The Church Jesus Sings With- Hebrews 2:9-12


  1. Jesus PARTICIPATES with His church in every act of worship:


    1. LORD'S SUPPER
      1. Matthew 26:29 "but I say unto you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."
      2. 1 Corinthians 10:16 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"


    2. PRAYER
      1. 1 Timothy 2:5 "There is one God and one Mediator b/w God"
      2. Hebrews 7:25 "He (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for us."


    3. GIVING
      1. Matthew 6:19-21
      2. 2 Timothy 1:12 "For I know whom I have believed and am..."


    4. PREACHING
      1. Matthew 28:18-20
      2. Mark 16:20 "And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word through the accompanying signs."


    5. SINGING
      1. Romans 15:9 cf. Psalms 18:49
      2. Hebrews 2:10-12 "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, "I will declare Thy name to My brethren: in the midst of the church I will sing praise unto Thee." v. 12- cf. Psalm 22:22
      3. Both Psalms are NON-INSTRUMENTAL
  2. The Church Jesus Sings With . . .


    1. Sings without the INSTRUMENT
      1. No COMMAND in the New Testament for its use
      2. No EXAMPLE of its use in the New Testament
      3. Its use nowhere IMPLIED in the New Testament
      4. There is no AUTHORITY to sing with the instrument
      5. Conspicuous Absence from New Testament teaching
      6. Law of Inclusion and Exclusion
      7. What denominational founders and leaders have said (at bottom)


    2. Sings in SPIRIT
      1. With the proper ATTITUDE and UNDERSTANDING
        1. John 4:24
        2. 1 Corinthians 14:15
      2. We must never allow our singing to be done on auto-pilot
      3. Worldly considerations must be eliminated.


    3. Sings the TRUTH
      1. Col 3:16 "TEACHING & ADMONISHING one another"
      2. We do not allow false doctrine to be preached from the pulpit, so why would we allow false doctrine to be sung by the entire congregation? Room must be given for poetic license, but some are obviously unscriptural. Some songs . . .
        1. teach pre-millennial doctrine- Jesus is Coming Soon
        2. unscripturally arranged- His Grace Reaches Me #388
        3. advocate praying to Jesus- Tell it to Jesus Alone
        4. teach false doctrines on how one is saved- Just a Little Talk
        5. teach direct operation of the Holy Spirit
        6. Should we sing a song that teaches an unscriptural message?
        7. Jesus DIED for His message- John 10:22-39
        8. Shall we pervert the message for which Jesus gave His life because we like a song or have always sung it?
        9. The Song Leaders' responsibility
      3. Jesus sings with His CHURCH




QUOTES FROM DENOMINATIONAL FOUNDERS AND LEADERS REGARDING INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

MARTIN LUTHER (early 1500's Catholic Reformer; regarded as the founder of the Lutheran Church): "The organ in worship to God is an ensign of Baal." (i.e., an emblem or symbol of idolatry)

JOHN CALVIN (mid-1500's, Presbyterian): "Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of other shadows of the law... Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostles is far more pleasing to him."

JOHN WESLEY (mid to late-1700's, Methodist): "I have no objection to the instruments being in our chapels, provided they are neither seen nor heard."

CHARLES SPURGEON (mid to late-1800's, Baptist) "Praise the Lord with the harp. 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. they would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice."

JERRY O'NEIL (present-day Reformed Presbyterian preacher) "The purpose is to present worship that's pleasing to God, no matter what's pleasing to us. God doesn't need all the instruments to know there's real praise going on." Quoted by Michael Pearson- AP in Firm Foundation April 1996