Musick-al Notes

Musick-al note # 177 

       All men are sinners (Romans 3:23), but in obeying Christ Jesus we can have our sins forgiven in His blood (Ephesians 1:7).  This is done by obeying the Gospel. But what is ‘the gospel’?  It is “Christ dying for our sins, was buried and raised on the third day” according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  How then can we obey those words?  Paul said in Romans 6:17-18 while you were slaves of sin, you obeyed a form of the doctrine, which set you free from sin and made you a servant of righteousness. The form is baptism indicating that you have died to sin and burying the old life in a water grave as Christ died and was buried (Romans 6:3-4. Then you are raised to live a new life as a child of God in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). Peter said you were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, who had no sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). Redemption is given to man through the blood of Christ Jesus the perfect sacrifice for sin. God will save those who obey Him with an eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:8-9).

       Now look at Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”. They were a testimony of Christ being confirmed in them, as they eagerly waited for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. They would be blameless or “chargeable with no sin” if they continued to obey God without murmuring and complaining.  They would also be confirmed by the Lord Jesus in the last day for He will add His testimony that they were obedient to the end. The same promise is to each of us if we obey Him and remain faithful to the end of our lives on earth.  Jesus said in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” How blessed will everyone be to follow Jesus

               Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 176       

     It is clearly taught in the New Testament that there would be false prophets in the religious world today.  These false prophets will be those who teach doctrines formulated by men’s thinking and say they are teaching the Word of God.  One would have to look only a little at the teaching of the religious world today to know that this is certainly true today.  In every place there are men teaching and practicing doctrines that are contradictory to each other and not found in the Word of God.  Not all doctrines can be right or God would be the author of confusion.  Paul denies that He is (1 Corinthians 14:33).  With only a little study of the New Testament one can see that many of these doctrines also contradict the teachings of Jesus and His disciples.  There are many scriptures that warn of false teachers (false prophets) such as Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Galatians 2:4; 2 Peter 2:1 and 1 John 4:1. Study these carefully and you will see that Jesus and his Apostles foretold of their coming and warned the faithful to not follow them.  John even told how to prove whether one was false or not when he said, “Test the spirits, for many false teachers have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.  How are we to test these spirits?  By the Word of God of course.  There is no other standard but truth which is God’s own Word (John 17:17). John also wrote that the written word is the standard of faith (John 20:30-31).  Paul said in Galatians 1:7-9, “…some will trouble you and pervert the gospel of Christ.  But though we or an angel from heaven preach to you any gospel other than that which we preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so I say again, if any man preach to you any gospel other than that which you received, let him be accursed.”  Do you realize what Paul said?  He said that there would be false teachers and they would pervert or change the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He went further and said that he, himself, could preach no other gospel than which he had preached and no angel could preach another gospel than which he had preached or no other man could preach another gospel than which he had preached without being cursed.  We must recognize that the Lord God will be the one to destroy the person who teaches doctrines that are contrary to His Word.

             Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 175                   

          Just suppose Paul, Peter or a group of the apostles entered our community as the ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Just suppose they preached with all their old-time power and authority, and condemned divisions, factions and schisms as they did in the first century of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23, 2:16, 4:4, 5:23).  Just suppose in condemning the divisions, they then exhorted all believers to be of the same mind and the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).  Would you then stand up with them and “thank” God that we have so many churches so each may have the church of his choice?” Would you argue that there is ONE head but the head had many spiritual bodies?  And would you contend that other bodies will be saved, even if Christ saves only His own (Ephesians 5:23-27)?  Or would you become a member of the spiritual body of the Lord, and live in obedience to the Head, who is Christ?

          Just suppose Jesus Christ came into our area and promised: “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). Would you be willing to get up on the same platform with Him and declare that “baptism is non-essential?  You can be saved just a well without it.”  Just suppose Jesus preached, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” before your family and friends, would you exclaim, “He that believes and is saved should be baptized”?   Would you then be willing to say to them, “But there are various ways to interpret that”?  Would you look Jesus Christ in the eye and say that statement couldn’t be understood by all who wanted to be saved?

          Or suppose an apostle came among us and preached that you must not “forsake the assembly” (Hebrews 10:25); that attending every service of the church will help your spiritual growth and development.  Would you deny their preaching while they were among you?  Would you say that it is a matter of personal conviction and it is nobody’s business whether you attend or not?  Would you teach your wife and children you don’t have to attend every meeting of the church?  Would you?  Aren’t the apostles still teaching the same things now through the Bible as they did when they lived on the earth?  What you do determines whether you follow their teaching or that you disregard it.  What will you do?

                Gordon Musick

Musick-al note #   174             

       Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:2 said, “I know a man . . . caught up into the third heaven.”  Most commentators feel that this was referring to Paul himself and this is a possibility but an inconclusive conjecture.  Considering the time to which Paul referred and at the place where this statement is recorded, Paul is defending his own apostleship while contrasting it with the false apostles.  Paul knew them to be going about undermining his work in Christ and then boasting of their accomplishments.  If the man caught up was Paul himself, then most certainly they could not match any such boast, however Paul said that he would only boast in the work he had done for Christ and the infirmities that he had. Such boasting would have only brought about more controversy. It is not necessary to know who the man caught up into the third heaven is, but it is necessary to believe the Word of God and obey it.

       As to the phrase ‘the third heaven’, there is only speculation as to what place is meant.  If we consider our world and its place in the universe, we consider the atmosphere surrounding earth as heaven. Then we can surmise that the stratosphere where the sun, moon, and stars are is the second heaven.  The third heaven must then extend farther from the earth to be beyond all the created things God has made to the place where He dwells.  The Scriptures state that God inhabits eternity or dwells in it (Isaiah 57:15), living in a high and holy place, the third heaven.  If one studies the scripture concerning the creation, it begins with God.  He existed in a place before our universe was created. He created and brought the earth and heavens into being.  He was separate and above all that He created.  Another way is to say that man was caught up to the throne of God where Christ sits at His right hand (Hebrews 12:2).

               Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 172         

         Our efforts to grow spiritually may seem to give such small returns that we become discouraged with ourselves.  Perhaps this comes as a result of not truly recognizing our true position in life and or proper relationship with God.  Sometimes we want to live in a “what might have been” world and confuse our minds relative to the real world of our lives.  We need therefore to truly evaluate ourselves by looking into the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25), the New Testament. Instead of saying “If only” and “It might have been”, we need to accept ourselves, not only with all our limitations and shortcomings, but also with our aspirations, strengths and capabilities and begin to further the good in life as well as weeding out that which is not good (Colossians 3:8).

         God’s Word is a source of strength to all who will make a serious effort to study and understand it (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 2:2).  Prayer to God, the Father, will further strengthen us because we reach the maker of the world, the sustainer of all things who loves every man and gives freely to those whom he loves.  God is yet the greatest power in the universe and His interest in us has not lessened.  He answers the prayer of those who truly seek to follow Him.  Our fellow Christians are also a source of help to us when we can confide in one-another. Mutual help is a must if we are to live faithfully in this life.  One cannot live alone, man was not so made nor has he changed that he be self-sufficient.

         Only by using all the help God has given, can man be sure of any real spiritual growth.  When we do, our efforts will give satisfaction to ourselves as well as being pleasing to the living God.

             Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 173            

        One of the noblest gestures of all mankind came from Abraham and was given to Lot, his nephew (Genesis 13:1-9).  These men were herdsmen and God had blessed them exceedingly so that the land would not support them both at the same place.  Their servants began to quarrel about the pasture and the water.  Abraham said to Lot, “Choose the portion of land you desire and dwell there and I will dwell in the remainder so that there will not be strife between us, for we are brethren.”  What a noble example for us to follow to settle all our strife — to give up the first choice to the younger and weaker brother so that no bitterness would prevail and accept the less desirable with faith that God will provide for us.

          Many teachings throughout the Bible are based upon the fact that those concerned were brethren.  Many of Paul’s lessons are directly connected to the fact that we are brothers in Christ.  Jesus taught that love of the brethren would be a great contributing factor to the spreading of the gospel.  The apostle John in all his letters constantly urged the brethren to show love one to the other so that they would be identified as the Lord’s  people.  We influence all those with whom we come into contact but our influence is even greater with our brethren in Christ.  To be indifferent about that influence is certainly not wise, but to be unconcerned and cause other Christians to stumble and the Lord’s work to suffer is to sin against the brethren and against the Lord. Paul said that if eating of meat caused his brother to stumble, he would eat no meat while the world stands (1 Corinthians 8:13).  Our lives are not entirely regulated by what is right and what is wrong but also in that which influences our brethren.   Therefore measure self-according to this rule also – does my action cause another to be offended, stumble and sin?  You will be pleasing in the sight of the brethren for they will know that you care for the salvation of their souls by your self-denial on their behalf.

              Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 172         

         Our efforts to grow spiritually may seem to give such small returns that we become discouraged with ourselves.  Perhaps this comes as a result of not truly recognizing our true position in life and or proper relationship with God.  Sometimes we want to live in a “what might have been” world and confuse our minds relative to the real world of our lives.  We need therefore to truly evaluate ourselves by looking into the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25), the New Testament. Instead of saying “If only” and “It might have been”, we need to accept ourselves, not only with all our limitations and shortcomings, but also with our aspirations, strengths and capabilities and begin to further the good in life as well as weeding out that which is not good (Colossians 3:8).

         God’s Word is a source of strength to all who will make a serious effort to study and understand it (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 2:2).  Prayer to God, the Father, will further strengthen us because we reach the maker of the world, the sustainer of all things who loves every man and gives freely to those whom he loves.  God is yet the greatest power in the universe and His interest in us has not lessened.  He answers the prayer of those who truly seek to follow Him.  Our fellow Christians are also a source of help to us when we can confide in one-another. Mutual help is a must if we are to live faithfully in this life.  One cannot live alone, man was not so made nor has he changed that he be self-sufficient.

         Only by using all the help God has given, can man be sure of any real spiritual growth.  When we do, our efforts will give satisfaction to ourselves as well as being pleasing to the living God.

             Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 171                 

          How often we deplore the attitude of the Jews in Jerusalem when we read the statement of Jesus in Matthew 23:37, “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone them which are sent to you, how often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wing, and you would not!” The Son of God came to His own people and they did not receive Him! (John 1:11).  They would not have Him as their king, they would not have His way and they refused his pleadings.  He offered salvation and they rejected Him.  He offered peace and they refused to hear Him.  He brought God’s blessings and they turned away. “How sad.” we say, “How tragic!” we exclaim, and do not know we follow their steps by our indifference and apathy.

         Today many seem to consider worship periods of little significance and come only when they desire, or not more than one hour per week. Does our actions declare that Christianity is only a cloak of righteousness to wear on Sunday at the church building?  How many feel that worship is a period of entertainment and being catered to by preachers and teachers who often speak as performing comedians?  We must become members with commitment, dedication, with ultimate devotion to Christ. We must in loving devotion and obedience to Jesus commit ourselves to Him who gave his life to ransom us from eternal death. We must not be among those who half-heartedly follow Christ, who attend from a sense of its being a duty to be endured.  How can we become involved in the work of Christ and our joy to be in helping others become like Christ by following His word?  When will we be followers and strive to bring others into close fellowship in Christ?  When we are willing to meet rebuff, rebuke, rejection and even hatred when our efforts only seem to drive friends and family farther away!  When we are willing to endure coldness, indifference and neglect that follows. Now think of Jesus when he said, “How often I would have gathered you together, and you would not!”  We can commit ourselves to follow Him in love and devotion and even rejoice in those moments of rejection (Acts 5:41).

               Gordon Musick

 Musick-al note # 170             

            The article titled, “The Point of No Return” should be a warning to all of us that we must never get so far into sin that we refuse to repent and turn to God.  It may cause someone to think that there is no chance for them even if they want to change their lives to live for Christ. Thanks to God, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE to repent and obey Christ Jesus to the saving of their soul. Jesus teaching in Matthew 21:28-32 about the two sons who were asked to work in the vineyard and the proper response of the chief priest and elders about which did the will of the father brought about the teaching of the publicans and the harlots who entered the kingdom because they believed and obeyed Him.  Jesus was and is teaching that no matter who one is, they must repent in order to enter the kingdom.  It does not infer that they continued to live lives contrary to the will of God for repentance causes one to change the course of their life.  We can thank God that He will allow sinners to repent (die to sin) and enter the kingdom of Heaven by being baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).  From baptism we are raised from death to sin to live a new life in him (Romans 6:3-13). We must remain faithful to Christ until called an eternal home in heaven (1John 1:9, Revelation 2:10) forever.  We must, therefore, change our lives that we might live in obedience to Him.  The Scriptures have never taught that God will refuse anyone who turns from sin to obey Him.  In view of this, an individual who hears the Gospel of Christ preached and obeys from the heart will be freed from sin and become a servant of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).

            God in His love sent Jesus into the world to save those who believe (John 3:16). Jesus did not come to the world to condemn people but to save them (John 3:17). He gave His life on the cross of Calvary in order to ransom to redeem all people from their sin (1 Timothy 2:6, Hebrews 5:8-9).  When a person loves Jesus more than sin, they will obey Him (John 14:15-24).

           Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 169  

          The Hebrew writer stated in Hebrews 6:4-6, “It is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God, and powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they have crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.”

          How shocking is that word “impossible” as Paul uses it here, and how out-of-step it seems when we consider the boundless love and infinite grace of God.  But notice the passage does not say it is impossible for God to forgive, it is impossible to renew such a one to repentance.  Let us notice that one can be so hardened by immorality that it becomes impossible to renew him.  He reaches a point beyond which he becomes so hardened by sin that he will not respond to the invitation to come to Christ in repentance. Jesus said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:36).  “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.  Then lust when it has conceived, brings forth sin; and sin, when it is finished brings forth death” (James 1:14-15).

             Sin hardens one’s heart to the extent that ultimately he “is unable to discern between good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14); not being nourished in the Spirit as he should be.  Paul described the decay to the ancient Romans that sin had caused men to become “vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened” and he said “for this reason God gave them up to uncleanliness, vile passions, and reprobate mind (Romans 1:24).  When a man reaches the point that God gives him up, he has reached the point of no return.

          Many good men have intended to become a Christian for many years, but they have put it off, and probably like Felix, most likely at first they were terrified over their failing to be obedient to God in their lives, but each occasion of putting off obedience they hardened their hearts to the extent that finally they are never to be disturbed with the gospel message of salvation.  In Hebrews it is written, “Today if you shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7 “Lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Truly, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). As long as a man will repent, God will forgive him, but when a men reaches the point that he will not repent, then he reaches the point of no return and it is impossible to renew him again.

            Gordon Musick