Text: Ephesians 5:19
Singing’s Place in the Assembly
- Singing was done in assembly at Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:26) — language implies a normal & necessary practice
- Singing is done to one another (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) — indicates a group; assembly included
Types of Songs
- Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
- The focus is on the content
Purpose of Singing
- To praise God (Isaiah 12:5)
- To teach & admonish our brethren (Colossians 3:16)
- Not for our own entertainment — this doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it, but the goodness of our singing is not determined by how it sounds to us or how it makes us feel
Singing with Understanding
- Sing with spirit & understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15) — Principle: if we don’t understand what we’re singing, it’s useless (1 Corinthians 14:16)
- Singing involves teaching & being taught — not understanding the message doesn’t help (Acts 8:30-31)
- Pay attention to the words — Are they accurate? — some in our songs books are not
Why Singing is Helpful
- Music is natural for humans (James 5:13)
- Meter helps us stay together — only act of worship with more than one person speaking at a time (1 Corinthians 14:29-33,40)
- Melody helps us to remember the words
