A Theological Vision of Singing

Singing is:

1. An act of worship (Ps. 96:1)

- singing blesses the name of God

- it ascribes all honor and worth to God

- it delights in God

- singing is a commandment from God

- Spurgeon thinks there’s a trinitarian overtone with the 3 times…“sing to the Lord”

- singing is not just for the few on stage but for all believers

- 2003 movie “Elf”…Buddy the Elf says singing is just like talking except longer and louder and you move your voice up and down.

- there are over 50 direct commands in scripture to sing.

- singing is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible.

- The longest book in the Bible is a book of songs.

- The New Testament commands us twice is Col. 3:16 and Eph. 5:19 to sing.

- God sings. Zeph. 3:17 says God sings over His people with gladness and love.

- Jesus sings. He sang at the last supper. His final words from the cross were a quote from a song.

- In eternity we will sing to God.

- see Rev. 5 through Rev. 7

- Why is it that God would command us to sing?

- Maybe just simply because He likes it. “I Love You, Lord”

- we often use interchangeably “singing” with “worship”. We ask, “How was worship today?”

- Let’s be careful though and not forget that there is more to worship than JUST singing: Benediction, offering, praying, singing, preaching, reading of the Word, etc.

- worship is too much to just be about singing only

2. A means of discipleship (Ps. 96:2)

- The psalmist is calling us to sing the salvation of God

- We are to be telling the good news of God every day because this is the news that edifies us.

- This is the environment that makes disciples.

I. Singing shapes our thinking.

- When we sing the truth of God, we bring our fears and doubts to the truth and apply that truth.

- everything we sing in our services MUST be doctrinally sound and singing the truth of God!

- Singing God’s truth renews our thinking.

- Scottish writer Andrew Fletcher said, “Let me make the songs of a nation and I care not who makes its laws.”

- British Congregationalist R.W. Dale applied that thing to the church and said, “Let me write the hymns of the church and I care not who writes the theology.”

- Both of these men understood the importance of the effect that singing has on what we think.

- Paul had this in mind in Col. 3

II. Singing expresses our affections. (Building up of the saints)

- The mind and the heart are to be engaged when we sing together.

- Like singing “Happy Birthday” is much better than just saying it.

- Try saying the words to “I Will Always Love You” then listen to Whitney sing it. A big difference right?

- Think about Handel’s “Messiah”. Who doesn’t want to stand and sing “and He shall forever and ever” in multiple part harmony.

Let’s look at 3 spheres of singing:

1) Sing to yourself (very small circle)

- Ps. 42, Ps. 43,

- I’m reminded of a patient of mine that was on the ventilator. The very first thing that he did when he was extubated was sing “How Great Thou Art.”

- remember the songs of faith during those difficult times

2) Sing with your family

- the next generation need to be taught the great songs of faith

- read scriptures together, pray together, and sing together

3) Sing with your church

- One thing that I have noticed in many churches as I’ve had the opportunity to visit many is that the few on stage are singing but the congregation is not.

- Can I take an opportunity to say that if your congregation is not singing it might be because you are not engaging them. You are not a “Worship Leader” if no one is following. You are just a performer.

- We are not just singers of songs. We are heralds of good news. Let’s looks at Eph 5:19 and Col. 3

- Singing is a vital part of disciple-making not just an add-on.

3. A declaration to the world (proclamation to the lost)

- I think it is very important here to be clear. Singing is first an act of worship of a holy God.

- From that come two streams:

1) the building up of the saints

2) the proclamation to the lost

- When we sing, we are singing a declaration of Christ. We are declaring His glory among the nations and His marvelous works among the peoples.

- I wonder why you sing?

- If Christ has gloriously saved you, you have something to sing about!

- When we sing, we are:

1) telling truths in our songs

2) we are demonstrating unity of the body as we sing

- John says that it is by our love that they will know we are His disciples.

What about songs from churches with questionable theology?

ANSWER: Spurgeon, in the preface of his own hymn book, writes that he’s including hymns written by people from any kind of theological stream but not commending anything other than this hymn.