Today, Pastor Brad tackles the final topic in our "Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll" Series.   Rock n Roll has been called a tool of the devil.  It has also been used as an evangelistic tool.  It has been seen as everything in between.  The truth is rock n roll is a style of music, just as jazz and country and western are styles of music.  No style of music is inherently Christian or non-Christian.  "Christian music" doesn't exist, only songs with Christian and non-Christian lyrics.

For example, If I wrote a song and set it to the tune of "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," (For those of you who don't know, this is hymn written by Martin Luther, and considered to be a great hymn of the Church.) what would determine whether the song was a hymn, whether it was "Christian"?  The words!  Martin Luther actually wrote hymns and set the words to the tunes of popular tunes of his day, in order that they would be remembered and passed on in a culture where many folks were illiterate. As Brad points out in his message today, music serves as a vehicle to help us remember! 

The point is:  lyrics not style of music determine a song's value to us as followers of Jesus.  Musical style is a matter of personal taste.  Some prefer the rhythm and beat of hymns, while others prefer rock n roll. Who is right?  It's a matter of personal preference.  Or it can be a matter of intentionality as it is at New Life.  We chose from day one to be indigenous in our worship style.  Indigenous means we use the music, technology, dress and language of our culture in presenting the unchanging truth of the Gospel. 

Join us at worship today at 8:45 or 10:15 to find out more about Rock n Roll, and follow along right here this week as we consider what it means that "all things are lawful, but not all things are profitable"!  (See 1 Corinthians  6:12ff)

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Your truth in written form in the Bible.  Thank You for inspiring song writers through the ages to write psalms, hymns and spiritual songs through which we have been able to make melody to You!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may discern Your truth and live in Your love.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.