If you walk in the modern-day denominational church you will get caught off guard and think that you just walked into a concert hall. The use of musical instruments in “church” services is nothing new. People use them because it is “cool” or “it makes the music sound better” or just the plain “I like it better with the music.” It is important to understand that worship is not for us humans but to praise our Heavenly Father who is in Heaven. Ephesians 5:19 says “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” It doesn’t say anything about plucking a guitar or beating a drum. In Genesis 6:14 God told Noah to make an ark of gopherwood. God did not have to tell him not to use oak, pine, or spruce, by saying “do it with this” there is an omittance of everything else that was not said. This can be carried to Ephesians 5:19 when God said singing and making melody in your heart that omits all other forms of worship, musical instruments included.             Some may say that David used a harp in 1 Samuel 16:23 to make the evil spirit go away. Although it did ease Saul, for music can be very therapeutic, we are not told that it did not ease God. One can argue that if it wasn’t said, one cannot assume whatever is not said. Let’s say your boss tells …

This article is a continuation of last week’s article. If you were unable to read Part 1, you can find it on our website, www.mountvernonchurchofchrist.org. Alongside the immodest dress that is associated with the prom, another thing to consider is the activity associated with the event. Based on the clothing, we have already established the real issue and temptation of lust for those who are present. Combine this with the main event of the dancing that occurs, and what we have is a real problem. The type of dancing that is most often associated with the prom is dancing that places the two very close to each other, moving in suggestive manners, and adding fuel to a lust-filled fire. This perhaps helps to explain why it is not uncommon for teenagers to become sexually involved on their prom night – especially when one considers the prevalence of alcohol and drugs at many of the after-parties.[1] Is this the type of event that we as Christians should want to take part in or encourage our children to attend? We are called to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). We are not to walk “in lewdness” or “lusts” like those of the world (1 Pet. 4:3). Such “immorality, impurity, and sensuality” are noted as being “works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21, NASB). To actively take part in any work of the flesh is not to live as a Christian. Despite the dangers of the prom, many …

Hair stylists, dress shops, and tuxedo rentals all love this time of year because it is prom season. During the spring, most all juniors and seniors have their formal event where they dress up, take pictures, eat a meal, and dance. Schools encourage all eligible students to attend, parents want their children to have their big night, and peers find it strange when one does not desire to attend. Prom has become a rite of passage for teenagers. Society says one should attend, but as Christians, we must understand that our culture, our schools, our parents, or our peers are not our guides – God’s word is the guide by which we ought to live our lives. Therefore, it is God’s word to which we should turn to determine whether we as Christians should be supporting or attending the prom. One thing to take into consideration is the dress that is most often associated with the prom. While above I mention that prom is a time to “dress up,” in all reality, prom is a time in which most actually dress down. The guys wear their tuxedos, but the girls almost always wear tight, revealing dresses. Many dresses that are in style today may reach the floor, but they have a slit that comes all the way up the leg, past the thigh, and reach the hip. Dresses might be covered in the front, but there is little fabric to be found on the back. Some dresses might be an …

In our Sunday evening class on prayer, we recently examined Jesus’ prayer in John 17. Before Jesus finds Himself betrayed and arrested in Gethsemane, we find Him lifting “up His eyes to heaven” and praying to God (Jn. 17:1, NKJV). Jesus first prays to God concerning Himself (Jn. 17:1-5). Next, Jesus prays to God concerning His disciples who were present with Him (Jn. 17:6-19. Lastly, Jesus prays for all “those who … believe in [Him] through [His disciples’] word” (Jn. 17:20). This means that Christ Jesus prays for us! Jesus knew what was soon to come His way in His betrayal, arrest, unjust trial, and crucifixion, yet He still prays for us.  Understanding that Jesus prays specifically for us ought to motivate us to pay careful attention to what His request to God is on our behalf. As Jesus prays to God for us, He prays for our unity (Jn. 17:20-23). God has done His part in answering the prayer of Jesus. God, through His holy, all-inspired, breathed-out word “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). It is through His word that we find what “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” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God’s word is the means by which we can know if we are living right by Him. This means that God’s word is that which teaches how to …

Next Sunday begins our Gospel Meeting. Brother B.J. Clarke will be with us from the Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, Tennessee. The theme of this year’s meeting is “The Faith That Saves.” Each lesson will examine a different aspect of saving faith, such as how saving faith admits, submits, trusts, obeys, is the only faith, and diligently seeks God. While these lessons will certainly be valuable to those who may not be members of the Lord’s body, Brother Clarke’s lessons will also be valuable to those of us who already have a saving faith. As we listen to Brother Clarke’s lessons (or any lesson for that matter), may we always look for where and how it is we can continue to grow and strengthen our faith.  As we prepare for the lessons at the Gospel Meeting, let us first prepare ourselves. Before any study of God’s word, be it in worship, class, or private study, we should always come to the table ready to learn without allowing any preconceived notions or ideas to cloud our view. For example, we might already have an idea of what faith is, but it is possible that our understanding of faith might be challenged. We need to ready ourselves to learn from God’s word – even if we think we already know the subject being taught. This type of readiness requires humility. To ready ourselves to learn, we must readily admit that we might not have it all figured out and that there …