____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ December 4, 1994 ____________________________________________________ Music For The Soul by Steve Klein Music not only has the power to ``soothe the savage beast,'' but also to move, inspire, educate and mold the thinking of man. Ancient Greek philosophers believed music was one of the most important facets of education. But our all-wise Father knew this before men did, and so He ordained singing to be an integral part of the life of a Christian. Through singing we can both ``teach'' (educate) and ``admonish'' (encourage, counsel, reprove). In Colossians 3:16 we're told: ``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.'' To Whom Do We Sing? In a sense, all that a Christian does should be done ``to the Lord'' (Romans 14:8; Ephesians 6:7-8). This would certainly apply to our singing (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19). Many of the Psalms of the Old Testament were addressed directly to the Lord. But even when a Psalm was addressed to ``all peoples...all inhabitants of the world'' or an ``evil...mighty man'' (Psalms 49 & 52) is there any doubt that it could still be sung to the honor of the Lord? It is to Him that all worship is to be offered. As Christians, we are also to sing (or speak in song) ``to one another''. This certainly does not preclude singing in the presence of those who are not Christians. In prison, Paul and Silas were ``singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them'' (Acts 16:25). Paul later expressed his concern that the ``uninformed'' and ``unbelievers'' understand the songs and prayers offered in an assembly of the church (1 Corinthians 14:16, 23). In fact, since we are commanded to sing Psalms, and some of the words of the Psalms are addressed to all the inhabitants of the world, it seems clear that we are to ``teach and admonish'' both believers and unbelievers in song. But it is the believers who will be most receptive to the songs, for their hearts and lives are attuned to them. Melody in the Heart Everyone knows that certain kinds of music seem to go along with certain kinds of activities or life styles. March music just somehow ``fits'' the activity of a marching band or a military parade. Country music, rock music and classical music each seem to go hand in hand with certain life styles. So much so that it is sometimes difficult to tell whether the life style created the music, or the music created the life style. That is exactly the function of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in the life of a Christian. Such music strikes a respondent chord in the soul of the Christian. As you sing and are sung to, there is to be ``melody in your heart'' (Ephesians 5:19). We pluck the heart strings, and music is made in the soul which corresponds to the spiritual lives we are to live. Conclusion We are deluged in our society with music. Radio's, TV's, cassette and CD players are everywhere. While some of what is played is wholesome, much of what is played SHOULD NOT make melody in the heart of a Christian. Songs which encourage revelry, drunkenness, drinking parties, adultery, fornication and other sinful actions and attitudes just do not harmonize with living for Jesus. Don't deceive yourself; the music you listen to is powerful. Let your music be the kind that harmonizes with the life you are striving to live. Especially emphasize the singing and hearing of spiritual songs. You will find that the power of music will lift your soul. -- Via The Exhorter, November 20, 1994 ___________________________________________ ``Is Anyone ELSE Cheerful?'' by Steve Klein James wrote, ``Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms'' (James 5;13). Cheerful people ought to find it easy to sing. And, Christians ought to be the most cheerful people on earth! Dewitt Talmage has made the following observation: Christianity is a religion of song. Agnosticism has not Gloria. Confucianism and (Hinduism) have no inspiring anthems or soulful hallelujahs...Moral melodies are generated the instant Christ is known, for his love is the source and soul of praise. Faith in Jesus awakens gladness and creates a freeness, fullness and depth of songfulness that the great question with a believer is, ``How can I keep from singing?'' Christian hope gives birth to a great uplift of cheerful optimism. The believer's face is radiant with gladness, and his speech inevitably flows into glorious melodies. Where false religions have any music at all, it is generally found to be what one has must be truthfully called ``plagiarized praise.'' I know Christians whose cheer inspires them to sing constantly throughout their day to day activities. Is anyone ELSE cheerful? -- Via The Exhorter, November 20, 1994 ___________________________________________ FAITHFULNESS AND DEPENDABILITY by Cecil Willis A few nights ago I arrived at the meeting house about thirty minutes before time for service to begin. It was a dreary and rainy night. When I arrived a 78 year old brother who lives alone and who drives about 18 miles to services was not there. Without any hesitation I called another brother who had not left home to come to the service and asked him to go immediately to check on this brother. As I had feared, he had been involved in an automobile accident on the way to services. Fortunately, he was uninjured. But how did I know to send someone to see about this brother? Was there some sort of mystical premonition on my part? Not at all. I just happened to know that this brother would be at the service (unless something drastic had happened) and that not only would he be on time, but that he would be there early. When he was not present thirty minutes early, immediately I became apprehensive. There were other brethren not present. But I was not surprised at their absence or tardiness. In fact, I would have been surprised to see some of the brethren out on a night like that. When you are not present, do brethren fear something serious has occurred? Or do they know it is your ``custom'' (Heb. 10:25) to miss the assemblies? -- Via The Old Path II, November 13, 1994 ___________________________________________ Write Today For A FREE BIBLE CORRESPONDENCE COURSE ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________