SINGING

From: Subject: SINGING Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2007 11:54:23 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.sallisawchurchofchrist.com/Sermon%20Outlines/singing.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3198 SINGING

SINGING

-Introduction

-Brief Review

&nbs= p; -God=92s=20 patterns, Lord=92s Supper, Crucifixion

-Today, we=92ll continue this series of lessons on God=92s = pattern for N.T.=20 worship by focusing on a

topic that has been the subject of much discussion and = debate down=20 through the years - and still

is today.

&nbs= p; -It=92s=20 a topic that many don=92t properly/fully understand. As a result, = it has=20 been the target for

&nbs= p; =20 much criticism that has been brought against the = church.

-The=20 topic is singing.

-Why Do We Sing?

-First of all, we sing to praise God.

&nbs= p; -This=20 was the case under the OT and still is the case today under the=20 NT.

&nbs= p; -Ps=20 28:6-7, Ps 69:30, Ps 144:9,15

&nbs= p; -Eph=20 5:19, Col 3:16 - "to the Lord"

-Secondly, we sing to teach and admonish one = another.

&nbs= p; -This=20 is not something new: Deut 31:16-22 - Song of Moses

&nbs= p; -When=20 we sing, we must pay attention to the words:

&nbs= p; = ;=20 -They teach us, encourage us, motivate us, warn us.

-An Authority = Issue

-The=20 topic of singing is actually an issue rooted in the topic of=20 authority.

&nbs= p; -Col=20 3:17

-God=20 has specified singing for N.T. worship.

&nbs= p;=20 -Supporters of mechanical instruments of music commonly state, =93But = God=92s word=20 does not

&nbs= p; =20 prohibit the use of mechanical instruments.=94

&nbs= p; -What=20 they mean is this: There isn=92t a =93Thou shalt not=94 statement = in reference=20 to

mechanical = instruments=20 of music.

-But, that = doesn=92t mean that=20 God has not prohibited their use.

-When=20 God specifies one thing, all other options are = eliminated.

&nbs= p; -Eph=20 5:19, Col 3:16 - The instrument to be played is the = heart.

&nbs= p;=20 -example of a catalog order

&nbs= p;=20 -consistency: Why do we worship on the first day of the = week? Is=20 there a statement that

= explicitly=20 says, =93Thou shalt not worship on other days of the = week=94?

&nbs= p; -We=20 rightfully worship upon the first day of the week because that is the = pattern=20

established = in the N.T.=20 scriptures for N.T. worship - Acts 20:7. Therefore, a =93Thou=20

shalt = not=94 statement is=20 not necessary in regards to the other days of the = week.

-Some=20 don=92t think that the addition of mechanical instruments of music is a = big=20 deal.

&nbs= p; -Rev=20 22:18-19

&nbs= p; -Lev=20 10:1-2 - the example of Nadab and Abihu (Rom = 15:4)

-Old Testament References / Book of=20 Revelation

-Those who argue for the use of mechanical instruments in = worship=20 commonly appeal to Old

Testament practices - i.e. King David.

&nbs= p; -=93But,=20 David used instruments.=94

&nbs= p; -Yes,=20 he did. However, he lived under the Law. We do not.=20

&nbs= p; -David=20 offered animal sacrifices, incense, observed particular feasts and = festivals,=20 etc. We

would never dream of = trying to=20 justify such worship practices today with a =93But David did =

it=94=20 statement.

-It=20 isn=92t an issue of what David did. It is an issue of what we are = authorized=20 and commanded to

do by God in the N.T. scriptures.

-But,=20 what about the book of Revelation?

&nbs= p; -Rev=20 14:1-3 -We must remember that this passage contains figurative language = and that=20 it is

&nbs= p; = ; =20 describing a scene in heaven, not on earth.

&nbs= p; -To=20 try to force a literal meaning upon the harps here is to abuse this=20 passage.

&nbs= p; = ;=20 -literal names written on foreheads? literal beasts? literal = Lamb?=20 etc...

-Again, we=92re looking in the scriptures for God=92s specific = instructions=20 (pattern) for N.T. worship

here on earth.

&nbs= p; -That=20 which has been authorized by God is singing.

-Entertainment = Issue

-Most, if not all, of us realize that there has been a greater = emphasis=20 placed on entertainment.

&nbs= p; -This=20 takes the focus away from God and puts it more on = people.

&nbs= p;=20 -Rather than reverently worshipping God, more people are being=20 entertained.

&nbs= p; = ;=20 -example of Amy=92s cousin

-God=20 is the primary audience for our worship. Worship is to be directed = to=20 Him.

-We are to be = reverently=20 praising, honoring, glorifying and thanking our Almighty God, not=20

praising = and honoring=20 performers.

-Summary and = Invitation

-Singing is something that we all are commanded to = do.

&nbs= p; -It=92s=20 not about whether or not we=92re in the right key and hitting the right=20 note.

&nbs= p; -It=92s=20 about whether or not we=92re focused on our worship to God, singing with = sincere=20 hearts

&nbs= p; =20 and paying attention to the messages contained in the = songs.

-Singing is specifically authorized by God. =

-By=20 following His specific pattern, we can offer worship that is acceptable = and=20 pleasing in His

sight.

-As a result, = we can=20 properly glorify His name and honor Him.

-Amos=20 5:20-27

-What was the = problem? =20 They were simply going through the motions. They weren=92t=20

allowing = their worship=20 to bring them closer to God. It was a technicality for them -=20

something = they were=20 required to do. But, while going through those motions they=20 were

living = lives of=20 sin.

&nbs= p; -You=20 see, they failed to combine proper worship with proper = living.

-What=20 about you? Are you living obediently to God?

-If you=92ve never obeyed = God, obey the=20 Gospel: Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32,=20

Rom = 10:9-10), Repent=20 (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts = 2:38)

-If you=92ve = obeyed the Gospel=20 but haven=92t remained faithful, return to God: Confess your = faults,=20

repent of = them and pray=20 for God=92s forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24)

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