Intentional Pursuit: Music's Role in Our Faith
Summary
In our walk with the Lord, we must recognize that our relationship with Him requires action on our part. It is not enough to simply pray for a closer walk with God; we must actively pursue it. This pursuit is a call to every believer, just as God offered a deep relationship to David, Abraham, and Moses. We are invited to engage with God in a similar manner, but it requires our intentional effort.
Our gathering as a church is a testament to the special place God has created for believers to come together, to encourage one another, and to delve into His Word. It is in this fellowship that we find strength and guidance for our journey with God.
Tonight, I addressed a topic that is often controversial but undeniably influential: music. Music has the power to shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is a dominant force in the lives of our youth, and as such, we must be vigilant about the music we allow into our homes and hearts. The music we listen to should draw us closer to God, not push us away. It should reflect His holiness and not be tainted by the world's standards.
As we consider the music we engage with, we must ask ourselves several critical questions: Does this music honor God's dignity? Is it worldly or godly? Does the artist live a life that reflects Christ? What message does the music communicate, even without words? And does it bring us into God's presence or drive us away?
We live in a world that constantly tries to distract us from God's presence. Music is one of the many tools that can either facilitate our communion with God or hinder it. Therefore, we must choose music that aligns with our faith and draws us closer to the Lord.
In conclusion, let us be mindful of the music we consume and allow into our lives. Let it be a tool that brings us into the presence of God, rather than one that leads us astray. Let us be intentional in our choices, knowing that they have the power to shape our walk with the Lord.
Key Takeaways:
- Our relationship with God is not passive; it demands our active participation. We must not only pray for a closer walk with Him but also take deliberate steps to cultivate that relationship. This is a personal responsibility for each believer, and it is through our actions that we demonstrate our commitment to God. [15:17]
- Music is a powerful influence that can either draw us closer to God or push us away. As believers, we must be discerning about the music we listen to, ensuring that it aligns with God's holiness and our Christian values. The music we choose should reflect the character of God and lead us into His presence. [37:08]
- The world's standards should not dictate our definition of Christian music. We must not allow secular influences to define what is holy and acceptable to God. Instead, we should seek music that is pure, edifying, and glorifying to the Lord, avoiding any blend of worldly styles with our worship. [49:12]
- The sincerity of an artist is not enough to justify their music as godly. We must evaluate music based on its content, message, and the lifestyle of the artist. Music that is sincere but not aligned with biblical truth can still lead us astray. [01:11:41]
- Our music choices should not cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble. We must consider the impact of our music on others and choose songs that edify and encourage the body of Christ. Our freedom in Christ should not be used as a license to indulge in music that could harm the spiritual walk of others. [01:15:58]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalms 33:1-3: "Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy."
2. Psalms 95:1-3: "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods."
3. Ephesians 5:19: "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalms 33:1-3, what are the different ways we are encouraged to praise the Lord?
2. In Psalms 95:1-3, what reasons are given for why we should sing and shout joyfully to the Lord?
3. How does Ephesians 5:19 describe the role of music in our spiritual lives?
4. What are some of the specific questions the pastor suggests we ask ourselves about the music we listen to? ([56:03])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the psalmist emphasizes using various instruments and singing a new song in Psalms 33:1-3?
2. How does the call to come before God's presence with thanksgiving in Psalms 95:1-3 relate to our daily worship practices?
3. What might Paul mean by "making melody in your heart to the Lord" in Ephesians 5:19, and how can this be applied in our lives?
4. The pastor mentioned that music can either draw us into God's presence or push us away. How can we discern which music does which? ([45:11])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current music choices. Do they bring you into God's presence or push you away? How can you make more intentional choices? ([45:11])
2. The pastor mentioned the influence of music on our youth. How can you guide the younger generation in making godly music choices? ([35:20])
3. Think about the question, "Is my music worthy of God's dignity?" How can you evaluate your music library with this in mind? ([56:03])
4. How can you incorporate more psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs into your daily routine to enhance your walk with God? ([45:11])
5. The pastor talked about the impact of music on our emotions and behaviors. Can you identify a time when music significantly influenced your mood or actions? How did it align with your faith? ([40:00])
6. Consider the idea that our music choices should not cause others to stumble. How can you be mindful of this in your community and family? ([01:15:58])
7. The pastor emphasized the importance of not letting the world define what is acceptable in Christian music. How can you seek out and support music that aligns with biblical values? ([49:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Pursuit of Divine Relationship
Intentionality is the heartbeat of a thriving relationship with God. It is not enough to wish for closeness; one must take deliberate steps towards it. This pursuit is personal and cannot be outsourced or assumed by mere association with others who seek Him. It is a daily decision to seek His face, to learn His ways, and to align one's life with His will. Just as one would invest time and energy into cultivating a friendship or a marriage, so too must effort be poured into the divine relationship. This is not a passive process but an active journey, marked by prayer, obedience, and a hunger for His presence.
[15:17]
James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This verse encapsulates the promise that God responds to our efforts to seek Him, but it also calls for a purity of intention and action.
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to actively pursue a deeper relationship with God?
Day 2: Discernment in Musical Influence
Music wields a profound influence on the soul, capable of drawing one towards the divine or leading astray. It is essential to exercise discernment in selecting music, ensuring that it reflects the holiness of God and resonates with the values of the Christian faith. The music that fills one's ears should be a conduit for worship and reflection, not a source of distraction or spiritual compromise. It is not merely about personal preference but about what honors God and edifies the spirit. In a world where music is omnipresent, the choice of what to listen to becomes a testament to one's commitment to God.
[37:08]
Ephesians 5:19 encourages, "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart." This passage not only promotes the use of music in worship but also the importance of the content and the condition of the heart in musical expression.
Reflection: How does the music you currently listen to affect your spiritual life, and what changes might God be prompting you to make?
Day 3: Rejecting Worldly Standards in Worship
The standards of the world should not infiltrate the sacred space of worship. Christian music must be set apart, reflecting the purity and majesty of God. It is not enough for music to be labeled 'Christian' if it mirrors secular patterns and values. Believers are called to seek out music that is untainted by worldly influences, music that is pure, edifying, and glorifying to God. This may mean forgoing popular tunes for those that truly resonate with the spirit of worship and lead the heart closer to God.
[49:12]
Colossians 3:16-17 instructs, "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. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." This passage emphasizes the importance of content that is rich in truth and performed in a manner that is pleasing to God.
Reflection: Are there any ways in which worldly standards have begun to shape your choices in worship music, and how can you realign those choices with God's standards?
Day 4: Evaluating Music Beyond Sincerity
The sincerity of an artist is not the sole measure of their music's spiritual value. It is crucial to evaluate music based on its content, message, and the lifestyle of the artist. Music that is sincere but not aligned with biblical truth can still lead one astray. The lyrics, the heart behind them, and the life that produces them must all be weighed against the truth of Scripture. This discernment ensures that the music one consumes and shares is not only heartfelt but also theologically sound and edifying to the Christian walk.
[01:11:41]
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 advises, "But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." This directive applies well to music, as believers are encouraged to examine and embrace what is good while rejecting what does not conform to God's righteousness.
Reflection: In what ways can you more critically evaluate the music you listen to, ensuring it aligns with biblical truth and godly living?
Day 5: Music as a Tool for Edification
Music has the power not only to affect the individual but also to influence the community of believers. It is important to consider how one's musical choices can impact others within the body of Christ. Music should serve as a tool for edification, encouraging and strengthening the faith of fellow believers. The freedom found in Christ is not a license to indulge in preferences that could potentially cause others to stumble. Instead, it is an opportunity to choose what builds up the church, fostering an atmosphere of worship and unity.
[01:15:58]
Romans 14:19 commands, "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." This verse reminds believers of their responsibility to seek the spiritual welfare of others, including the impact of their music choices.
Reflection: How can your music choices encourage and build up other believers, and what adjustments might you need to make to ensure they do?
Quotes
1) "Music can bring you into God's presence. Man, you ever had a time when you were just listening to a song and got under conviction?" [45:23](Download | Download)
2) "God uses a whole bunch of music to draw us into his presence. Speaking to yourselves in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." [46:43](Download | Download)
3) "We allow the world to define what Christian music is. Like, how does that make sense? We should not let the world dictate our definition of holiness and worship." [49:12](Download | Download)
4) "Music is an acquired taste. We know it brings about different physical responses. That's why when you go work out, you probably don't turn on amazing grace." [01:18:06](Download | Download)
5) "We live in a world that does everything possible to keep us out of God's presence. Music is one of the tools that can either facilitate our communion with God or hinder it." [01:19:36](Download | Download)
6) "Is my music worthy of God's dignity? We serve a holy God. Is the music we listen to reflective of His holiness and worthy of His name?" [56:24](Download | Download)
7) "The power of music is significant. It can influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We must choose music that aligns with our faith and draws us closer to the Lord." [55:19](Download | Download)
8) "Music can take me right out of God's presence. There are some songs that just give me a bad attitude. We must be mindful of the impact of our music choices." [45:23](Download | Download)
9) "Does my music sound worldly? There's a clear distinction between God's music and the world's music, and we should strive to keep them separate in our lives." [01:03:24](Download | Download)
10) "Is my music sung or played sensually? We're supposed to flee youthful lusts, and our music should not provoke or appeal to those sensibilities." [01:01:30](Download | Download)
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