The Auburn Beacon
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

A Website dedicated to the Restoration of New Testament Christianity
 

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Sermon Series on the Book of 1 John
by Robert Harkrider

Sermons:

A Sin Often Overlooked

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 1 - Actions  Speak Louder Than Words

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 2 - The Love God Hates

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 3 - The Love That God Commands

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 4 - Truth or The Consequences

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 5 - Things a Christian Knows for Sure

PowerPoint
Audio

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Thoughts To Ponder


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University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
Click Here for Specific Directions

 

Evangelist

Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

Cell:    (334) 734-2133
Home:
(334) 209-9165

Contact Us

 University
church of Christ

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

 

Or directly e-mail us at:
LarryRouse@aubeacon.com

 

God Said Sing

by Warren Berkley

When people visit our assembly and express their curiosity about our vocal music, I reply with this simple expression of our conviction: God said "sing." I make it clear that the absence of the man-made instruments is not a matter of economics (cannot afford one) or preference (we just like to sing). It goes much deeper than any "church of Christ" or "restoration" heritage or tradition. It has to do with faith and our desire to follow God's instructions. We are convinced He said "sing."

When a man offers a gift to his wife, the considerate thing to do is to offer a gift that will please her. She is the recipient of the gift. I may want a rifle, a new computer or a truck. But if I'm going to give something to her that she will     appreciate, I will select something I believe will please her not me. I will take into consideration all I know of her, in particular, what she has said she likes and wants. My gift will be based on her will not mine.

As God's people, we want to offer worship to Him in response to His greatness and grace to us. In offering that worship, what's important? What I want, or what He wants? You will agree, the most important thing is what God wants. The    right course to take is to offer that worship to God that I know will please Him.

How can I find out what pleases Him? I can consult His Word! I don't need to even consider human preferences, denominational practices, historical precedence or majority desire. I do not need to bother myself with a "market study" or poll of human opinion. If I want to know what pleases God I can read what He has said about worship, determined to worship Him in spirit and truth (Jn 4:24; 2 Jn 9).

This quest takes me to the New Testament. I want to know what the apostles of Christ did, since these were the men through whom the will of God was conveyed (1 Cor 1:1; 1 Cor 2:10-12). The apostles -- in their practice and instruction -- endorsed only one kind of music in worship to God, vocal. If any instrument is involved at all it is only in the figurative sense, the heart (Eph 5:19).

Paul and Silas, "at midnight...were praying and singing hymns to God" (Acts 16:25). To the church at Corinth Paul said, "sing with the understanding" (1 Cor 14:15). He instructed the saints at Ephesus: "speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). In another place he wrote: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord"
(Col. 3:16).
Is anyone cheerful? "Let him sing psalms" (Jas 5:13). (See also: Mt 26:30; Mark 14:26; Rom 15:9 & Heb 2:12.)

This clear and simple evidence demands the kind of admission you will read in the Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (p. 1163): "There is no record in the N.T. of the use of instruments in the musical worship of the church." Or in A History Of The Christian Church (p. 112): "Singing formed an essential part of the Christian worship, but it was in unison and without musical accompaniment" (Lars P. Qualben). Other early historians and writers agree: "Simply singing is not     agreeable to children (Jews), but singing with lifeless instruments and with dancing and clapping is. On this account the use of this kind of instruments and of others agreeable to children is removed from the songs of the churches, and there is left remaining simply singing" (Justin Martyr, 139  AD). Augustine describes the singing at Alexandria in 354 AD by saying "musical instruments were not used. The pipe, tabret, and harp here associate so intimately with the sensual heathen cults...it is easy to understand the prejudices against their use in the worship."

Strange isn't it? All the years of controversy; all the debates, disputes and division. Then you open your Bible and focus on what God said. There it is: God said "sing." Don't you think this is what He wants us to do?

Why did Noah use gopher wood in building the ark? God said "gopher wood." Why did Abraham leave his homeland and venture into Canaan? God said "go." Why did Joshua instruct the Israelites to march around Jericho? Because God said to do that. Why did the apostles wait in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended into heaven? That's what Jesus told them to do. Why do Christians today partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of every week? God has communicated His will regarding this memorial in the New Testament.

So, why do we sing? God said "sing." This is serious because, "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son" (2 Jn 9).

Other Articles
Getting Older
God Expects Us to Think
Hypocrites in the Church
 

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Student Sunday Night Home Study and Singing

 

 

For Additional Information and Past Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

Click Here for Specific Directions


 

Overcoming the Present Apostasy

Sermon Series by Larry Rouse

Piscataway, NJ Nov 20-22, 2009

 

 

Friday Night 7:30

Lesson1 - How Do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Saturday Night 7:30

Lesson 2 - How do we View the World?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 9:15
Lesson 3 - How do we View God's Order for Leadership?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 10:00
Lesson 4 - How Do We View the Local Church?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 11:00
Lesson 5 - How Do We View God's Instruction on Fellowship

Outline
Audio

For Additional Information, Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


Recent Bulletins:

The Auburn Beacon -
March 14, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon -
March 7, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon -
Feb 28, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon -
Feb 21, 2010 Edition

 The Auburn Beacon -
Feb. 14, 2010 Edition


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