Are instruments in worship a ‘little matter?’
Posted on May 4, 2007
Filed Under Basil Overton, Instrumental Music | 1 Comment
by Basil Overton
From Seven Score Short Sermons
PO Box 2279, Florence, AL 35630
Some people think it strange that anyone would say that it is wrong to use mechanical instruments of music in worship. For centuries after Christ was on earth it would have been just as strange for one to have said that instruments ought to be used in worship!
The best way that one can show genuine interest in people is by telling them the truth of God’s word. “Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16). “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). What people think and do is not the standard by which we can determine whether instruments should be used in worship or not. The word of God is our standard; by it and by it alone can we determine what God wants in worship!
Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees that their worship was in vain because they practiced things taughts in human traditions. “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the traditions of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:7-9).
Observe that the practices that made their worship vain were “little things.” Some insist that instruments in worship are “such a little matter” that we should not be disturbed over their use. But, not so! With God there are not any “little matters” when it involves respecting his word and the authority he has vested in his Son.
Preachers and scholars
Posted on May 4, 2007
Filed Under Preaching, Weylan Deaver | Leave a Comment
by Weylan Deaver
The apostle Paul was no intellectual slouch. His education at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) would equal or surpass a degree from any of America’s “Ivy League” schools. In fact, at one point during his defense before Festus, the agitated governor said loudly, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind” (Acts 26:24, ESV). The fact, as Paul corrected Festus in the following verse, was that he was not insane. Rather, he was only “speaking true and rational words.”
Contrasted with Paul would be Peter and John, viewed by the Sanhedrin as “uneducated, common men” (Acts 4:13). If Paul’s education was the pinnacle, then Peter’s and John’s was the pits. Nevertheless, Peter and John, uneducated as they were, could still cause the erudite Jewish Council to marvel in astonishment because the apostles’ message did not seem to harmonize with their assumed-limited minds. The only thing the Jewish authorities could pin this anomaly on was the fact that Peter and John “had been with Jesus.”
Being with Jesus was enough””enough for two uneducated fishermen (Peter and John) to take on the equivalent of the Supreme Court of their day, enough for a Gamaliel-educated Pharisee (Paul) to boldly carry the case for Christianity all the way to the imperial court of Rome. But, they had miraculous help (Mark 13:11). We do not. So, where does that leave us?
Click to Continue Reading This Story…
Underground, but heaven bound
Posted on May 4, 2007
Filed Under Christian Growth, Weylan Deaver | Leave a Comment
by Weylan Deaver
John Foxe (1517-1587) was an Englishman who compiled a book about Christians who suffered for their faith. The title is still available as Foxe’s Christian Martyrs Of The World. One chapter deals with the saints persecuted under the notoriously wicked emperor, Nero, which commenced in Rome about three decades after the church of Christ first began in Jerusalem. He describes the incredible conditions under which the Roman saints were forced to worship (pp. 38-40).
In those dark days the Christians had no churches and dared not meet in public, so they tried to find some secret places where they could gather together without being disturbed. Now it happened that, just outside the city of Rome there were deep tunnels or caves in the rock, called catacombs, which had been dug long before to get stone for building the city. The rock had been hollowed out into many galleries, with here and there a vaulted chamber, where several passage-ways crossed or met. Slaves and convicts worked in these places, and they became known to the Christians as a safe place in which to hide. They also buried their dead in some of these caves, in niches or shelves cut in the sides of the galleries, and over the bodies they placed their names, with loving inscriptions, some of which remain plainly visible to this day. The Christians used to meet for religious services in these gloomy, underground chambers, in which they could worship God without fear of being thrown to the lions or given over to the flames.
At night these Christian men and women might be seen stealing forth from their homes, carefully looking behind them from time to time to see that they were not followed; then, hastening to the outskirts of the great city, they entered the dark openings in the rock and passed along the gloomy galleries. Soon they heard sweet music, and a vaulted chamber, brightly lighted, came into view at the end of the dark tunnel; men and women, dressed in white robes, were there singing a psalm of joy.
Early brethren were glad to assemble for fellowship and worship in a dark, dank cave. They had to look over their shoulder as they went, for fear of being followed and arrested. We have a beautiful, spacious, air conditioned building. Conditions are not cramped””you can have a whole pew to yourself, if you like. Water does not drip on our heads from the ceiling. Bodies are not buried along the walls. Rats are not scurrying along the corridors. The lights are bright. The seats are padded. You don’t have to walk since you can drive up to the front door in an air conditioned car. Parking is free. And the authorities are not going to follow you here. Now, why was it, again, that you have difficulty getting to Bible class and evening worship?
2,630 and counting…
Posted on May 1, 2007
Filed Under Denominationalism, Weylan Deaver | Leave a Comment
by Weylan Deaver
Jesus affirmed the devil is the father of lies (Jn. 8:44). Two of the biggest lies Satan has ever foisted onto a gullible world, and which have had the most deleterious effect on mankind are these: (1) Darwinian evolution, and (2) denominationalism. Through the first lie, the devil has succeeded in destroying or preventing faith in countless men. Through the second, he has succeeded in keeping untold millions away from the Lord’s true church.
Click to Continue Reading This Story…
Are you searching for the truth?
Posted on April 30, 2007
Filed Under Announcements | Leave a Comment
At the7ones.com, we appreciate your reading and participation. However, we would also like to suggest an online video resource for those searching for spiritual truth. If you have a broadband internet connection, please view the free online video series by World Video Bible School entitled “Searching for the Truth.”
Gadgets and Gimmicks
Posted on April 28, 2007
Filed Under Brandon Renfroe, The Church | Leave a Comment
by Brandon Renfroe
“Whatever it takes.” This has long been the mindset of many in the religious world, as they seek to justify practices which are, in a word, absurd. A recent article from the Birmingham News chronicles a most unusual episode””Florence church youth swallow live fish. The author relates that the First Assembly of God in Florence has a “Fear Factor” ministry (?) in which young people are called upon to ingest live fish. Other outlandish activities are involved in the “ministry,” the children ultimately competing for a $250 grand prize. Though some have questioned the group’s activities, the youth minister defended their practices, suggesting such helped the participants develop “a deeper relationship with Jesus.”
Click to Continue Reading This Story…
J.W. McGarvey and the Instrument
Posted on April 28, 2007
Filed Under Brandon Renfroe, Church History, Instrumental Music | Leave a Comment
by Brandon Renfroe
2006 marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Census Bureau officially recognizing the “split” between the churches of Christ and what is usually termed the “Christian Church.” Though the division may not have been formalized until 1906, the seeds of discord had been sown long before then. While the mechanical instrument was the most visible sign of the acrimony, in reality, the “heart” of the matter was Bible authority, and how it may correctly be ascertained.
Click to Continue Reading This Story…
Where is happiness found?
Posted on April 28, 2007
Filed Under Basil Overton, Devotionals | Leave a Comment
by Basil Overton
From Seven Score Short Sermons
PO Box 2279, Florence, AL 35630
Happiness is not to be found in unbelief. It is said that the great infidel, Voltaire, said: “I wish I had never been born.”
True happiness is not found in sinful pleasure. Lord Byron lived a life of worldly pleasure and finally said: “The worm, the canker, and the grief are mine alone.”
Money does not bring happiness. Jay Gould was a millionaire. It is said that while he was dying he uttered these words: “I suppose I am the most miserable man on the earth.”
Click to Continue Reading This Story…
Neither Catholic Nor Protestant
Posted on April 28, 2007
Filed Under Basil Overton, The Church | Leave a Comment
by Basil Overton
From Seven Score Short Sermons
PO Box 2279, Florence, AL 35630
At the beginning of the 16th century Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic Church and started a movement that resulted in the Lutheran Church. In 1534 Henry VIII of England broke from the Church of Rome and formed the Church of England (Episcopal Church in America). Out of the Church of England came several denominations: the Baptists in 1607; the Methodists in 1729. In the early 19th century men like B.W. Stone and Alexander Campbell preached that denominational divisions were wrong. They preached the gospel of unity as found in the Bible. They got people to believe in Christ, turn away from their sins and be baptized into Christ’s body, his church, so they could be saved by his blood.
Click to Continue Reading This Story…
The most divisive trend among churches of Christ
Posted on April 28, 2007
Filed Under Matt Clifton, The Church | Leave a Comment
by Matt Clifton
By far, the most divisive trend currently making rounds among the churches of Christ is the willingness to alter our perception of biblical authority in order to fellowship a larger circle of people. At the root of this movement is the well-intentioned desire to fellowship with more people who we consider Christian brothers. At the end of this movement, however, is more denominationalism and less personal and emotional sacrifice in order to follow the Word of God.
The so-called “unity movement” initiated by some of the more liberal congregations in the churches of Christ, and joined by the Independent Christian Churches, is ironically leading to a greater polarization between the conservative churches of Christ and the more permissive congregations. Far from creating unity, it is instead causing conservative preachers, elders and congregations to “dig in their heels” against the liberals. The end result will likely be more churches of Christ slipping into denominational practices, and perhaps an even more radical conservative wing of the church in response.
Click to Continue Reading This Story…
« go back — keep looking »Polls
What do you think of Quail Springs' decision to add intrumental music to the worship?
- I'm a member of the church of Christ, and the decision is wrong. (65%)
- I'm a member of the church of Christ, and the decision is no big deal. (16%)
- I'm not a member of the church of Christ, and the decision is no big deal. (10%)
- I'm not a member of the church of Christ, and the decision is wrong. (4%)
- I'm a member of the church of Christ, and I'm not sure. (3%)
- I'm not a member of the church of Christ, and I'm not sure. (0%)
Total Votes: 211
Loading ...-
