THE BEAUTY OF SINGING by Jack Thompson
(http://home.att.net/~jackthompson/)
[Editor's note: This is an outline of a sermon that Bro. Thompson presented to the congregation where he preaches.]
Introduction:
1. Music is very powerful. Many have recognized its value and influence.
2. Shakespeare said that a man who does not have music in himself is not to be trusted. He added that he is "fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils."
3. Another said, "All musical people seem to be happy."
4. Still another said, "Let me write the songs of the people and I will control the nation."
5. And as we view some of the catastrophes of our present society and ask why do some of our young people become so violent, I am lead to wonder if the songs they have been hearing have led them to commit such vile acts.
6. If mankind of all ages testifies in almost one voice to the power and influence of music and songs, why should we be surprised to learn that Jehovah God has placed music within the worship of the children of God.
I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT MUSIC IN WORSHIP BY CHRISTIANS
1. Mt. 26:30 -- "They sung a hymn...."
2. Mk. 14:26 -- Same statement, same event.
3. Acts 16:25 -- "Praying and singing hymns..."Paul and Silas
4. Rom. 15:9 -- "...sing unto thy name."
5. l Cor. 14:15 -- "I will sing with the spirit...."
6. Eph. 5:19 -- "singing and making melody with your hearts.."
7. Col. 3:16 -- "singing with grace in your hearts unto God."
8. Heb. 13:15 -- "...the fruit of our lips, giving..."
9. Heb. 2:12 -- "In the midst of the church will I sing thy praise."
10. Jas. 5:13 -- "Is any merry? Let him sing praise..."
NOTE: This is all that God's word says about the music that took place in the First Century churches.
11. Rev. 14:2-3 -- This is a vision that John saw concerning Heaven. But notice, even in this, it was a VOICE that John heard, and it was SINGING.
II. SOME OBSERVATIONS JUST HERE:
1. None can deny that there were mechanical instruments used in Old Testament times; but, even then, they were not introduced by Jehovah. There were a number of things that God permitted the Israelites to do that He did not necessarily approve of. Mt. 19:8 -- "Because of the hardness of your heart...." Cf. A KING.
2. Also, a practice in the Old Testament does not authorize the practice in the New Testament Covenant. There were many things that they did which are not authorized for today: animal sacrifices, certain feast days, etc.
3. Those who have studied and testified agree that mechanical instruments of music were NOT used in the church of the first century. I wonder Why???
4. There is a vast difference between the cold, formalistic, ceremonial worship of the Old Testament (that had become meaningless) and expression of oneself in New Testament worship before the throne of Jehovah. God has provided us with the ability to bring the fruit of our lips in total involvement unto Him.
III. WHY DOES SINGING HAVE SUCH BEAUTY AND POWER WHEN DONE AS THE LORD AUTHORIZES?
1. Singing allows the Christian to express our convictions and emotions in visible form.
(1) Acts 16:25 -- Paul and Silas showed their deep faith and convictions, even before their enemies.
(2) Jas. 5:13 -- A merry heart expresses itself. All in the house are influenced thereby. A mother who sings in the home fills the house with merriment.
2. Singing is a means of giving praise unto Jehovah for His many blessings:
(1) The Christian has something of which to sing about.
(2) Jas. 1:17 -- Every good and perfect gift comes from God.
(3) We have been forgiven of our sins, made right in God's sight. Surely, that should illicit joy and praise.
(4) Acts 8:39 -- the Nobleman went on his way rejoicing. You talk about something worthy of our singing. Many songs we sing express our joy.
3. Singing is a means of teaching others:
(1) Acts 16:25 -- What do you think the other prisoners thought?? They heard.
(2) Col. 3:16 -- As Christ's words dwells within us, we then are able to teach others.
(3) All that we do in worship teaches:
(a) 1 Cor. 11:26 -- Lord's Supper proclaims.
(b) 2 Cor. 8:1-7 -- By our giving we become examples,teach
(c) 1 Cor. 1:18-25; Rom. 10:13-17 -- Preaching the word
(d) How wise for Jehovah to include singing as a means of teaching others.
4. Singing is a means of admonition and encouragement to the weak, to the wayward, even to the alien.
(1) Col. 3:16 -- "teaching and ADMONISHING one another..."
(2) Songs of comfort to the bereaved...
(3) The invitation song -- words encouraging obedience.
IV. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS:
1. As a preacher, I have had a lot of questions ask of me. Some very difficult ones, some with the intent to entrap. For instance: "If baptism is essential to salvation, what happens if lightening strikes the candidate on his way to be baptized?" We all know the intent of such a question.
2. But one question I have not been asked: "If people are to obey Christ AFTER being baptized, what about Christians who do not sing? who do not give as prospered? who do not partake of the Lord's Supper regularly, etc.
3. We listed 10 verses in the beginning of this lesson that had to do with our singing when we assemble. Are these verses suggestions, or are they commandments?
4. One last thought for your serious consideration. Wednesday night is the service set aside for us to spend our time in worship by songs. Is it possible that the thought has ever been made, "Well, it is just singing tonight."
5. What a tremendous privilege to be able to come before the throne of God and mingle our voices together in praise and adoration.
6. But one says, "I cannot carry a tune." God did not tell us to sing because we have beautiful voices, but to sing to express our hearts unto Jehovah. And surely we can do that.
7. I had the privilege of singing with our Mexican brethren. I was able to follow the words and express them, although not understanding the language. Most of the songs were familiar tunes. Now you talk about singing. I wish each one could have been there. But, perhaps we will watch the Videocassette soon.
Conclusion:
1. There will never be a more appropriate time to obey God than right now. If you have never responded to do what the Lord requires of you, why not now. Become and be what He desire of you and then you, too, can praise Him through songs.
2. You would truly have something to sing about.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Why God Never Received a PhD ­ Author Unknown
He had only one major publication.
It was in Hebrew.
It had no references.
It wasn't published in a refereed journal.
Some even doubt he wrote it by himself.
It may be true that he created the world, but what has he done since then?
His cooperative efforts have been quite limited.
The scientific community has had a hard time replicating his results.
He never applied to the ethics board for permission to use human subjects.
When one experiment went awry he tried to cover it by drowning his subjects.
When subjects didn't behave as predicted, he deleted them from the sample.
He rarely came to class, just told students to read the book.
Some say he had his son teach the class.
He expelled his first two students for learning.
Although there were only 10 requirements, most of his students failed his tests.
His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountain top.
No record of working well with colleagues.