach on it?
       1. We need to be reminded about the truth on this 
          subject.
       2. “The Gospel Advocate is sad over the news from 
          the Belmont Church of Christ, one of the older 
          congregations in the Nashville area.  Among other 
          things, eight of the eleven elders now favor the 
          use of instrumental music in worship.”

II. What are the reasons for our singing?
    A. John 4:23-24
       1. “In spirit”
       2. A matter of the heart, the will, the spirit and 
          the emotion.
       3. The heart is offered.
    B. 1 Corinthians 14:15 – Understanding
    C. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
       1. We are to speak to ourselves (one another).
       2. Our speaking enables us to:
          a. teach one another.
          b. admonish one another.
          c. Hebrews 10:24-25
       3. This is to be done from the heart.
    D. James 5:13 – We are to express our joy.