<< Previous | Index | Next >>"SPIRITUAL WELLNESS" How Well Do You Sing? INTRODUCTION 1. This is our fourth lesson in a series entitled "Spiritual Wellness"... a. In which we examine our spiritual wellness in regards to serving God b. Our spiritual checkup so far has included hearing, reading, and praying c. It continues with checking our singing 2. Singing spiritual songs was something that Jesus did... a. As foretold in the book of Psalms - Ps 22:22; cf. He 2:11-12 b. As seen following the Last Supper - Mt 26:30 3. Our singing can be an important indicator of spiritual well-being... a. As an expression of our faith and joy in God b. As a means to encourage one another in our service to God [So let me ask, "How Well Do You Sing?" It should be apparent that there are...] I. DIFFERENT TYPES OF SINGERS A. THOSE WHO NEVER SING... 1. I've seen a few Christians who never sing, even though they attend regularly 2. But this is a direct violation of Scripture - cf. Ep 5:19; Col 3:16; Jm 5:13 -- Christians are commanded to sing, to not sing is not an option B. THOSE WHO SING BEGRUDGINGLY... 1. They may sing, but out of a sense of duty or obligation 2. Obligatory singing, as with giving, is not be pleasing to God - cf. 2Co 9:7 -- If we sing begrudgingly, we may as well not sing at all C. THOSE WHO SING HALF-HEARTEDLY... 1. Their mouths may sing, but their hearts are not in it 2. This type of worship Jesus described as hypocritical - Mt 15:7-8 -- It is easy for us to fall into this kind of singing D. THOSE WHO SING TO IMPRESS OTHERS... 1. Perhaps because they have been blessed with talent or training 2. But like praying, singing to be praised by others does not please God - cf. Mt 6:5 -- Talented or trained individuals should sing, but to please God, not man E. THOSE WHO SING WITH MELODY AND GRACE IN THEIR HEARTS... 1. To praise the Lord a. As did the singers of Israel - Ps 95:1-3; 96:1-4 b. As did those imprisoned for the name of Christ - Ac 16:25 2. To edify others a. As Paul instructed the Ephesians - Ep 5:19 b. As he also instructed the Colossians - Col 3:16 -- These are the kind of singers we should aspire to become [Why aspire to become the singers God wants us to be? Consider these reasons...] II. IMPORTANCE OF PROPER SINGING A. TO AVOID SINNING... 1. By refusing to sing, or doing so inappropriately 2. By making false promises with what proceeds from our mouths -- We must sing, but it must be the right kind of singing! B. TO OFFER ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICES... 1. Singing praises is a spiritual sacrifice that we offer to God - He 13:15 2. From Malachi we learn what God thinks of mediocre sacrifices - Mal 1:6-14 3. Note: this is not to suggest that poor singing due to lack of talent or aging voices is not acceptable, for the kind of singing that pleases God comes from the heart (see below) -- We must consider whether our spiritual sacrifices please God C. TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS... 1. We speak not only to God in song, but to one another - Ep 5:19 2. We teach and admonish one another in our songs - Col 3:16 -- We must consider whether our singing affects others in a positive way D. TO BE RICHLY BLESSED... 1. Singing can be a way of making "melody in your heart" - Ep 5:19 2. Singing can be a way of letting "the word of Christ dwell in you richly" - Col 3:16 -- Singing can be a major source for our spiritual happiness and well-being [Indeed, singing is a three dimensional activity: upward (praising God), outward (encouraging others), and inward (edifying self). That we might truly benefit from singing, here are a few...] III. STEPS TO BETTER SINGING A. INVOLVE YOUR MIND... 1. We should sing with understanding - cf. 1Co 14:15 2. It is the words, not the music, that should be our primary focus of our singing 3. We must be careful that our enjoyment of singing is not like how many enjoy their popular music (i.e., liking the music without necessarily understanding the words) -- Give careful attention to the words B. INVOLVE YOUR HEART... 1. When we sing, we must do so... a. "with grace in your hearts" - Col 3:16 b. "making melody in your heart" - Ep 5:19 2. This assumes that we involve our 'heart strings' (emotions) as we sing! 3. To sing without emotion is hypocritical, and condemned by Jesus! - Mt 15:7-8 -- Put your heart into your singing C. INVOLVE YOUR VOICE... 1. Not to be too obvious, but singing involves our mouths and lips - Psa 63:5; 71:23 2. Sing out as you are able (age, allergies, etc., may hinder, but do one's best) 3. Enunciate your words (aids comprehension by self and others) -- Does not God (and brethren) deserve the best our voices have to offer? D. SIT NEAR THOSE WHO LOVE TO SING... 1. Sitting alone or spread out discourages many from singing as they might otherwise 2. We are more uplifted, edify others better, by sitting together and closer to the song leader -- One of the first steps to enjoy singing is to sit with others who love to sing! E. UTILIZE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN TO SING... 1. Singing is more enjoyable when we are able to read musical notes, sing different parts 2. Churches often provide singing classes, special song services 3. Indeed, every opportunity to sing is an opportunity to learn -- Take advantage of any opportunity to improve your ability to sing F. EXPAND THE SPHERE OF YOUR SINGING... 1. Is your singing limited just to the public assemblies, on the first day of the week? 2. Singing, like prayer, ought to be spontaneous, arising whenever the circumstances call for it - cf. Ac 16:25; Ps 34:1-3 3. Take advantage of special opportunities to sing, such as monthly and annual singings 4. As a spiritual exercise, it should be done in private devotions as well as in public worship a. Sing while you work, travel, or alone in your private meditations b. Make use of hymns on tapes or CDs when traveling or meditating -- Increase your opportunities to sing at other times with others, and when alone CONCLUSION 1. David, "a man after God's own heart", loved to sing... a. "I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me." - Ps 13:6 b. "I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations." - Ps 57:9 c. "I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." - Ps 104:33 2. He called upon others to sing praises both in public and in private... a. "Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints." - Ps 149:1 b. "Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds." - Ps 149:5 Dare we, as followers of the "Son of David" (Jesus), love to sing praises to God and spiritual songs to one another any less? How well we sing (not musically per se, but spiritually speaking) can be a powerful indicator of our spiritual well-being. Next in our "Spiritual Wellness" checkup, we shall ask "How Well Do You Talk?"...<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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