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Introduction: Singing has been a part of worship to God throughout the centuries. It has been called the universal language. Often, we can sing a language that we cannot speak (Dutch Stewardess on KLM).

A. Songs of the slaves, free, young and old. Musicals and Operas have been written to express certain sentiments and feelings.

B. The human voice is a great instrument of praise.

1. Some sing better than others, but all can praise God equally well if we sing from the heart and do our best.

 

A. Matt. 26:30 & Mark 14:26, "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."

1. This was after the Passover feast that was just before the crucifixion. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper at that feast.

B. Acts 16:25, "And at midnight Paul & Silas prayed and sang praises unto God; and the prisoners heard them."

C. Romans 15:9 "…as it is written, Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Thy name" (Psalm 18:49).

D. I Cor. 14:15 "…I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also."

E. Eph. 5:19 "Speaking to one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord."

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

G. Heb. 2:12 "…I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee" (Ps. 22:22).

H. James 5:13 "Is there any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises."

I. These are all the verses in the N.T. that deal with any kind of music used by Jesus and His disciples or the early church. O.T. scriptures are not guides for worship in the N. T. era (Col. 2:14).

1. Take note that the praise is singing. There is no mention or provision for instrumental music in the N.T. era. Instruments were not used until centuries later and were introduced by the councils of men. Many people opposed them from the outset.

 

A. It enables Christians to put their convictions and legitimate emotions into an audible and visible form.

1. Acts 16:25—Paul and Silas.

2. James 5:13—Singing declares ones feelings.

3. It can edify our fellow man.

B. It is a means of giving grateful praise to God for His many blessings to us.

1. Christians have much to sing about because we realize that every good and perfect gift comes down from God (Jas. 1:17).

2. The Ethiopian Nobleman rejoiced because he had salvation (Acts 8:39). At baptisms today, we can sing "O Happy Day" and "Amazing Grace" and other songs of praise.

C. It is a means of teaching others.

1. Acts 16:25 Paul & Silas.

2. Col. 3:16 Teaching and admonishing one another.

3. Everything we do in worship teaches others:

a. The Lord’s Supper proclaims our faith.

b. Prayers can bring God’s forgiveness & blessings upon us.

c. Sacrificial giving can teach others by example.

d. Preaching the word is a means of teaching.

e. Our songs of praise and edification teach others.

D. It is a means of admonition and encouragement to the weak or wayward member and to the those who need to obey Christ.

1. Col. 3:16 "…teaching and admonishing one another."

2. Songs can build our strength and courage (Rock of Ages & Nearer My God To Thee).

3. The Invitation Song, when wisely selected and sung well proclaims to those who need to respond that our purpose is to be of mutual encouragement and help.

E. Last, but not least by any stretch of the imagination, It is doing what God has authorized.

Conclusion: Our singing in our worship services is very important. We should do our best with whatever talent that God has given us.