Musick-al Notes

Musick-al Note # 278 

          What is the most important thing to you?  Well, many things are important and the way we plan and order our lives show what we really think is most important to us.  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 yearnings of human nature to live eternally.

          Placing spiritual emphasis upon our lives is difficult when we have much of the material world around us to make our lives pleasurable.  Yet to obtain eternal life, we must deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Jesus.  No thoughtful person should lightly consider life without HIM.  Following Him means doing His will.  Read it daily, commit it to memory, obey its words and eternal life is promised us.  What kind of life should we then live?  “Seeking first the kingdom of God.”  Forsaking all and following Jesus.”   Hate father, mother, children, land, houses and life to love Him most.”  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?  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?  Can we deny the Word of God to establish our own way of salvation?  Brethren, we ought to THINK. Remember, we are not our own, we belong to Christ therefore we should determine to do his will and no longer think of selfish desires.

                 Gordon Musick

Musick-al note # 277            

           The term “doctrine” means “teaching”.  The question then is what is the teaching of Christ Jesus?  It should be recognized that Jesus came to the world to bring us the Word of God (John 12:48-50) “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him; the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told me, so I speak.” John said in John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Some people think that only the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are to be seen as the teaching of Christ but Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:37, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”  Peter said also in 2 Peter 3:1-2 “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior.”  All the words of the New Testament are to be considered the doctrine or teaching of Jesus Christ.

          It is correct that no doctrine is right, true or divine unless it is according to the Will (Testament, Doctrine, and Teaching) of Christ Jesus.  This does not mean that man cannot seek his own way and teach error.  It does mean that when man does teach other doctrines than the New Testament reveals, that man is in jeopardy of being rejected by God who warns about false teachings.  (Matthew 15:9, Galatians 1:6-9).   Notice that the Apostle Paul said that the teaching of anything other than the original Gospel causes one to be accursed.  We must not be guilty of following the doctrines of man.

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 276           

          The teaching of the Word of God brings great joy to the teacher but bitter sorrow often comes into his heart.  These two extremes are so opposite that one would wonder that it could be possible that both could be in the same life, yet from the pages of inspiration comes the knowledge that it can happen.  The apostle Paul felt these two extremes for great joy came to him to know the Lord and to teach many others the way of truth, yet he felt the bitter sorrow of the loss of his own people for he said in Romans 9:12, “I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart for them.”

          There is great joy when we teach one in such a way that they obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus.  However when we teach with love and have encouraged someone to obey the gospel, then they turn away, it brings bitter sorrow to our hearts.  There is great joy when we are able to encourage the erring brother or sister to return to the Lord and His church and they respond to begin anew.  But there is heaviness and sorrow when they reject our pleas of encouragement and do not respond but continue to live in sin.  There is great joy in our hearts when the young Christian desires to grow, studies the Word and begins to mature in Christ so that he can be depended upon to become a partner in the saving of souls.  Yet there is bitter sorrow when the young Christian takes no interest in spiritual food or work and fails to grow so that we see him forgetting his Lord and Savior and eventually return to the life of sin and death.  It brings great joy to our hearts when Christians continue to mature and they become concerned with the lost souls of the world and they become actively engaged in carrying out the great commission and in leading young Christians to increase in spiritual stature by teaching the Word of God to them.  A bitter sorrow comes into our hearts when we observe seemingly mature Christians living lukewarm lives, unconcerned about the lost souls of their friends and loved ones and are indifferent toward the newborn babes in Christ.  Living so selfishly that they cannot give of themselves to share the good news to the lost and cannot share a few hours with other Christians except for the pleasure of visiting them.  There is great joy to be had when Christians love one another and work in harmony together but it is a trial of great magnitude and a bitter sorrow when cliques are formed and fostered among God’s people to exclude others to reject and cut them from  fellowship.  Such division in the body of Christ causes great harm to the Lord’s cause and ought not to be formed.

          With every success in God’s work there is great joy, but at the same time the possibility of bitter sorrow is present when anyone fails to respond to the Lord Jesus Christ in obedience to His word or grow to maturity in Him.                                                                             

           Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 275

          The world seeks happiness as the thirsty person seeks water or the hungry man seeks food.  The wild craze of satisfying of the passions, the vain pursuit of emotional thrills and an ever-     increasing following of sports give ample indications that people are seeking happiness in any place and in any way that the world offers.  Yet the psychiatrist couch, the emotionally disturbed criminal, the senseless murder with bomb or gun, the increasing suicide rate all declare that people are not finding happiness and contentment.   Even in the church, we find some who are frustrated, disappointed and fail to find the happiness and the true joy and peace they need.

          The world seeks pleasure in her ways and cannot find lasting pleasure because worldly pleasure is transitory.  The church seemingly has failed, but only because those members seek joy and happiness in the wrong places.  Some Christians seem to have the idea that if we can GET and OBTAIN, we will have pleasure, happiness and peace.  Jesus taught many things that seem to be contradictory.  He said, “If we seek to save our life, we will lose it, and if we lose our life for His sake we would find it.”  It is in the giving of self that you really obtain life.  It is the same in joy, happiness, cheerfulness and peace, in giving these we find that we obtain them. If we continue in the pursuit of happiness by obtaining things to buy, to get, to have, happiness will elude us.  Perhaps we could reverse things by giving, by seeking to enrich others, in making them happy at our expense and thus obtain that which is constantly eluding our grasp.  Give a little cheer this coming year.  Help another, share joy with someone who cannot repay or return to gift.  Give real joy to someone this coming year – give the greatest gift of all – the message of the Savior.  Never will we have a greater thing to share with others than the message of freedom from sin in Christ Jesus.   Great joy can be yours this coming year by obeying Christ and sharing Him.

              Gordon Musick

 Musick-al Note # 274   

          I do not know how you would answer this question but we must all decide sometime just what we are going to do in relation to the Lord’s work.  Our responsibilities may be different in their particulars but they are connected and relate to every other Christian in the entity of Christianity.  The work that I am to do and the work you are to do should complement each other so that a specific end will result.

          My personal responsibility includes a study of the Word correct daily living, visiting and caring for my family as all Christians should.  There is encouraging the weak, writing these notes to help teach the lost and to help Christians grow.  Each of these areas of life take some time to accomplish so that soon all of living is filled with responsibilities that must be accepted and met with an obedient heart.  The failing of health in old age crowds too much of time and failure of strength is a major element in trying to accomplish all these things.  It is true in any area, whether family, friends or recreation, so the Christian must measure constantly what he does as to its relative merit as it fits into the complete picture of his responsibilities.

          I had always thought that a Christian should make the best of any situation in which he found himself so he could serve the Lord in the best way.  He did not seek to blame others for any failing or shortcoming of his own life.  Even while seeing the same failings and shortcoming in others of the church, he sought only to improve himself and help others as the opportunity arose.  This attitude seems to have changed in the Lord’s church.  It is so easy to blame others and excuse oneself.  If “they” don’t act better then neither will I.  If things aren’t going as they should then don’t ask me to help, get someone else.  If all fails, it is the preacher’s fault or the elders’ fault or someone else’s’, not mine.  If you insist on my doing something, then I’ll move to another congregation or quit entirely.  It seems that Christians have the attitude that their responsibility as a Christians is to do what they want to do without regard to the rest of the body of Christ.

          What is your responsibility as a Christian?

                 Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 273

         Does God’s goodness cause you to sin?  A strange question, yet one which the Apostle Paul alluded to in Romans 2:4 and concluded that God’s goodness should lead to repentance. Let us examine ourselves in the light of this question and not relegate it into some far-off, distant land.

         Take, for instance, God’s goodness to us in this land of freedom, in which we are not forbidden to meet and worship the true and living God.  Does this freedom of choice cause many to seek the Lord?  Does it cause Christians to spend much time in worship?  On the contrary, man seeks his own way and many Christians must be begged, pleaded with, cajoled and constantly visited before they make much effort to worship God, and then they attend only hen nothing else comes up.  Does god’s goodness cause them to sin?  By no means, it should cause them to be able to worship and have more fellowship    with the brethren.  The choice is still theirs and they do as they please in this matter.

         Another area of God’s goodness is this era of prosperity and plenty with money easy to come by for those who will apply themselves.  Does this prosperity cause men to give much to the cause of the Lord, to the preaching of the Gospel, to help the poor and needy, to be ready to every good work?  Not necessarily (although most undoubtedly do) but many Christians are selfish, greedy, stingy, hardened to the needs of the less fortunate and are unconcerned for the lost souls around them.  Does the goodness of God cause them to sin?  It should have caused them to be able to do more in the kingdom.  The choice is with man, to do or fail to do as he decides for himself.

         Again, does God’s goodness, shown in the love and charity of the brethren cause Christians to prefer one another and treat one another fairly?  Then why do we find Christians taking advantage of other Christians?  Why do some take advantage of the church when there is opportunity to do so?  Perhaps there is a bit of Judas in each of us – to obtain something for ourselves at the expense of the brethren when the occasion is right. Judas probably reasoned that his taking from the treasury was just – that he deserved it.  Perhaps much was to provide for the whole group and he only got a little extra for himself.  However Judas excused himself, John reveals that he was a thief from the beginning.  Because an opportunity arises doesn’t mean that we ought to serve ourselves.  Does God’s goodness cause us to sin?  God forbid!  It should cause us to prove our faithfulness, our love and lead us to do better things in the future.

            Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 272                   

         Perhaps all of us indulge in wishful thinking at times as we begin to plan for greater works to be accomplished.  Such dreaming has its place in the lives of leaders for these people know they must put their thoughts or ‘wishes’ into action to bring about great accomplishments in their lives.  These people know that ‘wishing’ won’t make it happen if all they do is wish.   Young people have a lot of desires.  They ‘wish’ they had more friends.  They ‘wish’ they had more money.  They ‘wish’ they had a car.  They ‘wish’ they were more popular.  They ‘wish’ that things were different.  They ‘wish’ their parents and teachers would get off their backs. They ‘wish’ for many things which others seem to have and they do not have.  YET all their ‘wishing’ won’t make it happen.  To have friends, one must be friendly (Proverbs 18:24).  To have money or the things money will buy, one must work (Ephesians 4:28).  To get parents and teachers to cease nagging and harping about school work, one must get his assignments done.  To cause things to be different, we must become different and this requires working at the job.

         Older people have not all leaned this lesson.  We ‘wish’ we had more Bible knowledge.  We “wish” the church was friendlier.  We ‘wish’ the church would grow.  We ‘wish’ others would do more or be more dedicated.  In short, we ‘wish’ things were different.  Yet all our ‘wishing’ won’t make it happen.  We must work to make the church grow.  We must visit, teach and convert other people to make the church grow.  Turn your back upon visitation, teaching and evangelizing and all our ‘wishing’ will not cause the church to grow. To have a friendly congregation, we must be friendly.  If we rush out the door, never greet the stranger, and fail to associate with others in their homes, never have company to your home, and never gather with others in the church for friendly association with them, the church will always be unfriendly.  To grow in the knowledge of the Bible, we must study, meditate and study the Book.  No other method will bring it about.

         We ‘wish’ things were different, that others would do more or that others were more dedicated.  We cannot ‘force’ others to accept their responsibilities nor can we ‘make’ them do more in the church. Only by changing myself and by rededicating my life to the Master, we can make a ‘difference’ within the church.

         ‘Wishing’ won’t make it happen but ‘working’ will.

                 Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 271        

          This is a question exemplifying complete submission to our Lord and Savior.  The same thought is expressed in the song, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.”  Such questions and thoughts coming from a pure heart will be followed by deeds, actions and works which display a singular fidelity to the Lord Jesus Christ.  True Christians are uncommonly dedicated to the One who bought them from sin and who redeemed them from the eternal fires of hell.  How precious they must be in the sight of God and His Son, Jesus Christ for they hear and do His will.

          This question has been asked and the thought expressed by some Christians whose actions, deeds and works declare that they have also added another phrase within their minds and hearts so that the question should have been, “What will you have me do, Lord, that does not conflict with my desires?”  The declaration would be, “I’ll do anything you want me to do if I can have my own way.”  In a similar way some have changed the common meaning of some wording so that they can follow and teach doctrines of men.  There is no submission to the Lord with this spirit and when it is prevalent in any congregation, strife, wrath, hatred and division will result.  If the Lord is not exalted, honored and followed to the exclusion of all else, then we are not true disciples.  Jesus said that we must love Him more than father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister and even our own life in order to be His disciple. A Christian who allows personal desires to become so important to him that he ceases to do the work of the Lord is trying to serve God with reservations.  Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind that his service will be complete without any reservation to fulfill the desires of the flesh.  By doing so, we will be pleasing in the sight of the lord and be able to work in harmony with our fellow Christians.

           Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 270 

            When one reads carefully James 2:14-26, they will see that faith without works of obedience is dead!  Most of Hebrews 11 clearly shows the same thing. Each of these men who were saved or blessed by faith were blessed WHEN, AND ONLY WHEN, they did exactly what God said. There is no case in the Bible (or out) where God ever blessed, saved, or cured a man by faith UNTIL that faith led him to obey. This is not salvation by works of merit, but simply means that one cannot accept God’s gracious offer of salvation except by the means God has appointed.  Any thoughtful reading of Mark 16:15-16, Mt. 28:18-20, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Rom. 6:17-18, 1 Peter 3:21 and any other case having to do with salvation will show that these persons were saved AFTER their faith led them to OBEY.

            Now consider what Paul was saying in Romans 4:4-8, 13-17, 20-25 and in Eph. 2:8-9. God saves by His grace (free gift).  There is no work that man can do to merit salvation (that is, that he can earn salvation), there is no man who is good enough that he deserves salvation, there is no man who is rich enough to buy salvation, it is a gift from God (Rom 6:23).  Paul further declares that one must have faith to receive that grace.  Read carefully Romans 4:16 and Ephesians 2:8.  That faith must be active to obey God’s commands to obtain His free gift because God has given stipulations as to how man is to receive His gifts.  He has the right as giver to set any and all regulations for man to receive his gifts.  One of the regulations is “faith” which is seen in repenting of sin, confessing the name of Christ before men, being baptized in water and living in newness of life.  None of these things “merit” or “earn” salvation for the man who does them but no man can have the grace of God without doing what God has said either.  So James and Paul were really saying the same thing.  James said one must have works to show that his faith was living and Paul said one must have faith that results in obedience to receive the grace (gift) of God (Salvation).

                  Gordon Musick

Musick-al Note # 269                 

           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 failures 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 offered infinite joy, peace and freedom to all who would follow Him, but He also prophesied 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 their sins.

          The implications are far-reaching because this touches every one of us.  This congregation is doomed IF we allow ourselves to drift through this life.  We are doomed IF we seek to please men and not God.  This congregation is doomed IF we do not measures ourselves by the standard of God’s Word to obey Him.  This congregation is doomed IF we allow sin to run rampant within our ranks. This congregation is 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 we press the preacher into a mold of “following the leader” or “doing the expected thing” and fail to support truth, no matter who is living and acting contrariwise to it. This congregation is doomed IF the elders have no vision of the work the Lord intended for them to do.  We are doomed IF the elders do not use the abilities of the deacons to handle the routine obligations of the congregation and encourage their growth to maturity in carrying out the Lord’s will upon the earth. This congregation is doomed IF the deacons shirk their work or are prevented from accomplishing it by our unwillingness to help them.  We are doomed IF these men are not encouraged and supported in their tasks as capable, sincere Christians ought to be. This congregation is 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 do not keep in our minds that we are the purchased possession of the Lord, bought by the blood of Christ. This congregation is doomed IF we become involved in incidentals instead of essentials.  We are doomed IF we fail to support the program with sufficient contributions to do the Lord’s work.  This congregation is doomed IF we substitute our selfish desires for the Lord’s work and pay for them with money which was given to do the Lord’s work.  We are doomed IF we do not give of ourselves not go to work in His vineyard.

          We must be dedicated 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