DID CHRIST DIE FOR ALL MEN?

Ernest Lee is going to wade into the ‘atonement’ debate. Several years ago, Ernest Lee asked a young pastoral candidate: “Do you believe Christ died for the man in hell the same as he did for you?” The young man answered, “yes, I believe that Christ died for all men the same way.” On the way back to the hotel, the young man remarked, “that was not the right answer, was it?” Ernest Lee told him, “you answered the way you believe, but if Christ died for the man in hell like he did you, then the man wouldn’t be in hell.” The young man struggled for years with the doctrine of the atonement because his training had been with those who hated the doctrines of grace.. Eventually after years of study, he came to the doctrines of grace. Now to the atonement:

First, there are really only two ways to look at the atonement. Either LIMITED or GENERAL. Virtually everyone ‘limits’ the atoning work of Christ. The salvation by works crowd (followers of Jacobus Arminius) believe Christ’s sacrificial death made salvation ‘possible’ for everyone. They believe in an ATTAINABLE atontment. Ernest Lee believes the atoning work of Christ is for believers only- LIMITED. It’s not limited in power, but in scope.

Those who believe everyone will be redeemed/saved are Universalists. They are few because clearly not everyone is saved. The Universalists are the only true General atonement folks.

Second, a general atonement view or an ATTAINABLE atonement view is inconsistent with the nature and attributes of God. If God’s plan was to save each and every human person in the world, then either He failed (which He can’t do) or we don’t fully understand atonement. God didn’t have a redemptive plan, and then stepped back and waited on man to take advantage of the offer. He didn’t leave it to man’s will- He imposes His will on man. He quickens/makes alive man so He responds to the call of God. After quickening, man is drawn to Christ. Man experiences salvation, but it’s not the experience that save him- it’s the work of Christ that saves him.

Now let Ernest Lee rebuke some of his younger (and older) allies. Some are militant pugnacious Calvinists who arrogantly declare Christ died for the ELECT only. They use the term ELECT with an elitist tone. It’s as if they believe the Lamb’s Book of Life is a social register. They act like the ELECT are more deserving of atonement than those left in their sin. Being ELECT does not mean someone has earned salvation through good works (past, present or future). The ELECT are the ELECT by the grace of God- nothing more/nothing less. To brag about being ELECT is antithetical.

Ernest Lee is offended when like-minded believers hold their Election to salvation up as some sort of trophy. Where is their true faith? Is it in Election or in the atoning work of Christ?

What about John 3:16? Doesn’t it teach Christ came to die for the WHOLE WORLD? Ernest Lee’s buddy John Piper answers that far better than I can. Here is a good resource on the subject. Here is the link: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/did-christ-die-for-the-whole-world

LET GOD?

A popular phrase Ernest Lee hears is, “Let go and let God.” Carrie Underwood sang, “Jesus, take the wheel,” a kinda practical adaption of the phrase. Ernest Lee has a problem with the expression and here is why:

(1) It puts man in control. It implies a man can have enough faith to deflect trouble. By stating man is ‘letting God’ take control, it implies God is dependent on man’s action to act. God doesn’t require man’s permission to take the wheel or take control. He acts sovereignly- rightly-timely. He isn’t wringing His hands in heaven waiting for man to do something so He can do something. He doesn’t have to wait to take the wheel- he can and does do it without our asking.

(2) It promotes external piety. People who ‘let go’ are viewed as those who have achieved a spiritual breakthrough and are more enlightened than other believers. It invokes the heresy of the Higher Life movement (Keswickian theology) that a believer needs to experience a second work or second blessing from God. That is completely unscriptural!

Believers should be surrendered to God, but they must recognize they don’t LET Him do anything. They don’t grant Him permission to intervene in their lives. Many who use the phrase LET GOD don’t subscribe to Keswickian theology. They aren’t trying to manage God. They believe He is sovereign. They don’t practice external piety. It’s those folks Ernest Lee is trying to educate. Brothers and Sisters- NEVER USE THE PHRASE LET GOD EVER! It flies in the face of who God is.

GOD CAN PAY FULL RETAIL!

Ernest Lee has known a bunch of preachers who believe businesses should give churches and padres a discount off the normal price. “Its for the Lord,” the beggar pleads with the merchant. “Our church is poor and can’t afford to pay the full price,” the mooch cries. Such action reveals an ignorance of both the attributes of God and the principle of economics. Ernest Lee will attempt to educate you on both.

First, God is not poor. Psalm 50 says the world is His and all that is in it is His. It says He owns the cattle on a 1,000 hills. That’s a bunch of beef! Haggai 2 says all the silver and gold are His. Everything in the world is His! He don’t need money. When believers/churches/pastors plead poverty before the world, they expose their lack of faith in God’s ability to provide for His people.

Second, Christ became poor so we can be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich (spiritually).” Christ willingly became poor, even though He was rich so believers could become rich.  This verse emphasizes Jesus, being God incarnate, was originally rich but chose to become poor for humanity’s sake, highlighting God’s inherent wealth. Some false teachers claim God wants all His people to be wealthy. All they have to do to achieve that prosperity it is to buy a book, send a seed offering, or sell their firstborn and give the money to some TV preacher. God gives us riches, but not always money and material wealth. It’s spiritual wealth/riches!

Third, there is no such thing as free. In any economic system, someone is always paying the bill. So when Pastor Beggarly talks a businessman into giving him a discount, that has to be made up in price increases for the other customers. Businesses can’t absorb price increases- they must pass them on to survive. Ultimately every tax the government imposes, every discount given, is passed onto the consumer. Otherwise businesses can’t survive. Businesses can be charitable, but they can’t be a charity.

So if your church- or you- can’t afford to pay full retail, then perhaps it ain’t God’s will for you to have it.

THE SUN STILL CAME UP!

Donald Trump won the general election. Republicans ran the table- got control of the Senate, kept control of the House. So called trifecta- unified government. Conservatives are ecstatic. Liberals are depressed. Trumpsters are saying God had mercy on America. Liberals are claiming God abandoned the country. Some are saying they will leave the United States and move to other countries. Ole Ernest Lee thinks both sides are overreacting.

If Kamala Harris would have won the election. God would have put her in power. He controls EVERYTHING and that includes elections. God is a God of details. God is interested in every detail of our lives (Psalm 139:1–4). He knows what we need even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8). We can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, knowing He will help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Will Donald Trump save America? Will he lead based on the principles and precepts found in the Bible? Remains to be seen. Trump don’t act like a dedicated, consecrated believer. He seems to be more pragmatic and practices situational ethics. Cue the Trumpsters to attack Ole’ Ernest Lee and call him a RINO. FYI Ernest Lee is a registered Independent. He thinks both Parties are hopeless. What is a believer to do?

(1) Pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 teaches us to pray for leaders and try to live peaceful and godly lives. Pray Trump and others elected have wisdom, courage, discernment, protection and recognizes they are instruments of God and it is not an accident or fate that got them elected.

(2) Recognize God is sovereign. Exodus 3:14. He is the Creator. He controls all things. He is in the details. His sovereign rule is not impersonal or mechanical, but loving and gracious. Trump and other leaders can never do something that God didn’t decree in eternity past. God is never surprised or startled by some action of His creation.

(3) Emphasize the Gospel. The Gospel will change America- not Donald Trump. Ernest Lee saw this meme, which comes from the Greek mimema, meaning something that has been imitated, right after the election, posted by many of his fellow padres:

Believers should remember that God didn’t use David because David was wicked. God used him in spite of David’s wickedness. David was a chosen vessel/instrument of God. David didn’t always do the right thing, but the Bible says he was a man after God’s own heart. This meme appears to excuse wickedness for the greater good, but God NEVER condones or excuses sin. Believers need to be careful to not ‘look the other way,’ when leaders they agree with politically misbehave. Sin is sin, no matter who is doing it and God isn’t pleased when leaders commit it.

….and guess what the sun came up on Wednesday November 6th just like Ole Ernest Lee predicted it would.

POLITICAL PASTORS

Ernest Lee saw this Facebook post (yep, Ole Ernest Lee is on Facebook) from this yeh who Eric Metaxas, who said if ‘your pastor doesn’t make it clear to vote against the Democratic ticket, you should leave the church and take your tithe with you.’

Metaxas is a writer, calls himself a ‘Mere Christian,’ like Ernest Lee’s buddy C.S. Lewis. Little Eric was born in Queens, went to Yale and has written 30 kids books. He wrote a book about Ernest’s Lee’s friend Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which Ernest Lee’s friends tell him is not historically accurate and the theology is weaker than Rick Warrens. Ernest Lee ain’t got time to read the newspaper, much less a poorly written biography. But back to Metaxas statement about preachers telling their people how to vote. Should they?

Some padres believe they are called to tell everybody how to vote, what products to buy, where to work, and who to marry. Those who follow those goofballs are in a CULT! Each regenerated, born again believer has liberty to live their life accountable to no man. The doctrine is called the INDIVIUAL PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER. Ernest Lee’s apprentice, John MacArthur preached a half way decent sermon about that. Here’s the link: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/60-18/the-believers-privileges-part-2-access-part-1

But is it appropriate for a preacher/pastor/elder to school his congregation on who to vote for? Nope, it isn’t. Their job is to PREACH THE GOSPEL! But what about the WHOLE COUNSEL, you ask? Yep, and if a faithful minister is preaching LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION, that GOD ONLY MADE TWO GENDERS and you don’t get to change yours and that MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN, then their people should know who to vote for- but do they?

Just because a person says they believe the Bible don’t mean they do. When it comes to politicians, they pander to Christians and then betray them. When it comes to political pastors, they distort the Scripture to exercise power and control over their flock.

Nope, if Ernest Lee’s preacher gets up and starts telling him how to vote or who to support in an election, Ernest Lee will leave the church and take his tithe with him- and I bet you Ernest Lee is a more sacrificial giver than the Mere Christian, Mexaxas.

Ernest Lee wants the GOSPEL to be declared/proclaimed from his church’s pulpit. It is what will change the nation and the world. It won’t be some politician.

UMBLE PIE

The phrase “humble pie” comes from the medieval dish “umble pie”, which was a pie made from the edible organs of a deer or hog. Ole Ernest Lee ain’t ever ‘et that kind of pie, but he has ‘et chittlins, which are the intestines of hogs. They were pretty good, but its been years since he ‘et chittlins.

Back in the 1600s, only the real poor people ate umble pie. It was a dish not served by those who could afford something else. People who ate it were humiliated they were having to eat what many people threw out.

Humility is like that today. Few want to experience it and fewer want to embrace it. Embracing humility is the practice of acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers and that there is always room for improvement.

Being humiliated is when a person is made to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or to have lost self-respect, pride, or dignity. It can be caused by intimidation, trickery, physical or mental mistreatment. In some cases, a mean spirited person deliberately does something to HUMILIATE another person. People who intentionally humiliate others are often called sadists-individuals who enjoy causing pain to others.

Ole Ernest Lee did a study on humility in the Bible. In God’s Word, humility is a virtue that is described as a heart attitude of meekness, lowliness, and absence of self. It is a prerequisite for Christians, and is a virtue that followers of Christ are encouraged to develop.

The greatest example of humility in the Bible is Jesus Christ. Jesus humbled himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross.

Here are some verses in the Bible about humility:

Colossians 3.12-14; Philippians 2.3-8: Humility involves seeking to honor God and looking out for the interests of others. 

Proverbs 22:4: Humility involves fearing the Lord and recognizing the dangers of ignoring His commands. 

Ephesians 4:2-6: Humility involves being patient, bearing with one another in love, and keeping the unity of the Spirit. 

Luke 14:11: Humility involves being honored in the presence of all the other guests. 

Romans 12:16: Humility involves living in harmony with one another and not being proud. 

James 4:10: Humility involves humbling oneself before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 

Ernest Lee’s buddy, John MacArthur preached a sermon titled, ‘The Unparalleled Humility of Jesus,’ that is worth watching. The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_P9JDmjMLQ

Ernest Lee likes to joke and tell people he wrote a book titled, “Humility & How Ernest Lee Mastered it.” Some people don’t get it. They think they can master humility by being meek and eating ‘umble pie,’ but the way you become more humble is by not being prideful. C.S. Lewis said, “Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind…… it is Pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began.”

Another one of Ernest Lee’s running buddies, Jonathan Edwards, said:

The first and worst cause of errors that abound in our day and age is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and mislead the judgment. Pride is the main handle by which he has hold of Christian persons and the chief source of all the mischief that he introduces to clog and hinder a work of God. Spiritual pride is the main spring or at least the main support of all other errors. Until this disease is cured, medicines are applied in vain to heal all other diseases.

Ernest Lee struggles with pride and is often proud he is humble, meek and lowly. I doubt any of ya’ll do, but pray for Ernest Lee that he will will be less prideful. After all- pride goes before a fall- Proverbs 16:18- and Ernest Lee don’t need to be falling anymore than he is at his age.

HELP!

Does ‘God help those who help themselves?’ Ernest Lee has heard that idiomatic expression all his life. ‘Pull yourself up by your bootstraps,’ his pappy used to say. But neither of those phrases (or concepts) are in the Bible.

Ole Ernest Lee ain’t one for Wikipedia, but here is a link on the origin of the phrase: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_helps_those_who_help_themselves#:~:text=The%20phrase%20is%20often%20mistaken,Quran%20(13%3A11).

“God helps those who help themselves,‘ became well known after Ben Franklin put it in Poor Richard’s Almanac. Course Ben wasn’t very theologically sound. He was a deist, which meant he believed in a God who intervened in history and responded to prayer, but ole Ben doubted the divinity of Jesus. Deists also believe in a non-intervening God (He put things in motion, popped some buttery popcorn and is just sitting back in heaven watching the fun).

The Bible teaches the opposite of the phrase. God helps the helpless and denounces greed and selfishness. For example, Proverbs 28:26 says trusting in oneself is foolish, and Isaiah 25:4 says that God helps the poor and needy.  A lot of folks hold a Home Depot view of what salvation is and how God is involved- YOU CAN DO IT! GOD CAN HELP! The truth is- you can’t do it! Nobody can! He does it ALL!

Some of Ernest Lee’s Calvinist friends believe so strongly in God’s sovereignty to the point they justify inactivity. They expect God to do everything Himself. But GOD USES HUMAN INSTRUMENTALITY! If you won’t be that instrument, He uses someone else. His will gets accomplished- with or without you. If you need of a job, ask the Lord to help you find a job – but then be active in actually putting an application in. God could move on an employer to come looking for you, but it ain’t likely.

Those folks run the risk of becoming fatalists. Fatalism is the belief events are predetermined (they are) and that humans are unable to change them. It’s a philosophical doctrine that views the universe as a deterministic system, where all events, actions, and behaviors are subject to fate or destiny. Fatalists believe individuals and their actions have no impact on outcomes, but God uses people to accomplish His will. They don’t change it, but they are His tools to accomplish it.

Ernest Lee and Alistair Begg, the senior pastor at Parkside Church, Cleveland, Ohio go way back-studied at London School of Theology together, but Ernest Lee didn’t pick up any accent. BTW, Alistair is Scottish, not British- he has always had the accent, which he thinks makes him sound smart. Ernest Lee is working on his Scottish brogue.

Begg says the Bible’s central message is God helps those who CANNOT help themselves. Ernest Lee concurs (sounds lawyerly). Here is a link to a message Alistair preached titled, “My Help Comes From God,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35RUoLvuDqw Ernest Lee couldn’t have said it better.

Next time someone uses the phrase- God Helps Those Who Helps Themselves- correct them. God helps the meek, the humble, the lowly, those without hope, the downtrodden, in other words those who can’t help themselves. It’s all about GRACE, not works.

REST IN PEACE & ANGELS

When a person dies, a common response is “Rest in Peace (R.I.P.)” It’s from the Latin- Ernest Lee don’t know a lot of Latin, but here goes: In Latin, it’s requiescat in pace. The saying has been around for a long time, especially in the Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican (Church of England) denominations. It became popular in the 18th century to have it carved on tombstones. But when believers go to heaven, do they rest?

Ernest Lee has a friend who believes in SOUL SLEEP or Christian mortalism. He thinks the soul is ‘sleeping’ after death until the final resurrection. Snoring away but awaiting Christ to wake him up. There is no scriptural basis for it, but when Ernest’s friend dies, he thinks he will be resting in peace. This SOUL SLEEP idea has been around for centuries. John Calvin wrote a tract in 1534 titled, “Psychopannychia,” which contended the soul was conscious and active after death.

This same friend also believes those who die and go to hell are not eternally tormented, but destroyed. That is called annihilationism. Ernest Lee studied that garbage when he went to seminary in Scotland. Again, it ain’t in the Bible. So what happens when a person dies? Do they rest in peace? Do they become an angel? Here are four things we will do in heaven.

First, upon death, the believer enters into conscious communion with Christ. Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43. Paul said to be absent from the body was to present with God- 2 Cor. 5:6.

Jonathan Edwards preached David Brainerd’s (the Missionary) funeral. The title of the message was “True Saints, When Absent From the Body, are Present with the Lord.” Edwards had a hard time getting the font large enough in PowerPoint to be read on the big screen by those in attendance.

Ernest Lee recommends you read the sermon. Here is a link to the transcript: https://www.apuritansmind.com/puritan-favorites/jonathan-edwards/sermons/true-saints-when-absent-from-the-body-are-present-with-the-lord/

Second, we will worship the Godhead. In Revelation 5, John wrote that we will gather around the throne and praise God. There is no church or temple in heaven. The whole place will be a place of worship. Might even be some dancing around the throne. That’s gonna be funny to watch the Baptists when that happens. They have no rhythm.

Third, we will fellowship with other believers. In Hebrews 12:22-23, the writer says we will interact with believers from throughout the ages. Ernest Lee will be reunited with his mama and daddy, his grandparents, friends, and loved ones, but he will also get to visit with Moses, Noah, David, Paul, Peter and his best friend, Christ.

Fourth, we will work and rest. Isaiah 57 and Revelation 14 says we will work and then rest. Not sure what type of work Ernest Lee will be doing in glory land, but he won’t be lounging around, plucking a miniature harp. We will rest, but it won’t be soul sleep.

What we won’t do in heaven is fly around like angels. We won’t be sitting on clouds and playing a harp. We won’t be watching over our loved ones like a guardian angel. Ernest Lee believes that angels exist and do minister to mankind, but they are not dear departed relatives. We won’t be trying to earn our wings in heaven like Clarence in A Wonderful Life. We are not going to be bored, hungry, or thirsty in heaven. We ain’t going to be sad. We won’t fall and get bruised or hurt. We won’t get sick. We won’t sin or die.

Heaven is a perfect place designed for holy people. Ernest Lee will be there because Jesus is holy, not him. Sin and all its consequences will be completely removed. We will enjoy all of the good things God intended and none of the bad things that resulted from sin.

MENTORSHIP

Ole Ernest Lee got to thinking about mentors/spiritual guides/confidants God has put in his life through the years. I’ve had some good ‘uns. In the Scripture, there are several examples of people who mentored:

Moses and Joshua: Moses mentored Joshua early in their wilderness journey, and God chose Joshua to lead the Israelites later because Moses had prepared him.

Paul and Timothy: Paul instructed Timothy to pass on his knowledge, wisdom, and faith to others.  Timothy joined Paul on his missionary journeys, and their relationship grew to the point that Paul called Timothy “my true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). In Acts 16, Paul intentionally chose Timothy to travel with him to help Timothy grow in his faith.

Allister Begg has an excellent sermon on Paul and Timothy’s relationship. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUheTt2lrys

Elizabeth and Mary: Elizabeth mentored Mary, who lived with her for three months.  That seems odd that John the Baptist’s mom mentored Mary, but bear in mind Mary was young when she gave birth to Jesus.

Jesus and the twelve disciples: Jesus mentored his disciples both individually and as a group.  This was the ultimate mentoring- learning from the Creator and Saviour.

Jethro and Moses: Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, mentored Moses after observing him try to resolve disputes among the Israelites.  He recommended that Moses delegate some authority to able men.

Eli and Samuel: Eli mentored Samuel after Samuel’s mom left him with Eli. Eli did a much better job with Samuel than he did with his own sons.

Naomi and Ruth: Naomi mentored Ruth.

Much is made about mentoring from secular and spiritual corners. Successful mentor relationships result in benefits to all parties- the mentor, the protégé, and the organization. Paul recognized the value of developing Timothy into a more effective vessel for preaching the gospel, but wasn’t just about Paul’s desire to see Timothy a better Bible study or a better preacher. Paul genuinely cared for Timothy. Their relationship was more than academic. A true mentor doesn’t ‘lord’ over those they train- they empower- they communicate. What is missing today in mentors is unwillingness to take emotional equity in their pupil. They are guarded, cautious and restrained. Paul and Timothy’s relationship was open and transparent. When a mentor ‘opens up’ their heart and life to their mentee, the training flourishes.

Ernest Lee had a couple of mentors like that. They taught me the scriptures, but they also taught me about life. Because they were willing to emotionally invest in me, I reciprocated. Our relationship grew and God knitted us together. Ernest Lee also had some ‘academic’ mentors, who didn’t invest emotionally in my life. While I appreciate their influence and willingness to disciple me in the faith, my affection for them is much less.

A true mentor doesn’t just dispense information like a vending machine. They develop a kindred spirit like Paul and Timothy did (Philippians 2:20). A good mentor cultivates a true friendship with those they are mentoring.

MUSIC

Ole Ernest Lee likes music. I like to listen to most kinds- country, classic rock, pop, and Christian. Don’t care for rap or hip hop, but each to his own. Worship music is something different than secular music- or should be. Today, it’s hard to tell the secular from the sacred. Praise and worship teams perform a concert with worshippers expected to sing along. Most in the congregation don’t join in. Choirs are non-existent. Church music ain’t what it used to be. The new fangled stuff is repetitive, shallow and profane Ernest Lee’s morning coffee crew says every week. Is that true? Is the new style of music not as good as it was in the ole days? Let’s try to be objective- here’s Ernest Lee’s take on church music- ole and new:

Music is a significant part of the Bible. Singing is mentioned over 400 times and there are more than 50 direct commands for believers to sing.  The Bible says God created music to bring glory to Himself. The New Testament lists three types of music that are acceptable for worship: (1) Psalms, (2) Hymns, and (3) Spiritual songs. ~Ephesians 5:19

Did the ole traditional style of music satisfy the three scriptural requirements? If we are honest, it had its flaws. Like today, most in the congregation didn’t sing out. Many of those singing ‘specials’ were self-promoters, seeking recognition. They were performing, much like today. Some of the old hymns we love had unscriptural messages that were overlooked/excused because we loved the melody. Musicians were cultivated/plucked from the congregation for the choir, so most of the singing was done from the platform- much like today. The worshippers in the congregation, like today, hummed along or listened as the choir and selected musicians performed.

Does the contemporary style of worship music satisfy the three scriptural requirements? If the young whippersnappers who love it are honest, it has its flaws. Most in the congregation don’t sing- they listen. No music is provided to the congregation- just words/lyrics flashed on a screen, so new songs are hard to learn without notes. Many of the P&W band members are self-promoters, seeking recognition. Some of the new stuff has excellent words-others not so much. Often lyrics are repeated again and again and again, like a Gregorian chant.

Ernest Lee’s late friend R.C. Sproul called the contemporary worship music’s repeated incantations 7-11 music- the same 7 words/11 times. R.C. has a really good sermon about Acceptable Worship. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx5pMpfgwVA

Those new songs recapitulations reminds Ernest Lee of his old 45 RPM record of Merle Haggard’s Mama Tried that always got struck on the Mama Tried line. Both style of worship music aren’t perfect.

Music is to be a part of our worship, but true biblical worship must be reverent (Hebrews 12:28). Believers must understand God is holy, just, perfect, powerful, loving, etc. We are sinners saved by grace coming before a holy God on the basis of our Redeemer. There is no room for pride in adoration (Luke 18:9–14). Jesus said worship was to be “in spirit” and “in truth.” From where ole Ernest Lee sits, the TRUTH part is missing in most worship today. Many churches are looking for relevance and have sacrificed reverence. Worship is not about good worship music or talented musicians- traditional or contemporary. Worship is not about expressing ourselves, (shouting, dancing, raising hands). True worship is about God. We reverence and honor and adore Him, not simply because of what He does for us but for who He is.

If the music in your church isn’t edifying (providing moral or intellectual instruction), then it is probably unscriptural. If it isn’t music that (1) proclaims the truth of God, and (2) is intended to lead people to worship God rather than themselves., it’s probably unbiblical. True worship music should cause a believer to think about God instead of themselves.

Martin Luther said: Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.

Ernest Lee says, The wrong worship music can stir up our emotions, but without truth. It can excite us, but without accuracy. It can turn us from self examination to self righteousness. The right worship music isn’t about style- it’s about substance.