Celebrate the Music & Arts Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, May 31, 2015 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts © Copyright 2015 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute.

Before the Beginning THERE WAS SONG God said: When I laid the foundations of the earth… the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy… Job 38:4-7 (NLT)

In the Beginning There Was… INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the first person to live in tents and raise cattle. Jabal’s brother was Jubal, the first person to play the harp and flute. Genesis 4:20-21 (NCV)

After the Beginning There Were MUSICAL SONGS OF THANKSGIVING Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the L ORD : “I will sing to the L ORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. Exodus 15:1

After the Beginning There Were SONGS AND DANCE Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the L ORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and its rider, he has hurled into the sea.” Exodus 15:20

Later There Were COMPOSERS AND PERFORMERS FOR THE TEMPLE The oracle of David, the anointed of the God, the sweet psalmist of Israel: “The Spirit of the L ORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23: 1-2 (ESV) David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments. 1 Chronicles 15: 16

And There Were TEMPLE CHOIR DIRECTORS AND CHOIRS Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing of the choirs; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it. 1 Chronicles 15: 22

And Big Musical Praise Days All the Levites who were musicians were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the L ORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the L ORD and sang: “He is good, his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 5: 12-13

Eventually Psalms Were Collected Three types: PRAISE … “Praise the Lord!” Psalm 147:1 PETITION … “Hear us Shepherd of Israel” Psalm 80:1-2 THANKSGIVING … “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice” Psalm 116:1

BC / AD Worship Many elements of Jewish ritual worship and practice are eliminated in Acts and the Epistles (AD 30-70). But there are no comments about discontinuing the use of musical instruments, singing and dancing. Nowhere are they condemned or forbidden. On the contrary, many scriptures seem to indicate early believers continued with inherited Synagogue worship practices.

NT Worship - Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs HYMN - 1 Timothy 3:16 He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs SPIRITUAL SONG - 2 Timothy 2:11-12 If we died with him, we will also live with him; If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.

At the End of End Times REVELATION 7:9-12 (MSG) I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were all standing before the Throne worshipping God and heartily singing: “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving, and honor and power and strength, be to our God forever and ever and ever! Amen!”

Challenge for Our Time # 1 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 ESV What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 1 Cor 14:15

Challenge for Our Time # 2 The issue is not whether followers of Christ should be busy in music and the arts or not. Since the very creation of the world the challenge has been whether these expressions have been fashioned and used by men and women as vehicles of praise to the Lord or whether they have been conceived and executed as expressions of human vanity.

The Last Word Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NLT)

Today DECC Says Thank You

Today DECC Says Thank You Welcome