The Joy of Singing
A. AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF OUR WORSHIP IS SINGING PRAISES.
B. OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS DELIGHTED IN SINGING( Psa. 146:1-2 ).
C. A UNIQUE EXPRESSION OF JOY( James 5:13 ).
D. HAVE WE LOST THE JOY OF SINGING?
1. Many Christians sing with virtually no emotion or don't sing at all.
2. We used to have "valley-wide" singings. What happened?
E. WHY DO SUCH CONDITIONS EXIST? MAY BE A FAILURE TO:
1. Appreciate the true purpose of singing.
2. Know how we can get more out of singing.
A. TO PRAISE THE LORD( Acts 16:25 ).
1. This is the most popular concept of the purpose of singing.
a. Indeed, this is certainly the idea inherent in the word "HYMN"
b. From the Greek, HUMNOS, meaning "a song in praise of"
2. Praising God should be a natural for Christians!
a. David reacted this way to the God's blessings( Psa. 28:6-7 ).
b. How much more should we!
3. As "priests" we offer "sacrifices acceptable to God"( 1 Pet. 2:5 ).
a. Singing is a "spiritual sacrifices" that we offer to God( Heb. 13:15 ).
b. Might we offer defiled service to God?( Mal. 1:7-8, 12-13 ).
B. TO TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER( Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19 ).
1. Teaching and admonishing us to live properly, enjoying our blessings.
2. Congregational singing" is "congregational teaching!"
3. Singing is a way we can encourage our brethren and ourselves as well!
A. WE MUST ENGAGE THE "INTELLECT" AS WE SING
1. Remember, singing is "teaching and admonishing one another."
a. This assumes that we UNDERSTAND what we sing( 1 Cor. 14:15 ).
b. Not just for the entertainment or pleasure of the sound.
2. Therefore, give careful attention to the WORDS of the song
B. WE MUST ALSO ENGAGE THE "EMOTIONS" AS WE SING.
1. When we sing, we must do so...
a. "with grace in our hearts"( Col. 3:16 ).
b. "making melody in your heart"( Eph. 5:19 ).
2. To sing without EMOTION (without grace in our hearts)...
a. Will be evident in our countenances!( Prov. 15:13 ).
b. Is hypocritical, and condemned by Jesus!( Matt. 15:7-8 ).
A. DO YOU LIMIT THE SPHERE OF YOUR SINGING?
1. Is your singing limited to the assemblies? Do you sing alone, or with others?
2. Singing ought to be spontaneous, arising when circumstances call for it
( Acts 16:25; Psa. 34:1-3 ).
B. IS THERE LACK OF EMOTION IN YOUR SINGING?
1. As in all that we do for the Lord, with "all" our hearts!( Matt. 22:37 ).
2. We should not praise the Lord "half-heartedly."Remember( Matt. 15:7-9 ).
3. We all can and should bless the Lord with their "whole being"!( Psa. 103:1 ).
C. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SINGING?
1. Some songs can be so complicated as to hinder understanding.
a. Pace of the song can be so fast we don't absorb the meaning of words.
b. The words may be unusual and not understood by the average singer.
3. Song leaders can help by being careful in the songs they select to lead
a. Carefully introducing songs that may be new to the congregation.
b. Taking time to explain the meaning of the song or unusual words in it.
4. The ultimate responsibility falls on us who sing
D. DO YOU STRESS MUSICAL HARMONY TO THE DETRIMENT OF NEW
TESTAMENT SINGING?
1. God stresses making melody in our hearts over with our voices
2. The emphasis should be on praising God in heart and mind, and not how it
may sound to the human ear!
A. HAVE WE LOST THE JOY OF SINGING?
B. MAY DAVID'S ATTITUDE DESCRIBE OUR OWN( Psa. 104:33; Psa. 147:1).