SINGING WITH UNDERSTANDING

1 Corinthians 14:15-16

 

Introduction: When we worship, our worship is to be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Of course, our singing is a part of our worship. Our singing helps to do two things: increase our knowledge of the will of God and increase our faith to obey it. Thus we engage in “teaching and admonishing one another . . .” (Col. 3:16). Our singing also helps to strengthen the fellowship that we have with each other as Christians. Fellowship necessitates communication and communication involves speaking. Thus, through our singing we are “speaking to one another in hymns, songs and spiritual songs . . .” (Eph. 5:19). Whether we realize it or not, our singing plays an integral part in our spiritual growth and development. For that reason we need to make certain that we understand what it is we are singing.

 

I.                    The songs we sing – every song as an intended purpose that derives out of the manner in which it was structured

A.     Structure of songs

1.      Hymn – a song of praise directed to God

2.      Psalm – a song that strikes at the heart; in other words, one it which the heart is in harmony with the sentiments of the song (Eph. 5:19)

3.      Spiritual song -- Ceremonious lyric poem on an occasion of dignity in which personal emotion and universal themes are united; ode (song) yet spiritual to distinguish it from any other type of song

B.     Place of worship – the heart (John 4:21-24)

1.      The songs we sing should touch the heart

2.      Out of the heart the songs should elicit the proper response (Rom 6:17)

 

II.                 Understanding the elements of spiritual songs that they may generate the proper response

A.     The question

1.      Are your coming to Jesus?

2.      Who At the Cross is Standing?

3.      Why Did my Savior Come To Earth

B.     The Invitation

1.      Bring Christ Your Broken Life

2.      Come to Jesus He Will Save You

3.      Only A Step

C.     The Times

1.      Time is filled with swift transition

2.      Farther Along

3.      Troublesome Times are here

D.    The Situation

1.      I need thee every Hour

2.      Revive Us Again                  

3.      Master The Tempest Is Raging

E.     The Setting

1.      When We Meet In Sweet Communion

2.      I stand Amazed in the presence

3.      At The Cross

F.      The Image

1.      Beyond The Sunset, O blissful morning

2.      In the land of fadeless day, lies the city foursquare

3.      Walking alone at eve and viewing the sky afar

G.    The Occupation

1.      I want to be a worker for the Lord

2.      Soldiers of Christ arise

3.      I serve a risen savior

H.    The Statement of propositional truth

1.      We saw thee not . . . But we believe

2.      There is a God, He is alive

3.      Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

 

Conclusion: If a song cannot be understood, it cannot be effective and will not move the heart. Let us not sing just for the sake of singing. Let us sing with the spirit but with the understanding also (1 Cor. 14:15)