CONCORD &. HARMONY
Ministries
328 Rosalia Street
Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901
(414) 231-4807
Alan Ives, Owner

THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC

Intro: Old Testament musicians were from the priestly tribe of Levi and were employed in the temple day and night.   These separated servants prophesied and worked under the hands of their fathers, who instructed them in the songs of the Lord and rehearsed with them until they were cunning (skillful=to make well; pleasant).
   Each musician, small or great, teacher or scholar, knew their place or ward.
   (I Chr. 25) David made qualifications for his musicians because music in the worship of God is an important area to guard.

1. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE COMMANDED TO REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS - Job 38v6-7

{JOY VS SORROW}
   - Sing and shout!

2. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE COMMANDED TO BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT - Ephesians 6v10; Exodus 15v1-2;
   Isaiah 12v1-6; Nehemiah 8v10; Matthew 21v16 / Psalm 8v2

{STRENGTH VS WEAKNESS}

3. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE MEN NEED DELIVERANCE - Psalm 32v7

{DELIVERANCE VS BONDAGE}
   - Deliverance from enemies: Exodus 15
   - Deliverance from obstacles that would defeat: Joshua 6
   - Deliverance from personal problems: I Samuel 16
   - Deliverance from physical & spiritual bondage: Acts 16
   - Deliverance from crippling attitudes: Psalm 147v1 (esp. attitude of defeat)
             (see Psalm 137 & James 5v13)
   - Deliverance example one: Ira Sankey (1860's)
   - Deliverance example two: Sibyl Streeper (1960's)

4. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE VICTORY WHICH GOD HAS PROMISED THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - II Chronicles 20v20

{VICTORY VS DEFEAT}
   - The old tried & true songs are always coupled with peace, joy, victory & revival.
   - The Philadelphia Church (1750 to 1900) had a little strength, kept God's Word, and did not deny Jesus' name: Revelation 3v8
   - Spiritual victory is found in Psalm 149.

5. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE TO WALK WITH GOD - James 4v7-8
   Psalm 100; Psalm 89v15; Numbers 6v25

{FELLOWSHIP W/GOD VS FELLOWSHIP W/DEVILS}

6. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE MUST BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD - Ephesians 5v18-19; II Chronicles 5v11-14

{HOLY-SPIRIT FILLING VS UNCLEANNESS FILLING}
   - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.
   - Do not quench the Holy Spirit.
   - Dwell on God's mercy!

7. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE COMMANDED TO GIVE ATTENDANCE TO DOCTRINE - Colossians 3v16; Matthew 28v19-20; Psalm 22v22; Psalm 40v10;
   Psalm 150v2

{TEACHING TRUTH VS TEACHING ERROR}
   - Bible is primary; music is secondary.
   - Psalm 119v54 - Thy statutes are my songs.
   - II Corinthians 10v3-5   "Every thought"---Christians are to be a thinking people.

8. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE SOULS MUST BE WON TO THE SAVIOUR -
   Psalm 40v1-3; Acts 16

{HELP VS HINDRANCE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE}

9. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE OURSELVES IN THE LORD OUR GOD AS DAVID DID TO BE A GOOD SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST -
   II Timothy 2v3-4; I Sam. 30v6

{BOLDNESS, LOYALTY, DEVOTION VS FRIGHT, DESERTION, TRAITORISM}
   - Exodus 15v3   The Lord is a man of war
   - II Chronicles 20v21   Out in front of God's army
   - Demoralization of the enemy through musical warfare
   - Soldier's Music:
             1. Cadences and marches for the body for grit & fighting strength
             2. Love songs of devotion (family & sweetheart) for the soul
             3. Patriotic songs of the homeland (love of country/homesick) for the spirit
   - You don't want to go AWOL!!!

10. RIGHT MUSIC IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OUR WONDERFUL GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE AT ALL TIMES - Psalm 18v3; Psalm 150; Psalm 66v1-2; Psalm 29v1-2

{GLORIFYING GOD VS GLORYING IN SHAMEFUL THINGS}
   -Song: Walk worthy of your holy calling.
              Bring praise to His blessed name,
              Lest He, through you, should be dishonoured,
              And your name should bring Him shame!

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our
God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
                                                                    Psalm 40:3