Singing Is a Form of Christian Ministry
by Ken Harvey
Last Sunday, we were instructed from several passages concerning how we ought to speak to one another. We are to put away falsehood and speak truth (Eph. 4:25) and to let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths but only such as is good for building up (4:29). Proper speech to each other is an example of Christian ministry. We can also consider passages like Hebrews 3:13: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Notice the sense of urgency. We all need this type of encouragement.
Over the last few days, I found myself considering one additional passage on this topic: “but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5:18b-19). We need to encourage others and be encouraged by others by praising God through song. When I am given the opportunity to lead the congregation through singing, I have been thoroughly encouraged to hear and see other believers praise God. Seeing others hold fast to their confession of faith and verbalize their commitment to God strengthens my devotion to God. Thank you for your focus on God during our time of corporate worship.
While I commend your focus, I will encourage you to guard your hearts. Unfortunately, today, worship through singing is often thought of as merely a personal and private event. We can approach this time with the thought: what can I get out of worship? While we do benefit from worship, we need to also think: how do others benefit from my worship?
Not only are we to encourage others and be encouraged by others through our singing but we are to sing to the Lord with all of our heart. We are singing to Him! In fact, everything we do and think is before our omniscient and omnipresent God. He places high value on our worship through singing; in fact, he demands purity in our worship. During our short time of corporate singing, focus your heart on Him and remember that we can approach our God only through our reliance on Christ. He is our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Worship Him and be encouraged by each other’s devotion.
Last Sunday, we were instructed from several passages concerning how we ought to speak to one another. We are to put away falsehood and speak truth (Eph. 4:25) and to let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths but only such as is good for building up (4:29). Proper speech to each other is an example of Christian ministry. We can also consider passages like Hebrews 3:13: “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Notice the sense of urgency. We all need this type of encouragement.
Over the last few days, I found myself considering one additional passage on this topic: “but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph 5:18b-19). We need to encourage others and be encouraged by others by praising God through song. When I am given the opportunity to lead the congregation through singing, I have been thoroughly encouraged to hear and see other believers praise God. Seeing others hold fast to their confession of faith and verbalize their commitment to God strengthens my devotion to God. Thank you for your focus on God during our time of corporate worship.
While I commend your focus, I will encourage you to guard your hearts. Unfortunately, today, worship through singing is often thought of as merely a personal and private event. We can approach this time with the thought: what can I get out of worship? While we do benefit from worship, we need to also think: how do others benefit from my worship?
Not only are we to encourage others and be encouraged by others through our singing but we are to sing to the Lord with all of our heart. We are singing to Him! In fact, everything we do and think is before our omniscient and omnipresent God. He places high value on our worship through singing; in fact, he demands purity in our worship. During our short time of corporate singing, focus your heart on Him and remember that we can approach our God only through our reliance on Christ. He is our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Worship Him and be encouraged by each other’s devotion.
posted by F&P at 9:47 AM
1 Comments:
Great Article! Many people tend to forget that we are not only praising God but also building each other up in our most holy faith when we come together to worship Him.
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