Musick-al Notes

Musick-al Note # 288

          It has been said that if you observe children playing and talking that you will find out what kind of home life they have.  While this does tend to be true of very small children, we ought to be careful about drawing definite conclusions because people are ever changing and thus some of our conclusions would not be as that family is now seeking to be.

          When children begin to grow older other influences beside the home become part of this makeup.  Even then we ought to listen to them and observe their interests because these things reveal the inner character of our children.  They may be seeking attention by this method of acting and speaking, yet from the heart the mouth speaks.  Such evil things have been put into their hearts and from these influences they can and will act and speak.

          It is our obligation to teach them to be spiritually minded, to love spiritual things and desire the friendship of those who are like minded.  When their desire for worldly people becomes so great that they seek their company rather than the company of Christians, we ought to know they need special attention or they will soon be lost.  “Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals.” When they lose their desire to follow Christ and be in His presence, preferring the worldly and sensual, one can see what is in their hearts.

          It is when young people display a great desire for spiritual things and give themselves as willing servants of Christ and are not ashamed to let others know that they are Christians first in life. Then we are assured of spiritual growth and a strong faith which will support them to the end.  Thus we must teach the young so that they will grow spiritually to enable them so that they will forsake this world and seek the kingdom of God and know Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 287         

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners which is stated as the work of Christ in Luke 19:10.  He did this by living a pure life and giving Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Hebrews 2:9 “We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for every man.  His death did not abolish sin but was a ransom to pay the wage of sin! God had decreed that the person who sinned would die (Ezekiel 18:4). Paul also stated this fact – the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus died on the Cross to ransom all people from the result of their sins.  He is the savior of every one who obeys him (Hebrews 5:9). There is no other savior of men (Acts 4:12).  When one obeys the Gospel, that person becomes a child of God and is in Christ where there is no condemnation (Galatians 3:26-27, Romans 8:1).

          He now rules and reigns over His kingdom from the throne above as He makes intercession for those who are obedient to Him.  He would have all men to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (1Timothy 2:4) through their obedience to Him.  If Jesus Christ had not died on the Cross of Calvary then no soul could have been saved for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) which included the Israelites for they also had sinned.  Paul stated in Galatians 3:22 “The scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”  When a person believes that Jesus is the Christ, obeys His gospel, the Lord adds them to His church (Acts 2:47).  Every man (including all Jews) who denies Him will be denied by the Son of God when he comes into judgment.  Jesus died for all men to save them from eternal death but according to the Scriptures, He will only save the obedient.  In regard to physical death, all men will die and go to Judgment.

          Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 286

        Jesus pronounced a blessing upon the believers who even without seeing Him in the flesh believed. “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29).”  The Apostle Peter made a similar statement, “You are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:5-9).  Now the greatness of the blessing is seen in that we do not have to see Jesus to believe, yet the believer is kept by the power of God and will receive the salvation of their souls just as surely as those who did see Jesus in the flesh.

          Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 285                 

        In Matthew 7: 21-23, “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven but only those who does the will of my father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day ‘Lord, Lord’, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and perform miracles? Then will he say to them, ‘Depart from me, you evil doers, I never knew you”.  Jesus was stating that one does not really have a “right” to call Him “Lord” if they do not obey Him.  The term “Lord” implies that He rules one’s life and instructs one as to what to do.  If one does not do what He instructs, He is really not their Lord after all.  We must study His word that we can obey it.  If you do not know the Scriptures that have been given to us that we might know Jesus and the Father, how can we obey him?  The Scriptures have been given that we might believe in him (John 20:31).

Study them that you may know him, love him and obey him.

         Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 284      

        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 # 283

         Jesus used many analogies to teach His hearers spiritual truths.  The grass, flowers, trees, sheep and occupations all came under His gaze and He taught by comparing these with spiritual truths.  Today, He would use every day object and language that we understand to do the same.  Consider the lesson following:

          “And if came to pass that the Lord beheld the many cars that passed by, turned to His disciples and said, “Look upon the vast number of cars going by and consider their use.  Be not deceived by the flashing chrome, the brightness of the color, the shape of the exterior or their high speed.  Such a car is of no use if it is out of gas.  The most ragged, beat up old jalopy is to be desired when filled with gas than the new, beautiful, powerful automobile which has an empty tank and no station within miles.”

          The church is often like the car that is out of gas.  We might “shine the chrome, repair and repaint the body, put in new glass, new seat covers and floor mat” but without the “go-power”, all these things are to no avail.  Nothing is as useless as a car that will not go except a congregation that has the same trouble.  And what is the “go-power” of the church?  Many might say it is the preacher, the organization, the enthusiasm, the services, the fellowship, or maybe it is the class studies and teachers.  I do not disparage any of these but it seems to me that the ‘go power’ has to do with members having love.  Love for the Lord, for each other and love for the lost!  Without love, the church will lag in attendance, devotion and outreach to the lost.  NO ‘GO-POWER’!

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 282

          How marvelous to be remembered!  A phone call, a letter or a few moments shared in Christian fellowship makes our outlook on life so much brighter.  We need to be love and cared for as well as to love and care for others.  This basic need of man should have     its greatest fulfillment in the Christian Fellowship.  No need to be lonely and no need to feel sad and neglected, yet because we do not give ourselves freely to one another we are lonely at times, sad and forlorn.  Being unselfish and loving, others will enjoy our presence and care for us and show their concern by such friendly visits to us.  We all need and respond to their visits which show their concern for us.  We all need that extra attention at times and it is indeed inspirational when some friend just happens to call.

          Let us not forget that we can be that friend who calls or writes or takes a few minutes to call on another.  We ought to remember how good we feel when someone calls on us and then think of another on whom we might call to spread this happiness.  To just sit home waiting for others to come to us would be foolish as well as disheartening.  It is more blessed to give than to receive, Jesus said, and truly in this area, joy and happiness come to the giver as well as to the receiver.  Let us love one another with a pure heart fervently.  Let us communicate with one another with sincerity and not with avarice for God will judge our hearts.  Give joy to someone’s heart and life by calling or writing or visiting them today.

           Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 281

         Concerning the name that followers of Christ should wear, we believe the New Testament was given to guide us in all truth and gives us all that we need to live so that we might please God.  We find that Peter said in 2 Peter 1:3 “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” Paul also told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  We need nothing more than what has been given to us and in the New Testament we find our pattern for everything that we do.  This includes the name which we wear.  It was prophesied in Isaiah 62:2, “You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name.”  This new name was the name Christian and in Acts 11:26, “The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” After hearing Paul preach, King Agrippa said, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28).  Peter said in regard to suffering (1 Peter 4:16), “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.”   We ought to wear the name Christian and no other.  The wearing of other names came into being with the onset of denominationalism which required each sect to keep itself distinguished from others.  Sometimes men will use a hyphenated name for this purpose such as Anglican-Christians but this does not bring honor to Christ alone.  Peter said we are saved in the name of Christ 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.”  Paul said we are to do “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17.  If we realize that our Savior is Jesus Christ and we have Him as our advocate with the Father, why would we desire to wear any other name religiously than His name which the Father has given that we might exalt Him. That name is “Christian”.

                Gordon Musick

 Musical-al note #280   

         What a marvelous thought – to be transformed in this life (Romans 12:2).  How God can enter the life of a selfish, hating, filthy, murderous individual and transform it to one of love and selfless ambition without observing that transformed person and wondering just how such a change could occur. The answer is God’s power through the Gospel of Christ which He revealed by His apostles (Romans 1:16).  He chose to give all men salvation from sin and the curse of sin while making each obedient believer His child (Galatians 3:26:27).  Every obedient child desires and works to be like his Father as Christ is and seeks to bring others into this family of love. The apostle Paul in writing to the Ephesians wrote eloquently about the life to be lived (Ephesians 4:1-2) and urged those Christians to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

         Are Christians ready for this task?  They are IF they are grounded in the faith that Jesus brought into the world.  First, they must know His Word, then they must make it their guiding principle of life. The book of Ephesians constantly reminds every Christian of his duties of faith, work and love.  Christians must not believe every doctrine proclaimed by men who are following Satan’s practice of lying.  Those teachers will deceive by changing the obvious meaning to words to proclaim another way of salvation with words of deceit.  No person has the right to change, add to or disregard any teaching of Christ and his apostles.  Be ready by studying the Word, commit it to heart and follow it alone.  Be careful of your speech, be kind and courteous but avoid bitterness, anger and judgmental talk so you can be kind, tender hearted and forgiving.  Teach and speak as the Word teaches even though the listener may curse and accuse you of lying or condemning them to Hell. There is one judge and it is His Word that guides us in truth and peace (John 17:17). Let us then be true to Him and wait for His promise to be fulfilled.

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 279             

          When someone has just become a Christian, and just started out in the Christian life, what advice would you give that person about Bible classes?  Would you say, “Now this church has Bible classes every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, however they aren’t      really very important, and thus it isn’t imperative that you attend them.  If you want to and you have the time, it’s all right but if something else comes up then don’t worry about it.  Oh, I know the preacher stresses them, but I don’t pay much attention to what he says.”  Or would you say to your ten-year old daughter, “Honey, I know that you would like to go to your Bible class this morning, but I want you to stay home this morning while I read the paper, and those classes will never do you much good anyway.”

          No, you wouldn’t think of giving that kind of advice to a new Christian or your own child.  But wait!  Many are giving just that advice by their neglect of Bible classes, for our actions speak louder than words.  Consider your actions for they influence newer members and your own family. Every Christian should feel he has missed something very important to him when he is unable to meet with the saints on the Lord’s Day.  We always miss those who are absent, but he who misses the spiritual feast with his Lord, misses even more, for he has failed to commune with God in the worship and fellowship of other Christians.

          Every absence of a student in school cause his grades to fall. Every person who misses a day from his work, notices a cut in his check or a backset in his business.  He who cannot see the backset in his relationship with God by missing worship must surely be retarded in his spiritual attitude toward God.  Put first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be given you.  (Matthew 6:33).

              Gordon Musick