“COME LET US ALL UNITE TO SING!”

Psalm 95:1-7

 

Introduction: From previous lessons on worship and praise, we saw the nee to come together for the sake of sharing in common praise.  We also saw that, although singing praise unto God can be done alone, the Bible teaches that we ought to come together to sing praise unto God.

A. To further emphasize this fact, please consider the following passages

1.  Psalm 22:22-25 - praise done in a congregation of God's people

2.  Psalm 21:13 - WE will sing and praise

3.  Psalm 30:4 - Saints of God should express thanks in song

4.  Psalm 107:8, 32 - Again, such is done in the congregation

5.  See also Psalm 109:30 and 111:1

B. We will consider in this lesson:

1.  What God says about music in worship

2.  What, why and how Christians are to sing

C. Finally, we'll consider the need to be obedient to God's will in regard to singing

 

I.     What does God say about music in the churches' worship of Himself?

A. Consider the following passages: Overhead #1

1.  Matthew 26:30 - after the Lord's supper

2.  Romans 15:9 -- The church in Rome

3.  1 Corinthians 14:15 - the church in Corinth

4.  Ephesians 5:19 - The church in Ephesus

5.  Colossians 3:16 -- The church in Colosse

6.  James 5:13 - Christians everywhere

B. What do we learn from these passages?

1.  Christians are to sing

2.  Christians are told what to sing

3.  Christians are told why they sing

4.  Christians are told how to sing

 

II.      Let us examine the what, whys and hows of acceptable singing unto God

    A. Christians are commanded to sing - anyone who references God will find singing to be mandatory

1. We see that congregational SINGING is commanded in Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 2:12 and 13:15 (Precept and example)

2. The commands are directed to all those who worship God in song

    3.  No passage allows one or a group to sing to the exclusion of others solos and choirs) nor use mechanical instruments of music to accompany the singing

B. Christians are told what to sing

1.  Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

2.  A psalm is a sacred or pious song of the character of the Old Testament songs (telling a story of deliverance, mercies struggles, etc.)

3. A hymn is a composition of directed praises unto God; word comes from a root meaning "to celebrate"

4. Spiritual song is a song that provokes spiritual sentiments concerning God and His activities

C. Christians are told why they should sing

1. To praise God -- all singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are unto God and are for his glory; it is a sacrifice directed unto Him (Heb. 13:15)

2. We are to learn from what we sing and even be admonished by what we sing

a. Ephesians 5:19

b. Colossians 3:16

D. Christians are told how to sing

1.  (1 Cor. 14:15) with understanding -- know what we are singing

2.  With the spirit -- in the right frame of n-dnd (making melody in the heart)

a.  Upright heart (Psalm 119:7)

b.  With thanksgiving (Heb. 13:15)

c.  Our hearts must accompany the singing and be thoroughly in accord with the sentiments of the song (give an example -- believe in your heart and demonstrate in you life the sentiments expressed in the song) Overhead #2

3. With grace (Joy - Col. 3:16) - refer to Scripture reading - the songs we sing ought to be expressions of cheerfulness

a.  Sweetly and gladly (Psalm 104:33-34)

b.  With rejoicing (Psalm 118:15)

c.   The happy are to sing (James 5:13)

4.  We must be heard (no lip-sinking)

a.  Isaiah 12:4-6

b.  Psalm 8 1: 1

 

III.   In this act of worship we must be obedient and not disregard or take singing lightly

A. We are not free to worship God according to our own tastes and desires

1. God revealed to Moses the pattern of divine worship associated with the tabernacle (Hebrews 8:5)

2. Whenever God's pattern was breached, disaster fell upon those who spurned God's will to do their own

a.  Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10: 1-3)

b.  Korah (Num. 16)

c. Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense   of reward (Heb. 2:1-2)   

                        3.  We can't go beyond or do anything less than God's will (Matt. 28:20; 1                    Cor. 4:6; 2 John 9-11)

            B. God   is the author of eternal salvation to those that OBEY Him (Heb. 5:8-9)

 

Conclusion:    Come let us all unite to sing for God has so commanded us.  He told us what to sing, why we sing  and how to sing.  And so, let us sing unto God for he is worthy to be praised.  The song writer says “He doeth all things well!” Brethren shouldn't we?