Musick-al Notes

 Musick-al note # 86              

      There are no more crucial words in the New Testament than these: “IN CHRIST” for everything that is important to every individual when they leave this world hinges upon being IN CHRIST. One may achieve greatness in the world and be highly esteemed by everyone for their work and deeds. They may do magnificent things, be exalted, honored and adored for their exploits, work and heroism.  They may be given devotion and trust by every acquaintance. They may have gained the whole world yet if they take no heed to prepare for the eternity that comes after death, in the final accounting, they have utterly failed in life (John 14:6).  Having many abilities, they use them for personal satisfaction without considering the fact that life on earth will end, not knowing or caring that Judgment would come and that ETERNAL LIFE would depend upon the words – “BEING IN CHRIST”.  

       The New Testament reveals very specific words about being “in him” and “doing his will”. Note these: John 10:9 ‘I am the door, enter in and be saved’, John 15:1-5 ‘live in me and bear fruit’, Acts 4:12 ‘no salvation in any other name’, 2 Corinthians 5:17 ‘in Christ we have new life’, 2 Corinthians 5:21 ‘in him we are righteous’, Ephesians 1:3-13 ‘all blessings are in him’, ‘we are chosen in him’. ‘we are adopted by him’, ‘accepted in him’, ‘forgiven all sin’, promise to gather us together’, ‘will give us our inheritance’, ‘sealed us with the Holy Spirit’ and Ephesians 2:18 ‘he has given us access to the Father’ and there are many other verses that could be noted.

      The saddest thing is that most people ignore the verses that speak of “HOW” to attain the status of ‘BEING IN CHRIST’.  Jesus said that he is the way, the door, the gate to life and few find it and enter (Matthew 7:13-14, John 10:9, John 14:6) to have life.  The Apostle Paul wrote about how one enters Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).  We are made children of God through faith in Christ by being baptized into Christ to put on Christ.  Also in Romans 6:3-10 that being baptized meant we have died to sin, were buried with Him and raised with Him to walk in a new life.   Paul himself was baptized to wash away his sins to call on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). While time lasts, we have the opportunity to ENTER INTO CHRIST.

                    Gordon Musick                                                                                              

Musick-al Note # 85         

The Bible is our guide to eternity with God.  The following of God’s teachings as revealed in the Bible is of utmost importance to those who would make heaven their home.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), thus all are under the sentence of death (Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23).  The only recourse for any person is in Christ Jesus who paid the penalty (death) for us.  God is the giver of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord (Hebrews 5:9).  We cannot earn enough or work enough to merit salvation, but we can accept the amazing grace of God, the free gift of everlasting life, given to us in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23).  With great joy, we praise the Lord for His mercy extended toward us, for the remission of our sins in obedience to His Son.

          How presumptuous then for any man to doubt the Word of God that was given by Jesus, God’s own son to whom He gave all authority.  The word reveals both the Father and the Son that we might have life (John 10:10 & 17:3).  No man has the authority or the right to change any command of the Word of God (Galatians 1:6-9).  God has spoken and to nullify or to teach men that these commands have no meaning for people today will find that such teaching is fighting against God.  A person doing so is presumptuous, self-willed and deceived.  It would be better for such a person had they never been born.  We all will stand before God to answer for the life we have lived and be judged with righteous judgment by the words of Christ Jesus..  How sad indeed to receive punishment because we disobeyed, but worse still to know that others have followed our deceit to be lost in eternity.  God is mighty and ever will be.  He loves us and seeks our salvation, but He will not look lightly upon those who presumptuously change his divine will and thwart His divine purpose among men.

                   Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note #       ENTHUSIASM

          A spirit of enthusiasm is essential for a ball team to do its best.  With is, a team gains momentum throughout the entire game and especially when the end is near and victory is in its grasp so that they know they cannot lose.  On the other hand, without enthusiasm, a team just can’t seem to get going.  It may have all the basic essentials needed to win, yet fail to “click” or work in perfect harmony and members of the team never put forth the “second effort” needed to win.  Enough losses or setbacks can take the spirit out of a team and then they seemingly cannot win.

          Never before have had we needed this spirit in the church as we need it now.  “Be strengthened by his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16), enthused over the work of the Lord so that we feel that we just can’t lose.  But how do we develop enthusiasm?  Taking stock of ourselves and the power of the Lord working within us ought to help us see that we are on the winning side.  A proper perspective of our setbacks can help keep them from having devastating effects on our enthusiasm.  When losses or setbacks occur which in reality can keep us close to the Lord for even in failures we know God can bring good from it (Romans 8:28).  Winning a few times always give a boost to our morale.  Spiritually, we win many times and then fail to realize it.  When another soul is added to the body of Christ, we have won; when on who has fallen away returns (James 5:20), we have won; when teachers teach lessons that bring favorable response in their students’ lives, we have won; when Christians meet together and worship God, we have won; when lessons stir us to do more and better work, we have won; when we enjoy the fellowship of other  Christians; we have own; when a faithful Christians leaves this world to be with Christ; we have won.  The Christian who walks after the spirit never loses.

          Brethren, we are winning – never fear on this matter.  Just put your hand to the plow and look ahead – Christ is coming again (John 14:3)!  What a glorious day that will be!  Christians will be honored, glorified and crowned with life eternal (1 Corinthians 15:24)!  They surely will have won!

                       Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 83          

Jesus promised to give the Holy Spirit to the Apostles to guide them into all the truth and bring to their remembrance all Jesus said to them (John 14:26, 16:13-14, Acts 1:8). This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts, chapter 2 with the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, which was called the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:5. This was a miraculous measure the Apostles received by being “baptized” (overwhelmed, covered, plunged into) in the Holy Spirit enabling them to speak in languages (other tongues) that they had never studied, but those which the Spirit enabled them to speak (Acts 2:4) and they were given power to perform miracles, signs and wonders.  Many of the early disciples were given special miraculous gifts by the laying on of the Apostle’s hands so that they had the power to work miracles, speak in tongues, etc.  (Acts 8:13ff).  Philip had been  given that power, so he could do miracles and signs, but he could not lay his hands on others and impart to them that power (Acts 8:14-15), but only the Apostles could do this.  Now all Christians were and are promised “the gift of the Holy Spirit” when they obey the Lord (Acts 2:38, Acts 5:32). The rest of early disciples, and all who came after the Apostles died, received the “gift” of the Holy Spirit. An “indwelling measure” for want of a better description (Acts 5:32, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19-20).

       The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).  His witness is revealed through the written word. That is, the Holy Spirit gave the Word to inspired men who wrote these words that we may know what to do to be saved (John 20:30-31).  Paul said that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). When we obey God’s Word, the Holy Spirit is bearing witness that we are saved.  When we have obeyed Him, our spirit bears witness that we have done what is revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Bible.  Therefore He bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God when we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).  God, Christ and the Holy Spirit all dwell in us by faith (Ephesians 3:16-17).  “Whosoever abides in the teaching, the same has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).  An individual is led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14) as long as he follows the Word which was revealed by the Spirit to the Apostles (Galatians 1:6-9).

                 Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 82                

          What is the most important thing for you to do in life?  Well, many things are important and the ordering of our lives show what we think is most important.  What is worth our work, labor, energy, time and the products of these things?  A few years of pleasure?  Is this all there is to life?  When we grow older and life is seen in better perspective, we begin to see that there is more to life than that which is seen on the surface.  Life is more than pleasure and fulfilling of our own desires.  We begin to see life that extends into eternity and the older we get the more that realization comes to us unless we rebel and refuse to observe the natural phenomenon of life and death and the inborn yearning for life after death.  Placing spiritual emphasis upon our lives is difficult when much of the world around calls to us to make our lives pleasurable, yet eternal life lies beyond death of the body. Please note what Jesus said about life after death (Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:26) “God is the God of the living, not the dead”.  How are we to obtain assurance of that life for ourselves?  .

       Paul said that the Gospel is God’s power to save every believer (Romans 1:16).  What is that ‘gospel’?  Paul said that the ‘gospel’ is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). How can we have Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection in our lives? Paul gives the solution in Romans 6:17-18 that when we have obeyed a form (or pattern) of this teaching (i.e. the death, burial and resurrection of Christ) by dying to sin, being buried in water, raised to new life) we are made free from sin and become God’s child (Galatians 36-27).

          We must deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).  No thoughtful person should lightly consider life without Jesus for He is the giver of life (Genesis 2:7, John 1:3-4).  Following Him means doing His will (Matthew 7:13-27, John 14:23).  He has made a new covenant that we must follow.  Read this New Testament daily, commit it to memory, obey its words and eternal life is promised us (John 17:2-3).  What kind of life are we then to live?  “Seeking first the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33). “Forsaking all and following Jesus. Hate father, mother, children, land, houses and life to love Him most.” (Luke 14:26-33)  Are these not for us?  Can we serve Jesus and deny His right to rule our lives?  Can we fulfill the lusts of the flesh and remain His? By no means! Can we seek first the pleasures of this life and forsake His cause and still be doing His will?  Is it of no concern for us that the world is lost in sin and doomed to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:21-27, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)?  Can we deny the Word of God to establish our own way of salvation (Galatians 1:6-9)?

          Brethren, we ought to THINK and ACT according to HIS Will that we may be given eternal life when we pass from life on earth into the eternal realms of God (Hebrews 5:9).

                    Gordon Musick

  Musick-al Note # 81

       A man who is bought with the blood of Jesus, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) is freed from the bond and guilt of sin by God’s only begotten Son, a Christian has verbally and physically committed himself to the following of righteousness (Matthew 10:32, Romans 6:3-6).  His every act, word and thought reflects the great change such freedom has wrought in his life.  At one time he was lost from God but now is found and known by the Lord. He was blind to eternal things but now his eyes are opened and he can see.  He was wounded and dying but in Christ Jesus, he is made whole and alive.  In the past he lived in rebellion from his maker and deserved to be destroyed as an enemy but is now forgiven, a child of God and an heir of heaven itself.

          But we see Christians not so living.  Receiving manifold blessings of God, he uses them for fulfilling his own lusts.  Time given by the long patience of God is used to satisfy his own whims. Opportunities for service are often squandered for ease of living.   Abilities, capabilities, knowledge and talents are spent for self-gratification and satisfying the lusts of the flesh.  An individual committed to Christ?  Not such as these!  We must understand that eternity is imminent and the joys there are real and attainable if we renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and live godly lives.  When we realize that heaven is worth our consideration we will change so that we commit all of life to the Master.  When we are convinced that this world is not our eternal home, we will strive to make heaven becomes of more value than the gaining of things, we will find ourselves without real commitment to Christ as Lord of our lives and follow Him in all things.

          Is Christ real to you?  Are you living for Him or for self?  What kind of Christian character do you present to the world?  Does your commitment to Christ cause you to live a life dedicated to Him, shown in your service to your fellow man or do you fall short and seek to satisfy self?

                   Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 80

What is the most important thing that you to do in life? Many things are important and the order we live our lives shows what we think is most important. What worth is our work, labor, energy, time to produce these things? A few years of pleasure? Is this all there is to life? What happens after we die? Is there life after death or nothing after death? Many live as though death ends it all, but within all men, there is a yearning or hope that there is more. What does the Bible teach about this?
The Bible begins with God creating the universe with the world and everything within it. His existence is outside the boundary of our universe, thus it is impossible for man to examine, prove or negate His existence, intelligence, power or abilities. To assume that this universe came into existence without an intelligent thought or force in its making is simply futile thinking. Man came into being when God formed him, breathed life into him and he became a living soul in God’s own likeness. God gave man the ability to think, reason, love, develop many things and even desire life after death. God gave man free-will to choose the course of his life, how he will live but each one will give an account to Him (Hebrews9:27, Romans 14:11-12).
Is it any wonder than that God said to Moses, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” (Genesis 3:6). Jesus spoke of this in answering the Sadducees and added, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32). Moses knew they were all dead and buried but God said “they are living!” Life is beyond the grave! Jesus taught more concerning that ‘life’ beyond life here in his teaching of ‘the rich man and Lazarus’. Both men died but the rich man was in torment while Lazarus was taken to Abraham’s side. Between the two lay a great gulf that could not be crossed. The rich man begged for help even a drop of water from Lazarus finger. When the rich man knew nothing could be done for him, he asked that Lazarus be sent to his family to warn his five brothers so they would not come to the place of torment. Abraham reminded the rich man that Moses and the Prophets were to be heeded. The rich man begged for someone from the dead to go to them so they would repent. Abraham replied that if they do not listen to the written Word, they would not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (Luke 16:19-31).
The lesson is extremely clear. There is life beyond the grave. However there are two locales in that region. One is wonderful but the other is chillingly dreadful. The New Testament is abundantly clear that the way each individual lives determines that person’s destiny after they die. It is also abundantly clear that God wants no person to miss heaven (2 Peter 3:9). He sent Jesus into the world that those who believe and obey Him would come to Him after this life is over (Matthew 7:21-27, John 3:16-21, 8:12, 10:9-10, Hebrews 5:9, Revelation 22:18-19). The choice is ours. Either follow Christ Jesus to life (Acts 4:12) or be forever lost (John 14:6).
Gordon Musick

Musick-al note: # 79                                                         

     God is the giver of salvation.  He alone has the right to say how any man or every man may be saved.  In John 3:16 it is written, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  God’s great gift of His Son for the salvation of man is the basis of his saving man.  Peter said in Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  If there is salvation in no other than Jesus, then every man must enter into Christ Jesus to be saved. Paul said in Galatians 3:26-27   “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  Putting on Christ through the waters of Baptism makes one a child of God.  When one is baptized (puts on Christ) his sins are forgiven and he becomes a servant of God.  Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that <though> you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Being then made free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”  Ephesians 1:7   “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.  What shall we say then, can man follow just any way he desires and expect salvation from God?  No!  For if God spared not his only Son for our salvation, how could we look for another to save us?  Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Look again at Acts 4:12.  Everyone who desires salvation must come to Jesus who is the Christ, the Son of God.  Everyone who is in Christ must continue to live in Christ obedient to His will.  There is no other way!

                Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 78
God has promised from the beginning of creation that He will bless those who listen to Him and follow His will. Moses spoke of the love of God when he was leading them out of Egypt and to Canaan (Deuteronomy 4:35-38). He also stated that God will curse those who do are disobedient.(Deuteronomy 4:39-40). Read the Old Testament and you will see that every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward (Hebrews 2:2) God not only revealed how He wanted man to live but also warned of impending doom should man follow his own will in disobedience. Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1). It was a small thing, (after all fire is fire isn’t it), but they died. In the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel His warnings reached the degree of unprecedented horror and destruction that all men should fear (Jeremiah 25:3-11,42:13-22, Ezekiel 23:13-48). These two references are only examples out of many that show the end to all who are disobedient. The greatness of God’s love and compassion was revealed as He forgave and accepted everyone who turned from evil to do His will. Yet the people kept turning away from God to follow the teachings of man. The prophet Malachi asked, “Will a man rob God?” and man replies, “How have we robbed you?” (Malachi 3:6-9). They thought they were doing all right but they failed to remember that God knows man and is able to bless or curse as they respond to Him and His will.
What about us today? Are we willing to follow God’s Will or are we following men’s teachings? Is it a small thing to set aside the Word of God to advance an idea or thinking of any man? Are we smarter or greater than God? Are we free to change His Word or do we only think that it doesn’t matter (Matthew 7:22)? How many times and in how many ways does God’s Word, the Bible, reveal that those who sought to change God’s will results in their own destruction! (Revelation 18-19) Are we to continue doing what we want or shall we truly begin to ‘live by faith’? We know that faith comes from hearing the Word (Romans 10:17) but hearing without obeying is building on sand and will fail (Matthew 7:21-27). Is God’s wording of His people no longer sufficient? Did God forget to instruct us in all things? God forbid such a thought! (2 Peter 1:3). His Word must be our rule in all things (Matthew 4:4). He has revealed in His Word how to become His child, how to live daily before Him, how to organize His church and how to worship Him acceptably. Dare we to discount and set aside God’s Word to do things in our way? (Revelation 22:18-19) Can we supplant His revealed Will to follow our own will without incurring God’s wrath?
Gordon Musick

 Musick-al Note # 77

          No one likes a prophet of doom, especially if he points an accusing finger at us and declares that our actions are the cause of the impending destruction.  Yet God has always had His prophets to tell of impending destruction because of the sins of His people.  Enoch was evidently the first prophet of doom (Jude 14-15) and others followed in their time. They all prophesied of the coming destruction because of the sins and failures of the people. Jesus offers infinite joy, peace and freedom to all who would follow Him, but He also tells of doom and destruction to come upon all who refused to give heed to His words (Matthew 7:21-27).  His popularity steadily decreased as He continued to convict the people and their leaders of sins.

          The implications are far-reaching because this touches every one of us.   We are doomed IF we IGNORE the warnings of the Word and seek to please men and not God.  We are is doomed IF we do not measure ourselves by the standard of God’s Word to obey Him.  We are doomed IF we allow sin to run rampant within our ranks.  We are doomed IF the preacher does not preach the whole council of God, and we insist that he tickle our ears with his “sermons”.  We are doomed IF our elders have no vision of leading the flock to faithfully follow the Word of the Lord.  We are doomed IF the elders do not use the abilities of deacons to assist in the work and encourage their growth to maturity in carrying out the Lord’s will upon the earth.  We are doomed IF we are not encouraged and assisted in our spiritual growth by capable and sincere Christians.  We are doomed IF every Christian does not do his or her best to live a life whose influence is a stepping-stone to draw others to the Lord Jesus.  We are doomed IF we forget that we are the purchased possession of the Lord, bought by the blood of Christ.  We are doomed IF we become involved in incidentals instead of essentials and substitute our selfish desires and spend our money for them.  We are doomed IF we do not require ourselves to go to work in His vineyard.

          We must dedicate ourselves to the Lord, to His work and to His church to such a degree that we will deny self, give our time, abilities and money to carry out our God-given tasks in His kingdom.  We were bought with a price, we are not our own, therefore we ought to so live and work that we may please Him who has called us and saved us from our sins.

                   Gordon Musick,