gifts of gratitude & appreciation to gifts of gratitude & appreciation to those we love and respect. those we love and respect. The obvious goal:The obvious goal: Please the recipient. Please the recipient. We are successful when we know We are successful when we know their needs and desires. their needs and desires. Success is measured by the pleasure Success is measured by the pleasure of the one we seek to honor. of the one we seek to honor.

• Receiving sincere gratitude, Receiving sincere gratitude, appreciation, love, honor and respect are appreciation, love, honor and respect are the most sought after things in the the most sought after things in the human race. human race.

• Parents / ChildrenParents / Children• Husbands / Wives Husbands / Wives • Co-workers / Employers Co-workers / Employers • Entire industries created to fill this need. Entire industries created to fill this need. • Greeting CardsGreeting Cards• Flowers Flowers • Jewelry Stores Jewelry Stores

What about God?• You are worthy, O Lord, To receive You are worthy, O Lord, To receive

glory and honor and power; For You glory and honor and power; For You created all things And by Your will they created all things And by Your will they exist and were created. exist and were created. Rev 4:11Rev 4:11

• Every good gift and every perfect gift is Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. variation or shadow of turning. Jas Jas 1:17-181:17-18

What about God?• How do we gain the knowledge How do we gain the knowledge

necessary to properly honor him? necessary to properly honor him?

• For My thoughts are not your thoughts, For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. your thoughts. Isa 55:8-9Isa 55:8-9

• It will have to come from ScripturesIt will have to come from Scriptures

The Teaching of Christ• But the hour is coming, and now is, But the hour is coming, and now is,

when the true worshipers will worship when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24John 4:23-24

• Genuine Worshipers – Spirit & TruthGenuine Worshipers – Spirit & Truth• The Father seeks such to worship himThe Father seeks such to worship him• Must Worship in Spirit and Truth Must Worship in Spirit and Truth

The Teaching of Christ• These people draw near to Me with their These people draw near to Me with their

mouth, And honor Me with their lips, mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. doctrines the commandments of men. Mt 15:8-9Mt 15:8-9

• Worship is vain if not in truth.Worship is vain if not in truth.• Can draw near with mouth!Can draw near with mouth!• Can honor God with lips!Can honor God with lips!• But Can’t draw near without truth. But Can’t draw near without truth.

• And in process of time it came to pass, And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. 4 And ground an offering unto Jehovah. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 but unto Cain and to his his offering: 5 but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance was very wroth, and his countenance fell. fell. Gen 4:3Gen 4:3

• Both brought offeringsBoth brought offerings• God respected Abel & his offering.God respected Abel & his offering.• God did not respect Cain & his offeringGod did not respect Cain & his offering• ???WHY??????WHY???

• By faith Abel offered unto God a more By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. being dead yet speaketh. Heb 11:4Heb 11:4

• God identifies faith as the issue!God identifies faith as the issue!• So then faith comes by hearing, and So then faith comes by hearing, and

hearing by the word of God. hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17Rom 10:17• God Spoke to Both; Abel heard; Cain didn’tGod Spoke to Both; Abel heard; Cain didn’t

The Missing Ingredient?

A Universal Principle• And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great

delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. than the fat of rams. 1 Sam 15:221 Sam 15:22

• Cain’s disobedience not only made his Cain’s disobedience not only made his worship vain(no respect) but an evil work worship vain(no respect) but an evil work

• not as Cain who was of the wicked one and not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. and his brother's righteous. 1Jn 3:121Jn 3:12

Can this happen today? • Woe to them! For they have gone in the Woe to them! For they have gone in the

way of Cain, have run greedily in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. in the rebellion of Korah. Jude 11Jude 11

• If we are not worshipping in Spirit and If we are not worshipping in Spirit and Truth then we are following the Truth then we are following the commands of men. Those who do so are commands of men. Those who do so are going in the way of Cain.going in the way of Cain.

• Think of all the times God has tried to Think of all the times God has tried to get his people to see this truth. get his people to see this truth.

• Nadab & Abihu struck dead failed to sanctify Nadab & Abihu struck dead failed to sanctify and glorify Godand glorify God

• Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. Jehovah, which he had not commanded them.

• they died before Jehovah. they died before Jehovah. • Moses said to Aaron, This is what Jehovah Moses said to Aaron, This is what Jehovah

spoke, I will be sanctified in them that come spoke, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. glorified. And Aaron held his peace. Lev 10:1‑3Lev 10:1‑3

• David consulted with the captains of thousands David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader. and of hundreds, even with every leader.

• the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.• And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart • David and all Israel played before God with all David and all Israel played before God with all

their mighttheir might• Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the

oxen stumbled. The anger of Jehovah was kindled oxen stumbled. The anger of Jehovah was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; forth his hand to the ark;

• David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken David was displeased, because Jehovah had broken forth upon Uzza; forth upon Uzza;

• David was afraid of God that day, saying, How David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? shall I bring the ark of God home to me? 2Sam 2Sam 6:1-86:1-8

• David went home and began to study the David went home and began to study the Scriptures. Scriptures.

• He soon found the passage he needed He soon found the passage he needed • when Aaron and his sons have made an end of when Aaron and his sons have made an end of

covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the covering the sanctuary, and all the furniture of the sanctuary, as the camp is set forward; after that, sanctuary, as the camp is set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: Num 4:15Num 4:15

• David knew exactly what they had done wrong. David knew exactly what they had done wrong. They had made the same mistake as Cain. They had made the same mistake as Cain.

• For because ye (bare it) not at the first, Jehovah For because ye (bare it) not at the first, Jehovah our God made a breach upon us, for that we our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not according to the ordinance. sought him not according to the ordinance. 1 Chr 1 Chr 15:1315:13

God is serious about these warnings• God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must

worship in spirit and truth." worship in spirit and truth." • in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines

the commandments of men.the commandments of men.• For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor

are your ways My ways, says the LORD. are your ways My ways, says the LORD. • Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to

hearken than the fat of rams. hearken than the fat of rams. • I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me,

and before all the people I will be glorified. and before all the people I will be glorified.

What About Instrumental Music?• The truth or a commandment of men?The truth or a commandment of men?• speaking one to another in psalms and hymns speaking one to another in psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs, singing and making and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Eph 5:18‑20Eph 5:18‑20

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms (and) hymns (and) another with psalms (and) hymns (and) spiritual songs, singing with grace in your spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. hearts unto God. Col 3:16Col 3:16

What About Instrumental Music?• The truth or a commandment of men?The truth or a commandment of men?

• Not one time in the NT Scriptures do the Not one time in the NT Scriptures do the teachings of Christ authorize anything teachings of Christ authorize anything but singing. but singing.

• They did it in the Old Testament?They did it in the Old Testament? • And I testify again to every man who becomes And I testify again to every man who becomes

circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace you have fallen from grace Gal 5:2-4Gal 5:2-4

What About Instrumental Music?• The truth or a commandment of men?The truth or a commandment of men?• We are commanded to sing Psalms and the We are commanded to sing Psalms and the

Psalms are to be sung with instruments. Psalms are to be sung with instruments.

• The Psalms also speak of entering God’s The Psalms also speak of entering God’s temple, offering animals, etc. We do not sing temple, offering animals, etc. We do not sing any psalm that asks us to do what we are not any psalm that asks us to do what we are not authorized to doauthorized to do

What About Instrumental Music?• The truth or a commandment of men?The truth or a commandment of men?• Not mentioned in any writings for the first Not mentioned in any writings for the first

five centuries five centuries • Sought to be used about 600 but rejected as a Sought to be used about 600 but rejected as a

liberal idea. liberal idea. • Greek Orthodox church never used it at all. Greek Orthodox church never used it at all. • Roman Catholic church started after 700 ad. Roman Catholic church started after 700 ad.

• ... I further believe that the use of such ... I further believe that the use of such instruments of music in the Christian instruments of music in the Christian church is without the sanction and against church is without the sanction and against the will of God, that they are subversive of the will of God, that they are subversive of the spirit of true devotion and that they are the spirit of true devotion and that they are sinful... I am an old man and an old sinful... I am an old man and an old minister and I here declare that I never minister and I here declare that I never knew them productive of any good in the knew them productive of any good in the worship of God and have had reason to worship of God and have had reason to believe that they were productive of much believe that they were productive of much evil. Music as a science I esteem and evil. Music as a science I esteem and admire, but instruments of music in the admire, but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor. house of God I abominate and abhor. Adam Clark - Methodist PreacherAdam Clark - Methodist Preacher

• Musical instruments in celebrating the Musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and the restoration of the other of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papist, therefore, shadows of the law. The Papist, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things from the Jews John many other things from the Jews John Calvin - Founder - Presbyterian Church Calvin - Founder - Presbyterian Church

• I have no objection to instruments of music I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels provided they are neither in our chapels provided they are neither seen nor heard. John Wesley - founder - seen nor heard. John Wesley - founder - Methodist ChurchMethodist Church

• The early Reformers, when they came out of The early Reformers, when they came out of Rome, removed them as the monuments of Rome, removed them as the monuments of idolatry. Luther called the organ an ensign idolatry. Luther called the organ an ensign of Baal; Calvin said that instrumental of Baal; Calvin said that instrumental music was not fitter to be adopted into the music was not fitter to be adopted into the Christian Church than the incense and the Christian Church than the incense and the candlestick; Knox called the organ a kist candlestick; Knox called the organ a kist [chest] of whistles. The Church of England [chest] of whistles. The Church of England revived them, against a very strong protest, revived them, against a very strong protest, and the English dissenters would not touch and the English dissenters would not touch them. (from McClintock and Strong them. (from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia,