Topical Studies Power Point Show
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 29:13-21
BIBLE QUESTION BOX
November 2003
Intro.
1. When God’s people were not afraid to offer God man-made worship & service, God punished them for their sinful hypocrisy. (Isa. 29:13-14)
2. When the clay (man) says to the potter (God), ‘you are without understanding!’ then punishment is certain. (Isa. 29:15-16)
3. We must fear God by accepting & following His word (answers) in all things.
#1: Is it considered gossip to hear “second-hand” information concerning an individual’s conduct? What about a church’s? Can you confront that person or church without eye-witnessing it yourself? (Paul seems to do this in 1 Cor. 1:11, addressing the church on the word of Chloe’s household.)
1. “Gossip” is idle talk or rumors about others; it is sin (2 Ths. 3:11).
2. Takes several forms: Slander, backbiting, tale bearing & busybody.
a. Empty, idle words about others.
b. Accusations &/or insinuations which discredit rather than build up.
c. Idle talk intended to turn one’s opinion against person or situation.
d. Gossip can be true or false.
3. Spreading 2nd hand information without verification & without a godly purpose(s) is gossip & shameful to the one who does it – Prov. 6:19; 20:19; 25:9-10.
4. Can we go to that person/church?
a. Yes, one does not have to personally witness conduct in order to discuss it with the person – 1 Cor. 1:11.
b. Why? To verify truthfulness & eliminate rumors – cf. 2 Cor. 13:1.
c. cf. 1 Cor. 1:11; 5:1 – Paul contacted those involved (church at Corinth), which would confirm the truth or expose the lie.
5. If you are tempted to gossip:
a. Work on purifying your heart, Matt. 12:34; 15:18-20 (false witness).
b. Increase your love for others, Eph. 4:31-5:2.
c. Learn to use your speech to help others, not destroy them, Eph. 4:29.
#2: How should a Christian view “Christian Rock” bands? What about “Gospel genre” singers?
1. As neither Christian nor gospel! (1 Pet. 4:11)
2. If it is worship, it is vain due to the tradition of men (instrumental music) & the false teachings conveyed in the lyrics – Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 3:16 (Jas. 5:13).
3. If it is entertainment, it changes the purpose of worship in song – Eph. 5:19 (Gal. 1:6-9; Col. 3:17).
4. It appears righteous, but it does not have Scriptural approval. So, such singers do not have God’s approval – Matt. 7:21-23. Don’t be deceived! (Col. 2:8, 23)
#3: Some might say that using a piano in church aids the brethren in worship. Where does it say that using instruments in worship is wrong? Where is God’s authority for excluding such things?
1. True worship can only be in spirit & in truth – Jno. 4:23-24.
2. An aid: Helps carry out God’s command; an addition changes the action & effect of the commandment.
a. Tools aided Noah in building the ark (necessarily implied, although not specifically mentioned) – Gen. 6:14.
-But, oak wood would have changed what Noah did & God wanted: addition.
b. Saddle, donkey, servants, wood aided Abraham in offering Isaac (although God did not specifically mention them) – Gen. 22:1-3.
-But, offering a servant would have changed what Abraham did & what God wanted: addition.
c. Utensils aid Christians in eating the Lord’s Supper – 1 Cor. 11:24.
-But, eating burgers & drinking coke would change what we eat & what God wants: addition.
d. Song books aid Christians in singing songs (although this “tool” is not specifically mentioned in Scripture) – Eph. 5:19.
-But, playing a piano changes what we do & what God wants: addition.
-Where does it say that using instruments in worship is wrong? Where is God’s authority for excluding such things?
1. The same place it says building the ark of oak is wrong; offering Abraham’s servant was wrong; burgers & coke in the L.S. is wrong!
2. Silence of Scriptures constrains (does not give consent): It is the boundary we may not cross with God’s approval.
a. If silence is consent, then Noah could have used oak wood (Gen. 6:22).
b. If silence is consent, then Abraham could have offered his servant (Gen. 22:12).
c. If silence is consent, then we can eat burgers & coke for LS (1 Cor. 10:16).
d. If silence is consent, then the Judaizers were not false teachers – Acts 15:1-2, 24. (But Paul called them “false brethren,” Gal. 2:4) “No commandment” meant they did not have God’s approval!
e. If silence is consent, then an angel is the Son of God – Heb. 1:5!
f. If silence is consent, then men of Judah (like Jesus) could be OT priests (without being put to death, Num. 3:10) – Heb. 7:13-14!
g. If silence is consent, then we can play instruments in worship (Eph. 5:19).
3. Do not go beyond what is written – 1 Cor. 4:6.
4. If “God didn’t say not to” gives us His approval, why did He consume Nadab & Abihu when they did something “He didn’t say not to” about? – Lev. 10:1-2 (“…which He had not commanded them.”)
Conclusion
Rom. 9:20 – God has power over us; it is our place to yield to His hand.