NEHEMIC AND ASAPHIC MUSIC PRAISERS

(NEHEMIC PRAISERS MUSIC WORKSHOP) Lecture 1 Presenter: OLA EMMANUEL Director: Holives Music Consult Int’l Website: www.pastorolajazz.blogspot.com Issue 1: What Is Its Essence? The story of the book of Nehemiah is a historic witness to the restoring work of God in people’s lives. Nehemiah was given permission by the emperor to go back to help his people -- Wall is broken down! Vs 13- 14.

The City is ruin!

Issue 2: HUMILITY Nehemiah left his comfort zone (Humility). This is the spirit of Christ (Phil-2: ). Therefore, Nehemic praisers/ worshipers must be ready to leave their comfort zone to get things back in shape. We must be ready to face challenges/ challengers to fulfill this nation. We need the faith DNA (1st John 5:4) Issue 3: (ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT) The priests were also involved in this mandate, which in turn made the Nehemic vision a reality. (Psalm 133:1) Issue 4: THE LEVITES The Levites were responsible for the spiritual leadership of the nation. Singer and musician who would lead in worship were also most often gathered from the tribe of Levi. They purified themselves to be worship leaders i.e. they put God first. Issue 5: SINGING WITH GRACE The Bible doesn’t say the sound of their singing and musical instrument was heard far away, but the sound of the rejoicing, i.e. the heart, the content of what they were singing was heard. People could recognize at a far distance not just music but joy, gratitude, and delight in God. The enormous privilege it is to know him and worship him. Neh. 12:31-36, John 4:24 RECAP I’m convinced that this is what God intend for us in the restrict process. He is taking what was broken in our live and fixing it and the end of the story is that we live happily forever. There ought to be something infective about us whereby people on the outside can see and hear and observe even from a distance that there is something about the Christian faith that is beautiful and attractive. (Thank you) LECTURE II ASAPHIC LEGACY Issues: • The place of the word in church music. • Transgenerational legacy • Unscriptural & scriptural songs in church • The issue of General system Asaph (Who) – He ministered at the Tabernacle as a Levite – when David recapture the art of the covenant & returned it to Jerusalem – Asaph was appointed by the other Levites to raise sound of joy on the Cymbals (1 Chr. 15:16). Later on, he was promoted from cymbal player to Chief musician to invoke, to thank and to praise the Lord. 1 Chr. 16:5. Transgenerational legacy Asaph faithfully taught institutes and ministered will his son and others, who in turn did the same to their son, who in turn taught their son and on down the line for generation. See Pr, 78:1-8. In fact, it was one of Asaph’s down line that received a prophetic word given by Jahaziel 2 chr 35:15 Neh 7:44, 11:17 Asaph and his descendant were purposeful and intentional in passing or the practice and understanding of musical worship to future generation. Their focus – “God is good” For his mercy endures forever, The Place of the Word in musical worship. As Winston Churchill rightfully wrote’ The further back you can look, the future forward you can see. Enough talking about ourselves and what kind of music we like to use to worship God – we need to be grounded in the grace. Acts 20:32 Act 14; The word of God must be our standard for the musical worship ministry Eph 5:19, John 5:13, 20; 1 co 14:26. These kinds of praise music are not conditional. Act 16:25 Unscriptural Songs Issues affecting song worship • The bible says out of the abundant of the heart, the mouth speaketh Minstrels Vs Merry Makers (Entertainers) Minstrels are separated, consecrated for these purpose: 1. Prophesy – with their instrument or voice 2. To give thanks and to praise the Lord 1 Chr 25:3 3. Instructed in the Lords song 1 Chr 25:7 4. To praise the beauty of holiness 2 Chr 20:20 5. For warfare 2 Chr 20:22 6. Skilled 1 Chr 15:22 God Bless You