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STILL MORE THAN RHYTHM, MELODY AND HARMONY. Note:. 1. The video clips in this presentation are not an attack on any individual and are not meant to embarrass any one 2. The principles in this presentation apply to any genre of music. TOPICS TO COVER. 1. Principles of spiritual Church music
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Note: 1. The video clips in this presentation are not an attack on any individual and are not meant to embarrass any one 2. The principles in this presentation apply to any genre of music
TOPICS TO COVER • 1. Principles of spiritual Church music • 2. Should we dance? • 3. Applauding and hands waving • 4. Music forms and styles: does it matter? • 5. The problem of the drums set
What are we? • 1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
What do priests do? • Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people [the difference] between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices…Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.-- Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902.
Revival &Reformation typology • 2 Chronicles29:4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, • 29:5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy [place].
2 Chronicles 29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for [so was] the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. • 29:26 And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.
2 Chronicles 29:28 And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: [and] all [this continued] until the burnt offering was finished. • 29:29 And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. • 29:30 Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.
Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer. The heart must feel the spirit of the song to give it right expression. {PP 594.3}
As a part of religious service, singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer. Indeed, many a song is prayer. If the child is taught to realize this, he will think more of the meaning of the words he sings, and will be more susceptible to their power. {MYP 292.3}
Teach us to pray • Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY, as John also taught his disciples.
PRINCIPLE 1 • Mathew 6:9-14: (God is our Father, He dwells in heaven, forgives our sins, He provides…) • The themes and contents of the Lords prayer are theologically correct. • Godly music must contain biblical themes grounded in sound theology
Principle 2 • Mathew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. • There are those who have a special gift of song, and there are times when a special message is borne by one singing alone or by several uniting in song…The ability to sing is a talent of influence, which God desires all to cultivate and use to His name's glory {7T 115-116}
PRINCIPLE 3 (Read the Lord’s prayer matt6:9-14) The prayer has been written and can be read as scriptures. Godly music can be written down and be equally inspiring. It must fit well if it were part of scriptures
Principle 4 • (Read the Lord’s prayer matt6:9-14) • Prayer must be simple and clear that can be understood if by a child. Words of music must be clear and distinct as well. • By your own example teach your children to pray with clear, distinct voice. Teach them to lift their heads from the chair and never to cover their faces with their hands. Thus they can offer their simple prayers, repeating the Lord's prayer in concert. {CG 523}
Principle 5 • 1 Corinthians14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them [is] without signification. • 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Principle 6 • Mathew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. • Our prayers must not be loud and chaotic (1kings 18:26-28,36-37).
Principle 7 • Mathew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. • That is, godly music do not have worldly fashion, rhythms and style.
The line of distinction between professed Christians and the ungodly is now hardly distinguishable. Church-members love what the world loves, and are ready to join with them; and Satan determines to unite them in one body, and thus strengthen his cause by sweeping all into the ranks of Spiritualism. {GC88 589}
God has not changed. He is as particular and exact in His requirements now as He was in the days of Moses. But in the sanctuaries of worship in our day, with the songs of praise, the prayers, and the teaching from the pulpit, there is not merely strange fire, but positive defilement (Review and Herald March 25, 1875).
Principle 8 • Mathew 6:9-14 The prayer of Christ was void of Drama and theatrics. • Christian music is to have the heavenly mold, not with theatrical nature and drama
I have a message for those in charge of our work. Do not encourage the men who are to engage in this work to think that they must proclaim the solemn, sacred message in a theatrical style. Not one jot or tittle of anything theatrical is to be brought into our work. God's cause is to have a sacred, heavenly mold... Let nothing of a theatrical nature be permitted, for this would spoil the sacredness of the work. {19MR 125.1}
Principle 9 In some of our churches I have heard solos that were altogether unsuitable for the service of the Lord's house.The long-drawn-out notes and the peculiar sounds common in operatic singing are not pleasing to the angels. They delight to hear the simple songs of praise sung in a natural tone. The songs in which every word is uttered clearly, in a musical tone, are the songs that they join us in singing. They take up the refrain that is sung from the heart with the spirit and the understanding. ( Evangelism 510)
Principle 10 • Exodus 32:5 And when Aaron saw [it], he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow [is] a feast to the LORD. • 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
Principle 11 • Mathew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. AMEN. • Those praying or listening to the prayer end by saying AMEN not by applauding.
Through the psalmist God declares, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me." Much of the public worship of God consists of praise and prayer, and every follower of Christ should engage in this worship. There is also the preaching service, conducted by those whose work it is to instruct the congregation in the Word of God. Although all are not called to minister in word and doctrine, they need not be cold and responseless listeners.
When the Word of God was spoken to the Hebrews anciently, the Lord said to Moses, "And let all the people say, AMEN." This response, in the fervor of their souls, was required as evidence that they understood the word spoken and were interested in it.--ST June 24, 1886.
Young persons assemble to sing and, although professed Christians, frequently dishonor God and their faith by their frivolous conversation and their choice of music. Sacred music is not congenial to their taste. I was directed to the plain teachings of God's word, which had been passed by unnoticed. In the judgment all these words of inspiration will condemn those who have not heeded them.— {Testimonies to the Church Vol. 1 p. 506}.