Old and New Songs

"And Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old" (Matt 13:52).

There seems to be somewhat of a generation gap in many churches when it comes to singing songs in worship. Older people identify with the traditional songs, singing with fondness (and even nostalgia) "Precious Memories," "The Old Rugged Cross," and the curious "Church in the Wild Wood." Younger people are inspired by the relevant messages of contemporary praise songs, singing with emotion "The Greatest Command," and "There's a Stirring."

The different worship needs of both young and old have even created divisive tendencies in some churches where there is "traditional worship" (with old standard hymns) for older people and "contemporary worship" (singing contemporary praise songs) for the younger generation. Certainly it is sad to separate the church over preference of songs. The church (both young and old) should be "one body" (Eph. 4:4). Surely when it comes to our singing "I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord" (Philippians 4:2). Young people should learn to appreciate the rich songs of our past. The older generation should desire to learn new songs of praise.

In his book on Heaven, Dennis Doughty makes a great point about singing songs both old and new (102). The oldest song recorded in the Bible is the song of Moses (Exodus 15:2, 3). The Apostle John tells us that in Heaven we will sing "the song of Moses the servant of God" (Rev. 15:2-3). But we will also sing together around the throne "a new song" (Rev. 14:2-3)

Heaven will be a place of singing songs both new and old. The church should be a little taste of Heaven on earth. Congregational singing in worship is "chorus practice" for the eternal singing of Heaven. Let us bring out of the hymn and praise books songs both old and new.

"Christian" or Disciple?

Followers of Jesus Christ are only called "Christians" three times in all of the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Far more common is the designation "disciple." This word is used more than any other term to describe Jesus' followers (used well over 200 times).

Today the term "Christian" has come to mean almost anything. People who make no attempt to mimic Jesus in their life will often claim that they are "Christians." Most all adherents to the many splintered denominational groups call themselves "Christians." Some claim that America is a "Christian" nation. In America today the term Christian has become a generic label of a general religious affiliation. Just because someone calls himself "Christian" today really says nothing about his manner of life.

Perhaps true followers of Christ should speak in terms of being a disciple. The term disciple literally means "a learner, a pupil." A disciple is one who follows the instructions of a teacher. A true disciple of Jesus Christ is one who follows the teachings of the Master Teacher. To follow the teachings as a disciple involves more than knowing facts, it means to mimic the life of Jesus and embody his teachings.

In the words of Jesus...

"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine" (John 8:31)

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

"My Father is glorified by this: that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples" (John 15:8).

Do I just claim to be a "Christian" or am I truly a "disciple of Jesus Christ?"

Spiritual Vehicles Get Great Milage!

With gas prices steadily approaching $4 per gallon, most of us are becoming more conscious of getting better gas mileage. Many people are trading in those gas-guzzling SUV's for gas friendly hybrids. Rumor has it that one high profile member of our congregation recently bought a scooter that supposedly gets 90 miles to the gallon! We all want vehicles that get us from one place to the other in the most efficient way.

I want to share five spiritual vehicles that are described in Scripture. All of these transports get us from one place to the other, and with great mileage!

(1) Angels are the vehicles of the soul at death (Luke 16:22). Jesus reveals a great truth about what happens after death for the righteous. Christians have the comfort of being personally escorted by angels into the next realm.

(2) The Holy Spirit is the vehicle of our prayers (Jude 20; Romans 8:26). We are taught to "pray in the Holy Spirit" knowing that the Spirit makes intercession for us in our appeals to God. Among the many works of the Spirit, one is that He couriers our prayers to the throne of God.

(3) Jesus is the vehicle to the Father (John 14:6). Christ made clear that no one can get to heaven or go the place of God except by going through Him. Jesus is the only vehicle to eternal life.

(4) Christians are the vehicles of the Gospel (Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 4:7). The message of salvation is not transported to the world today through visions, dreams, or angelic messengers. The Gospel is only spread through the work of Christians today.

(5) The Gospel is the vehicle to Heaven (John 6:68; John 12:48; 1 Cor. 15:1-2). The Gospel message about Jesus is what saves us. Ultimately we will all be judged according to the words Christ taught. Only Jesus provides the words that give eternal life. To reject the Gospel is to reject Heaven.

Spiritual vehicles get the best mileage and have an even better destination!

Excitement About Your Faith is the Key to Evangelism

I am convinced that excitement is the key to evangelism. The most persuasive tool in evangelism is seeing a person who is personally excited about their faith. Someone who is going through the motions of religion will convert few (if any) true followers to Jesus Christ.

King David knew that he could not be effective for the Lord when he was weighed down with the guilt of his personal sin. He prayed to God "restore to me the joy of my salvation" (Psalm 51:12). It is only when we are joyful about our salvation that we can really persuade others of the benefit of the Christian life.

David realized that he could not convince people to obey the Lord if he himself was walking around with a sorrowful look. David asks God to restore the joy of his faith. Why? David continues, "then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You" (Psalm 51:13).

If we are to convert people to the Lord, we must be personal examples of joyfulness. Excitement about your personal faith and effectiveness in evangelism go hand in hand.

Will You Follow the Evidence?

For centuries people believed that Aristotle was correct when he said that the heavier an object, the faster it would fall to earth. Aristotle was regarded as the greatest thinker of all time, and surely he was not wrong.

Anyone could have easily taken two objects, one heavy and one light, and dropped them from a great height and see if the heavier object landed first. But no one conducted this experiment until nearly 2,000 years after Aristotle’s death.
In 1589, Galileo summoned the most educated professors to the base of the Tower of Pisa. From the top of the tower, Galileo pushed off a 10 pound and a 1 pound weight. Both of the objects landed at the same instant. The power of belief was so strong, however, that the professors denied their own eyesight. They continued to say that Aristotle was right.
In matters of your personal faith, do you follow the evidence of Scripture or do you blindly accept what you have always been taught? Do you simply follow the religious traditions of what the church has always done? Do you blindly accept what preachers and church leaders of the past proclaimed? Or are you willing to examine the evidence and go wherever it takes you? As Christians, we must be willing to reexamine our beliefs and make sure they pass the test of Scriptural evidence. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Cor. 13:5).

Are You Spiritual Enough to Find Solutions?

This week a comment was made to me that really hit home personally. This person said, "Too many Christians are spiritual enough to find what is wrong with the church, but not spiritual enough to offer solutions." The church is made up of imperfect people, so no group of Christians will ever be perfect. There is a continual need to examine ourselves, to improve, and to "stimulate one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). We must continue to find ways to improve ourselves, our congregations, and the kingdom at large.

However, it is easy to point out things that are wrong. Anyone can identify weaknesses and points for needed improvement. It is much more difficult to find solutions. I once heard someone say that you should not ever make a complaint unless you also have a plan of how to correct the problem.

We must not only have a plan for correcting problems, but we must be willing to step forward and lead others into a solution. It is true, too many of us are spiritual enough to spot problems but not strong enough to lead in constructive improvements.

For example, many are strong enough to identify, "this church needs a more organized youth group," but are not strong enough to lead teenage Bible studies in their home. It is easy to have the strength to say, "too many people are falling away from our congregation," but not have the strength to lead a program to go and find those who have become spiritually lost. Many more examples could be given, but you see the point.

Yes, it is easy to point out deficiencies in the church; most of us are rather good at it. Do you have the strength to not only suggest solutions but lead the way to improvement?