Sermon on Music Pleasing to God | The Kind of

Music that Pleases God

By Tom Moore
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines

Sermon on Music Pleasing to God

INTRODUCTION:
1. Psalm 96:8-9
2. Worship is an attitude, but it is more. It is
demonstrated and expressed by actions – Divinely
Appointed.
1) The actions of worship have always been
divinely mandated.
2) This is true of the Old Testament as well as
the New…
3. Praising God in song has always occupied a place
of importance in the worship of God’s people.
1) In the Old Testament…
a. Moses’ song of deliverance (Exodus 15).
b. David wrote about 150 songs (psalms).
c. Solomon’s 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32).
2) In the New Testament…
a. Jesus and His disciples sang (Matthew
26:30).
b. Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:25).
3) In eternity (Rev. 15:3-4).
4. John 4:23-24
1) These verses clearly imply there are two kinds
of worship:
 a. True Worship.
b. False Worship.
2) Matthew 15:8-9 – Two kinds of worship:
a. True worship:
a) From the heart.
b) Done by authority.
b. Vain Worship:
a) Not from the heart.
b) After the traditions of men.
5. Let us study the kind of music that pleases God.
DISCUSSION:
I.   THE KIND OF MUSIC SPECIFIED
1. In any study we must study all the scriptures
that pertain to the subject that we are
studying.
1) The New Testament verses discussing music
in worship (Matthew 26:30; Acts 16:25;
Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15, 26;
Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19; Hebrews
2:12; Hebrews 13:15; James 5:13).
2) This how you study any topic in the Bible
– you gather all the information from
Scripture, which will eliminate human
opinions and ideas.
3) Notice that each verse mentions “singing”
or the “fruit of the lips” – notice what
is not mentioned: mechanical instruments
of music.
4) Remember:
 a. 2 John 9
b. Rev. 22:18-19
2. Notice also that we are told what to sing
(Ephesians 5:19).
1) “Psalms” – the heritage of the Jews which
expresses deliverance, thanksgiving, etc.
2) “Hymns” – songs of praise, reverence and
adoration.
3) “Spiritual Songs” – a song which correctly
expresses the thoughts, facts, and
emotions of Christianity.
4) Thus, there are certain kinds of songs,
certain kinds of lyrics, certain beats
that are out of place in worship.
3. We are told how to sing:
1) With spirit and understanding (1
Corinthians 14:15).
2) With melody in the heart (Ephesians 5:19).
3) With grace in the heart (Colossians 3:16).
II.  ARGUMENTS USED FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP
1. “I just like it better that way.”
1) Since when do we allow our likes and
dislikes to become our authority in
religion?
2) Isaiah 55:8-9
3) Jeremiah 10:23
4) Proverbs 14:12
5) We must do as God likes – not as we like.
2. “It doesn’t make any difference as long as it
comes from the heart”
1) This is the attitude I am sure that Nadab
and Abihu had (Leviticus 10:1-2).
2) What was Uzzah’s attitude (2 Samuel 6:6-
7)?
3) It does make a difference
3. “It was used by David in the Old Testament”
1) Yes, and so were animal sacrifices, the
burning of incense, and the Passover.
2) We are no longer under the Old Testament –
we are under the New Testament.
a. Colossians 2:14
b. Hebrews 10:9-10
3) We must find authority for all that we do
in the New Testament.
4) It is of significance to note that
instrumental music in worship was not
brought into Christian worship until 670
A.D. and was rejected – but finally
brought in for good in 800 A.D.
4. “The Bible doesn’t say not to”
1) When we make this argument we are
rejecting what is known as the “law of
exclusion.”
2) We use this law every day of our lives:
a. Men’s and women’s restrooms.
b. Ordering food at a restaurant.
c. Sending our kids to the store.
 3) Biblical examples.
a. Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22) –
excluded Ishmael.
b. Ark – gopher wood (Genesis 6) –
excludes pine, oak, etc.
c. Lord’s Supper – unleavened bread and
fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:26-29) –
excludes hamburgers and cokes.
d. Baptism – water (Acts 8:36; 10:45) –
excludes oil, gasoline, etc.
e. God said sing (Ephesians 5:19) – that
automatically excludes mechanical
instruments of music.
5. “It’s only an aid.”
1) They say it is not any different than
using a song book or a microphone.
2) Items are only aids if they help you carry
out the command and not add to it.
3) To use something of the same class in
addition to what God has specified, is to
add to the word of God.
4) Examples:
a. Ark – Gopher wood
a) Hammer and saw – aids
b) Pine and oak – additions
b. Lord’s Table – Fruit of the vine and
unleavened bread
a) Cups and plates – aids
b) Milk and cookies – additions
 c. Sing in worship.
a) Books and microphones – aids
b) Mechanical instruments – addition
CONCLUSION:
1. The real issue in the matter of instrumental music
is not instrumental at all. This is just the horse
upon which the real issue rode out! The real
(basic) issue is: The correct attitude toward the
Bible. In striving to please God in our worship,
whall we do only that for which there is biblical
authority? Or, are we at liberty to do anything
which is not explicitly forbidden?
2. We must fight the wrong attitudes men have toward
the Bible.
3. We must fight the fruit of that attitude –
instrumental music in worship.