<< Previous | Index | Next >>"SERVING THE LORD WITH GLADNESS" Getting More Out Of The Singing INTRODUCTION 1. An important part of our assemblies the act of singing praises... a. We spend nearly a third of our assemblies engaged in this activity b. Rightly so, for it has the potential of reaping great spiritual benefits 2. Singing is an important element of "Serving The Lord With Gladness"... a. It is mentioned in the text upon which our title is based - Psa 100:2 b. There were those in Old Testament times who delighted in singing - cf. Ps 63:3-5 c. Christians were taught to respond to the goodness of God in a similar way - Jm 5:13 3. But I often wonder if some have lost the joy of singing... a. Many Christians sing with virtually no emotion, some do not sing at all! b. I have personally known Christians, who... 1) Complained because time available for classes was taken up by the singing of a few hymns 2) Will not attend a worship service if they know it will be devoted primarily to singing c. In contrast, it was common in the past for people to travel some distance to attend a service devoted to praising God in song 4. Why do such conditions exist? I suspect it may be a failure to appreciate: a. The true purpose of singing b. How we can get more out of singing [To get more out of the singing, that we might truly serve the Lord with gladness, let's first review...] I. THE PURPOSE OF SINGING A. TO PRAISE THE LORD... 1. This is the most common concept of the purpose of singing a. Indeed, this is certainly the idea inherent in the word 'hymn' b. Which comes from the Greek word humnos, meaning "a song in praise of" 2. Praising God should be a natural for Christians ! a. David reacted this way to the blessings God gave him - Psa 28:6-7 b. Paul and Silas even reacted to persecution with singing praises - Ac 16:25 3. Singing is one of the spiritual sacrifices that we are to offer to God - He 13:15 a. As spiritual priests we offer up "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God" - 1Pe 2:5 b. If we are not careful, we might be guilty of offering defiled service to God as was the case in Malachi's day! - cf. Mal 1:7-8,12-13 -- Is not God worthy of our best praise? B. TO TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER... 1. Our singing is not just directed toward God... a. Certainly, many songs are b. But many songs are rightly directed to each other - cf. Co 3:16; Ep 5:19 2. That's because many songs are designed to teach one another a. Teaching and admonishing us to live properly, to enjoy the blessings of the Christian life b. It might even be said that 'congregational singing' is actually 'congregational teaching'! -- Do not our brethren deserve the best encouragement we can offer? C. TO BE FILLED AND ENRICHED... 1. Singing can be a means to being filled with the Spirit a. Paul charged the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit - Ep 5:18 b. He explained how: by singing and making melody in one's heart to the Lord - Ep 5:19 2. Singing can be a means to being enriched by the Word of Christ a. Paul charged the Colossians to let the Word of Christ dwell in them richly - Col 3:16a b. Again he explains: by singing with grace in one's heart to the Lord - Col 3:16b -- For a truly Spirit-filled life enriched by the Word of Christ, singing is essential! [When done properly, singing is a wonderful blessing. How can we get the most out of our singing...?] II. GETTING MORE OUT OF OUR SINGING A. ENGAGE THE 'MIND' AS YOU SING... 1. Remember, singing is teaching and admonishing one another 2. This assumes that we understand what we sing - cf. 1Co 14:15 3. We must be careful that our enjoyment of singing is not like how many people enjoy their popular music (i.e., liking the music without necessarily understanding the words) -- Give careful attention to the words of the songs B. ENGAGE THE 'HEART' AS YOU SING... 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 (without grace in our hearts)... a. Is hypocritical, and condemned by Jesus! - Mt 15:7-8 b. Will be evident in our countenances! - cf. Pr 15:13 -- Put your heart into your singing C. 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. Sing while you work, travel, or while alone in your private meditations 4. Make use of hymns on tapes or CDs when traveling or meditating 5. Take advantage of special opportunities to sing, such as monthly and annual singings -- Increase your opportunities to sing at other times with others, and when alone D. ENHANCE YOUR SINGING BY WHERE YOU SIT... 1. Sitting alone or spread out discourages many from singing as they might otherwise 2. People become more involved, are more uplifted, edify others better, when they sit together and closer to the song leader -- One of the first steps to better 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; every opportunity to sing is an opportunity to learn -- Take advantage of any opportunity to learn how to sing CONCLUSION 1. Singing is like any other activity...the more you put into it, the more you get out of it 2. Increase your joy of singing, and you will get much more out of going to church 3. Have we lost the joy of singing...? a. If we could see ourselves as song leaders do, we might be constrained to say yes b. If so, rekindle this act of worship which can do so much toward "Serving The Lord With Gladness" May David's attitude, truly describe our own when it comes to singing... "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) "Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." (Ps 147:1)<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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