MUSIC

Some weeks ago a number from Central went to the Crider Church to hear Neal Myers preach. He preached an excellent sermon concerning the kind of music that the Bible authorizes for the New Testament people. Of course he was speaking about music in the worship assembly. As perhaps you know, many try to justify the use of instruments of music in the worship assembly by different arguments. One argument is the “silence” concept. Brother Myers said the following:

Silence

Judge Judy has become a popular figure. After serving 20 years as a judge in family court in New York, she has brought her courtroom to television.

A resent episode caught my attention. A young man had been engaged to house sit for two weeks while the owner went on vacation. The lady left detailed instructions about what was to be done, along with permission to eat the food in the house, which she had prepared. Her instructions were so complete that she even told about the frozen meals, how they should be thawed, and what temperature they should be cooked.

During the course of the two weeks that young man was house-sitting, he did something for which he did not have permission. He drove the owner’s car and caused over a thousand dollars damage. He now found himself facing Judge Judy. His defense was that her silence gave consent: “She didn’t say that I couldn’t use her car.” Quick as a flash, Judge Judy asked the young man, “If you saw my car on the street would you take it for a drive?” “No,” he replied. “Why not?” countered the judge, “but I didn’t say you couldn’t use it.”

In a heartbeat the judge ruled that silence did not give consent and the house sitter owed the damages incurred because he took the car without permission.

It seems to me that there is a lesson in this for the religious world. It is one thing to have authority to do something and quite a different matter to argue that we can do whatever we want in our worship because the Bible doesn’t prohibit it.

Have you ever heard that expression: “Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent”?

PLEASE HIM

Yes, I know that the Lord is the final judge, but we as a people need to try to the best of our ability to obey and please Him. For years I have reasoned like this: Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all the truth (John 14:26; John 16:13). Also the Bible is the record of that all truth; therefore, the Scriptures teach that vocal music is the kind that the apostles were guided into doing and the Bible is the record. Let us sing and praise the Lord in the assembly of worship. Hebrews 2:12 states, “I will declare Your name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church, will I sing praise unto You.”

BE HERE

The other day I was thinking of all the dear people who were still living but are not able to be in the services. Recently, sister Hall said, “When I get up and get ready then I am not able to go.” Often sister Wilma Strong says, “I would like to be in church.” Here is a lesson for all. While able, then be in your place. Come with a Bible in your hand and a spring in your step and a smile on your face. I’ll look for you.

-Pat Casey