Historical Posts
1 Peter 05:06-11 – Be Established – Audio
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Text: 1 Peter 5:6-11
Whenever a person is new to something, they need to “get established.” Maybe one moves to a new town, and needs to find a home, job, and/or source of transportation. One can feel all alone, or very weak. One may even ask the right decision was made.
The best decision we can make is to become a Christian! We shouldn’t fear anything, or that we are alone; rather, there is someone there with us to establish (confirm, strengthen, help) us.
I. God will establish us.
A. Peter said that God would “perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle” us (1 Peter 5:10).
B. Paul said that He is able to establish us according to the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:25-27).
C. He will establish and guard us from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
II. We need to be established:
A. Establish ourselves in the faith (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5).
B. Establish our hearts before God (1 Thessalonians 3:13; James 5:8).
C. Establish ourselves in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:17).
Have we been established? Are we rooted, grounded, and getting stronger in the faith? Are our hearts right before God? Are we good examples in word and deed? Have we heard and been obedient to God’s Word?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Hebrews 04:12 – Cut to the Heart – Audio
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Text: Hebrews 4:12
There are some things that can really get to us if we let them. However, the word of God should get to us the deepest. Someone once said, “I apologize if I was stepping on some toes… I was aiming for the heart.” Well, the word of God does just that, it will cut to the heart.
I. The Word of God will cut to the heart.
A. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).”
B. God’s word has been delivered many times in many ways (Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:1,14; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
C. Many have heard His word and responded differently. See their responses and think how you are going to respond.
II. Some responded unfavorably when cut to the heart.
A. Peter and the other apostles preached the word even in prison, and those who heard them wanted to kill them (Acts 5:29-32).
B. Stephen boldly proclaimed the word of God, yet those who heard him stoned him to death (Acts 7:51-60).
III. Others responded favorably when cut to the heart.
A. Peter proclaimed the gospel of Christ on Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36).
B. When the crowd heard this they were cut to the heart, and asked what to do to be saved (Acts 2:37-41).
When the word of God is proclaimed, it should not be given an unfavorable response. Rather, it must be heard, believed, and obeyed! This shows the true power of the word of God and it’s ability to save our souls!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Matthew 15:10-20 – Man Defiled – Audio
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Text: Matthew 15:10-20 (Reading by Andy Anderson)
What makes a man defiled?
The Scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus’ disciples of defiling themselves as they ate bread with unwashed hands (Matthew 15:1-2). Jesus responded to the scribes and Pharisees by showing that they did not keep God’s commandments themselves because of their tradition (Matthew 15:3-9).
It is not what goes into the mouth that makes a man defiled, but what comes out of the mouth, for the mouth shows the heart. Are you showing the heart of a man defiled by sin?
I. A man is not defiled by what goes into his mouth.
A. Jesus explained to His disciples that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach, and is eliminated (Matthew 15:17; Mark 7:18-19).
B. Paul explained that food is for the stomach and stomach for food, but God will destroy both (1 Corinthians 6:13).
C. Peter learned that God has the authority to call unclean food clean (Acts 10:14-15; Leviticus 11).
D. Paul was convinced that nothing is unclean of itself (Romans 14:14-17).
E. Food is not to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:3-4).
II. What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart.
A. We should not let our mouth cause us to sin (Ecclesiastes 5:6).
B. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34-37).
C. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity (James 3:6, 8-10).
III. What is in the heart defiles a man.
A. The LORD searches the heart (Jeremiah 17:9-10; 11:20; Revelation 2:23).
B. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7; 27:19).
C. Jesus explained what was in man’s heart (Matthew 15:19-20; Mark 7:21-23).
D. The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and it shows a man defiled! Instead of putting evil into our hearts, we need to put in the good and remove what defiles us.
- Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matthew 5:8).
- Ezekiel pleaded, “Cast away all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 18:31).”
- David pleaded, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).”
Does your mouth show the heart of a man defiled? Won’t you get a pure heart right now by washing it clean from sin with the blood of Christ?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Attitude is Better Than a Pill
The good attitude of a merry heart can be better medicine than a pill.
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).
We are what we think. Solomon said of man, “as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Attitudes determine actions. It’s true of our physical, emotional, and spiritual life.
Physically, many health problems are the result, either directly or indirectly, of an attitude of anxiety. It has been estimated that as many as two-thirds of all patients who see physicians have symptoms caused or aggravated by mental stress. Headaches, high blood pressure, hay fever and a host of other health problems can be directly linked to emotional stress. The key to good physical health begins with good mental health. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”
Emotionally, the greatest health problem of our day is depression. We all experience days when we feel blue. That attitude is to be expected at times. But, some live in an almost constant state of despair. “They feel bad when they feel good for fear they will feel worse when they feel better.” Indeed, “a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Spiritually, sin is a cancer eating at the soul. It finds its greatest source of nourishment in an evil heart. Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,” and “from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, and all things which defile a man” (Matthew 12:34; 15:19-20). But, Jesus also offers a cure for man’s spiritual disease (Romans 6:23).
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Here is the key to real physical, emotional, and spiritual health. A merry heart still “doeth good like a medicine!” It is better than any pill.
Would you like to know more?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Worship in Song
Introduction
A. This is the fifth Sunday in May, which means shortly we will have a service emphasizing singing. Whether we can sing really well or can’t carry a tune in a bucket, we can all “make a joyful noise unto the LORD (Psalm 100:1).”
B. We must do so because God is our audience, and we need to please Him and encourage one another (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
Body
I. We speak to one another.
A. We can only speak to one another in song if we are together (Hebrews 10:24-25).
B. We must sing with the spirit and the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).
II. We make melody in our hearts to the Lord.
A. In order to make melody (from Greek psallo), one must “twitch” or “twang” on an instrument.
1) Frequently in the Old Testament, musical instruments were used (harp, tambourine, lute, etc.).
2) In the New Testament, the heart is specified as an instrument.
3) No authority exists in the New Testament for singing with an instrument.
B. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn (Matthew 26:30) before going to the Mount of Olives.
C. Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight in prison (Acts 16:25).
D. Jesus taught us at least two things about worship:
1) We must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
2) Our worship is vain if our heart is far from God (Matthew 15:8-9).
E. If we are cheerful, we are to sing psalms (James 5:13; Psalm 122:1).
III. We sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
A. We could not be saved without the grace of God (Titus 2:11; Ephesians 2:5).
B. For this, we are very thankful (Psalm 100:1-5).
C. As sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered under the Old Testament (Leviticus 7:11-12), so we offer a sacrifice to God under the New Testament.
1) Our bodies are a living sacrifice acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).
2) The fruit of our lips is a continual sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15).
a. God created the fruit of our lips (Isaiah 57:19).
b. Isaiah’s lips were touched with live coal from an altar, taking away his iniquity (Isaiah 6:5-7).
c. God’s words should be upon our lips (Isaiah 51:16; 59:21).
d. Hosea reminds us that God takes away our iniquities, so we will “offer the sacrifices [fruit] of our lips (Hosea 14:1-2).”
Conclusion
A. As Christians, we have many reasons to rejoice!
B. When we come together on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) to sing, we encourage one another through song.
C. We give praise unto God, thanking Him for what all He has given to us.
D. We do so in a way that is pleasing unto Him and is edifying to us all.
Content by Richard Dillon
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By Thy Words
“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
You can tell an awful lot about people just by listening to them talk for a few minutes. Consider thy words. What comes out of a man’s mouth will reveal what is in his heart (Matthew 12:34-35).
Words have unbelievable power. Solomon warned: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). James wrote: “The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity“(James 3:5,6).
Christianity demands that we bridle our tongue (James 1:26). The Bible is clear!
- “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29)
- “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6)
- “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25)
Consider thy words and ask three questions before speaking.
- Are the words kind?
- Are they pure?
- Are they true?
If our speech doesn’t pass all three tests then we should be silent. “He that keepeth his words keepeth his life” (Proverbs 13:3).
The way we say something is every bit as important as what we say. This is especially true when tempers flare. “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). And, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
Our words do reveal the content of our heart. Gossip, lying, profanity, and vulgarity all are symptoms of a diseased heart.
If we are not careful our words may come back to haunt us. “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
Therefore, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Hebrews 10:22 – It is Good for Me to Draw Near to God – audio
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Scripture Reading: Psalm 73:27-28 KJV
Lesson Text: Hebrews 10:22
Introduction
A. In this message, it is my goal to encourage you to draw closer God that you might have a right relationship with God, instead of being alienated from Him – Psalm 34:18.
B. A broken heart, and a contrite heart are minds whom have allowed the Spirit of truth (to crush or bruise their spirit), to convict them of their sins with sorrowful remorse.
C. Discussion concerning Peter and his remorseful spirit – Matthew 26:75.
D. Many people fail to draw closer to God because they have an obscured view of God.
(1) Some have a transcendent only view of God as being far, distant, and uninvolved, due to God’s power and his infinite knowledge – Psalm 147:5.
(2) Others do not draw close to God because they blame him (God) for all the thorns and briars in their lives – James 1:17; John 10:10.
(3) A great number will not draw near to God because they have become friends of the world and enemies of the cross of Christ – James 4:4; Philippians 3:18-19.
a. It is always difficult to get close to someone whom you are at odds with!
E. It is good for me to draw closer to God:
(1) because it is through the sacrifice of Jesus, that I can be reunited with God and have everlasting life – 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
(2) I can have my sins forgiven and be made whole through Jesus – Ephesians 1:3, 7.
Body
I. Let Us Draw Near with a True Heart in Full Assurance of Faith
A. One of the essentials of becoming a Christian and drawing closer to God is having a pure heart – Hebrews 10:22.
(1) This is a heart free from, or mixed with anything which defiles or contaminates the mind such as the sinful things of this world – Matthew 6:24; James 4:4.
(2) In Psalm 24:3-5, the word of the Lord describes the type of character who will dwell with the Lord – James 4:8.
a. This type of character, having a true heart, will require you to deny yourself and follow Jesus to gain the blessing of having a right relationship with God – Mark 8:34-38.
b. In (Matthew 19:16-22), the rich young ruler wanted eternal life but he fail to deny himself and follow Jesus.
B. We draw closer to God by having true heart in full assurance of faith in God – Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6.
(1) This is a complete trusting in what God says is true, and acting on it by obeying God (You know what you know is right because God said it).
(2) Noah and Abram trusted God and obey Him and where blessed – Proverbs 3:5-10.
II. You Hearts Must be Sprinkled from an Evil Conscience and Washed in Pure Water
A. The Hebrew writer says to draw closer to God your hearts need to be sprinkled from an evil conscience (repentance) – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10.
(1) In the Old Testament the blood of an animal was sprinkled by the priest on the altar to make atonement (Leviticus 1:1-9;1:10-13).
(2) In the New Testament your sins are made clean through the blood of the Lamb – Revelation 1:5-6.
B. To draw closer to God, we must recognize there is a barrier called sin keeping us separated from God.
(1) You and I can be brought near to God through the blood of Jesus Christ – Ephesians 2:13.
(2) We do this by having our bodies washed in pure water being baptized (immersed) into Jesus death, the place where His blood was shed – Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21.
Conclusion
A. If you are not a Christian, you can draw closer to Him by faith, repentance, and baptism – Acts 2:38.
B. If you are a Christians whom has drift far away from God, why not get closer to Him – James 4:7-10.
C. Now is the time to get closer to God because tomorrow is not promised.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
God is Greater than our Heart – audio
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Text: 1 John 3:19-21 (reading by Don Treadway)
Introduction
A. As John is addressing Christians, he stresses the importance of brotherly love.
B. We must not love in words only; we must love with action (1 John 3:18).
C. When this love is accompanied by action, John says we know we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before Him. John first says “our hearts (1 John 3:19),” and then “our heart (1 John 3:20-21).”
D. Although we are individuals, together we are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12ff.).
E. Thus we are to be of one heart and one soul (Acts 4:32).
Body
I. God is greater than our heart.
A. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
B. The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
C. The Lord will reveal the counsels of the hearts (1 Corinthians 4:4-5).
D. Jesus knows what is in the hearts of men.
1) The scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy in their hearts (Matthew 9:4; Mark 2:6-8; Luke 5:22).
2) The Pharisees had hardened hearts as they accused Jesus of doing good on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5).
3) Jesus said that God knew the hearts of the Pharisees, lovers of money (Luke 16:14-15).
4) The disciples had doubts in their hearts as they saw Jesus risen from the dead (Luke 24:38).
E. The Lord may establish our hearts blameless in holiness before God (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).
F. The Lord may direct our hearts into the love of God and patience of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5).
II. Our heart may or may not condemn us.
A. God tests our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4; Proverbs 17:3).
1) David recognized this, and prayed that Solomon would have a loyal heart (1 Chronicles 29:17-19).
2) David prayed that his own heart would be tested and proven (Psalm 26:2ff.)
3) Solomon knew the hearts of men are before the LORD (Proverbs 15:11).
4) Jeremiah said the LORD knows and tests the hearts of men (Jeremiah 17:9-10).
B. As a man thinks in his heart, so he is (Proverbs 23:7).
C. Jesus said some worship Him with their mouth and lips, but their heart is far from Him (Matthew 15:7-9).
D. We must not have bitter envy and self-seeking in our hearts (James 3:14).
E. Some have fattened their hearts by living in pleasure and luxury (James 5:5). However, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
F. If we forgive others from our heart, God will forgive us (Matthew 18:35).
G. God can comfort our hearts, and establish us in every good work and deed (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
III. We can assure our hearts before God.
A. Our hearts must be sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).
1) We purify our souls in obeying the truth, and must love our brethren with a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22).
2) We purify our hearts by drawing near to God (James 4:8). We draw near to God by being obedient to the gospel!
3) In Christ we have boldness and access with confidence through faith. He will dwell in our hearts through that faith (Ephesians 3:12-17).
B. Because we are sons of God, He sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Galatians 4:6).
C. We can let the peace of God rule our hearts (Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7).
D. We must sanctify the Lord God in our hearts (1 Peter 3:15).
E. We must establish our hearts because the Lord is coming soon (James 5:8)!
F. If we abide in Him, we have confidence at His coming (1 John 2:28).
Conclusion
A. Is your heart right with God?
B. Are you confident in His coming?
C. God knows your heart; therefore, make sure it is right today!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Words – audio
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As a preacher and as human being, I use a lot of words.
That’s probably part of the reason this passage has puzzled – and scared – me. Maybe it’s bothered you a little as well.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned – Matthew 12:36–37
I’m pretty sure I use quite a few “careless” words, probably every day. Don’t you?
Maybe an off-handed remark to your spouse or child, perhaps an off-the-cuff comment to a co-worker. Some of our words are carefully thought out, while many, probably most, aren’t. What does Jesus mean?
Did he intend to imply that our innocent small talk is wrong, like when we’re talking about last night’s rain or next week’s game? I don’t think so. It helps to read what the Lord said just before:
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things – Matthew 12:33–35
Jesus is saying that our words matter because they reflect our hearts. Good people say good things, while bad hearts produce evil speech.
There’s an important implication here: we learn more about our hearts from what we say without thinking than we do by looking at our carefully rehearsed speech. This means that you’d learn more about who I really am by hearing how I speak to people conversationally than you do by listening to this invitation. I’ve reworked the words on this page several times, but my “careless” words—the ones I use in normal conversation—more likely reflect the real me.
What about you? Are your words too critical? Do they build up or tear down? Are they positive or negative?
Our words matter, but mostly because they say something about our hearts. We don’t really fix our speech by learning to speak more nicely and be more honest. Our speech gets fixed when our hearts grow closer to Jesus.
God cares more about what’s inside us than he does about what comes out of us.
So we need to work on our hearts by spending time with the Lord. Loving him more, praising him more, wanting to please him more.
What Jesus said should cause us to think before we speak, but it should especially cause us to ask him to take control of our hearts. That’s where the words, good or bad, come from.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Exodus 17:1-7 Hardened Hearts and Stiff Necks – audio
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Text: Exodus 17:1-7
Introduction
While in college, a Bible professor called me “Dr. Dillon.” I may not be a physical doctor by any means, but can easily identify two common diseases: hardened hearts and stiffened necks. These are very common in the Old Testament.
Body
I. Hardened hearts
A. The children of Israel had hardened hearts as they wondered in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4; 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-13).
B. The LORD told Ezekiel about Israel’s hardened hearts (Ezekiel 3:7-9).
C. Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar were removed from their kingdoms because of hardened hearts (Daniel 5:18-23).
D. The priests questioned the Philistines regarding their hardness of hearts, just as Pharaoh and the Egyptians (1 Samuel 6:6; Exodus 7-14).
1) Pharaoh at times hardened his heart.
2) The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart other times. “God hardens the heart when He withdraws influences of His Spirit from men, and leaves them to pursue their own corrupt inclinations (Webster).”
II. Stiffened necks
A. Israel and Judah had stiffened necks, and the LORD led them captive to Assyria (2 Kings 17:13-17).
B. King Hezekiah encouraged some not to be stiff-necked as their fathers were (2 Chronicles 30:8).
C. King Zedekiah stiffened his neck before the LORD (2 Chronicles 36:11-13).
III. Applications
A. Calamity befalls those who harden their hearts and stiffen their necks before the LORD (Proverbs 28:14; 29:1).
B. Great wrath from the LORD will come upon them (Zechariah 7:11-14; Romans 2:5-6).
C. They will not enter into the LORD’s eternal rest (Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-15).
Conclusion
God shows us the Remedy, but we have to apply it.
Do you have a hardened heart?
Soften, or humble, it before God. Humble yourself, and God will lift you up (James 4:7-10).
Do you have a stiff neck?
Loosen it so as to encourage your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (Luke 15:20; Acts 20:37-38; Romans 16:3-4).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Christian “4-H” – powerpoint – audio
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Head – Christianity is a Religion of the Mind – God Expects Us to Think Clearly
- Isaiah 1:18
- Acts 18:28
- Matthew 11:3-5
- 1 Peter 3:15
- Acts 17:11
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21
- John 20:30-31
- 2 Peter 2:20
Heart – Christianity is a Religion of the Heart – God Wants Us to Connect Emotionally
- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
- John 3:16
- 1 John 4:19
- Romans 6:17
- John 4:24
Hands – Christianity is a Religion of the Service – God Wants Us to Work Actively
- James 1:27
- Galatians 5:13
- Mark 10:43-45
- Matthew 25:34-40
Health – Christianity is a Religion of the Balance – To be a Healthy Christian, One Must Have Balance
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
- James 2:19-20
- 1 Corinthians 13:2
- 1 John 3:18
- John 14:15
- 1 Corinthians 13:3
- Colossians 3:17
- Matthew 7:21-23
- Romans 10:1-3
Delivered on: September 23, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Psalm 100 Singing
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(Getting More Out of the Singing)
Text: Psalm 100:1-5
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 our worship
a. It is mentioned in the text upon which our title is based – Psalm 100:2
b. There were those in Old Testament times who delighted in singing – Psalm 63:3-5
c. Christians were taught to respond to the goodness of God in a similar way – James 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?
Body
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, “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 – Psalm 28:6-7
b. Paul and Silas even reacted to persecution with singing praises – Acts 16:25
3. Singing is one of the spiritual sacrifices that we are to offer to God – Hebrews 13:15
a. As spiritual priests we offer up “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God” – 1 Peter 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. Malachi 1:7-8, 12-13
4. 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. Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 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’!
3. 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 – Ephesians 5:18
b. He explained how: by singing and making melody in one’s heart to the Lord – Ephesians 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 – Colossians 3:16a
b. Again he explains: by singing with grace in one’s heart to the Lord – Colossians 3:16b
3. For a truly Spirit-filled life enriched by the Word of Christ, singing is essential!
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. 1 Corinthians 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)
4. 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” – Colossians 3:16
b. “making melody in your heart” – Ephesians 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! – Matthew 15:7-8
b. Will be evident in our countenances! – cf. Proverbs 15:13
4. 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. Acts 16:25; Psalm 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
6. Increase your opportunities to sing at other times with others, and when alone
D. 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
3. 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 your worship times.
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”
4. 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.” – Psalm 104:33
“Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.” – Psalm 147:1
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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