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Sabbath Bible Lessons

ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP

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Lesson 6 Sabbath, November 10, 2012

Music in Worship

“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).

“Music forms a part of God’s worship in the courts above, and we should endeavor, in our songs of praise, to approach as nearly as possible to the harmony of the heavenly choirs.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 594.

Suggested Reading:   Evangelism, pp. 496-512

Sunday November 4

1. MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE

a. Name one acceptable way to worship God. Psalms 95:1, 2; 100:1, 2.

“Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God. . . .

“Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 594.

b. What realization should prompt us to place a guard on the types of music we use in our worship of God? Ezekiel 28:13, 14, 17.

“Satan had led the heavenly choir. He had raised the first note, then all the angelic host united with him.”—The Signs of the Times, January 16, 1879.

“How many [today] employ this gift [of music] to exalt self, instead of using it to glorify God! A love for music leads the unwary to unite with world lovers in pleasure gatherings where God has forbidden His children to go. Thus that which is a great blessing when rightly used, becomes one of the most successful agencies by which Satan allures the mind from duty and from the contemplation of eternal things.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 594.


Monday November 5

2. A REASON TO SING

a. When do we first hear that God was praised in sacred song? Job 38:4, 7.

“Above the new-created earth, as it lay, fair and unblemished, under the smile of God, ‘the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy’ (Job 38:7).”—Education, p. 161.

b. What other notable event evoked songs of praise from the angels of God? Luke 2:13, 14.

“No one born into the world, not even the most gifted of God’s children, has ever been accorded such demonstration of joy as greeted the Babe born in Bethlehem. Angels of God sang His praises over the hills and plains of Bethlehem. ‘Glory to God in the highest,’ they sang, ‘and on earth peace, good will toward men’ (Luke 2:14). O that today the human family could recognize this song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, the tune then started, will swell and extend to the end of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. It is glory to God, it is peace on earth, good will to men. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings, the song then started in the hills of Bethlehem will be reechoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, ‘Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth’ (Revelation 19:6).”—The Review and Herald, April 5, 1906.

c. What did Jesus say is a cause for rejoicing in heaven, and what effect should this source of joy have on us? Luke 15:6, 7.

“We must bear in mind the great joy manifested by the Shepherd at the recovery of the lost. He calls upon His neighbors, ‘Rejoice with Me; for I have found My sheep which was lost’ (Luke 15:6). And all heaven echoes the note of joy. The Father Himself joys over the rescued one with singing. What a holy ecstasy of joy is expressed in this parable! That joy it is your privilege to share.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 125.

“The science of salvation is to be the burden of every sermon, the theme of every song.”—Evangelism, p. 502.


Tuesday November 6

3. LESSONS FROM DAVID

a. How extensively did David use organized singing in the temple services, and what can we learn from his example? 1 Chronicles 15:22; 25:7.

“The aged king [David] and his son [Solomon] and their counselors regarded it as essential that everything be done with regularity, propriety, fidelity, and dispatch. So far as possible, they followed the system of organization given Israel soon after the deliverance from Egypt. The Levites were assigned the work connected with the temple service, including the ministry of song and instrumental music, and the keeping of the treasures.”—The Review and Herald, October 12, 1905.

“Singing is a part of the worship of God, but in the bungling manner in which it is often conducted, it is no credit to the truth, and no honor to God. There should be system and order in this as well as every other part of the Lord’s work. Organize a company of the best singers, whose voices can lead the congregation, and then let all who will, unite with them. Those who sing should make an effort to sing in harmony; they should devote some time to practice, that they may employ this talent to the glory of God.”—Ibid., July 24, 1883.

b. What did David assign to the priests and temple singers to accompany their songs in the worship of God? 1 Chronicles 16:42; 25:1, 6.

c. How did David’s choice of instruments for the priests and singers encourage acceptable worship? 2 Chronicles 5:12, 13.

“Music should have beauty, pathos, and power. Let the voices be lifted in songs of praise and devotion. Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering. But it is sometimes more difficult to discipline the singers and keep them in working order than to improve the habits of praying and exhorting. Many want to do things after their own style; they object to consultation and are impatient under leadership.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 71.


Wednesday November 7

4. MAKING MELODY TO THE LORD

a. Describe our duty when making use of the gift of song. Colossians 3:16.

“Those who make singing a part of divine worship should select hymns with music appropriate to the occasion, not funeral notes, but cheerful, yet solemn melodies.”—The Signs of the Times, June 22, 1882.

b. In worshipping God, where should our melodies be sung from, and what must they be sung with? Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Psalm 47:7.

“Many are singing beautiful songs in the meetings, songs of what they will do, and what they mean to do; but some do not do these things; they do not sing with the spirit and the understanding also.”—The Review and Herald, September 27, 1892.

“Music is acceptable to God only when the heart is sanctified and made soft and holy by its facilities.”—Evangelism, p. 512.

“There is nothing more offensive in God’s sight than a display of instrumental music when those taking part are not consecrated, are not making melody in their hearts to the Lord.”—The Review and Herald, November 14, 1899.

c. What counsel should we especially take to heart in regard to the use of drums in worship? Romans 12:1, 2.

“The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit never reveals itself in such methods, in such a bedlam of noise. This is an invention of Satan to cover up his ingenious methods for making of none effect the pure, sincere, elevating, ennobling, sanctifying truth for this time. . . .

“No encouragement should be given to this kind of worship. . . .

“Those things which have been in the past will be in the future. Satan will make music a snare by the way in which it is conducted.” —Selected Messages, vol. 2, pp. 36–38.


Thursday November 8

5. MUSIC AND THE BATTLE FOR WORSHIP

a. What role has music played in the past to encourage false worship, and how is it being used today to the same end? Daniel 3:7; Revelation 13:8.

“Music is the idol which many professed Sabbathkeeping Christians worship. Satan has no objection to music if he can make that a channel through which to gain access to the minds of the youth. Anything will suit his purpose that will divert the mind from God and engage the time which should be devoted to His service. He works through the means which will exert the strongest influence to hold the largest numbers in a pleasing infatuation, while they are paralyzed by his power. When turned to good account, music is a blessing; but it is often made one of Satan’s most attractive agencies to ensnare souls. When abused, it leads the unconsecrated to pride, vanity, and folly. When allowed to take the place of devotion and prayer, it is a terrible curse. 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, vol. 1, p. 506.

b. How will those who have triumphed in the final battle express their praise to God? Revelation 14:1–5; 15:2–4.

“None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song [of deliverance]; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had.”—The Great Controversy, p. 649.


Friday November 9

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What is the primary purpose of music?

2. What tune will be sung till the close of time?

3. How can we improve the ways we worship God with music?

4. What must we reach for our music to be acceptable to God?

5. How will Satan use music in the final battle over acceptable worship?

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