Sing!

[0:00] Let us open God's Word to Ephesians chapter 5 as we have had this beautiful reading together of Ephesians chapter 2 and something of the glory of the gospel coming to us of how being dead in our sins and trespasses but God in His great love has made us alive in Christ.

[0:36] And certainly as we come to this passage I would ask that you think of how beautiful it is that there is a connection between singing, reformation and revival. Those things do come together in a beautiful way in this passage. A hymn that I thought of from this passage one that we sing often at Cornerstone has these words. Come young and old from every land men and women of the faith come those with full or empty hands. Find the riches of His grace over all the world His people sing. Shore to shore we hear them call the truth that cries from every age. Our God is all in all. And I would just echo this element of singing is such an important part of Christianity itself. It's almost like music and singing is almost the very culture that has come from Christianity and the history of God's people. Singing is part of that wonderful way that we come to know God. And it's a very powerful gift from God. And I do believe that when

[1:58] God reforms His church or brings awakening to His church that it becomes a singing church. And there is a joy there that we become a singing church. We're so filled with His Spirit that we cannot but sing of what He has done for us. There is a joy there within us. Even those of us who can't sing, we sing.

[2:23] Because God has worked in our hearts and we must sing forth His joy and praise. And I believe if you find the riches of His grace that we read of in Ephesians 2, then you cannot help but sing of that joyful salvation that God has given to you. Our God is all in all. Let's bow and ask for His blessing upon the reading of His Word.

[2:53] Our Father, we realize that all the workings and study and even praying, without Your coming to bless Your Word and causing us to have ears to hear, we are here and it's but a ritual, but a pattern to repeat.

[3:17] And we pray, O God, You would give us, give to me, not only words to say, but ears to hear afresh. As You would give ears to everyone here, we would hear this wonderful note of singing and reformation and revival. I pray, O God, You'd work in our hearts and lives and even loosen our tongues that we would sing more for Your glory as we would hear that commandment.

[3:47] Be with us now as we hear Your Word, for we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Ephesians chapter 5, of course, is this great passage that's so very direct to us about certain sins as the first part begins.

[4:06] And it's so direct to us about sin that it's one of those passages that as pastors, we don't readily go there and say, Aha, I'm going to preach on this. But as we come to that passage, we must preach on that and we are humbled.

[4:20] And I must say, just as your pastor was leading you in prayer, I was humbled just as you have this wonderful gathering of God's people here. What a privilege to be here.

[4:32] And so as we come to this passage, I would ask that you hear the Word of God, beginning with verse 15. It has this background of this little word that's almost like some might call a simple little hymn or ditty almost.

[4:51] Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. And that's what we're asking for this morning, that Christ will shine upon us. Wake us up.

[5:05] Verse 15, we read, Look carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

[5:19] Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And then, beginning here, verse 18, we read our text, And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, 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, giving thanks always for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

[6:06] And so these are what I believe straightforward verses about singing, about being filled with the Spirit, about having thanksgiving in our hearts.

[6:18] These three verses really do have to do with that question, is our singing, or better maybe, is my singing, our music in our hearts, really important?

[6:33] Or is it just kind of a filler? You know, we have certain things that, I think some of our churches that really want to emphasize, preaching, and the great importance of preaching.

[6:44] preaching, preach the word. But it becomes such an emphasis, that they kind of fill in everything else, until finally, preaching. The reality is, all of this coming together, has great importance.

[7:01] Singing is not filler for the service. It is a very important part, as we come. In fact, in these three verses, I would ask you to notice, verse 18, has to do with the filling of the Spirit, that comes to us, first of all, in this singing.

[7:21] And then verse 19, the music of the Spirit, singing. Ignore this. Cause this to be filler. It's a very important part, of that worship, that is filled with the Spirit.

[7:37] And then, verse 20, the thanksgiving, of the Spirit, of God. I believe, again, this, is an important part, of any real reformation, in Christ's church, or, that of revival, in Christ's church.

[7:53] So, we come, and, I would emphasize, how important this is, with verse 18, the filling, of the Spirit. Now, certainly, sometimes, that expression, that, that way of thinking, has kind of become, almost something of, many of the churches, in different parts, of our land, our country, and especially, in Latin America, where we travel a lot, there's such, what we'd almost call, a wildfire.

[8:20] The fill with the Spirit, and there's, almost a loss of control. And it's like, something that just, becomes, wild. But if we look, closely, at this passage, it starts off, by saying, don't get drunk, on wine.

[8:37] Don't lose, all control. Don't be, under the influence, of wine. Now, certainly, among Christians, there's emphasis, some have, that there would be, a complete abstinence, and there's others, that would have, this and that, and the other, but there's one thing, that's very clear, in God's word.

[8:58] You can go, all the way back, to the Old Testament, different passages, drunkenness, is a sin. Very clear, whatever culture, whatever background, whatever kind of, exegetical workings, someone does, with the Bible, and all their different workings, drunkenness, is always a sin.

[9:20] In fact, it says, it leads to, debauchery. It's kind of, one of those words, you can almost feel, debauchery. It has a, a certain, almost feeling to it, doesn't it? debauchery. That's, in contrast, to, something else.

[9:41] It's interesting, there's a passage in, I think, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, who is the, great, expositor, in the English language, of the last century.

[9:53] Dr. Lloyd-Jones, was a medical doctor, part of almost the, the elite, part of medicine, in London. And before he went, into the Christian ministry, he was under, Lord Horder, who was the queen's surgeon.

[10:08] He had an important position, as a very young man, had already had, bastante, a great deal of, of knowledge, as far as recognition, that he had, among different ones.

[10:22] They looked to him, already as a, diagnostician. He speaks of how, alcohol, wine, in the pharmaceutical, books, it's classified, as a depressant.

[10:36] Because, first, there might be something, of a stimulation, but, as one would drink more, it's a depressant. And then he speaks, and how, if we would put the Holy Spirit, in that same book, he would be listed, as one, who is a stimulant.

[10:55] He is the one, who stimulates us, as Christians. Don't be under the, the influence, of that which would be, a downer. But be under, the influence, and be filled, with the spirit of God, who is the, one who stimulates us.

[11:13] So there is, this very important, contrast, that's given to us, here, in verse 18. This wonderful work, of the Holy Spirit. He fills us.

[11:25] And we can speak, of that first, that, there is a control, in the Holy Spirit. Not something, of a trance, or something, where one, loses control, but there is being, under the control, of the Holy Spirit, who is within us.

[11:43] Colossians, is what we have. Colossians chapter 3, is considered, the, parallel passage, and some of these, parallel passages, help us, there is like, what it said here, and then you go, to a parallel passage, and it helps us, understand, and explain, the other passage.

[12:04] Colossians chapter 3, verse 15, if you turn there, it speaks, and let the peace of Christ, rule in your hearts, to which, indeed, you were called, in one body, and be thankful.

[12:19] Let the word of Christ, dwell in you richly, teaching, and admonishing, one another, in all wisdom, singing psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness, in your hearts, to God.

[12:34] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything, in the name, of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, the Father, through him.

[12:45] This passage, has those same concepts, they run parallel, to one another, that being filled, with the Spirit, is having, the word of Christ, dwell in your hearts, richly, having the word of Christ, control, your very life, to be in, the innermost part, of who you are, the Spirit of God, to be there.

[13:10] And then notice also, I think, in this verse, what does this filling do? It in one sense, it stimulates us, it raises our, sensibilities, to the words, of Christ.

[13:26] That word of Christ, dwells in our hearts, richly. It stimulates us. So it's not only, a factor of control, but it stimulates, how we are, and think, and the word, of Christ, in us, is a wonderful thing, as it points us, to the work of Christ, and who he is, as one, that it's, the Holy Spirit, points us to.

[13:53] And then third, the effects, of the control, is that filling, of the Holy Spirit. We had reference, in one of the, prayers already, of love, and joy, and peace, and forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

[14:15] Have you heard that somewhere? Does it remind you of something? There's that, fruit of the Spirit of God, in us, as Christians. What an amazing thing, that we, have this, wonderful, work of God, in us.

[14:31] Do that in me. I need that, in my, everyday, life. When things aren't running, like I want them to be, I need this, element of the fruit, of the Spirit, this wonderful thing, that the Holy Spirit, alone can do, in our lives.

[14:53] Then look at verse 19. It has to do with, singing. It has to do with, a response, that's very practical. It's personal, yes, and it's on purpose, that's there.

[15:06] In fact, what's the longest book, in the Bible? The Psalms. It's the book, that's given to us, to pray, and to sing.

[15:19] This wonderful book. It's the longest book, of the Bible, and maybe there's a reason, for that. We have a lot to learn, how to pray. Lord, teach me to pray. And the Psalms, give us, this rich background, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[15:33] He is constantly, with the Psalms, on his lips. They are his words, his praying, from the very time, early, arriving to the temple, all through his ministry.

[15:45] The Psalms, are on his lips. There he is, on the cross. The Psalms, are on his lips. Jesus, praying, with the Psalms.

[15:56] Much for us, to learn there. And so, when we come to verse 19, what does it say? If you look at those words, and have them jump at you a bit, it says, addressing one another, in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs.

[16:13] Singing, and making melody, to the Lord, with your heart. So there's an element there, that's very important for us.

[16:24] What is this singing? The music of the Spirit, as we would think of the filling of the Spirit. Now there's the music of the Spirit, would be our second point, second verse here, that we're looking at.

[16:37] And there, certainly, when we speak of the Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, if you're careful in reading your Bible, you know that the Psalms, have little titles above them.

[16:49] Many of them do. And they have, those very titles, that are given here, whether you go to the Greek translation, from the Hebrew, what we call the Septuagint, it has the very words, that Paul uses here, in Ephesians 5.19.

[17:05] Or, the Hebrew has that element of, a psalm, a strained instrument, song. It has, these very words, are speaking, and pointing us, to the psalm.

[17:18] But it's not, something that we would exclusively, sing only the Psalms, but we should be singing, and praying, and learning from the Psalms. But at the same time, we find in the New Testament, new songs.

[17:32] And they sing a new song, worthy is the Lamb, who was slain. Or you find that, wonderful passage, in Philippians 2, speaking to us, of Christ, a new song, in one sense.

[17:47] It gives us, something, the fullness, of God's revelation, and completion, of redemption, in Jesus. So yes, it's not exclusively, the Psalms, but there is, an importance, to those Psalms, as they're fulfilled, in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

[18:07] But notice, the music, that I believe, is spoken of here, of the church. church. Certainly, all of this, is very personal. In our personal lives, we learn to sing.

[18:20] Some of us, who aren't able, to carry a tune, at least, as others would enjoy it. We, have the privilege, though, of coming together, as a corporate body, and having those, who are gifted, lead us in singing.

[18:35] And we sing together, as the people of God. What a joy. And I would ask you, to notice, very carefully, these words. Is it just, to God alone, that we sing?

[18:48] What does it say? Verse 19. Addressing, one another, in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs.

[18:59] Singing, and making melody. Now, there is an element here, that is horizontal. Very important. Sometimes, we so emphasize, solo, deo, gloria, to God alone, be the glory.

[19:15] Yes. But, even as we sing, one to another, that's, for God's glory. But, it's an important part, that we don't leave out, this horizontal element.

[19:28] I think, we have to work at it. Sometimes, maybe even together, a little closer together. Or, in our, our building, we had to spend about, oh, I think it was a full, three months, to scrape all the cotton, they had sprayed cotton, on top of the building, where we sing.

[19:45] And, even with, when there'd be a large gathering, we still, didn't have a, way of almost hearing, ourselves sing. And so, we had to scrape that off, in order to be able, to hear, ourselves sing.

[19:57] When you hear, this one over here singing, and someone over here singing, and then there's somebody, behind me, that sings really well, with some power. Or, wow, I start singing, because I can join, with all these voices.

[20:10] And you know, why we're singing? Because we encourage, one another. It's a great way also, to make known the gospel. Singing. I read of a, a dear lady, whose whole background, was so messed up.

[20:23] Her mother was an atheist. There was all kinds, of lesbian background, in a mess, that's just so, convoluted, you hardly don't, you don't really, want to talk about it, or read about it.

[20:34] It was just a mess. But as her mother, as an atheist, was dying, she kept on singing, singing. And finally, this mother, in her weakness, ah, maybe I'm so weak now, I can believe this stuff, this junk, you've been believing.

[20:51] Tell me more about Christ. And yes, people do come, to know the Lord, on their deathbed. Singing, is a powerful work, that God has given to us.

[21:05] It's part of this, music, of the spirit, to speak to another, one another. It has to do with, teaching, evangelizing, encouraging, calming, enjoying the Lord.

[21:20] There is a beauty, to this. You know, as we want to learn, good doctrine, ah, I don't want to do this, because it would probably be embarrassing, but I can do it, I guess, towards, towards myself here.

[21:34] But I can, sometimes, try to remember, what did I preach on, three weeks ago? Hmm. Nancy, do you remember? No, I don't really remember it. But you know what?

[21:46] We go home singing. We remember these things. How important it is, to have good lyrics, good doctrine, with our music, to be careful, with all those things.

[22:03] The early church, when there were errors, what we would call, Arianism, believing that, yes, Jesus was, great, great, but he was just, the greatest, of all creation.

[22:14] He wasn't, very God, of very God. And those, who had good doctrine, one of the, tools they used, was to write some hymns, that had to do, with the deity, the full deity, of Jesus Christ.

[22:28] And then they would, gather the people, as choirs, the whole congregation, and teach them, these hymns. And then when they would, come together to sing, when everybody else, the public came, they were teaching, sound doctrine.

[22:39] May God give us grace, wisdom, voices, to sing with sound doctrine.

[22:52] So I believe this is something, of great importance, to learn, how we can sing, truth together, because, though you may not remember, what is preached, two weeks ago, or three weeks ago, if you've learned these hymns, there'll be something, there in your, your place of work, it'll be going around, in your mind, or you'll be singing it, under your breath, it'll be something, that's teaching you, good doctrine.

[23:21] There's a hymn, that has meant a lot, to me in these days, I don't know, are you familiar, with this hymn, not in me, it's called, no list of sins, what a powerful hymn, let me read, a little of this to you, I won't sing it for you.

[23:37] Amen. Amen. No list of sins, I have not done, how often, our self-righteousness, no, no list of sins, I have not done, no list of virtues, I pursue, no list, of those, I am not like, can earn myself, a place with you, oh God, be merciful to me, I am a sinner, through and through, my only hope, of righteousness, is not in me, but only you, here is the gospel, of grace, wow, great stuff, our tendency, to self-righteousness, as Christians, where somehow, or another, we haven't done, those sins, somehow, or another, we're better, than those, or them, oh, may God, teach us his truth, no humble dress, no fervent prayer, no lifted hands, no tearful song, and then, he has these words, no recitation, of the truth, can justify, a single wrong, it's got to be, more than orthodoxy, it needs to be, that we know God, we've experienced, the reality, of Christ's righteousness, my righteousness, is Jesus life, my debt, was paid, by Jesus death, my weary load, was born by him, and he alone, can give me rest, what great stuff, horizontally, we're speaking, and teaching, one another, when we sing, no separation, from the world, no work I do, no gift,

[25:23] I give, can cleanse, can cleanse, my conscience, cleanse my hands, I cannot cause, my soul to live, but Jesus died, and rose again, the power of death, is overthrown, my God, is merciful to me, and merciful in Christ, alone, and then it has this, tag, it says, my righteousness, is Jesus life, my debt, my debt, was paid, by Jesus death, my weary load, was born by him, and he alone, can give me rest, yes, he alone, can give me rest, the horizontal, is very important, but I believe, there's also, what we would call, a vertical element, of our singing, not exclusively, horizontal, it's vertical, sing and make music, in your heart, to the Lord, we are in his presence, it's not to be something, that's merely, ritualistic, kind of, that we've done it, so many times, or somehow, another, perfunctatory, or as we mentioned earlier, just filler, filler, it is to be unto the Lord, our singing, in your heart,

[26:44] God is the audience, that we need to, have the reality, that as we sing, just as when we hear, the word of God, we're in God's very presence, I remember well, when my, these grandchildren's mother, was in the home, and also our other children actually, we were, invited, when I was pastoring there, in Mesa Arizona, to what's called, Venture Out, for a Thanksgiving service, on Thanksgiving morning, and there was about, 1200 people, I always remember, this gathering, all these people, gathered around, and there up above, was this huge, I guess we'd call it, ceiling, opening, almost like God, was watching, upon all of us, as we worshiped, and we need to have, something of that, in our minds, that as we come together, to worship, God is watching, God is here, God's presence, we are praising him, the Psalms, speak of this, turn with me, to Psalm 95, how powerful, this is,

[27:52] Psalm 95, verse 1, just to read, part of it, there, O come, let us sing, to the Lord, let us make, a joyful noise, to the rock, of our salvation, let us come, into his presence, with thanksgiving, let us make, a joyful noise, to him, with songs, of praise, for the Lord, is a great God, and a great King, above all gods, and then it goes on, he is so, wonderfully great, or, as we would think, of how, he lives upon, his very praises, turn back a few Psalms, Psalm, well I guess, it's quite a few, Psalm 22, verse 3, has this interesting expression, I believe it's in this version, it has this, let's see, you are holy, Psalm 22, verse 3, you are holy, enthroned, on the praises, of Israel, isn't that an interesting, almost, something that, gathers in your mind, he's enthroned, upon the praises, of his people, there's a, a beauty, to seeing God, being praised, can you do that, half-heartedly, can you, love, half-heartedly,

[29:15] I sometimes, get in a little trouble, I don't probably, one of those things, we're a little bit informal, I think here, in Cottonwood, but hopefully, sometimes, just to annoy my wife a little, I try to kiss her, on the forehead, she, boy, I get a reaction, right away, you know, don't do that, you have to love, with all your heart, it's not something, that you gotta do, it's, not just an obligation, it's something, that comes to you, and you, join in to praise God, because of, what he has done, there is this, wonderful work, of God, that comes to us, and that, we are to be those, who, aren't half-hearted, in praising him, half-hearted love, we would be, well to pray, oh God, deliver me, deliver me, from half-hearted singing, may I worship, and love, it can't really be, half-hearted, if it's love, if it's, real praise,

[30:20] God deliver us, from that, perfunctatory, kind of, ritualistic, worship, one more verse, verse, that's there before you, verse 20, and there I would see, the thanksgiving, of the spirit of God, this filling of the spirit, results in something, that permeates, all that we are, our singing, and our very way, of thinking, and talking, becomes something, of thanksgiving, notice verse 20, giving thanks, always, for everything, to God the Father, in the name, of our Lord Jesus Christ, now, it's, kind of, something almost natural, about most, all of us, is we kind of, grumble around, isn't it true, or we murmur, when we drive, what's he doing, in my way, hey, get out of my way, you know, or I think, we referred earlier, to those, who live in, Mexico City, there's like, 25 million,

[31:23] I think there might be, 50 million cars, because to try to get, from this point, to that point, it is, chaos, and you can drive around, with someone, who is always, upset about, all those people, in their way, may God give us, lives, that aren't constantly, that person's in my way, that didn't go, like I wanted, I'm upset about this, I'm upset about that, there's something, of the wrong spirit, about all that, the filling, of the spirit, yes, in our singing, it will affect, even, how we deal, with those things, that are in our way, those, real deep, problems, of real life, family breakups, and, divorces, and, difficult things, that just, are all part of, everyday, real life, how do we deal, with those things, for everything, thanksgiving, now is that literally, how thankful I am, that so and so, got into adultery, or I, how thankful for this, car wreck, and five people were killed, or something of that nature, that's not what, we're speaking of here, that's not what the text, is really speaking, but there's a sense, in which, yes, as we would pray, in Jesus name, as we would pray, under the, our very, submission to the Lord, that we know, that he has, all these things, in his hands, and there's, a very purpose, to those most, most difficult things, that we can't even explain, what those purposes are,

[33:01] God has a purpose, in our lives, that situation, that leaves someone, maimed for life, and we can't understand, the why of that, they had, young children, at the time, they were going through, just the very, most important part, of their whole life, and this changes everything, why, and it's 20, 30, 40, 50, years later, and we look back, and we say, there was a purpose, God had a purpose, in your life, and in mine, we may never, understand fully, but we see something, of why, God is, there, with a purpose, so that when we look, at this passage, we don't, thank God, for some earthquake, that 900 people died, but we know, that even in that, we can thank God, he has a purpose, in this, and that in his sovereignty, he is doing, that work of grace, and bringing others, to Christ, we weep, with those, who weep, we are joyful, with those, who are in joy, there is, something here, that of his will, and his way, there is purpose, even when, the world, or the evil one, means it, for our destruction,

[34:21] God, brings all these things, together, for our good, as we're called, according to his purpose, as we love him, but notice also, and I think this is important, thanksgiving, for God's grace, is something, that is, very personal, and I would, with just a few minutes, that we have here, speak, of something, of history, you know, France was, a nation, that needed, the gospel, so greatly, and one of the things, that we have, in the 16th century, is that wonderful, testimony, of how hundreds, of missionaries, were trained, there in Geneva, and then they were, sent forth, to France, back from, from Geneva, Switzerland, back into France, but if you know, the history, it is a very difficult, thing, because, thousands of them, were martyred, there was something, extraordinary, in this,

[35:24] John Calvin, personally trained, and taught, and shepherded, and loved, many, many of those, young men, who were sent back, to France, there were five of them, young men, that had been, his personal students, they were sentenced, to die, for their preaching, in France, and he, writes a letter, to them, shortly, before they were, burned at the stake, and, he writes, something of the nature, of how, thankful to God, and he says, quote, God, God will not, suffer a single drop, of your blood, to be in vain, and I think, it is good for us, to realize, there are things, we can't explain, the why of, happen in our lives, happen in what, we would speak of, the preaching of the gospel, going to different nations, we can't explain, those things, or, before, this time, there was a man, by the name of,

[36:27] John Huss, someone, spoke, I think, of their, last name, being with a Polish, background, here, in the church, and there is a background, of, in Poland, the Reformation, John Huss, the, the, the, way, in which he, testified, to the gospel, of Christ, and then, he was condemned, and then, maybe some of you, have seen the film, on his life, it ends with, those words, on the screen, of, July the 6th, 1415, he died, singing, Son of David, have mercy upon me, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy, on me, the Reformation, was a singing church, there's a book, that I read, in fact, it's the only book,

[37:32] I've ever read, twice in one day, we were, in Florida, having done, a missions conference, and, and, we tried to get, one of these, really inexpensive hotels, the night before, to catch a flight, coming back, to wonderful Arizona, and, it was not a good one, won't go into, the details of that hotel room, but, wow, it wasn't a place to sleep, so, I, was given this book, called Sing, and, I'd recommend it to you, sing, and, I read through it, from about two to five, whatever it was, and, got up, and, got situated, got off to the airport, got on the plane, and, it was one of the books, I still had, in my satchel there, and, pulled it out, and, I started reading it again, read through the whole book, on the plane, doesn't take you long to read, it convicted me, of not singing, because no one wants, to hear me sing, many times, I'm the one to preach, after the singing, so I'm back, kind of thinking, and, all this, and, and the burden, of preaching, is upon me, and I'm thinking, of these truths, and, so quite often, especially in Latin America,

[38:39] I'm in the back, kind of, walking about, and I was convicted, by God, that I need to be singing, praising God, I'm not to be excluded, from the congregation, I'm to be part of that, and maybe you're here, you need to, yes, I'm going to sing, with joy in my heart, because Christ has redeemed me, whatever else I've done, I'm a child of the King, sing, there is a joy to that, and certainly, whether it was Luther, in his 38 hymns, that he wrote, I would just, encourage you to, to sing, to sing, enter into that, element, I think it was Francis Schaeffer, that spoke of the Geneva Jigs, and, whatever that was all about, there's, controversy about that, where these, the music came from, and all this, but, people were singing, Paul Gerhard, one of the great German, hymnists, tremendous words, of his hymns, we have something, that's taken place, in our day, back,

[39:48] I would say, in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, in through there, a lot of those, who were writing contemporary, music, had come out of the music world, and suddenly become celebrities, in the Christian world, too quickly, and they didn't have good theology, and a lot of what they wrote, was fluff, filler, more, but we have those today, who are writing, good stuff, like what we were singing earlier, like what I quoted to you earlier, there's great theology, being written, with carefulness, because these people, who are writing these new, hymns, and songs, are those who've had, good theological training, and they're giving us, good, solid things, to sing, and praise God with, and don't forget, the Psalms, so we have much to do, in our day, be praying, for those who lead your music, praying for those, who play the instruments, praying for those, that we don't just do it, in some way that, it's filler today, filler time, no, this is important, part of the filling of the spirit, is that we would sing, horizontally, to encourage one another, to teach one another, but also vertically, that we would have him, enthroned with our praises, that it really is, worship, that we enter into, and praise him, let me, close with a quote,

[41:25] I want to encourage you, with a, something that, I think is so, practical, and that is to, read the Psalms, and sing the Psalms, and learn, these great hymns, and sing together, one of the things, that happens in busy lives, and there's probably, not any real busy lives, here in, cottonwood, but what has happened, is, we get an exhortation, to have devotions, for an hour together, and it's great, we do it, and we did it again, the second day, but third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, suddenly, life is going so fast, that, what happened, to those great plans, I'd recommend you, to get, one, I would encourage you, is Paul David Tripp's book, New Morning Mercies, outstanding, and this one, that's called, the songs of Jesus, you'll read through the Psalms, in the year, and just a very brief, portion of the Psalms, and then, it has a paragraph, on that, and then after that, you have just a little, brief prayer, let me read this to you though, this, this word, on Psalm 81, verses 1 through 4, sing, for joy to God, our strength, shout aloud, to the God of Jacob, begin the music, strike the timbrel, play, the melodious harp, and lyre, sound the ram's horn, at the new moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival, this is a decree, for Israel, an ordinance, of the God of Jacob, that's the Psalm, and then, the little comment, he has on this, the command, to rejoice, the very strength, of this call, to worship, raises questions, we are not merely, invited, but commanded, as a decree, and as a statute, to worship God, with joy, how can we rejoice, to order, and then, he refers to,

[43:44] Ephesians 5, 19, tells us, to use, skillful music, to immerse ourselves, in the Psalms, themselves, and to learn, how to turn our hearts, to God, and gratitude, moment by moment, during the day, also, we are, commanded, to meet, regularly, with one another, for public worship, and we should not, neglect this, are you rejoicing, in God, is there singing, in your heart, horizontally, and vertically, as a Christian, who has been saved, by amazing grace, let us pray, Father, it is amazing grace, that you would save us, that you would give us, eternal life, we ask, oh Lord, you would, tune our hearts, to sing your praise, forgive us,

[44:45] Lord, for not singing, with greater joy, forgive us, for singing, with cold hearts, forgive us, for not singing, at all, oh Lord, tune our hearts, to sing, with, all our strength, that Christ, may be glorified, in our midst, that others, who would come, would be, amazed, these people, really do worship him, and love him, look how they sing, together, give us that love, for one another, for we pray, in Jesus name, amen.

[45:27] Amen.