music and worship and the heart

The role of music in worship

Why do we listen to music?
- to make us feel better,
- to remind us of the past
- why do mothers sing lullabys to their children?

Why do we sing?

When do we sing?

where does Music come from?
- the heart
- if you condemn a person’s music, you condemn their heart
- Music appeals to the person - they enjoy it. that is why they listen to it.

Music appeals to one’s emotions.
- through music, one can change or enhance their moods
- all music has an emotional effect -
- name an emotion that God has not given you?
- name an emotion that cannot glorify God?
- name an emotion that cannot be used for evil.
- music stirs up the emotions -- that is good.
- the lyrics and attitudes of the performer direct those emotions toward good or evil.
- music is used in most churches to change emotions
- bring us into an attitude of worship. This is good.
- to condemn music because it effects the emotions is hypocritical
- what makes it right to emphasize the holiness of God, but wrong to emphasize the joy of God?

What makes music Christian?
- the lyrics
- the lifestyle of the author
- your responsibility is to glorify God, not the music or the performer

- If you find comfort in your music, and I say it is from the devil-
what do I say about you and your comforter?
What do I say about your worship?
- can I compose the same song as you? no!!!
your nature is different
your relationship with God is different
your pain and joy has been different
your music will address your life and culture, not mine.
the greater the commonality, the greater the appreciation

What role does culture and environment play in music?
Culture demands uniformity
close culture demands close uniformity
Those who step outside of culture become marked as not good - different-even bad
What does your culture tell you about music?

Why is one form of music condemned over another?
Why does my father like classical music? Opera? he is not a masochist.
Why does my sister in law like pipe organ music?
Why would anyone listen to music that is all in the minor?
Why is my taste in music slowing down?

Does your choice of music neglect the life of those you wish to reach?

remember that music comes from the heart and heals that same heart. each heart is different


What of those who deny movement?
a separation between Spiritual and Physical
the early church fathers and mystics denied the body
they hated women because of the desires of the body
they separated man into 3 parts, claiming one part was bad
Is the human body good or bad?

1 Cor 6:19,20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1Cor 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, himshall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple]ye are.

1 Co r 15: 35 - 45 . But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? [Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh [is] not the same flesh: but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, [and] another of birds. [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another. [There is] one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for [one] star differeth from [another] star in glory. So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.


BOTH WORSHIP AND MUSIC BEGIN IN THE HEART, THEREFORE THEY ARE FOREVER COMBINED IN THEIR EXPRESSIONMusic in the Bible

Ex 15:1 Moses's song antiphonal singing led by Miriam
Ex 32 singing and dancing by the calf
Nu 21:17 sing by the well of water provided by God
Jud 5:3 sing praise to the Lord
1 Sam 18:5 the women came out dancing and singing with tamborines and other
instruments of music to meet Dave and Saul
2Sa 6:1-5 all types
2Sa 22:50 sing praises to thy name among the heathen
1Ch 9:33 professional singers in the temple
2 Ch 20:28 HARPS AND LUTES AND TRUMPETS - PSALTRIES context of Jehoshephat vrs. Moab and Ammon --- Jehoshephat looked to God, prophesy was made, praise was given. 20-30 singing helped win.
2 Chr 23:13 And she saw the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of music, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
PSA 33:1-4 stringed instruments the more the better a loud noise 11-(22)-22
PSA 81:1-4 the use of instruments
psa 92:1-4 16 (15) 5
psa 98 12v - {9v }- 9v -5v
Psa 150 let everything that you have an are praise the Lord loudly, and long
Jas 5:13-15
Jas 5:13 - 15

strong use of stringed instruments, wind instruments and cymbals





Some Various music styles

Martin Luther’s time: Ein Feiste Berg

the older Russian generation’s culture?
- What is it?

- life was filled with opression and secrecy
what was the heart of a believer saying during the persecution?
was it saying rejoice and dance with joy?
what style of music reflects the cry of their heart?
what did their culture tell them about the nature of God?
Holy, almost beyond reach, only the priests could offer communion
many saints were revered. sobriety and firmness and holiness
Music of worship will reflect our lives.
- can you understand their hearts? only in part.
- do you live in that same world?

Afro - American culture
- slavery and abuse.
- African rhythms
- refused admittance to the fancy churches
their own chapel on the plantation
- a focus on harmony
- personal faith in God, in contrast to religious owners
- long hours of work
the blues and spirituals

Swing down, sweet chariot
Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen

African

First call O Sifuni Mungu salsa
Corrina This little light of mine salsa

This little light of mine,

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine
All down the road, I’m going to let it shine
DC Talk Spinning reggai Hip-hop


Jewish culture

a persecuted people
a family people
a future hope
a great history
the music is minor, but upbeat.


Old Cree culture. (Canadian Native)
- trapping and hunting and fishing - patience and long winters
- old pipe organs, 3 hour services with every elder speaking
- a culture of silence and respect.
- never address and elder unless first spoken to.
- a good 2 hour visit may consist of 20 sentences.
sing with time to think
slow majors
eg. sing “rock of Ages” 1 minute per verse

the newer generation - plane travel
hunt and fish with skidoo instead of dog team
use of guns and motor boats
watch TV, radio etc.
still time to think though.
sources of entertainment limited
sing at a faster pace but still simple, like life
Rock is too fast and complex, they cannot relate.

Eg. Singing Hills (Ballad)


country folk
work from morning to night, yet slow work
riding the tractor
weeding the garden
a life without much need
get-togethers are more family and friends
happy times and mellow times - the group enjoyment of music
why sing the blues when life has never been blue
why sing the minors when life has never been opressed?
why rush with rock?

there is power in the blood - piano
Rule over my soul

Older generation of Americans

Same job all of life,
small world of acquaintances
stable bank, and economy
communion CD #8 Alas and Did my Savior
Pat Boone

Comfortable Church people

consistent music
regular pace,
beautiful melody and harmony is more important than the words
all is right with the world, the family is fine
please, nothing intense - their world is not intense
minor is too depressing - God is positive
lively is not good, my worship must reflect my life.

Bowker brothers piano

City people

Life moves on at a rapid pace
rush hour to and from work is total panic
living is expensive, so a need for high productivity
must be on time and squeeze all work into a short 8 hours, then rush home,
eat a quick meal, then go to that meeting in the evening.
There is always something to do, play, or watch.
Even Sunday is filled with church, dinner, sports in the afternoon, evening service or evening visiting.
holidays are filled with travel, the fast motor boat for water skiing, etc.
This pace of life cannot be understood by those who have not experienced it.
How can these people slow down their lives for 1 hour a week?
Worship through music must keep pace with life.
therefore - Rock music in worship
life is positive, on the go so why stop!
Praise Shine Jesus Shine

80's Youth

Those who keep the 60’s and the 70’s alive
those who never stop going places
Home is where one sleeps or parties, not where they live.

Petra Praise King of Kings
Metal praise Rock of Ages


the Upper Class People

- they grow up listening to the classical themes
- they have the finances to afford the concerts
(cost : opera or ballet = $100/ticket meal or nightcap, 50 = 250/night for 2)
- they have the formal wear to go to concerts
- they have the time to relax and listen, not rushed by work
- it is as status symbol to do these things
- their churches have the pipe organs, the professional singers, the formality of wealth.
most music is not professional enough in order to honour their God. Only classical and formal., like their life.

Dino He is Lord/We shall behold Him Classical


Modern Youth
- emo music. emotion is the only important thing



What is the culture in which you minister?
Does your choice of music neglect the life of those you wish to reach?
remember that music comes from the heart and heals that same heart. each heart is different


questions?

Where does music come from?

What kind of music touches your heart?

What kind of music will touch the heart of your people?

In your worship, whose heart is more important to minister to?

How do you deal with the cultural differences in your community?

How can you as brothers worship together in praise with all groups?