For quite some time I have been debating against instruments. In this sermon, you will see my points and beliefs on this topic. Please don't judge this sermon based on the first few points I make. This sermon changes view as it goes along…So please read the WHOLE sermon, not just the points.
Argument for Instruments:
1. The Bible says in the Old Testament that instruments are okay. (Many verses support this and the more commonly known ones are in Psalms.)
2. The New Covenant commands us to in Ephesians 5:19; psalms, which came from the Greek word “Psallo”, means to twitch or twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument.
3. Revelations gives examples of people using instruments.
4. If you don’t use instruments, you will be taking away from the Bible; therefore, you will be sinning.
5. Why would God change His mind (used instruments in the Old Covenant, but didn’t in the New)?
Argument against Instruments:
1. Instruments were a part of the Old Covenant and the Old Covenant is no longer binding (Romans 7:1-6, Ephesians 2:13-15, Colossians 2:14, and Hebrews 8:7-13).
2. The New Covenant DOES NOT command us to use instruments in Ephesians 5:19; psalms means sing a hymn (in many dictionaries; don’t just look in one.) It only said sing throughout the New Covenant.
3. Every example in the New Covenant of worshiping only said “sing” but didn’t say instruments.
4. Revelations is metaphorical.
5. If you add instruments into worship, you are adding on to the commands of the New Covenant; therefore, you sin.
I believe that instruments shouldn’t be used in worship, because of the following:
1. I’m not sure if instruments are okay or if they are wrong to be used in worship.
2. If we add instruments in worship, we could have the possibility of sinning; and that can equal condemnation.
3. If we condemn instruments, we could have the possibility of sinning; and can equal condemnation.
4. We don’t have the authority to authorize nor do we have the authority to condemn instruments in worship; God does.
5. The Old Covenant WAS completed when Christ died and the New Covenant was set up.
6. The New Covenant is virtually silent on instruments in worship.
I conclude with the following:
We don’t know what will happen to those who use instruments in worship; therefore, why use them?-especially if there is no command in the New Covenant. I won’t use them because we don’t know if it is okay nor do we know what will happen to those who use them.
God bless as you decide for yourself what you believe on instruments!
This sermon may be incorrect. I haven’t edited it yet.
Introduction:
In this study, the New International Version (NIV) is used. Please keep in mind that any other trustworthy version will basically say the same thing. This study is to inform its readers of the ark of God (also called the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God or ark of the Lord). This study is also designed to inform its reader about Bible facts.
Passages/Verses That Mention the Ark of God:
Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9
Numbers 10:33
Joshua 3-4; 7:6; 8:33
I Samuel 3:3; 4:1-11; 5-7:2
II Samuel 6
I Chronicles 13; 15
II Chronicles 5:2-11
There are probably more passages/verses that mention the ark of God.
Outline:
I) The Command (Exodus 25:10-22)
A) Chest of acacia wood
1) 2 ½ cubits long-45 inches (or a yard and nine inches or 3 ¾ feet long)
2) 1 ½ cubits wide-27 inches (or two feet and three inches or 2 ¼ feet)
3) 1 ½ cubits high-27 inches (or two feet and three inches or 2 ¼ feet)
4) Overlay it with pure gold
(a) Inside
(b) Outside
(c) Gold molding around it.
5) Cast four golden rings for it
(a) Fasten them to it’s four feet
(i) With two rings on one side and two on the other
6) Make poles with acacia wood
(a) Overlay them with gold
(b) Insert the poles into the rings to carry it.
(c) Remain on the ark; shall not be removed.
7) Put the Testimony which God will give them in the ark
B) Make an atonement cover
1) Pure gold
2) 2 ½ cubits long- inches (or a yard and nine inches or 3 ¾ feet long)
3) 1 ½ cubit wide-27 inches (or two feet and three inches or 2 ¼ feet)
4) 2 cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover
(a) Living heavenly creatures in winged human-animal form with the faces of lion, ox, man, and eagle.
(b) One cherub on one end and the other on the other
(c) One piece with the cover at two ends
(d) Their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them.
(e) Facing each other, looking toward the cover
5) Place cover on top of the ark
II) Building the ark of God (Exodus 37:1-9)
A) Bezalel
1) Made the ark in the way God commanded them to.
III) Numbers 10:33
A) The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest.
IV) Crossing the Jordon (Joshua 3-4)
A) Officers said to the people that when they see the ark of God, they are allowed to follow it.
1) They know which way to go
2) Must keep a distance of about two thousand cubits (or a thousand yards)
B) Joshua said to the priests to go on ahead of the people
1) The priests (which were Levites) did as he said
C) The Lord said to Joshua to tell the priest to stand in the river when they reach the Jordon river
D) Joshua
1) Said to the people that the ark of the covenant of the Lord will go into the Jordon ahead of them
E) The priests stood on dry ground in the Jordon while they were carrying the ark of God while the people of Israel passed by till the whole nation crossed the Jordon
F) Took twelve stones that were where the priests were
1) Stones-a memorial for the people of Israel forever
V) I Samuel 4:1-11; 5-7:2
A) Philistines capture the ark of God
B) They take it from Ebenezer to Ashdod
1) Then carry it to Dagon’s temple
2) Set it beside Dagon
C) Dagon was fallen on his face before the ark of the Lord when the people woke up
1) They put him back up but the next morning the same thing happened
2) Head and hands were broken off and on the threshold this time.
3) All that remained was his body
D) The Lord’s wrath was heavy on the people of Ashdod and the city of Ashdod
1) Brought devastation
2) Brought rats
3) Brought death
4) And brought destruction
E) The people of Ashdod had the ark of God moved to the city of Gath
1) The Lord’s wrath was against the city of Gath now
2) Had the ark of God moved to Ekron
F) Ekron
1) People were afraid
2) Asked the rulers of the Philistines to take it somewhere else
3) Death made them panic
4) God was very heavy on the city
G) Ark was in the Philistine territory for seven months
1) When they called for the priests and the diviners
2) Wanted to figure out how to send it back to Israel
3) Sent a guilt offering with it
4) Some of the men of Beth Shemesh looked into the ark of God and were killed
5) Finally returned to the people of Israel and at Kiriath Jearim
(a) Stayed there for twenty years
VI) Ark was brought to Jerusalem (II Samuel 6. I Chronicles 13; 15)
1) Went from Baalah of Judah
(a) Which is called by the Name (or the Millo)
2) Set it on a new cart
3) Brought it from the house of Abinabab
4) Uzah and Ahio who were sons of Abinabab guided the cart
(a) Ahio was walking in front of it
5) Uzah took hold of the ark of God and the Lord struck him down dead beside the ark of God
6) The ark of God went to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite
7) David took the ark of God to the City of David when he heard that the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and his entire household because of the ark of the Lord
B) Ark was brought to the temple (II Chronicles 5:2-11)
1) Solomon wanted the ark of the Lord’s covenant to be moved from Zion, the City of David, to the inner sanctuary of the temple
