Sing Along

1. Singing is a form of worship. It is throughout the bible and a big deal within Christianity and in Churches of Christ particularly with our a cappella outlook.

a. Jewish Tradition says that God sang the world into existence

b. There is an entire book of the bible devoted as a songbook – Psalms

c. There is an entire book referred to as the SONG of Solomon

d. Moses and Miriam sang songs; Hannah and Mary sang to God

e. James reminds us to SING when we are happy – James 5.13c Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

2. Someone says, “I don’t have a good voice to sing.” Tell me about the voices of:

a. Bob Dylan

b. Joe Cocker

c. Ernest Tubbs

d. Willie Nelson – and their careers

e. Singing to God is about personal contact with him, not performing a Broadway show

3. Did you know that God is a singer?

4. Today we will notice three aspects of God’s singing

I. The Father Sings TO Us – Zephaniah 3.17

The LORD your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult [rejoice] over you with loud singing.

A. The Parental Nature of God – Male and Female aspects Isaiah 49.15 Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

B. So, What Does God Sing?

1. Love Songs – “quiets us with his love”

a. Comfort songs

b. Nostalgia – collects our tears (Psalm 56.8); collects our prayers (Revelation 5.8)

2. Joy – “ Rejoices over you” – Luke 15.7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

II. The Son Sings WSITH Us – Matthew 26.30

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

A. The Last Supper

1. Hallel – Psalms 113-118

2. Passover and the events of the Exodus

3. Lord’s Supper

B. Sings WITH Us of:

1. The Glory of the Father

2. The Will of the Father

III. The Spirit Sings THROUGH Us – Ephesians 5.18-19

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

A. Holy Spirit is to Glorify

1. The Father

2. The Son (John 15.26 he will bear witness about me.)

B. Holy Spirit Encourages PEOPLE

1. Heaven and Earth pass – Word remains – Matthew 24.35 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

2. People also remain – This is God’s Treasure

a. Not Gold, Frankincense, myrrh

b. We should treasure people, too

1. SING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING

There was a woman who spent some months serving as a missionary in South Africa. On her final visit to a remote township she attended a medical clinic. As the Zulu women there began to sing together, she found herself deeply moved by their hauntingly beautiful harmonies. She wanted to always remember this moment and try to share it with friends when she arrived home. With tears flowing down her cheeks, she turned to her friend and asked, "Can you please tell me the translation of the words to this song?"

Her friend looked at her and solemnly replied . . . "If you boil the water, you won't get dysentery."

How many times have we been guilty of the same thing in a worship service? No, not of singing that particular song, but of singing (and perhaps even being moved emotionally) without being aware of the meaning of the words we were singing.

Paul said, "I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding." (I Cor. 14:15)

The melody may be beautiful, but it is the lyrics which give our songs meaning. Pay careful attention to what is being said.

2. God Sings with Understanding so should we