The Barbarian Invasion
April 16, 2013
It’s hard for me to imagine that Jesus experienced the agony of the Cross and all that led up to it, just to free me to live as I wish, do my own thing, and then one day go to heaven. Oh ok, throw in showing up on Sunday, singing a few songs, and listen to a sermon. Still seems pretty unbalanced to me.
Two thousand years ago the disciples of Jesus, did as had been done by many others before them, (Hebrews 11). They placed their lives in jeopardy to share a message about the power of what happened on that cross and the empty tomb that came three days later. It fact, nothing could shut them up not even the threat of death.
Something has happened over the last two millennia. We have lost our way, the barbarian way Edwin Raphael McManus would say. In his book, “Unleashed, Release The Untamed Faith Within”, McManus says, “Perhaps the tragedy of our time is that such an overwhelming number of us who declare Jesus as Lord have become domesticated—or, if you will, civilized.”
Later he continues, “Christianity has become docile, domesticated, civilized. We have forgotten that there is a kingdom of darkness stealing the hopes and dreams and souls of a humanity without God. It is time to hear the barbarian call, to form a barbarian tribe, and to unleash the barbarian revolt. Let the invasion begin…”
Seem a little radical? I don’t think that the early disciples would think so. I don’t think that the underground persecuted church today would think so.
I want to recommend McManus’ book to you. Mass market editions are available for only $6 and it is a quick read, only 144 pages. I said quick read. I didn’t say easy read, because it will challenge you to look again at your purpose. It will challenge you to find the adventure and risk in your walk with Christ. He will challenge you to join the Barbarian Revolution. I did. I hope you will too!
Rabboni...which is to say, Master 
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP?
Do the Scriptures authorize the use of “instrumental music” in worship? The short answer is, YES!
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (NASB)
PSALMS DEFINITION: Primarily denoted a striking or twitching with the fingers (on musical strings), then, a sacred song, sung to musical accompaniment, a psalm. (Work of reference: Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)
HYMN DEFINITION: A song to harp, a pulling or twanging with fingers. A sacred song or hymn. (Work of reference: Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary)
There is the argument that psalms found in the Old Testament are different than the psalms in the New Testament. The meaning of the word psalm did not change when the New Covenant came into force. The Day of Pentecost did not mark the change of the meaning of the word psalm. There is not one verse of Scripture that indicates the definition of psalm has been changed or altered. There is no dictionary Greek or English that I know of that has changed the definition of psalm.
The Book of Psalms defines the meaning of a psalm.
Psalm 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. (KJB –Cambridge Ed)
A psalm was sung with musical instruments.
Psalm 81:2 Raise a song, strike the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp. (NASB –1995)
A psalm was sung with musical instruments.
Psalm 81.2 Bring a psalm, and strike a tambourine. Play lyres and harps with their pleasant music.(GOD’S WORD Translation —1995)
A psalm was sung with musical instruments.
Psalm 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. (American King James Version)
A psalm was sung with musical instruments.
Psalm 81:2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. (ESV–2001)
A psalm was sung with musical instruments.
Psalm 81:2 Take up the psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with psaltery. (English Revised Version)
Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. (NKJV)
The word psalm means the same in the New Testament as it does in the Old Testament. God did not changed the meaning of psalm and men have no authority to do so.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN WORSHIP? YES