Transcript Slide 1
Praise God In Song Music has an effect on people’s emotions. I Sam. 16: 23 So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. Music expresses some emotions better than mere words. Job 29: 13 ... The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, And I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. ( ESV ) James 5: 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Since it is a part of our worship, let’s examine “Worshipping God in Song.” I. God commanded Christians to sing to Him. There are significant differences in Jewish and Christian worship. - Jewish worship was Centralized - The worshippers were spectators Christian worship is participatory. * The emphasis is spiritual communion with God. Everyone is commanded to sing. Colossians 3: 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Not everyone sings every word of every song at the same time. I Corinthians 14: 26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. Every Christian can participate in the teaching, edifying, exhorting, etc. I Corinthians 14: 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; Every Christian must participate in the Lord’s Supper. I Corinthians 11: 20 Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, Vs. 33 So then, ... , when you come together to eat, wait for one another. Every Christian is to give offerings to God. I Corinthians 16: 1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. Every Christian prays directly to God. I Thes. 5: 16-18 Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks , The point is ; Worship is not for spectators. Every Christian participates. II. God’s command is specific : Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs. Establishing authority Commands General – Vs – Specific God’s command to sing is specific Songs are not sung to accompany or to aid worship, they ARE worship. God specified the source of the melody. Ephesians 5: 18-20 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Our songs are to express the feelings of our hearts NOT to create feelings. God specifies that our singing in worship is to be composed of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs Psalms are : - Sung antiphonal - Very often “lined.” - Used extensively in N.T. worship. - Example ... #745 Hymns are : - Songs of praise, usually about Jesus. - Usually sung monophonic ... a single musical line sung as one voice. - Example ... #10 Spiritual songs are : - Sung with emotion. - Words and phrases are often repeated. - This type could be sung as notes with no words at all. - Example ... #242 God is very specific about the music He will accept as worship. III. In Psalm # 95 the psalmist gave at least 4 guides for worshipping God in Song. Sing congregationally “Let US sing for joy to the Lord.” Cf. - Col. 3: 16, Eph. 5: 19 Sing intentionally “Sing for joy to the Lord.” * Remember, We don’t sing for the pleasure or entertainment of the audience. We communicate the devotion of our hearts to God. Sing expressively “Shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.” Eph. 5: 18-19 ... Be filled with the Spirit speaking to one another in psalms ... Emotion is required in worship. Deuteronomy 28: 47-48 Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things; 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, .... Sing responsively Vs. 2-3 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods IV. When we grasp the majesty of God, worship just happens. The concept of worship is to ascribe value to God / Christ. He is worthy to receive praise, glory, honor. The 24 elders demonstrated the pattern. Revelation 4: 11 Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created The hosts of Heaven demonstrate worship. Revelation 5: 11 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Too often Christians lose sight of the majesty of God. God will not stay in an habitual relationship. Revelation 3: 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. John 4: 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit ...” Like married couples, Christians must constantly work on their relationship with God. We are working to hone our singing skills. Philippians 1: 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, When we worship in song, we offer a verbal sacrifice of praise. Hebrews 13: 15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. * Let’s get behind this project, cooperate with our elders and apply ourselves to building our relationship with God through our singing.