Sermons
Incorporating sung worship in has always been and always will be a vital part of church life. It maybe a little hard to understand if singing isn't our first choice in worshiping God.
However, it doesn't say ‘Sing in tune to the Lord' in the bible, it says ‘Make a joyful noise to the Lord'. This would suggest that in joy we respond naturally, not as a performance but as a response of the heart. And although beautiful music can be spiritually moving, it is clear God is not interested in the sound coming out of our mouths but the state of our hearts in offering worship.
Worship is the thing God has designed you to do. It is a natural instinct/response. It is mentioned between 121-129 times in the bible (depending on the version). God must have a reason for instilling this command so often in his Word. His commands always benefit us in some way.
5 reasons to sing worship.
1 When we sing, we are incorporating God's word into our hearts. In Colossians 3 it says we should sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs together. Paul puts it alongside preaching as one of the two main ways God has ordained for his word to dwell richly in us, which as believers is surely what we want. Sunday school songs are often the way we remember scripture verses.
2 We build one another up when we sing worship together. We declare truths to one-another when we sing in worship. Let's read Colossians 3 verse 16 together. ‘Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.' We ‘teach and admonish' one another by singing psalms, hymns and songs in the spirit. Singing as well as speaking truths into one another's lives builds up and encourages.
3 We make war when we sing. Singing worship kills sin. In Colossians 3, Paul is challenging the Colossians to literally put sin to death in their lives, to kill sin. So, all the commands to love and peace and forgiveness and teaching and singing are attitudes and habits of the believer that will kill sin! Satan can't stand against believers who identify with Christ in this way.
4 Singing also strengthens us in trial. Frank Fortunato who worked for Operation Mobilisation writes in his article ‘How Christians endure persecution through song'
‘Courage has often been sustained through songs that do not gloss over our pain, but instead penetrate our terrified emotions with words of hope.'
When you are at the lowest possible place, in the midst of the most challenging and dark of situations and there is seemingly nothing left to do, worship makes a difference.
5 Singing brings joy, even in times of trouble. In scripture joy and singing are bound together. We sing because we have joy…we sing when we need joy. God has brought these two together for our benefit.
Lastly, if God is singing a song over us, he must value singing himself.
Zephaniah 3: 17
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.
Questions for discussion in Life Group
Share a time when you have been overwhelmed in awe and wonder and felt the need to express your praise to God in some way.
Do you think sung worship can only be done when you feel it?
Can you remember a time where sung worship has changed something in your life, either your attitude or a situation for the better?
How can we find joy when we don't feel like singing worship?
Can you give an example of when you have sung worship during trial and been given courage to face the day?
How does the thought of God singing over you make you feel?