1. Conquering The Music Mountain
Daniel 3

2. 7 Mountains That Influence Culture
LifeBridge
Business
Religion
Family
Government
Education
Arts &
Entertainment
Media
Life On Mission
Figure 15

3. Kingdom Of God

4. Arts & Entertainment
Designed to be an expression of celebrating our Creator and His creation.
The Scriptures (1) recognizes music as a means for praise (Acts 16:25; Rom 15:9 [originally sung]), a means of expressing joy (Jam 5:13), thanksgiving (Psa 92:1-3), sorrow for sin (Is. 16:10), a means of prayer (1Co 14:15; Psa 72:20), and a means of teaching and spiritual communication (Col 3:16; Eph 5:19). Biblical music makers are professional (1Ch 15:22; 25:7; Is. 5:11-12; Ez. 33:32), as well as nonprofessional (Psa 100; 1Ki 1:39-40; 1Co 14:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). There are those who direct music (Psa 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, etc.; Neh. 12:8) and teach music (1Ch 15:22). The people of the Bible overflow with music in every circumstance, including cultural uses placed in positive (1Sa 18:7) and negative terms (Eze 33:32). Music sounded in every aspect of life--work, play, celebration, and even war (Is. 16:10; Jer 48:33; Mat 11:17; Luk 15:25; Gen 31:27; Exo 32:17-18; Ecc 2:8; Jdg 11:34-35; 2Sa 19:35).

5. “Ever-living” Spiritual Family
Divine Reason For Life
Birth Of Children
Creator
“Ever-living” Spiritual Family
REPRODUCTION
GOD
Resurrection

6. God’s Cultural Mandates
Stewardship
Gen. 1:27-28; 2:15
Creativity
“image of God”
Gen. 2:9, 15, 23
Arts and Entertainment should reflect the glory and majesty of our Creator. May we be instruments to celebrate His creativity in the arts, music, sports, fashion, entertainment, and every other way we celebrate and enjoy life. .
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? - Ecclesiastes 2.24
"Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants" (Revelation 2:20).
Moreover David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments and cymbals (1 Chronicles 25:1).
And it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place…and the Levites who were singers…stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets- indeed it came to pass, when the trumpets and the singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord saying; For He is good, For His mercy endures forever, that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God (2 Chronicles 5:11-14).
God communicated to man through a variety of ways. May we restore the ability to communicate truth and good news using His creative avenues.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isaiah 52.7).
As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country (Proverbs 25:25).
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things (Isaiah 52:7).
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me, to preach good tidings to the poor: He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound" (Isaiah 61:1).

7. Media: Voice For God
Communication is our business (Romans 10)
Send Proclaim
Hear Believe
Call

8. The Social Media Challenge

9. Music In The Bible
Sounded in every aspect of life--work, play, celebration, expressing joy, thanksgiving, sorrow for sin, prayer, and even war
Music
A Means for praise (Acts 16:25; Rom 15:9 [originally sung]),
A means of expressing joy (Jam 5:13), thanksgiving (Psa 92:1-3), sorrow for sin (Is. 16:10),
A means of prayer (1Co 14:15; Psa 72:20)
A means of teaching and spiritual communication (Col 3:16; Eph 5:19).
Music sounded in every aspect of life--work, play, celebration, and even war (Is. 16:10; Jer 48:33; Mat 11:17; Luk 15:25; Gen 31:27; Exo 32:17-18; Ecc 2:8; Jdg 11:34-35; 2Sa 19:35).

10. Music Prophesies 1 Chronicles 25:1 2 Chronicles 5:11-14
Music In The Bible
Music Prophesies
1 Chronicles 25:1
2 Chronicles :11-14
2 Chronicles :14-ff

11. Culture & Worldview Internal Culture Worldview External Culture
Worldview and internal culture drive one’s focus and response in external culture

12. Music In The Bible
Music Perverted
Exodus 32
Golden Calf
Daniel 3

13. Music Tests (Ed Stetzer & Elmer Towns)
1. Message Test
Examine the words & overall message
Is it understandable?
Consistent with the message of God in Scripture?
1. Message Test
This may be the simplest of all the tests. Examine the words of the song and consider its message. Does this song communicate the Word of God? Does the message appeal to our higher nature, or do the words appeal to our lower nature? If we seek to glorify God, it's important that the message of the songs be consistent with what God has already told us in Scripture.

14. Music Tests (Ed Stetzer & Elmer Towns)
2. Purpose Test
What is it trying to promote or encourage?
What mood?
What choices?
2. Purpose Test
All music was written with a purpose in mind. Here we ask, "For what purpose was this song written?" or "What is this trying to promote or encourage?" Determine whether the music is sad, joyful, uplifting or soothing. Music that may be appropriate at one time may not be appropriate at another. Some music may even be intended to promote sinful choices or ways of thinking. When we apply the purpose test to our music, we choose songs whose purpose lines up with our own as Christians and the values of our local church.
3. Association Test
No music exists in a vacuum. An otherwise good song may be rejected because of its associations. The key question for this test is, "What does the music bring to mind in the heart of the worshipper?" Don't confuse the question. It's not what does it inspire in my heart, but what does it inspire in the heart of the worshipper.
This will depend on the context. When I spoke to a group of pastors, some of whom were Jamaican, they agreed that a variety of musical styles could be appropriate for their churches, but not reggae. For them, that style of music was about drugs. I then asked if it would be OK to use reggae music in my church where it does not have the same connotation. They agreed. The music was not the problem, the association was.
For example, many believe rap music connected to violence and misogyny. To others, however, it can simply be a vehicle to rage against sin and "the world powers of darkness" (Eph. 6:12 HCSB).

15. Music Tests (Ed Stetzer & Elmer Towns)
2. Purpose Test
What emotions?
What actions?
2. Purpose Test
All music was written with a purpose in mind. Here we ask, "For what purpose was this song written?" or "What is this trying to promote or encourage?" Determine whether the music is sad, joyful, uplifting or soothing. Music that may be appropriate at one time may not be appropriate at another. Some music may even be intended to promote sinful choices or ways of thinking. When we apply the purpose test to our music, we choose songs whose purpose lines up with our own as Christians and the values of our local church.
3. Association Test
No music exists in a vacuum. An otherwise good song may be rejected because of its associations. The key question for this test is, "What does the music bring to mind in the heart of the worshipper?" Don't confuse the question. It's not what does it inspire in my heart, but what does it inspire in the heart of the worshipper.
This will depend on the context. When I spoke to a group of pastors, some of whom were Jamaican, they agreed that a variety of musical styles could be appropriate for their churches, but not reggae. For them, that style of music was about drugs. I then asked if it would be OK to use reggae music in my church where it does not have the same connotation. They agreed. The music was not the problem, the association was.
For example, many believe rap music connected to violence and misogyny. To others, however, it can simply be a vehicle to rage against sin and "the world powers of darkness" (Eph. 6:12 HCSB).

16. Music Tests (Ed Stetzer & Elmer Towns)
3. Association Test
Does it conflict or confuse who the Bible teaches “what God is like”
Exodus 32
Golden Calf
3. Association Test
No music exists in a vacuum. An otherwise good song may be rejected because of its associations. The key question for this test is, "What does the music bring to mind in the heart of the worshipper?" Don't confuse the question. It's not what does it inspire in my heart, but what does it inspire in the heart of the worshipper.
This will depend on the context. When I spoke to a group of pastors, some of whom were Jamaican, they agreed that a variety of musical styles could be appropriate for their churches, but not reggae. For them, that style of music was about drugs. I then asked if it would be OK to use reggae music in my church where it does not have the same connotation. They agreed. The music was not the problem, the association was.
For example, many believe rap music connected to violence and misogyny. To others, however, it can simply be a vehicle to rage against sin and "the world powers of darkness" (Eph. 6:12 HCSB).

17. Music Tests (Ed Stetzer & Elmer Towns)
 4. Memory Test
Does the music bring back things in my past that I have left?
Does it appeal to my flesh or my spirit
4. Memory Test
Memories and past experiences are often associated with significant songs. This can be positive or negative. The memory test asks, "Does the music bring back things in your past that you have left?" Remember, repentance is a significant step in conversion. If you have left the darkness, don't sing songs that make you want to return. This is often a personal issue, as some may struggle with memories associated with a song that can be enjoyed free of those thoughts by other Christians.
Listening to contemporary music does not cause a senior adult to sin...
This means no one can claim a style of music they don't enjoy violates some policy of "offending our brother." That's not scriptural. What the Bible does teach is that we ought to avoid a practice if it causes people to sin. Listening to contemporary music does not cause a senior adult to sin, though it may offend. There is a distinct difference between the two.
5. Emotions Test
Music stirs our emotions—both negative and positive ones. The emotions test asks, "Does the music stir our negative or sinful feelings?" Christian music should stir our passion for godliness, prayer and righteous living. If music causes you to crave sin, it is wrong; no matter how innocent it may appear. We should always evaluate how music affects us emotionally.
6. Understanding Test
This seeks to determine which type of music we understand the best. Some people enjoy and understand classical music, while some don't. Others enjoy and understand country/western (though I'm not sure why). Other people—also known as "those who are right"—hate it. Those who appreciate classical music would find it easier to worship God listening to a recording of Handel's Messiah than a southern gospel quartet. This will depend on the person, their tastes and what it is that best encourages their worship.
7. Music Test
This test, like many of the others, is a "cultural" test that will differ from place to place. It looks at the song to determine its merits based on hymnology. Is the song singable? Does it make your heart join in the song? A song may have Christian words and be sung by a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ, but the music can be flat and leave the audience empty. That particular song will probably pass out of existence because it fails the music test.

18. God’s Plan To Win The World
WORD
WITNESS
WORLD
C H R I ST IAN
GOD
God’s desire for money/material possessions
1. To see money moved from the wicked world to the body of Christ
(Proverbs 13:22, 28:8, Ecclesiastes 2:26 & Isaiah 60:11)
As we draw near to the end times, it would appear that these scriptures will be part of the inheritance that the church must take hold of and aggressively demand that the devil release. These studies aim to quicken and strengthen the faith of believers for finances and see a harvest come in - preferably at the expense of the wicked
2. To see money moved from rich Christians to poor Christians
(James 2:15-17 & 1 John 3: )
3. To see money moved from the body of Christ into the work of Christ,
instead of into worldly possessions. (Mark 4:18 & Luke 12:15)
WORLD