SINGING AND OUR WORSHIP Introduction: 1. We continue our focus on worship. Presently we are considering the actions of New Testament authorized worship. 2. Worship is an attitude, but it is more. It is demonstrated and expressed by actions divinely appointed. 3. The actions of worship have always been divinely mandated. In Leviticus, God stipulated the various sacrifices and how they were to be administered. Likewise, in the New Testament, God has prescribed the manner and the means of our worship. 4. Now, we focus on singing and worship. 5. Music is a great art. a. It has helped shape the past and has a powerful impact upon the present. b. Music expresses the joyful and the sad emotions of man. c. Music is universally loved and appreciated. d. One has said, Let me write the songs of a nation, and I care not who writes her laws.” 1) The songs of a nation express her history, her heritage, her crises, and her values. 2) In like manner, the songs of the church express her faith, her doctrine, her hopes, ideals and destiny. I. PRAISING GOD IN SONG HAS ALWAYS OCCUPIED A PLACE OF IMPORTANCE IN THE WORSHIP OF GODS PEOPLE. A. In the Old Testament, consider these occasions. 1. Moses song of deliverance (Ex. 15) Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord....” 2. Davids Psalms (songs) 150 of them. 3. Solomons 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32) 4. The Temple singers. Dedication of the Temple. B. In the New Testament, look at these passages: 1. Jesus and His disciples (Mt. 26:30, Mk. 14:26). 2. Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:25). 3. Paul to the church at Rome (Rom. 15:9). 4. To the church at Ephesus (Eph. 5:19). 5. To the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 14:15). 6. To the church at Colosse (Col. 3:16). 7. To the Jews of the dispersion (Jas. 5:13). C. In eternity – Rev. 15:3,4 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God and the song of the lamb. 1. In Rev. 5, when the lamb opened the seals of the book, the 24 elders fell down before the lamb, and they sang a new song – Song of Redemption. 2. In Rev. 14, no one could learn the new song except – The 144,000 – the redeemed – the pure and undefiled – those who followed the lamb. D. So Christians should sing! They should have a cause to. II. BASED UPON WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS, IT IS EVIDENT: A. That the kind of music is specified. 1. Vocal music, not mechanical or instrumental. 2. Singing is explicit. 3. Historically and Biblically – The case for acappella (vocal) music (singing) in worship is well-established. B. But, more is involved in acceptable worship in song than merely the absence of the mechanical instrument. C. Christians are told what to sing. 1. Psalms – The heritage of the Jews which expresses deliverance, thanksgiving, etc. 2. Hymns – Songs of praise, reverence and adoration. 3. Spiritual Songs – A song which correctly expresses the thought, facts, and emotions of Christianity. There are certain kinds of songs, certain kinds of lyrics, certain beats that are out of place in worship. D. Christians are told how to sing. 1. With spirit and understanding (1 Cor. 14:15). 2. With melody in the heart (Eph. 5:19). 3. With grace in the heart (Col. 3:16). E. Some things are optional and judgmental. 1. What part to sing. Our songs are, for the most part, written in four-part harmony. That was not the case in the New Testament. All sang the same part. 2. Much of their singing was antiphonal, i.e., one singing to another. Some of our songs are written that way with question and answer. 3. Even song directors as we know them is a judgmental matter, not a matter of law; however, very expedient. 4. So are song books – but our singing would be 100% better if we could throw them away. My point is – we need to be careful to distinguish between truth and tradition. Conclusion: 1. Singing (congregational) is a vital part of our worship. It can lift drooping spirits, it can generate enthusiasm, it can set the spiritual tone for every act of worship like nothing else. 2. It provides an outlet for ones spiritual gratitude in worship. 3. No church can be strong and hearty without great singing. 4. We have already established the fact that energetic worship generates an active, serving church – and great singing is one important factor in such worship.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 09:53:00 +0000
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