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.