Music as gift
Text: 1 Sam. 16:16-23; 1 Cor. 12:1-12; Lk. 10:1-12
The Bible begins with the words “In the beginning God”. Everything begins with God and whatever we do must begin with Him. Is this not enough reason to praise and worship Him continually? Music began with God to be used in praise and worship and in the words of the Psalmist “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6) The Temple musicians did this as they ministered with music at the Tabernacle and later at the Temple to praise and glorify God and invite His presence into the lives of His people. (1 Chr. 6:31-32) At the dedication of the Temple by King Solomon many singers accompanied by various instruments praised and glorified God and what happened was that “the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God”. (2 Chr. 5:14) Godly music always invites the presence of God and the presence of God inspires godly music. The name Horatio G. Spafford may not mean anything to many of us. He was a Christian who experienced difficult times as all Christians do. He was married to Anna and had five children, a son and four daughters. First he lost his only son. Then he lost all his four daughters when the ship on which they were travelling to England sank. His wife survived and on his way to England to join her Spafford came to the spot where his daughters had drowned. As he remembered them, he meditated on the goodness of God. Suddenly he felt a peace that he knew could only come from God and was inspired to write a hymn that has ministered to people all over the world with the words
“When peace like a river, flows over my way
When sorrows like sea-billows roll;
Whatever my lot, you have taught me to know,
It is well; it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul.
It is well; it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials come
This fact all my fears shall control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed His own blood for my soul.”
As Spafford wrote this hymn he could not have imagined how many people through the ages will find peace hearing or singing this hymn. Christian music brings peace because it brings us into the presence of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Peace does not depend on our circumstances but on Christ who is our peace. Music brings us into the presence of God and restores our joy for “in His presence there is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore”. (Psalm 16:11) Many people listen, sing and dance to music at entertainment centres and feel a temporary joy. Why not enjoy godly music where the effect is more permanent. Music invites the presence of God into our battles and gives us victory. King Jehoshaphat listened to the Word of God and went into battle with the priests in front of the army. The priests went ahead singing and praising the Lord with the words “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever”. (2 Chr. 20:21). They won the battle without a fight.
Peace is one of our most treasured possessions. When Jesus sent out His disciples’ peace was the only thing they needed. Many people today think otherwise and equate money with peace. We all know this is not true and the lives of countless people have proved this fact. Some of the richest people in the world spend their lives looking for peace but very often in the wrong places. The Scriptures tell the story of Saul, the first king of Israel, a man of wealth and power. In spite of his wealth he did not have peace because the spirit of God had departed from him. Trusting in self rather than trusting in God separates us from the presence of God. Separated from the presence of God is to be separated from His protection and this allowed an evil spirit to afflict him? Since Saul remained separated from the presence of God the only way for him to experience God’s presence was to be near someone who enjoyed God’s presence. Saul found that person in David whose presence and anointed music brought him peace temporarily because the spirit of God was upon him. Music invites the presence of God and gives us victory in our battles. We are all fighting various battles in our lives. It may be sickness and disease, it may be poverty and lack, and it may be grief and depression. Let us invite Christ into our lives and into our battles as we confess Him as Saviour and Lord.
Music enriches worship and I cannot imagine worship without music. It uplifts and glorifies God. We begin the Presbyterian worship service with the choir leading and singing a hymn. The processional hymn lifts us into the realm of the spirit and prepares our hearts for worship. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth”. (John 4:24) Music during worship keeps us alert and focused on Christ. Christian music is all about Him and whatever we do, we are to do it all for the glory of God. Christian music is about His life, teaching, death and resurrection. It is about the shedding of His blood and the provisions of the New Covenant. It is about our response to His abundant grace with adoration and worship. Christian music is based on the Word of God. Like the Psalms of David they not only praise God but also teach and reflect His character. This results in faith for “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God”. (Rom. 10:17) We need faith for “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him”. (Heb. 11:6)
Music invites the presence of God and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. This makes music an essential tool in evangelism. Repeating the words of Christian music based on Scripture brings conviction and leads to belief in Christ. We cannot imagine an evangelistic crusade today without Christian music. It releases the Holy Spirit to bring unbelievers to Christ and to bless and empower believers with His various gifts. Every believer here has been blessed in one way or the other and is to use that gift to serve Christ. There are many here who have been blessed with beautiful voices to serve in the music ministry. As believers we belong to the body of Christ and He ensures that all His gifts are available in the Church. Refusing to use your gift is refusing to serve Christ and undermining His ministry in the Church. The choir is always looking for new members when God has gifted so many to serve Him in this important area. Instead of using God’s gift in this area are we finding excuses not to do so?
Christian music promotes love. It is all about love for God is love. It reminds us never to doubt His love for us because Christ gave His life for us. It reminds us that the response to love can only be love. Even then we cannot love Him in our own power. We can only love Him because He has shed His love in our hearts. His love in our hearts is demonstrated in our love for fellow believers. This is the mark of a true believer for Christ declares “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another”. (John 13:34) The love of God extends to unbelievers as well. If not none of us would be saved since we were all unbelievers. We must never forget that “God showed His love for us while we were still sinners when Jesus died for us”. (Romans 5:8)
Love motivates believers to share the good news. When the Lord appointed 70 and sent them to preach they were to make an impression on others by their love. Where they were welcomed they were to pronounce peace upon the households and share in what is provided for them. They were to heal the sick and share the good news with them. Where they were not welcome they would warn them and still proclaim the good news. Every believer who has experienced the grace of God in their lives will want to share the good news with others. Love cannot behave any other way. Love will find the best way to reach others with the good news and godly music will always play a big part. We cannot know Christ and His love and not proclaim the good news. The gospel of grace is the best news we have to share and many people are waiting to hear it. We are more convincing when the good news is shared accompanied by godly music and a manifestation of His love and joy if our lives. How else can those who have not heard about Christ respond to the One who shed His blood to save them?
Praise and worship is a very effective way to communicate the word. Everyone who has heard the hymn Amazing Grace knows the effect music can have on you especially when you know how the hymn came to be written. John Newton was born to a godly mother who spoke to him about Christ before she died when he was still just a child. He was brought up by a father who was a captain of a ship and taken to sea when he was eleven years old. He became a typical seaman and was involved in every imaginable sin and ended up transporting slaves across the Atlantic. If his life had ended here no one would have known anything about him but it did not. On one trip, during a storm, when everything appeared hopeless he called out to God. God answered his prayer and he became a totally transformed man. He responded to the love of God through his song ‘Amazing grace’ that is sung all over the world today. We all need to respond to the amazing grace of God. Like John Newton can we also sing?
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.” Amen!
