Amos 5:23 is the one that gets me. It basically says that worship music can be offensive to God if not done correctly--with a proper heart and without hypocrisy.

I’m an old time Gospel blues musician who also plays original music and a few secular blues songs. I also play harmonica on the worship team at my church, which has me out playing 3 times a week. I don’t get paid for that and if I make more than $20 at a gig it was a stellar night. I know that none of this shall do anything for my salvation. When it comes to my more secular stuff, I’ve spoken with my pastor and he is very encouraging and tells me that as long as I’m playing to the glory of The Lord he says that I’m a witness for Jesus. That’s a good thing. It won’t save me tho. I know I’m right with God because I’m born again. I’m a gospel believing Christian. I don’t preach sinless perfection but I know the Holy Spirit has done great work within me, has changed and renewed my heart and opened my eyes to his truth and I’ll never be the same as I once was. I have spent about 30 years as a touring and recording musician but I’ll tell ya, playing for God is the best thing ever. I’m grateful The Lord has blessed me with the gifts he has. Hallelujah hallelujah! Praise The Lord!🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤🙏✝️❤️😀

@HI-lq4vl

2 ай бұрын

I hear ya. But ask the Lord, not your pastor. Man can and will steer you wrong, knowingly and unknowingly. Keep on grooving for Christ! 🥰

@braggfamily1123

2 ай бұрын

Secular music glorifies the devil

@officialpoa3171

2 ай бұрын

*You should be OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW THE REAL HISTORY! it is GOSPEL MUSIC that is **#SECUALR**! BLUES AND JAZZ came first! You are under a DEMONIC SPELL 1st **#Corinthian**'s **13:11** ..................! YOUR FREE & ACCEPTED MASONIC PASTOR also knows that both GOD, THE DEVIL AND JESUS are all lies! But he will never reveal that with out your Swearing upon a BLOOD OATH OF DEATH and riding that goat! .....THE MATRIX HAS YOU*

@AndamaJoel

2 ай бұрын

You will know the truth and the by truth will set you you free what's the truth Christ in you.

@officialpoa3171

2 ай бұрын

@@AndamaJoel #LMAO! 1 Corinthians 13:11 ....Son, you dont even know WTH Christ is!

I've held a grudge against my own uncle who is the Pastor for church for so many years that I left the church band and became very bitter towards him and the band leader. I continue to pray that the Lord gives me the courage to ask for forgiveness and heal my heart in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Thank you for this video brother. May God bless and watch over us all Amen.

@GospelMusicians

2 ай бұрын

Wow so glad you chimed it. Sometimes we never know if these type of videos are helping people, but be encouraged brotha!

Decades ago a worship leader one’s said, GOD JESUS didn’t die on the cross and rise from the dead so you can be a musician. GOD JESUS rise from the dead so there’s forgiveness of sins and one can become a Christian, NOT a musician. Be a Christian first for GOD JESUS and musician last.

@edgartellez4394

2 ай бұрын

I agree totally. Amen.

@omega1845

2 ай бұрын

Amen

@Itz-All-Gud

2 ай бұрын

BLASPHEMY! Repent. Hear, oh Israel, Yah our Elohiym is ONE! His name is not JC! Psalms 68:4 Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name YAH, and rejoice before him. Isiah 43:10. Read it!

@SHREDTILLDEAD

2 ай бұрын

* once.

@gospel-keys-academy

2 ай бұрын

Wow 😳 💯 🔥

Great message! I'm not a gospel musician. I'm a Christian who plays music. My walk with Christ is my first priority in life. This being the case, I've had to walk away from bands and playing situations that threaten to drag me back into my old life. It's tough, as I've been friends with a lot of those people for most of my life. This is a large part of why we're not to be unequally yolked with unbelievers. So, my focus is to be right with the Lord and trust Him to bring me together with other musicians who have the same mindset. I'm not the best at what I do, but I long to serve Christ to the best of my ability with what talent He's given me. Hopefully that all makes sense. God bless you.

@petediamonds3950

2 ай бұрын

It makes sense bro

@davepatterson4774

2 ай бұрын

@@petediamonds3950 thank you. Much appreciated.

This verses to which you are referring in Matthew 7:21-23 used to scare me to death until I realized two things: 1 Repentance is the required first step in receiving salvation. 2 Having a personal relationship with Jesus and knowing Him is required; we get to know Him by reading His Holy Word and prayer. If we do these things and abide in Him, good works will naturally follow, and then these verses will no longer terrify us.

You are so on point Sir. What I see with many church musicians is their lack of commitment to a relationship with God. Their playing is merely a gig for them or just a meal ticket. As you pointed out church musicians are exposed to the word of God more than the average church members. So there is no excuse to being complicit when it comes to knowing God and being totally sold out to Him. Thanks my brother for reminding us that we have an obligation to God, ourselves, and to the unbelievers to be true disciples of Christ. Even as church musicians.

Thanks man, I say a prayer every time I pickup my guitar. It makes me feel better about practice, even after a bad night. Sometimes I gosh and sin in general like everyone when practicing, but I repent. Trying to get better about that at least. Music I’ve made is mostly secular, I love Blues and right now have really been in to glam metal. But I think God is in everything. Right down to the microtonal and sonically inaccessible qualities of music. I know at the end of the day, God endowed me with music inclination and I just want to use it for good. I always pray in hopes, that with the power of music I could spread the power of His word. May not be the most stand up musician compared to the wonderful performers of the gospel. But I love and fear thine Lord, with all my heart.

BROTHER.....THIS SUBJECT brings me to tears!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for bringing us to this PERTINENT understanding. We are SERVANTS 1st........we DO this works BECAUSE we are saved,NOT to get saved.........blessings to you and your family brother 🙏............WE NEEDED THIS.

@GospelMusicians

2 ай бұрын

Well said brotha…..I have to remind myself this often.

I have played worship for over 40 years. I never got paid. Lord has made me sit down in seasons.

@Hugh_Manitee

2 ай бұрын

I concider it an offering and an honor to serve The Lord.

@Dadee3

2 ай бұрын

*Lol, you missed out 40 years of blessings. Foolish.*

@Dadee3

2 ай бұрын

​@@Hugh_Manitee*Considering an act doesn't make it biblical.*

@Hugh_Manitee

2 ай бұрын

@Dadee3 Not sure what your meaning is BUT, I never felt as if I should be paid to play instruments in church services. It is biblical to give of yourself to bless others.

@ThereIsHopeInJesusChrist

2 ай бұрын

There, you said it: "I have PLAYED worship..."

This video is absolutely 100% correct. as a musician, I definitely took heed to this video. I pray other musicians do the same.

Thank you sir! This is a timely word! It's about a personal relationship with Jesus. He is not just savior, he has to be Lord, meaning ruler over our lives

Yessir this is a good stuff. I think about this often, BUT lately, it has really been on my mind. Thank you SO SO SO much for this reminder. God help me to stay connected to YOU more than music or any "church routine"!! 🙏🏼 ❤

I have been a worship leader for over 24yrs. You are speaking FACTS my brother.

@mikeconnor4736

2 ай бұрын

A worship leader rightly understood is the teaching elder who exposits with proper hermeneutics

Amen brotha Jamal! When King Yeshua says, "depart from me I never knew you", it will apply to ANYONE who is not in Covenant relationship with Yah. Everyone is not a Bishop, Elder, Deacon, Apostle Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or Teacher. So it can be applied to singers, musicians or any other office that has a function in the body of Christ, as well to any unbelievers. Obedience to King Yeshua is a kingdom principle for all, for he alone is LORD of lords. And the LORD is the owner, those that truly believe and worship Yahweh in spirit and truth belong to him, they are the ones who keep Covenant relationship with Yah. But believe what thou will. Peace be with you all, and Shalom 🔥🔥🔥🙏

@kimwestwood8840

2 ай бұрын

We are IN covenant relationship and abide in Him the moment we are born again. The righteousness of Messiah is imputed to him that believes, John 3 FOUR times Jesus tells us. John 6:40 . 1 John 3:8-9 ...Matthew 7:21 refers to non believers. Jesus knows His sheep. John 10:14

@hopebrowning6300

2 ай бұрын

His name is JESUS!!!!!!!

thank you! It hit me that I at times am afraid to obey the Lord when it is inconvenient. It has been my on my heart to live in complete surrender, and it is definitely a process. Good word, we needed to hear it

So glad to hear this word. I’ve been in Christian music since I was 3. I’ve seen it all and had it all and NOTHING MATTERS MORE THAN BEING CLOSE TO HIM!! Anything that clouds your view of Jesus is something to discard, no matter the consequences. Jesus is King and will accept no other position. Gary Chapman

You are one of my references for "worship" music. I really thank God for your life and you very balanced knowledge and discernment. Thank you for another great video, this is what we need.

Fantastic message. Thank you for this and what a great reminder for us. Hallelujah!

Amen...you are blessed in Jesus name to tell the world the truth which is the word of God, let's be healed!

Thank you for this powerful message, it really needs to go viral. Luke 12:48 To whom much is given, much is expected of him/her.

Thanks Jamal. This was a mature Word to some, but should really be the norm if we truly are following scripture. Your instructional videos back in 2010 were my introduction to Gospel music as prior I knew nothing about playing Contemporary Gospel, but what kept me buying your stuff was not just being impressed musically, but seeing that you had the right heart about what the whole thing is about. I have since studied other styles of music to further develop using other instructors and youtubers, but at the core, my heart belongs to Christ and His will concerning how I use my gift. And that is something that will never change. I appreciate you posturing yourself and expressing openly for listeners right where I know I need to be and where my heart needs to be anchored, and anyone else who truly wants to live a life pleasing unto God and God alone. God Bless You and Yours, Brother! ❤🙏✝📖

thank you for this word my brother, to be honest many people don’t want to hear this but it’s the truth! & i love the truth even tho this hurts. i know this message touched someone out there may God blesss you & your family alot

Brother, I'm Praying for you. For WE all have sinned and come short... I'm first, and I've sinned. I pray for OUR LORD FATHER to cleans me white as snow every time I pray. I've been a Christian since as long as I remember. I've worshipped in many Churches. I've been a member in churches that have fallen apart in schism and sin. I've been given much and I've had more taken away. Our Lord and Messiah lived a perfect life and was crucified, then rose from the dead and is in Heaven. But never once did Our LORD King wake in the morning as a sinner. He never once was under the threat of Eternal Death and Punishment. He says he knows how many hairs we have on our heads. I know that I don't know as much about him. Believe me I want to know, but the flesh is week. Only the Spirit is strong. I am Week and he is Strong. I pray He is forgiving and understands my weakness. The Enemy Against us is also strong. He beats us down time after time. I pray that HE our LORD AND SAVIOR continues to pick us up, again and again, Lifts us all into his grace forever out of this wicked place. BROTHERS AND SISTERS ALL FOR ETERNITY! in THE HOLY NAME OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN!

Thank you so much for reminding me of this we get caught up in what we are doing and forget to humble and do his will in our lives. God bless you brother I enjoyed your video.

Thank you for sharing this Mr. Hartwell. I needed this to improve on my Christian life.

EXACTLY my brothah...Awesome warning sound the alarm. To Yah be All the glory🙌🏾🙏🏾💪🏾

As much as I “thought I didn’t need to watch this” I did anyways. And as much as I “didn’t think it would sit well” if I shared it with other worship team members, I did anyway. All I can ask is God help me. Grateful for videos like this. In my opinion, we are in a time where we have enough patches. We have enough sounds. We have enough equipment. What we are short on in this day and age is men who lead by example. Men who minister directly to Christian musicians. Churches tend to forget about us, or really would rather us not have trouble because it makes the church look bad…I truly appreciate you brother. I’m glad you are telling me to make sure I’m right with God, instead of trying to make my keys rig sound cooler..in church.. Thank you. You’re an inspiration.

I can relate to it. God places application of His Word in our daily lives ABOVE His Spiritual gifts given unto us.

Beautiful word brother. Been watching you since i was 13 years old. I'll be 28 in July. Your videos on music have taught me much about music. Thank you for that! Shalom to you and blessings upon you and your family.

Preach Brother! This word needs to be heard by many as I once use to be one of those musicians.

God bless you for reminding to check our hearts❤️

Thank you for the reminder🙏🏽🙏🏽so much to learn, God Bless you!

Jamel What a word to keep us line. Wow The last 2 videos. More of the these vids. . GM coming at you. God bless you

Amen. Thank you sir for this Word and Video. Mercies oh Lord ❤

Thank you for this message Jamal!!🙏🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼

Much needed message, thanks for sharing

Amen brother a lot of musicians forget they are to preach the gospel to in their channel, that they are given gift to help other but not just in been musician, thanks brother for this incredible help

I read a book back in 2016 that helped me greatly and it is called From Performance to Praise by Joe Pace. If you read this book, your life will change because you will understand who you are in God’s eyes.

Oooooooweeee you are preaching, I’m from Memphis Tn and we’re considered the Bible Belt. So the spirit of religion is so prevalent here, this is literally my hearts cry to musicians in my area!!!

Thank you brother! May God Bless.

Bro this is so needed thank you so much !!!!

Wooow. This is pure and direct word from God. God bless you with more.

Thank you for sharing this.

God bless you for this message Sir

Thank you very much bro. for your advice , I really appreciate that God richly bless you

Great video my friend 👍 Your points are all valid and spot on. God Bless You 🙏

Humility, Gratitude and Mercy.

Thanks so much for sharing this special teaching for us minstrels. We want to hear the Lord say enter in to the joys of the Lord.

We all needed to hear this today

Your sermon was different to most I have heard. God bless you. Your heart is in the right place.

I don’t know of many people as musicians sharing this message you are for working in the church. Most argue about not getting paid and use scripture and sometimes no scripture to back up getting paid. You’re being a leader to hold musicians accountable for the sake of the gospel and their lives!!!!

Great speech.keeps us in line for our God

Amen, my brother, I'm not surprised I'm there with you. I appreciate you, Sir! I'm not knew to anything you're saying, I agree with all of what you're saying. 🙏🏾💧🌿🕊🔥🌹❤️🙏🏾

This was extremely POWERFUL my friend.. Outstanding message.. I love the way you broke this down.. You are absolutely right, WE do have responsibility with being saturated with The Word.. I love this dude.. Amen..

Amen thanks Brother blessings to you and your family

The best message I’ve heard all year.

Very impactful and also a wake up call. God bless you

Thank you. I needed to jear this. Praise Jesus

Real talk Jamal Deep Brother. Great Post.

God bless you, brother but you're more than just a musician; you're a true minister of the gospel.

Blessings senior Bro, much love from Ghana😇

Beautiful video praise Jesus ❤

This is so important for musicians to ask themselves and I'm playing for God or am I playing for me

Thanks for blessing my soul

Loving the new content! Keep it going bro! 😀

That's a sound word. Thank you for sharing the scripture.

Good points. Don't be lulled into assuming you are safe just because you go thru the motions.

❤❤❤❤ Accurate Message for Gospel Musicians Thanks so much Papa Jamal You are one Big inspiration that I watched decades ago and inspired me to start teaching Gospel Musician around 2014/2015 till Date on my Channel ❤🎉 I celebrate you always sir

We are all saved "In Christ", none are saved in self!!!!!

@Itz-All-Gud

2 ай бұрын

Saved from what? Salvation is PHYSICAL, not a spiritual thing!

@markhaney2884

2 ай бұрын

@TIMMAY-jb4gi read the rest of the sentence, it tells you what you have to work out in your mind and heart. Saved by Him not your "works". Still not sure, try chapter 3 verse 3.

@markhaney2884

2 ай бұрын

@@Itz-All-Gud could say, saved from yourself, since the pride of self-righteousness is what separates people from The Truth (Jesus)

Perfect Word

Good word my brother!💯

This is so good!

God bless You Sir 🙏🏽

Great podcast. Thank you. I do believe you must forgive everyone, especially in the church. Music is a ministry. If the spirit isn't in the room, it's time to move on.

Amen. Thank you, Holy Spirit of God; I did not find this message by happenstance ..confirmed and clarified ❤🙌🙏

Thankyou ❤❤❤❤❤ God loves us ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

I hear you loud and clear but this message and conviction is NOT only for gospel musicians but for ANYONE WHO claims The Name of Christ and To them that believe in Jesus Christ… get right church and let’s go home💯👏👏👏👏👊🙌🙏

A good pointer is are you enduring daily conflict, capturing thoughts, wrestling with the flesh, asking God for help? If you are then that can be an indicator that you moving forward. It’s when you stand still and let go of the tension that there may be cause for concern. Essentially it’s about picking up the cross daily. I never think I’m right with God, but I ask Him to help each day. I just trust in Jesus and that He will see me through as He promised, after all I can do nothing meaningful without Him.

This is GREAT 🙏🏾

YOU BETTER PREACH! AMEN!

I love music and i know God called me to bring people closer to him through music and I don't care what any Christian says. Being a lukewarm musician is the problem. But when you are on fire and you speak the biblical truth in the music and not praise yourself then you're doing the right thing.

This is good bro!

love of Jesus on you fam for this message ❤(john 13 v17 )

Brother, I love this! I need to be apart of this!

We renamed the “worship team” to “music team” in our church. We don’t get to monopolise worship, there are many ways to worship and music is just one of them.

After studying that scripture the conclusion is that those are people who were dividers, backbiters, yes unforgiving, doing acts of division, stumbling blocks to those of like faith. Iniquities are to do with injustice but the key part is what he says concerning lack of personal relationship, he doesn’t know them, they not honest about their sin. I think that is what you are saying, not honest, having a zeal for God but not his righteousness. His righteousness is credited to us when we believe his personal promises to us. If we abide in his word and his word abides in us. Well thanks for what you shared, food for thought, really appreciate that. Am 68 on Thursday next. Each 2 weeks I get to lead a small group in worship as we all meet an worship together. It’s not so busy as you talk of but am spending most of my time learning and practicing keyboard after starting last year but in the meetings use ukulele. Aiming for simplicity but writing and prepping for producing new songs. Not super professional but more about edgy simplicity. Well God bless you, I recently downloaded the software not so sure I will stick so closely to using these gospel sounds but they are top of the heap. Well done on producing those sounds.

Amen, our walk and obedience to God is far more important than how well we can play or sing. I would like to add a further warning : "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1 Worship leaders are teaching indirectly by the songs they choose and use. People will often go home after the service and have a song which will stay with them all week - if it is unscriptural or blatantly wrong, then we are teaching falsehoods to the church. We will be held accountable for how WE have lead God's people - that's scary!

awesome

He must increase and I must decrease

Good word!

It's a struggle for many to stop playing the bars. In the church they're telling people to come to the light of Jesus & repent, but then they leave and encourage people to come into the darkness of the bars & alcoholism.

@nhartigan72

2 ай бұрын

@@DK-nq9wv unfortunately yes & the pastor was angered that I even mentioned that this was conflicting.

Sound word🙏🏾

I am a born pentacostal gospel musician for almost my whole life. Amos 5:23 speaks loudly to me, as most people in the pentacostal bands make a joyfull noise but do not have a clue or a teachable spirit to be taught to play music more professionally and to make good harmonies. I do not get paid for the talents i am using for the Lord's service, but strife to become better and better each time

Yeah it’s one of those videos but it’s a good word, I quit music for years because of the arrogance factor but then realized that even though I was punishing my ego I was also being disobedient by not using my gifts. Yeah, much is required regardless of what we consider as a solution. The gifts are to be used for His glory.

Thank you so much for this. I see so much carnality among 'christian' musicians treating it like a job, rather than a ministry .e.g. leaving after the song service, not staying for the sermon, one channel even advised musicians not to sleep with girls in the church they're playing at. God doesn't need music to move or to bless, we're a tool and aid, slightly better than Balaam's donkey.

This really ministered to me

AMEN and AMEN. GOSPEL MUSICIANS ARE WORSHIP LEADERS, AND MUST BE WORSHIPERS OF GOD FIRST AND FOREMOST.👏🙏🙌📖✝️🎸🎵❤️🎸🎼❤️🎸🎶❤️🙌🙏👏🎸

Thank you

Mercies oh Lord ❤