SINGING IN WORSHIP----4

Singing In Worship (Part 4)

     Since Christ never authorized mechanical instruments of music in the New Testament to be used in worship of the church, we might ask, when did man "take it upon himself" to start using them in trying to worship God?  It is a historical fact according to early church history, no mechanical instruments of music were ever used in church worship until about the year 670 A.D.  At this time the church at Rome introduced an organ which produced such disturbances that it was removed.  It was not until about 775 A.D. that it was introduced again, but this time it was kept, even with many people objecting.  The instrument was not accepted by many churches for many years.

SINGING IN WORSHIP-----3

Singing In Worship (Part 3)

     In Ephesians 5:19 we read, "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."  Also we read in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."  Here we see in our singing, we are to speak, teach, and admonish one another.  This is what God expects us to do when we sing.

SINGING IN WORSHIP---2

                      Singing In Worship (Part 2)

     There are two different kinds of music: vocal and instrumental.  God has spoken in the New Testament concerning the kind of music we must use if we expect to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and that is singing.  Singing is the limit of God’s command.  God nowhere in the New Testament authorized mechanical instruments of music to be used in worship of the church.  A mechanical instrument of music cannot worship God.  Only with our voices can we sing praises to God.  God does not wish to be worshipped with a lifeless instrument.

SINGING IN WORSHIP-----1

Singing In Worship (Part 1)

     Singing has a very definite place in worshipping God in spirit and in truth.  We glorify God in our singing praises to His name.  There are only nine scriptures in the New Testament which specify the kind of music in the worship of the church that God wishes in order for us to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  They are as follows:
(1) Matthew 26:30, "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives";
(2) Acts 16:25, "But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God";
(3) Romans 15:9, "For this reason I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name";

OUR GIVING

                                           Our Giving

     The way we give is an indication of our love for God.  All things belong to God.  God says in Psalms 50:10, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills."  Everything we have received has come from God.  God has only loaned them to us. John 3:27 says, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from above."  We can never out-give God.  In Luke 6:38 we read, "Give and it shall be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."  We give so the Lord’s church can better carry out its mission here on earth.  The world must be evangelized, and the church must be edified, and the needy must be helped.

PRAYER

Prayer

     In prayer we show our total dependence on God who created all things and us and by Whom all things continue to exist.  In prayer we give praise, honor, glory and reverence to His name for His greatness and goodness.  We recognize Him as the source of all blessings.  It is also the outpouring of our hearts desire.  In Romans 10:1 the apostle Paul says, "Brethern, my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel, is that they might be saved."  Our prayer must come from our heart.

ATTENDANCE OF WORSHIP

Attendance Of Worship

     Worship is a privilege only children of God have.  There are many blessings we receive from faithful attendance in worship.  God has commanded us to assemble regularly to worship Him in spirit and in  truth.  Hebrews 10:25-27 says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation."  When we forsake the assembly of the church, except for sickness or circumstances beyond our control, we are not only disobeying God, but we are robbing ourselves of all the benefits of worship which would have helped us to grow and become spiritually strong.