Is music just another unnecessary 'issue' that just keeps a church from growing in number or is it something that is to be included in the whole counsel of God?

We are to not only preach on doctrine, but also on reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness - and surely music must be part of that preaching!

I ask that you would just consider this short outline on the "possibility" that - just maybe - music has become an issue in your life - a  your family's life - or even within your local church family.  In other words, "What if?"

Are you hearing about pleasing God in your walk according to I Thessalonians 4:1?

Of course, it could be anything in your walk that is not specifically pleasing to God, but I wonder, could it possibly be your personal choice of music?

Maybe you just don't always seem to have that close fellowship with God.  I imagine that you might even be reading your Bible, etc.  What could it be?  It could be so many things, but ...

Please note that I am not just talking about 'bad' music!  Satan is subtle & deceitful enough to use 'good music', too!  Read about King Nebuchadnezzar and how commanded everyone to bow down when they heard ALL KINDS OF MUSIC, not just the 'bad stuff!'  Daniel 3:5-7

Music is most definitely the universal language.  Unfortunately, because most folks have no clue about the technical and theory aspect of music, the devil could use music to manipulate someone - and they wouldn't even know it was going on.  That is the power behind music.  It DOES manipulate people today. Yes, in your life, music COULD be the factor being used as one of the devil's devices.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;  I Timothy 4:1

Today's preachers and pastors can make so many other things look so good - so right!  But music?
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

It is that apostolic Charismatic Pentecostal bunch that brought that CCM in to popularity. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. II Corinthians 11:13-15

If you don't understand the actual language of music, the god of this world can treat you like a barbarian!  Is that how you want your family treated?  Your children?  I Corinthians 14:11  Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Music can easily have a form of godliness.  Music can replace "almost' every facet of the job of the Holy Spirit. Just find every verse in the Bible that talks about the work of the Holy Spirit in your life and replace the word Spirit with the word music!  It fits.  Music can mimic everything in your life the Holy Spirit can do - except one - salvation!

In fact, for many Christians, music has even replaced preaching - and we ought to know that preaching is the power of God to a Christian - NOT a musical performance, CD, tape, etc.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.   I Corinthians 1:18

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. II Corinthians 13:4

Remember how powerful that power of God is?  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places ... Ephesians 1:19,20

Not to OUR glory, as so many want to try to prove with I Samuel 16:14-23 in a KJB and Amos 6:1a,5 in an NIV or other modern version!  You can read more about this in future sermons.  Christians become unthankful in the last days and their music can prove it.

Turning on a CD - tape, etc. will quickly take the place of your meditating on a sermon, a Bible verse you read, or just praying without ceasing and being willing to hear from God's words!   Music can surely quench those opportunities!

Here we are again - notice the word profiting!  And that thy profiting may appear to all - remember... you are always being watched!

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  Galatians 1:6-8

CCM and even when 'good music' has become a 'god' for today's listeners, it can all become a false gospel in itself. The CCM world even has it's own statement of faith!   The doctrine behind modern Christian music is far from Biblical and truthful; it is all a product of the modern bible versions.  Just check out the words in modern Christian music.

A Bible reading Christian should be able to properly discern this particular area without much problem - It must be that most Christians today just don't HAVE the Word of God, nor do they even WANT the Word of God let alone actually READ it!

This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. Jeremiah 7:28

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:5,6

We should know from the Scriptures that the Devil wants to keep people from being saved - Read Luke 8:12 & II Thessalonians 2:10.

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. I Thessalonians 4:1,2

Considering the content of this whole sermon, this fact could be one of the biggest losses for most Christians today who listen to music so much.  Music when it is done it's proper roll - Psalm 68:4 - would be pleasing to God and that is when we start abounding more and more.

May I ask you "What do the Scriptures say about music?" Do you know?  Have you ever looked them up?  It is not a difficult thing to please God - WE are the ones who choose to make it difficult!  Ignorance of the scriptures is no unnecessary when He gave us the completed word of God today!

• thanksgivings
• love toward the brethren
• love toward all men
• fruit to your account
• fruit to knowledge
• proper godly testimony
• fellowship with God
• friendship with God
• friendship with the Holy Spirit
• friendship with Jesus Christ.
• growth with God's love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, etc.
• imputation
• we are made free from sin
• the riches of understanding

Note: Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Note: it is imperative to LOVE GOD in order for ALL those things that happen to us to work together for the good - in our eyes, anyway.  God knows what we need, and when we get it, it IS good - we might as well love Him and realize that whatever happens IS for our own good!

Being unthankful starts a wicked process in Romans 1.  One of the characteristics of the last days is unthankfulness.  Praising God is throughout the entire Bible.  Do you really and truly know what God has done for you, to you, with you, etc.?  If so, praise to Him comes easier from us.  In fact, according to Psalm 68:4, that praise in rejoicing comes FROM ME and yet, it is also FROM HIM!

When one learns just ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM - I mean really learn that stuff, it is a shame to think that our music would rob God of ANY praises due Him!

But to think the devil could pollute those praises through polluted music and a polluted worldly heart?  Such a sad thing to consider.  What an awful way to show God we love Him.

And many that believed came, and confessed,
and shewed their deeds.
Many of them also which used curious arts
brought their books together,
and burned them before all men:
and they counted the price of them,
and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
Acts 19:18-20