My visit to a Messianic service yesterday

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I perceive that in musical things ye are too picky...

Who, me? I'm actually not picky at all (except hip hop, can't stand that stuff lol).

I love music. But I also see how music too often replaces genuine anointing.

Like I said, I can worship to Byzantine chant, Appalachian bluegrass, country gospel, classical arias and operas (Handel is AWESOME), or a four-piece band doing a more "rockin" style, a capella, 4part harmony (Sacred Harp), black gospel (love me some old school Shirley Caesar), Vineyard music, old regular baptist hymns lined out and all, Jeff Fenholt, you name it.

The anointing isn't in the tunes, it's in the heart.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Well I agree with this.



Well its not as important as foundation doctrine but it is important to God. He likes to be praised and worshipped with music and song. Since he inspired the Psalms (at least the words to them) we get a general idea what he likes.

Since no actual music is specified we cannot say what "style" God likes.

As for psalms... that's why most of our music consists of the psalms.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Who me?

[Esaias]

So let's move this discussion to a higher level.

Who is the music for? Many people think it's for God's personal enjoyment. But it isn't! God has no need of having his ego stroked. It's like prayer, God doesn't NEED to hear our prayers... he already knows what we need. But WE need to pray. It changes US.

Look at the apostolic teaching regarding music in the church:

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. (Col. 3:16)

Music is for a purpose, and that purpose is to teach and admonish one another. We are the beneficiaries of the music. God is the SUBJECT, of a teaching and encouragement that is delivered via song.

When we sing the praises of God, we aren't flattering him, we are teaching one another about God.

When we sing to God we are encouraging one another and teaching one another about God and his goodness.

When we personally tell God that we love him and worship him and honour him, it changes us, it helps put our mind on God and the things of heaven.

Song (in the church) is essentially sung prayer.

This is why it is important that the WORDS take precedence, rather than having great music and irrelevent lyrics. The TEXT is primary, not the tune.

This is also why some popular songs ought to be jettisoned, because they teach ideas that are unscriptural.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Esaias

I think a lot of it has to do with what we were exposed to in our formative years meeting God.

My first experience being in worship with others who had the Holy Ghost was at a home missions UPC church which was in the middle of revival. The music was straight out of the UPC hymnbook but it literally floored me. Why? Cause God was in the house.

Ever since I have loved that old gospel music. I have been in many meetings though where the Spirit was just not moving, in which case the music is irrelevent.

Any music that is sung from the heart by Spirit filled people will be powerful. Not because of the music, but because the Spirit is present.

Music really is a minor issue and can too easily become a replacement for genuine worship imo.

I agree that if the spirit of the Lord chooses to bless a song, it remains special in our hearts.

I really enjoyed the song you posted Esaias. Awesome!

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I have worshipped along with this as much as any song in my life.

Awesome! So powerful. Love the worship!

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Esaias

So let's move this discussion to a higher level.

Who is the music for? Many people think it's for God's personal enjoyment. But it isn't! God has no need of having his ego stroked. It's like prayer, God doesn't NEED to hear our prayers... he already knows what we need. But WE need to pray. It changes US.

Look at the apostolic teaching regarding music in the church:

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. (Col. 3:16)

Music is for a purpose, and that purpose is to teach and admonish one another. We are the beneficiaries of the music. God is the SUBJECT, of a teaching and encouragement that is delivered via song.

When we sing the praises of God, we aren't flattering him, we are teaching one another about God.

When we sing to God we are encouraging one another and teaching one another about God and his goodness.

When we personally tell God that we love him and worship him and honour him, it changes us, it helps put our mind on God and the things of heaven.

Song (in the church) is essentially sung prayer.

This is why it is important that the WORDS take precedence, rather than having great music and irrelevent lyrics. The TEXT is primary, not the tune.

This is also why some popular songs ought to be jettisoned, because they teach ideas that are unscriptural.

Very well said, E. I do believe that the lyrics really do matter, but there are always exceptions to the rule (good lyrics, horrible music)... both ends of the spectrum are there.

If a song uplifts, encourages, and draws the presence of the Lord into my heart with lyrics that are biblically sound - that is wonderful music to my ears!!!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Very well said, E. I do believe that the lyrics really do matter, but there are always exceptions to the rule (good lyrics, horrible music)... both ends of the spectrum are there.

If a song uplifts, encourages, and draws the presence of the Lord into my heart with lyrics that are biblically sound - that is wonderful music to my ears!!!

Here are some awesome powerful lyrics packed with Bible truth, but with the worst music and worst dancing I ever heard. lol

Brace yourselves, but really try to get the words.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Very well said, E. I do believe that the lyrics really do matter, but there are always exceptions to the rule (good lyrics, horrible music)... both ends of the spectrum are there.

If a song uplifts, encourages, and draws the presence of the Lord into my heart with lyrics that are biblically sound - that is wonderful music to my ears!!!

Amen. But I suspect people need teaching about the proper role of music in the church. A good text with bad melody is certainly to be avoided, but our consumerist self-centered culture inclines many to be incapable of worshipping God unless the music is "top notch" and suits their personal fancy.

Side note: years ago the kids from the sunday school did a program and sang Go Tell It On The Mountain a capella. Out of tune, off key, very small church... but the Spirit practically blew the roof off when those kids started singing, and everyone joined in worship and praise.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Amen. But I suspect people need teaching about the proper role of music in the church. A good text with bad melody is certainly to be avoided, but our consumerist self-centered culture inclines many to be incapable of worshipping God unless the music is "top notch" and suits their personal fancy.

Side note: years ago the kids from the sunday school did a program and sang Go Tell It On The Mountain a capella. Out of tune, off key, very small church... but the Spirit practically blew the roof off when those kids started singing, and everyone joined in worship and praise.

Right... you never can predict how and when the spirit is going to move. It is like the wind - you can't see it, you can't force, it comes when it wills. That is how the spirit moves in the church. Many times a song once was song when the spirit moved, and then the song may be song a hundred times more and the spirit may never move again with that song. It wasn't the song, the singer, the lyrics... but the fact that the annointing of the spirit that cannot be directed at will.