All posts for the month January, 2007

Should secular artists sing Christian music?

This is a question I discussed with a friend once.  I should probably give an explanation of what Christian music is first.  The Christian music I’m talking about is music that gives glory to God in its lyrics, whether it’s a testimony of what God does for a believer, or direct praise that is speaking to God in the second person point of view.

LeAnn Rimes, Missy Elliott, Patti LaBelle, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Marty Stuart, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Alan Jackson are just a few of many secular artists/producers that have dabbled in the Christian or gospel music industry.  Is this something that is acceptable and should we even care?  Well, in order to answer this pressing question, as Christians we should look to God’s word since he establishes the principles that believers should live by.

“Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. …

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.”  (Psalm 50:5, 14-17)

“The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” (Prov. 21:27)

“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” (Prov. 28:9)

So, who are the wicked people these scriptures are referring to?  Anyone who lives outside of God’s will (i.e. those who have no relationship with Christ).  In the passage from Psalm 50, God goes on to list some of the sins that these people are guilty of.  Many of them are the same sins that secular artists participate in.  It is no secret that these celebrities fornicate, use drugs, are drunkards, lie, and curse–among other things.

God basically says if you’re wicked, you have no business trying to tell other people about his covenant or anything else he commands in his word.  Since you haven’t established a relationship with him your sacrifices of praise are an abomination and he doesn’t want to hear it.  The only sacrifices he accepts are from his saints.

“… but be filled with the Spirit;

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; …” (Eph. 5:19)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16)

No one can make melody in their heart to the Lord unless the Lord is in their heart.  The word of Christ has to be in us for us to be able to create a song for God’s glory that encourages other believers.

–Harry A. Gaylord–

27 Comments
by Harry A. Gaylord on January 31, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible, Christian music, Christianity, praise, prayer, thanksgiving

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 31, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/31/should-secular-artists-sing-christian-music/

A Prayer of Praise & Thanksgiving

Jehovah, it is such an honor to be able to talk to you in prayer.  I am so grateful that your Son Jesus made it possible for us to fellowship and communicate with each other.

Thank you, God, for your grace and for drawing me to you in spite of my sinful nature.  Thank you for the conviction of your Holy Spirit through your word that led me to repentance.

O God, it is such a joy to know that you are always with me even in those times when I may not feel it.  You are so faithful and I bless you for your faithfulness.  It gives me peace knowing you are my constant partner in this Christian walk.

I am grateful for the comfort you give when I need it and for your loving discipline when I give in to my flesh.  Forgive me for the times when I resisted or quenched your Holy Spirit when he tried to give me godly counsel.

I praise you, my Lord, because you are true, righteous, and just in all your ways.  As you have been merciful to me, I desire to be merciful to others.  As you have blessed me, I want to be a blessing to others.  As you have forgiven me, I want to be able to let go of resentment or bitterness to forgive those who wrong me.

Lord, I am determined to die to myself daily, so my lifestyle can be a reflection of your glory that even if I don’t share your gospel verbally, I can at least share it through my actions.

 Amen.

6 Comments
by Harry A. Gaylord on January 30, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Christianity, praise, prayer, thanksgiving

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 30, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/30/a-prayer-of-praise-thanksgiving/

Let no man glory in men

“For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? …

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. …

Therefore, let no man glory in men.  For all things are yours;” (1 Cor. 1:11-13; 3:3-7, 21)

We see here that Paul is addressing an issue that has plagued the body of Christ for centuries–the carnality of believers as reflected in their placing religious leaders on pedestals.  The mentality behind believers bragging about their spiritual leader is basically ungodly pride in the back of our minds which says “I’m more spiritual than that person or group because I follow this or that preacher who is superior to their favorite preacher.”

Since this is happening in just about every church, it reflects how spiritually immature modern churches really are.  It does nothing but promote envy, strife, divisions, and contentions as stated by Paul.  Although we should give honor to those who rule well in ministry, they are not be worshipped as we so often do.  Church leaders are merely examples to the flock, not lords over it (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

There is only one head of the church–Jesus Christ.  He is the only one who bought and paid for it with his redeeming blood as a sinless sacrifice.  If someone else is the head of your church, your church is not Christ’s church.  All true believers have a direct line to God through our only mediator, Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5).  As Paul states, ministry leaders are nothing; it’s God that is our everything since he supplies the increase in genuine ministries.

An associate of mine once asked one of his “Christian” classmates what his beliefs were.  The classmate responded, “I don’t know.  I’ll have to ask my pastor.”  This is the spiritual state of many church folks today.  Instead of reading the Bible for ourselves to find out what God has said, we’d rather let our leaders tell us what we should think.  So we check our brains at the door as we enter the sanctuary.

As a result, we create leaders who resist the ideas of people who genuinely want to share their spiritual gifts with the body of Christ.  Unfortunately, those leaders like Diotrephes in 3 John want the preeminence since so many praises have been heaped on them.  They feel threatened (like the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day) because someone else’s ministry in their congregation may overshadow their own ministry.  “[T]he eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee.” (1 Cor. 12:21)

In essence, this doctrine became known as Nicolaitanism–a doctrine that Christ hates.  See my post Revelations on the Book of Revelation for more about this hurtful doctrine.

Every true believer is royalty and part of the priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9).  This is why Paul told the Corinthian church in 1 Cor. 6:4 that even the least esteemed in the church should judge disputes between brothers instead of going to secular courts.

The Lord does not want us to glory in men, but to glory in the fact we know and understand him (Jer. 9:24).  Jesus commanded us in Matthew 23:8-9 not to assign lofty titles to our peers in the church.  Even Elihu, the only one to speak wisely to Job and his three friends, knew the importance of this principle when he stated:

Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person [by showing favoritism based on status], neither let me give flattering titles unto man.  For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.  Job 32:21-22

–Harry A. Gaylord–

2 Comments
by Harry A. Gaylord on January 27, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible, Christianity, church, clergy, God, Jesus Christ, New Testament, Nicolaitans, Paul the Apostle

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 27, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/27/let-no-man-glory-in-men/

Is man a little lower than God or a little lower than the angels?

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and has crowned him with glory and honour.”  Ps. 8:4-5 (KJV, emphasis added)

or

“What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!”  Ps. 8:4-5 (NASB, emphasis added)

I was in a Bible study class a few years ago where the above scripture was discussed.  The scripture was read by someone from the KJV and then in discussing it, someone else in the class criticized the KJV for translating the word angels incorrectly.  In the Hebrew text the word used is elohim which, according to the gentleman who spoke, only refers to God.  So he stressed that mankind was made a little lower than God and we are at least equal to or superior to the angels.

Although it’s true that elohim refers to God the majority of the time in scripture, we must compare scripture with scripture to find out what the translation of the word should be.  Our answer is found in Hebrews 2 where the writer describes this Psalm as being messianic–

“Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: …

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”  (Heb. 2:7, 9)

Bible versions, such as the NASB, that translate the word as God in Psalms turn around and translate the word as angels in Hebrews.  Why?  The word angels is how it really should be translated in the context of scripture since the Psalm is messianic and spoke of how Jesus would humble himself to take on the form of feeble humanity.  The KJV translators got it correct because they knew the importance of comparing the whole word of God to make sure they translated properly.  They knew that the New Testament revealed what was concealed in the Old Testament.

But God always supplies us with two or three witnesses as verification, so let’s see if anywhere else in scripture we find the principle of man being lower than the angels–

“And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”  Luke 20:34-36 (emphasis added)

In this passage, Jesus clearly states that once the saints are given their resurrected bodies, they become equal to the angels.  We understand from the scriptures our resurrection is a promotion from our present corrupt state.  Therefore, if we get a promotion to become equal to angels, then we are at this time lower than (inferior to) the angels.

Still, there is one more witness attesting to the fact that angels are presently higher than us.  Peter spoke about prideful humanity in 2 Peter 2.  He talked about rebellious sinners who are so full of themselves that they have no regard for government authorities or spiritual authorities in heaven and how they go so far as to rail against spiritual beings. 

Then in his explanation of how angels in heaven do not rail against other angels like prideful humans rail against certain angels, Peter states in 2 Peter 2:11 that angels are “greater in power and might” than humans.  This means they are higher than us in the ranks of God’s creation.

So, saints of God, let’s not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think.

–Harry A. Gaylord–

103 Comments
by Harry A. Gaylord on January 27, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Bible, Christianity, God, Jesus Christ

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 27, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/27/is-man-a-little-lower-than-god-or-a-little-lower-than-the-angels/

Revelations on the Book of Revelation

With each day drawing us closer to the rapture and great tribulation in addition to man-made and natural disasters worldwide, there are always discussions occurring within Christian circles about things mentioned in Revelation.  I recently finished a study of the book and made some notes and cross-references. 

I’m not foolish enough to try to explain everything I’ve read because I don’t understand it all, but the few things I do understand I want to share.  Some of the notes are my opinions while others are based on what I was able to conclude by comparing scripture.  Since every follower of Christ has the Holy Spirit, he can reveal to you where I’m on point and where I’m off track.

You’ll find my notes here.

–Harry A. Gaylord–

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by Harry A. Gaylord on January 23, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Antichrist, Babylon, Christianity, End times, Nicolaitans, Revelation

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 23, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/23/revelations-on-the-book-of-revelation/

Jesus Christ’s appearances in the Old Testament–pt. 2

The final physical appearance of Christ in the Old Testament was in Judges 13:3-23 when he encountered Samson’s parents before Samson was born.  He is referred to as “the angel of the Lord” in this chapter.  You may ask “Why is he called an angel when we know Jesus is not an angel? He’s the Lord.”  Well, you would have to examine what the word angel actually means.  Angel not only refers to the spiritual beings who carry out God’s commands, it refers to the office one holds as delivering messages from God.  If you read Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the pastors of the seven churches in Asia are called angels based on this second definition.  Therefore, it stands to reason that the ultimate angel, or messenger, of the Lord would have to be Jesus.  Throughout his ministry Jesus said repeatedly that he was speaking what the Father told him to speak.

Now, getting back to Samson’s parents, Jesus appears to tell Samson’s parents what is required of them to raise Samson.  The first clue we have that this is Christ is when Samson’s father, Manoah, asks the angel what his name is.  The angel replies that his name is “secret” in Judges 13:18.  This word “secret” also means “wonderful”, the adjective version of the noun “Wonderful” used as one of the names of Christ in Isaiah 9:6.

The second clue occurs when Manoah and his wife offer a burnt offering to the Lord after the angel suggests it.  As the offering is burning, the angel ascends up to heaven in the flames.  This signifies that the offering is acceptable and pleasing.  No one except God has the right or authority to consider an offering acceptable, so this angel was undoubtedly Jesus Christ.  The final clue is given to us from Manoah who says “we have seen God” after the angel ascends in the flames.

It is clear that all three members of the Trinity played an active role in the affairs of men in both the OT and NT.  This proves that the word of God is consistent and not contradictory.  We serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

30 Comments
by Harry A. Gaylord on January 21, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Christianity, Christophany, God, Jesus Christ, Old Testament, Trinity

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 21, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/21/jesus-christs-appearances-in-the-old-testament-pt-2/

Jesus Christ’s appearances in the Old Testament–pt. 1

The God we serve is very complex in his character and many times it is difficult to comprehend why or how he does what he does.  This is one reason why critics of Christianity resist having the Lord as part of their lives.  When they look at the Old Testament (OT) and compare it to the New Testament (NT), they fail to see how the two interconnect.  They deny that all three persons of the godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) were active in the Old Testament and claim that the Trinity is nothing more than an idea conjured up in the New Testament.

Mankind in his sinfulness is more comfortable serving gods who are created in his image, but the God of true Christianity expects us to be like him because everything he does is done in truth and righteousness.  Critics of the true and living God fail to realize that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are his ways our ways because his thoughts and ways are much higher than our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8,9).  Furthermore, the existence of the Trinity is expressed in the very first chapter of Genesis (Gen. 1:1,2,26) where God’s name is Elohim, which is plural (yet at the same time is singular), and where in v. 26 God refers to himself in the plural.

Careful study of the OT also reveals that Jesus Christ made several bodily appearances, or Christophanies, long before he entered Mary’s womb.  One such appearance was in Gen. 18 when Jesus, along with two of his angels, visited Abraham.  Starting in Gen. 18:13, this man is called “the LORD.”  Whenever the word LORD appears in scripture with all caps, this identifies God’s name Jehovah or Yahweh.  As this chapter ends, two of the men begin a journey to Sodom while Jesus remains behind to tell Abraham that Sodom will be destroyed.  Upon learning of Sodom’s upcoming destruction, Abraham intercedes on their behalf to Jesus.  In the next chapter the two angels who were with Jesus arrive at Sodom to rescue Lot and his family.

Jesus also made an appearance to Jacob in Gen. 32:24-30 where he wrestled with Jacob all night.  Several theologians have said that Jacob was merely having a psychological battle, not a physical one, because of his feeling guilty for taking Esau’s birthright.  However, I have never heard of someone having a psychological battle where their hip gets knocked out of joint as Jacob’s did–have you?  Since Jacob held his own against Jesus in the wrestling match, he was granted a blessing.  His name was changed to Israel, which is proof that this man had to be Jesus.  Israel means “he who prevails with God” or “he will rule as God (rules).”  Jacob had literally prevailed with God by wrestling with him in the person of Jesus.  This was a reflection of Jacob’s spiritual growth in that he could persevere and overcome by faith without cheating as he had done in the past.  Jacob realized who he wrestled with in Gen. 32:30 by naming the place Peniel, meaning “the face of God,” knowing he had seen him face to face and lived.

Jesus appeared to Joshua also in Josh. 5:13-15.  Joshua was near Jericho when he saw a man with a sword drawn.  Immediately Joshua wanted to know if he was friend or foe and he was told by the man that he was captain of the Lord’s host.  Upon hearing this, Joshua fell on his face and worshipped him.  This man did not stop Joshua from worshipping him as any other servant of the Lord would do (see Acts 10:26; 14:15; Rev. 19:10; 22:9 where servants of God stopped other men from worshipping them).  Joshua asked Jesus what his message was and Jesus responded by telling Joshua to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground, which is the same thing he told Moses in Exodus when he appeared to him in a burning bush.

35 Comments
by Harry A. Gaylord on January 21, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Christophany, God, Jesus Christ, Old Testament, Trinity

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 21, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/21/jesus-christs-appearances-in-the-old-testament-pt-1/

Christian symbolism in the breastplate of judgment–chapters 11 & 12

The Christian’s conversion, two natures, spiritual covering, and God’s continual blessings are a few things we see represented by Joseph and the Onyx.

In Benjamin and the Jasper, we get a glimpse of our spiritual perfection, God’s divine order, persistence in righteousness, and the fact that we are God’s beloved.  The word jasper is iaspis in the Greek and is a compound word combining ias which has to do with curing, healing, and making whole and pis which has the idea of persuading, trusting, assuring, and believing. The word can be taken to mean “healed in believing”, “cured by trusting”, or something similar. Our sin-sick souls are made whole by trusting in the Lord (Is. 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:24).

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by Harry A. Gaylord on January 19, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in Benjamin, breastplate of judgment, Christianity, jasper, Joseph, onyx

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 19, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/christian-symbolism-in-the-breastplate-of-judgment-chapters-11-12/

Christian symbolism in the breastplate of judgment–chapters 9 & 10

Are you bearing spiritual fruit for God, witnessing to the lost, and bearing God’s burdens faithfully?  Then you have a lot in common with Issachar and the amethyst.

As Christians, God refines us through trials we face in life.  In the midst of our trials he is our shelter and causes us to prosper spiritually in spite of our circumstances.  These are a few things we learn when we take a close look at Zebulun and the beryl.

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by Harry A. Gaylord on January 18, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in amethyst, beryl, breastplate of judgment, Christianity, Issachar, Zebulun

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 18, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/18/35/

Christian symbolism in the breastplate of judgment–chapters 7 & 8

Click here to read how Gad and the ligure represent liberty, boldness, skill while fighting spiritual battles, and other important Christian characteristics.

In Asher and the agate, we see the power of the Holy Spirit, hunger for God’s word, and strength that endures.

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by Harry A. Gaylord on January 17, 2007  •  Permalink
Posted in agate, Asher, breastplate of judgment, Christianity, Gad, ligure

Posted by Harry A. Gaylord on January 17, 2007

http://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/01/17/christian-symbolism-in-the-breastplate-of-judgment-chapters-7-8/

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