Christian Living

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The Ministry of Music

Hi, I would like to bring to light the things that God have been laying out to me about the gift of ministry Paul outlined in Romans 12:7. Remember that Ministry applies to many functions in the Body of Christ and the duties assigned in the temple or place of worship.

In the last article God had me focus on the Deacons ministry and how was it established in the book of Acts 6:1-6, along with Paul’s outline in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. However, under the same title Ministry we have other ministries that need to be mentioned so that we do not fall short of understanding or acknowledging the other responsibilities in the church.

Paul limited his list of gifts in Romans chapter 12 but expanded in 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14.Paul not only gave us a list of ministry gifts and spiritual gifts and instructions on how to develop them, Paul also gave us the order of services that a church congregation should operate under to be effective for the kingdom of God.

Paul had to write in greater detail about the spiritual gifts and ministry gifts in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and share the differences between the two. Then in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 he said that bottom line we can be anointed with many gifts but if we don’t have LOVE it doesn’t mean anything. Then Paul goes into great deal about the simple gift of prophecy and how it’s used and how the gift of tongues and interpretations are to be used in a proper order during church services in 1 Corinthians chapter 14.

And Paul gave us an idea of how a service ought to function; How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm (or hymn, song), has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification 1 Corinthians 14:26.

I’m not going to teach about tongues now. I want to focus on the music ministry. Paul doesn’t go into the music ministry deeply because God used David to bring music into the house of the Lord where the Ark was and then God gave David the order of music ministry that was to be performed when Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem.

These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the Lord after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them 1 Chronicles 6:31-32. The list of men that’s spoken about here is found in the entire chapter 6:1-30.

Old Testament and New Testament

Most scholars, Pastors, and immature believers all wrestle with the structure of worship from Old Testament and New Testament. Paul gave us insight to understanding the two he said, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

So the doctrine of music ministry can be included from Old-to-New Testaments. The cautionary measures is that we don’t go back to killing animals for sacrifices or hold feast or festivals that have been a done away with only because it found it’s fulfillment in Jesus Christ (See the book of Hebrews to see which things have been done away with as the writer makes it plain.)

However, the simple gift of singing, prophesying thru songs, poems (poetic utterances), and worship music all has its place in the Old and New Testaments. This hasn’t been done away with it should be thriving even better and thank God it is with the anointed musicians we have today.

The Service of Music in the Temple

David,…set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals… 1 Chronicles 25:1.

These men sang by divine inspiration as the instruments were playing. They had David’s songs in the Psalms that he wrote which was often used but they had a unique anointing to sing by divine inspiration.

The way we can be used in this capacity is when we are really deep with our walk with God and we know scripture God can turn on the gift of prophecy as music is being played and we can sing, poetically say or speak God’s word. This happened to me in a few services I was singing in. Shirley Caesar, Israel Houghton, Darlene Zschech and many others are anointed in this capacity. They speak and sing under divine inspiration.

This type of anointing and gift of music is for those who are set apart, consecrated and dedicated on serving God. It’s not just singing talent, it is something deeper.

Singing Praise and Thanksgiving

The other ministers of music David set up were the Praise and Thanksgiving worshippers 1 Chronicles 25:3. We can sing effectively if we literally been touched by God in many areas of our lives individually and collective as a congregation. When God has demonstrated His power on your behalf or on the behalf of the church we have something to praise Him for.

Miriam Moses’ sister led in praise and thanksgiving when God brought Israel over the Red Sea and drowned the Egyptians Exodus 15:1-21.
There many more examples in scripture.

Instrumental Music

Musicians who don’t sing but just play an instrument also have a unique ability to play an instrument under a powerful anointing. David played the harp to bring deliverance to King Saul of Israel when he would be afflicted by a spirit of depression (See 1 Samuel 16:15-23).

So, the music ministry is not to be taken lightly. We must seek to be instruments of God by using our instruments to minister music.

Anointed Musicians

Those who God called to the ministry of music should be honored because often God will require that you minister music before the Anointing comes upon a minister to preach, prophesy or teach. We see an example of this in the prophet Elisha's ministry. He could not prophesied until the anointing came upon him and in one occasion he called for a minstrel. When the minstrel played his musical instrument, the Holy Spirit came upon Elisha (see 2 Kings 3:15-16)

Musicians need to be anointed and ready for use because without them preachers, pastors, leaders, cannot enter into the Spirit so they may minister. We all need each other to move under a powerful anointing because we are the Body of Christ.

Living the Anointed Life

David took consecrated men and placed them in the temple to minister music. This echoes a big warning that we too must ordain those who God has called to the music ministry with a godly character and not just allow anyone in the ministry of music if they are not living a Christian lifestyle.

This is where Paul picked up in explaining our conduct to be effective ministers especially in the music ministry.

Paul said, see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:15-19).

Therefore, if we line up these verses of scripture in Ephesians 5:15-19 with Acts 6:1-6, as they looked for 3 major qualities for ministry;

1. Honest Report

2. Full of the Holy Spirit

3. And wisdom

Paul and David were successful leaders in that they knew what God wanted when it came to the ministry of music. We should continue the legacy and please the Lord as we endeavor to set apart those for this area of ministry. May God bless you to make your ministry of music effective as you obey the outline given to us by Paul and David, Amen.

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