Wednesday, July 11, 2007

My, how things change!

I was doing a little research today and ran across some great quotes that reminded me of how important it is to stay locked into the Word when "doing church."

What happens when preference and non-biblical issues are given ground to stand in our churches?
This happens:

“The organ in the worship service is a sign of Baal.” - Martin Luther

“I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.” - John Wesley

“We might as well pray by machinery as sing by it”
Israel was at school, and used childish things to help her learn; but in these days when Jesus gives us spiritual food, one can make melody without strings and pipes… we do not need them. That would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto Him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice.” - Both quotes by Charles Spurgeon

In a world where we understand that all we do in our lives should be worship, including our work and our play... we should learn from the mistakes made my our forefathers--don't allow your preference to become a window for self-righteous spirituality. What makes your song a pleasing one to the Lord is the heart behind it. I pray our generation gets it right.

3 comments:

Bek. said...

Good thoughts Steve-thanks for pursuing Him with a heart for Him.

paul del signore said...

good post Steve,
I thought Jimmy's voice was too raspy today and I was going to suggest that he be excommunicated.

ok seriously.... I wonder how Giants of the faith like Luther, Wesley, and Spurgeon missed the point you made? It seems obvious, but does culture really impact our thoughts so much? if so, then if those guys missed that, then what are we allowing culture to dictate to us today? what is it that we are missing?

sorry... not asking for answers, I'm just thinking out loud.

speak to you later,
paul

Anonymous said...

Great thoughts, Steve. It's amazing how opinionated people are, like their thoughts are fact. If we were all the same, how would anyone ever be reached for Jesus? I know people my mom reaches that no one else I know would even talk to (i.e., a witch, a satanist). We need to let the Spirit of God give us our "facts" and cover everything else with God's Grace. God bless -

Dina K.
(sorry, don't have a site, so today I'm "Anonymous")