Does It Really
Matter?
Introduction:
A popular idea that we hear in defense of instrumental
music (IM) today is that it does not matter one way or the other to God, and
neither should it matter to us. In some circles, this position has been called
“divine indifference.” In other words we are led to believe God is too “big” or
maybe too “busy” to be concerned with such matters. We are told that the
instrumental music issue is not at “the crux of the matter”; it is just a
tradition of churches of Christ. Is there truth in this?
I. An ever-changing list of arguments.
A.
Over
last 150 years, wide variety of arguments made in favor of IM.
1.
Champions
of IM have never settled on their proof for the practice.
B.
Those
who teach against IM have consistently maintained the same ground.
1.
IM
lacks biblical authority & that is where the matter still stands.
II. Is it just a
matter of “divine indifference?”
A.
Some
tell us that only crucial matters are those directly associated with the cross.
B.
Jer.
5:31. How does this apply to us?
1.
Consider
the willingness of many to accept compromise.
2.
People are willing to think
God is indifferent because they are indifferent.
C.
Why
the indifference?
1.
Lack
of teaching on the matter.
2.
worldliness
III. What
matters…?
A.
Music
is not the issue. Issue is authority of the bible, i.e., Jesus.
B.
If
authority for the practice could be citied, it would have already.
C.
IM
matters – because it matters how we worship God.
1.
John
4:24 – eternal principle: must worship in spirit & truth.
2.
John 17:17 – truth is
found in God’s word.
3.
Mt. 15:9 – worship
that has only the authority of men is vain & is not worship in truth.
D.
1
Thess 5:21. 4 things are taught
here or necessarily implied:
1.
We
are commanded to prove all things.
2.
All
acceptable (or good) things can be proven.
3.
All
proven things are to be accepted and practiced.
4.
All
things not proved are to be rejected.
IV. Consider the
NT writers:
A.
Guided
to include only such things in patter as consistent with the purposes of God.
1.
John
16:13; Mt. 28:18-19; Mt. 18:18.
2.
The
failure to include IM in NT worship forcefully demonstrates that it had not
been authorized in heaven.
V. Where
compromise leads:
A.
Compromise
w/IM leads to an endless list of innovations.
B.
If
it is right to have IM, on what grounds will we oppose:
1.
Burning
incense in worship? Wed PM communion?
2.
Drama/dance/entertainment
driven worship?
C.
Deliberately
disregarding heaven’s direction on this one point reveals an inclination of
disobedience/rebellion.
1.
to
encourage it or compromise compounds error – Mt. 5:19
Conclusion:
A.
Respect
for God’s word matters. It is how we respect God.
B.
Are
you living in a way that respects God?