Singing

What does the New Testament reveal about singing in worship

and daily life?

2

Introduction

• Often, when we teach on singing, we focus on that we are not authorized to use instruments of music in worship

• While this is so, we will not teach on this point now but focus on the purposes of singing, how and what we should sing along with when we should sing

• This lesson is needed because singing can become an empty ritual or we can emphasize the wrong things in our singing

3

Singing A Spiritual Sacrifice We Offer To God

• Instead of animal sacrifices, Christians are commanded to offer spiritual sacrifices which include all of our service to God

• Christians are called spiritual priests responsible to offer these spiritual sacrifices the Lord commands including singing

• Singing designed to praise God should be offered willingly, joyously from the heart to the Lord

4

Our Life In Christ Is A Sacrifice To God

Rom 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

5

We Must Worship God In Spirit and In Truth

Joh 4:23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.

Joh 4:24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

6

Sing With The Spirit and Understanding

1Co 14:15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

7

Willingly Joyously Praise God In Singing

1Pe 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,

1Pe 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

8

Willingly Joyously Praise God In Singing

Heb 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Heb 13:16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

9

Willingly Joyously Praise God In Singing

Rom 15:9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, "THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME."

10

Willingly Joyously Praise God In Singing

Heb 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Heb 2:12 saying, "I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE."

11

Willingly Joyously Praise God In Singing

2Co 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2Co 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

12

Willingly Joyously Praise God In Singing Even In Trials

Jas 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

Act 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

13

Singing To Teach and Admonish One Another

• We sing not only to praise God but also to edify one another through His Word

• If we are not singing, we are not teaching• Beware emphasizing how well we sing instead of

teaching one another• Beware also of being deceived that our singing is

to entertain us or others• To teach one another, our songs must be sung

orderly, from the heart and contain spiritual content

14

Singing To Teach and Admonish One Another

• Some songs we sing are actually His Word such as Psalms

• Others, although not his actual Word, teach principles in harmony with His Word

• Be careful about singing songs, or parts of songs where we contradict His Word

15

Singing To Teach and Admonish One Another

Col 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16

Singing To Teach and Admonish One Another

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Col 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

17

Singing To Teach and Admonish One Another

Eph 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Eph 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

18

Singing To Teach and Admonish One Another

Eph 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

Eph 5:21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

19

Singing Must Be Done Orderly So That All May Be Edified

1Co 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

1Co 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

20

Singing Must Be Done Orderly So That All May Be Edified

1Ti 2:11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

1Ti 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

1Ti 2:13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.

21

Singing Must Be Done Orderly So That All May Be Edified

1Ti 2:14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

1Ti 2:15 But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.

22

When Should We Sing To The Lord?

• At any time, under any condition, we are free to sing to the Lord

• The more singing is a part of our Christian life, the more opportunities we will have to rejoice and praise the Lord even showing light to others

23

When Should We Sing To The Lord?

Psa 28:6 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.

Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

24

When Should We Sing To The Lord?

Psa 59:16 But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.

Psa 59:17 O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.

25

When Should We Sing To The Lord?

Jas 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

Act 16:23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;

Act 16:24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

26

When Should We Sing To The Lord?

Act 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

Act 16:26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened.

27

When Should We Sing To The Lord?

Act 16:27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

Act 16:28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!"

28

Singing

1. Singing a spiritual sacrifice we offer to God

2. Singing is to teach and admonish one another in the Word of God

3. We should sing to the Lord at any time under any condition