WEBVTT

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 Well, please do have a seat.

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 We're going to put the talk right at the beginning of tonight.

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 So we'll get into that now and then we'll have lots of time to rejoice and to sing together at the end.

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 So let me pray and then we'll get to work together.

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 Father God, thank you so much that you have been outrageously kind to us.

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 Father, you've given us all sorts of gifts.

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 Father, you've given us all sorts of ways to sing your praise together.

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 So, Lord, as we look at the reason why, Father, would you speak to us?

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 Would you teach us?

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 Would you enlarge our hearts?

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 Father, would we be those that are encouraged to raise our voices to you, our great God?

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 So be with us in this time.

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 Father, make us a singing people as those that have so much to sing about in your son, Jesus.

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 So bless us in his worthy name.

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 Amen.

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 So we're in Why Church.

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 Tonight we're looking at Why Sing.

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 I've been looking at this for about the last two weeks.

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 It's still a work in progress.

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 I haven't quite got to the 10,000 sermon points that Matt Redman seems to suggest we should have in the song we've just sang.

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 I've got seven for you.

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 There's a handout just to help you follow along.

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 Why do we sing?

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 In a recent article by Oliver Berkman in The Guardian, he reported on research done by Goldsmiths College,

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 and it found that participating in a choir had profound and unexpected health benefits.

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 Here are some.

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 People who sing in a choir are generally happier than people who don't.

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 They have a greater sense of belonging and social cohesion.

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 People that sing in a choir are more hopeful than people that don't.

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 And surprisingly, people who sing in a choir have a higher pain threshold than those who don't.

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 I just say that's because some of the people they may be in a choir with are quite painful to listen to.

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 One woman commented in the research,

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 It's as if I'm inhabiting another reality.

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 I become temporarily suspended in a world where everything bad is bearable and everything good feels possible.

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 Singing, it seems, in a choir has health benefits.

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 And so it seems a good way to spend our evening.

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 Singing, it seems, quite apart from the religious content, is good for you.

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 So whether you don't agree with anything else I say tonight, it's been worth you being here just to sing five songs together.

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 However, when we look at singing within the church, singing within a Christian context,

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 it takes on a far more important, far more key role in the life of individuals and a church together.

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 One of the chief things that Christians are renowned for, both historically and universally,

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 is singing songs and making music.

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 It is almost unique in the realm of faith.

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 For example, in contrast to Islam, you will never hear music in a mosque.

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 You may hear some musical recitation as people are called to prayer.

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 But within Islam and the Koran, music is expressly haram.

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 It is forbidden.

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 And yet singing, it seems, in the Bible is commonplace and encouraged.

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 There are 143 references to singing in the Old Testament

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 and just nine references to singing in the New Testament.

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 Singing or reciting songs appears at all the key moments in redemption history.

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 When Adam first meets Eve, the most beautiful woman he's ever met,

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 he sings her a song.

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 The first extended song in the Bible is Exodus 15,

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 as Moses and Miriam and the people of Israel celebrate the Exodus.

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 And then the last extended song is in Revelation 15,

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 as everyone sings the song of Moses together.

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 Psalms, song of Solomon and Lamentations are books principally of songs.

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 Some of them more joyful than others,

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 as Lamentations is just basically five ways to say I'm miserable.

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 Singing is educational, it is emotional, it is edifying.

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 It is a means of grace through which God implants His words

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 and through His word transforms our hearts and minds

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 and bears fruit in our lives.

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 God's word contains 185 extended songs.

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 As a church, if we take about 100 services a year with five songs,

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 making up most of our services,

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 we spend about 34 hours a year singing together.

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 We spend a lot of time doing it.

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 So it is a worthy study to think, why do we do it?

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 What is it about?

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 And here's my big answer.

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 We sing to help us learn of, focus on and respond to who God is

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 and what God has done together.

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 So if you fall asleep now, you've got something.

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 We sing to help us learn of, focus on and respond to who God is

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 and what God has done together.

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 And there is a rich history of hymns in the Christian world.

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 But the earliest one that doesn't come from the Bible

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 is from the end of the second century.

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 It's called the Orinkus Hymn.

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 And we found a little extract of it.

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 I didn't.

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 I say we.

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 They.

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 They found a little extract of it.

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 And roughly translated, it says this.

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 Let it be silent.

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 Let the luminous stars not shine.

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 Let the winds and all the noisy rivers die down.

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 And as we sing to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

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 let all the powers add, amen, amen.

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 Empire, praise always, and glory to God,

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 the soul giver of good things, amen, amen.

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 Late second century, they're singing songs about singing songs,

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 which is very interesting.

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 To get a further grip on the role of singing in corporate life,

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 it's important to learn what we do together as a people when we meet.

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 So I've drawn you a little diagram.

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 This is what happens at church.

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 For church to happen, God gives us his word and his spirit.

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 God gives us his word and his spirit.

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 We give God our prayers and our praise.

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 And we use, give each other our spiritual gifts to build each other up,

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 to edify God's church.

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 That's what happens on a Sunday and as a church when we gather together.

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 Singing, it looks very similar.

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 What does God give us to help us sing?

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 Well, he gives us of his word and his spirit.

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 And in song, we give to God thanksgiving and adoration.

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 We worship who God is and all that he's given us.

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 And as we sing, as we'll see,

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 we're teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

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 Unless we understand these dynamics of what is going on,

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 of what God is giving us, what we're giving back to God,

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 and what we're doing for each other,

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 singing will always just be a filler of time,

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 or an option for the enthusiastic,

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 or a waste of time for the tonally challenged.

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 Martin Luther writes this,

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 The gift of language combined with the gift of song

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 was only given to man to let him know

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 that he should praise God with both word and music,

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 namely, by proclaiming God's word through music,

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 and by providing sweet melodies to accompany God's words.

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 I think Martin Luther has done more for the worshipful singing of the church

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 than maybe anyone else.

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 And so I want to give you my seven points.

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 Point one is this, we sing to reaffirm the word.

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 We sing to reaffirm the word.

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 If we go to 1 Corinthians 14 verse 26,

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 there may be slightly controversial verses,

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 but I want us to see one quick pattern.

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 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?

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 When you come together, each one of you

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 has a hymn or a word of instruction,

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 a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.

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 Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

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 Now we can have lots of discussion, I think,

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 about what it means to come with a revelation,

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 or a tongue, or an interpretation.

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 But all I want to simply say

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 is that all of those, Paul lumps together as word ministries.

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 Ministries about God's word.

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 And right at the beginning, we'll see,

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 does anyone have a hymn?

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 In Paul's mind, the singing of the church

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 is not distinct from the word ministry of the church.

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 Church.

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 What are we singing?

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 We're singing God's word.

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 It seems clear then that worship and the word

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 are not in contradiction of each other.

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 They're not fighting each other.

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 Why do we sing?

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 We sing to help us get God's word into our system.

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 Because it's God's word that will do God's work

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 in our lives.

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 I was trying to think of an analogy.

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 If preaching is like the meal,

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 the food,

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 then the music and the singing

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 is like the ambience

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 and the decor.

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 You can't just have ambience and decor

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 or else everyone leaves hungry.

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 But if you have excellent food,

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 God's word,

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 and you accompany it with lovely decor

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 and great ambience,

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 then the two just mutually help each other.

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 That if you go for a nice meal

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 in a lovely restaurant,

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 it's very memorable.

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 It does you good.

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 We cannot just have worship

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 because there would be no meal.

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 But if the worship enhances the word,

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 then it becomes much more memorable

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 and dynamic in our lives.

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 And so Paul will tell the Colossians,

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 let the message of Christ dwell among you richly

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 as you teach and admonish one another

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 with all wisdom through psalms, hymns,

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 and songs from the Spirit,

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 singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

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 See, Paul writes that the ministry

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 of singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

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 is a teaching ministry.

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 It is not one person teaching from the front,

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 but it is everybody teaching everyone

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 within the congregation.

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 You're letting the word resonate between us.

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 We're singing to one another.

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 It is a great way, as it says in Colossians,

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 of enhancing and amplifying the message of Christ

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 dwelling richly and loudly amongst us.

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 We're not singing just to fill time.

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 We're singing to teach and admonish one another,

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 to get this word reverberating

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 and resonating in our lives.

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 Mark Dever writes,

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 it is a key responsibility

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 singing reaffirms the word.

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 And therefore that helps us know

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 what we should be singing.

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 We should be singing the words of Scripture,

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 the truths of Scripture,

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 the promises of Scripture.

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 We should be singing in praise of the God

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 who is revealed in Scripture.

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 We're not just looking for catchy tunes

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 and memorable lyrics.

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 We're looking for memorable ways

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 of getting this word to be implanted in our lives.

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 And singing is a great way to do that.

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 Sometimes I wish I was Scottish,

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 not very often.

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 But the one time I really wish I was Scottish

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 is when I go to watch the rugby at Murrayfield.

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 And you've got that excitement

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 as the players run out

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 and they all line up

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 and the bagpipe plays the introduction

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 to Flower of Scotland.

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 And I'm there just as an onlooker

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 because I'm not brave enough

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 to sing the English national anthem

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 in Murrayfield.

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 But the minute those bagpipes play up,

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 start up,

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 I think this is about to kick off.

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 And you know that everybody

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 with the smallest drop of Caledonian blood

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 in their veins

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 is going to sing at the top of their voice.

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 What they lack in tuning,

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 they'll make up for in volume.

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 And it's a way of them saying,

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 I'm Scottish,

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 I own this anthem,

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 this is my team.

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 And so when we sing in church

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 about things far more important

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 than nationalism,

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 and far more important than rugby,

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 when we sing together,

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 it is a way of each of us

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 and all of us saying together,

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 these are my truths.

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 This is my God.

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 This is me worshipping my Lord

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 and my Saviour.

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 This is me resting on the promises

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 that He has given me.

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 And as we do that together,

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 it just reaffirms.

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 You know, I can stand here

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 preaching every week

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 and you can just wash it over your head.

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 Listening can be incredibly passive,

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 but when I sing, it's active.

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 And it's a way of saying,

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 this truth is my truth.

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 These truths are what I believe.

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 These truths are what we believe.

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 And therefore, we're going to sing them

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 and affirm them together.

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 We sing to reaffirm God's word.

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 Secondly, we sing to respond to truth.

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 The way the word gets into our lives

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 is through our mind,

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 via our emotions,

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 to our will.

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 We inform our mind

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 so that it might inflame our hearts,

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 so that it might infect our will.

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 That's how God does His work,

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 through His word.

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 And when we sing,

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 it engages our emotions.

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 It takes that truth

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 and gives us the response to it.

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 Singing gives us a physical connection

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 and an emotional ascent

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 to what is being sung.

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 It must always be light and then heat.

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 We're not just singing

00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:02.520
 to try and whip ourselves up

00:16:02.520 --> 00:16:03.960
 into some kind of frenzy.

00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:07.280
 We're singing in response

00:16:07.280 --> 00:16:09.140
 to who God says He is

00:16:09.140 --> 00:16:11.560
 and all that He's done for us.

00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:13.379
 We're not to be like the gong

00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.839
 in 1 Corinthians 13

00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:17.419
 that just goes gong, gong.

00:16:17.599 --> 00:16:19.099
 And the whole reason that is there

00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:20.539
 is because in pagan worship,

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.500
 that's what you do.

00:16:22.119 --> 00:16:23.719
 You keep making a racket

00:16:23.719 --> 00:16:25.639
 until your God does something.

00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.579
 That's not what we're doing.

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:32.059
 We're responding to truth.

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:33.559
 We're engaging our emotions

00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:36.219
 in responding to who God is

00:16:36.219 --> 00:16:37.819
 and what He has done.

00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:39.200
 It is facts

00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.500
 and then faith

00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:42.020
 and then feelings.

00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:44.060
 And as we sing,

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.960
 it engages our feelings,

00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:47.080
 our emotions.

00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:49.720
 If it's just our mind,

00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:51.820
 it will be intellectualism.

00:16:52.400 --> 00:16:54.160
 If it is just our emotions,

00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:55.820
 it will be emotionalism.

00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:57.780
 If it is just our will,

00:16:57.860 --> 00:16:59.580
 it will be fanaticism

00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.680
 because we'll just get people

00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.379
 to do things

00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.340
 without them understanding

00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.300
 what they're doing.

00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:05.859
 But if we get this right,

00:17:05.919 --> 00:17:07.399
 that it flows from our mind

00:17:07.399 --> 00:17:08.639
 to our emotions,

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.599
 to our will,

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.079
 then God's word will bring

00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.680
 a dynamic change

00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.440
 into our lives.

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.559
 And so we get told

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.500
 how to respond.

00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:19.460
 Psalm 47,

00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.700
 clap your hands,

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.099
 all ye nations,

00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.680
 shout to God

00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.740
 with cries of joy,

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.440
 for the Lord most high

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.440
 is awesome.

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.879
 The great King

00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:29.720
 over all the earth,

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:31.680
 He subdued nations under us,

00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.440
 peoples under our feet,

00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.600
 He chose our inheritance

00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.420
 for us.

00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:37.600
 The pride of Jacob

00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.380
 whom He loved,

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.460
 God has ascended

00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:41.299
 amid shouts of joy.

00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:42.700
 The Lord,

00:17:42.820 --> 00:17:44.120
 amid the sounding of trumpets,

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.299
 sing praises to God,

00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.220
 sing praises,

00:17:46.600 --> 00:17:48.160
 sing praises to our King,

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.060
 sing praises,

00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.880
 for God is the King

00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:51.600
 of all the earth.

00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.779
 Sing to Him

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:54.180
 a psalm of praise.

00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:56.220
 God reigns over the nations,

00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:57.060
 God is seated

00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:58.220
 on His holy throne.

00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.299
 The nobles

00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.519
 of the nations assemble

00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:02.039
 as the people of God

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.019
 of Abraham.

00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.799
 For the kings of the earth

00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.660
 belong to God,

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.759
 He is greatly exalted.

00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:08.980
 What's going on in the psalm

00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.619
 where we're learning

00:18:09.619 --> 00:18:10.619
 of who God is,

00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:12.019
 that He's awesome,

00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.900
 that He reigns,

00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:13.779
 that He conquers,

00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.700
 that He wins.

00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.539
 And then the psalmist says,

00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.460
 what do we do in response

00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.279
 where we sing?

00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.839
 And we shout

00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:20.839
 with cries of joy.

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:23.879
 That is the right response

00:18:23.879 --> 00:18:25.619
 to who God is.

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.299
 As we learn of Him,

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.559
 it engages our emotions

00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.779
 and that's expressed

00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:31.240
 as we sing.

00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.919
 Jonathan Edwards writes this,

00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.779
 how can they,

00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:37.000
 that's those who gather

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.720
 in church,

00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:38.919
 sit and hear

00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:40.119
 of the infinite height

00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:40.700
 and depth

00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.299
 and length

00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.019
 of the love

00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:43.339
 of God in Christ Jesus,

00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:46.099
 manifested in His dying agonies,

00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.379
 His bloody sweat,

00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.940
 His loud and bitter cries

00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.359
 and bleeding heart,

00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:51.419
 and all this

00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:52.299
 for His enemies,

00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.519
 to redeem them

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.879
 from deserved

00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:56.399
 eternal burnings,

00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:57.420
 and to bring them

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.460
 to an unspeakable

00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.660
 and everlasting joy

00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.200
 and glory?

00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.759
 How can they hear

00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.180
 all of these things

00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.860
 and yet be cold

00:19:04.860 --> 00:19:05.860
 and heavy,

00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:07.040
 insensitive,

00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:07.920
 insensible

00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:09.259
 and ambivalent?

00:19:10.640 --> 00:19:11.620
 As we learn of God,

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:13.200
 we respond to who He is.

00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.340
 That we sing

00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.140
 to respond

00:19:15.140 --> 00:19:16.580
 to truth.

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.000
 Thirdly,

00:19:19.060 --> 00:19:19.960
 we sing to

00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.300
 reprogram

00:19:21.300 --> 00:19:22.259
 our emotions.

00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.800
 This follows on

00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.240
 from point two.

00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.639
 That the Bible

00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.299
 tells us

00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.419
 how to respond.

00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.319
 When we've got truth,

00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:32.879
 it tells us

00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.759
 what to do.

00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:37.119
 John Calvin writes,

00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.379
 in the Psalms,

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.240
 there is not

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.899
 an emotion

00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:40.440
 of which

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.059
 anyone

00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.159
 can be conscious

00:19:42.159 --> 00:19:42.740
 that is not

00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.379
 represented

00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:44.639
 in this book

00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.180
 of Psalms

00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.059
 as in a mirror.

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.980
 All the griefs,

00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.720
 sorrows,

00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.220
 fears,

00:19:49.419 --> 00:19:49.759
 doubts,

00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.240
 hopes,

00:19:50.419 --> 00:19:50.799
 cares,

00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.000
 perplexities,

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.599
 in short,

00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.859
 all the distracting

00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.959
 emotions with which

00:19:54.959 --> 00:19:55.799
 the minds of men

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.339
 are so commonly agitated.

00:19:58.159 --> 00:19:59.000
 The other parts

00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.439
 of Scripture

00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:00.899
 contain the commandments

00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:03.399
 which God enjoined

00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:04.000
 His servants

00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.179
 to announce to us.

00:20:05.639 --> 00:20:06.219
 But here,

00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.399
 the prophets themselves,

00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:08.579
 seeing they are

00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:09.519
 exhibited to us

00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.599
 as speaking to God

00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:12.139
 and laying open

00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:13.159
 all their inmost

00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:14.099
 thoughts and affections,

00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.559
 core,

00:20:14.939 --> 00:20:16.240
 or rather infirmities

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.299
 to which we are subject,

00:20:17.939 --> 00:20:19.059
 and of the many vices

00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.299
 with which we abound,

00:20:20.699 --> 00:20:21.839
 may remain concealed.

00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.959
 It is certainly

00:20:22.959 --> 00:20:24.199
 a rare and singular

00:20:24.199 --> 00:20:24.799
 advantage

00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:26.659
 when all lurking places

00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.319
 are discovered

00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.599
 and the heart

00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.759
 is brought into the light

00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.099
 purged from that

00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.299
 most baneful infection,

00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:33.139
 hypocrisy.

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.980
 What Calvin is saying there

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.799
 is that as we read

00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.980
 the Psalms,

00:20:38.699 --> 00:20:40.819
 we see every human emotion

00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.480
 reflected.

00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.099
 And as we see

00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.259
 these psalmists

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.939
 lay open their hearts,

00:20:46.139 --> 00:20:47.480
 we see what God's truth

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.819
 does to their anxiety

00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.819
 and their fear

00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.539
 and their distress

00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.559
 and their loneliness

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:53.059
 and their longing.

00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.220
 We see in the Psalms

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.859
 the anatomy

00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.079
 of human emotions,

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:59.000
 but not just put on display,

00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.740
 but that God also tells us

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.460
 what we're to do

00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.500
 when we experience

00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:05.019
 those emotions.

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.940
 They show us

00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.700
 how to respond

00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.920
 in pure adoration,

00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.159
 what to do

00:21:10.159 --> 00:21:10.720
 in the depth

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.759
 of spiritual despair.

00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:12.940
 They tell us

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.680
 what comfort looks like

00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.819
 in the face of death,

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.859
 a response

00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:17.879
 to God's rescue,

00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.200
 a heartfelt cry

00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.880
 for mercy,

00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:21.019
 a declaration

00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.960
 of security,

00:21:22.340 --> 00:21:23.720
 what real satisfaction

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.920
 is expressed as,

00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.779
 the longing

00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.680
 for God's presence,

00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.120
 the joy of knowing God,

00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.420
 a right response

00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:29.980
 to blessing

00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.720
 and every other emotion

00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.559
 besides.

00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.519
 And as we sing

00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.420
 these songs,

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.880
 they help to reprogram

00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.720
 our emotions.

00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:43.360
 They help to rewire us

00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.919
 and help us respond

00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:46.199
 in a godly way

00:21:46.199 --> 00:21:47.199
 to the situations

00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:48.659
 that we find ourselves in.

00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:51.019
 When everything else

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.479
 seems so much in flux,

00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:54.279
 God's word remains the same,

00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.479
 God remains the same,

00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:56.659
 and as we learn

00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:57.419
 these responses,

00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:59.799
 we learn how to deal rightly

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.779
 with different things

00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:02.699
 that come in our lives.

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:05.459
 So I find myself,

00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.979
 with the facing unemployment

00:22:07.979 --> 00:22:08.799
 in January,

00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:11.859
 I find myself singing

00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.480
 in my head

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.079
 all the time,

00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.279
 abide with me.

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.759
 Abide with me.

00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.619
 That great line,

00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:20.379
 when all other

00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.099
 helpers,

00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.359
 fears and comforts

00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:22.740
 flee,

00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.359
 help of the

00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:27.299
 helpless Lord,

00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.419
 abide with me.

00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.240
 And I feel that anxiety

00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.839
 all the time,

00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.460
 so I just have it

00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.399
 going round in my head,

00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.960
 so I don't freak out.

00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:39.220
 This is why I love

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.000
 standing here

00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.720
 on Sunday morning

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.579
 and watch everyone

00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.460
 sing.

00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.120
 When you see

00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:46.759
 the student

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.660
 who just became

00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.700
 a Christian singing

00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:50.000
 my Jesus,

00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.799
 my Saviour

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.840
 with all of their heart

00:22:51.840 --> 00:22:53.140
 at the top of their voice.

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.840
 The dear saint

00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:56.779
 who is the muddle

00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:58.059
 of faithfulness,

00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.640
 singing with

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.779
 utmost sincerity,

00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:01.880
 prone to wonder,

00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.220
 Lord,

00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.960
 I feel it,

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.940
 prone to leave,

00:23:04.539 --> 00:23:05.460
 the God I love.

00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.180
 And I find that

00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.000
 encouraging because

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:08.759
 I feel like that

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.259
 all the time

00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:09.740
 and they've been

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.160
 on the road

00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:10.920
 50 years longer

00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.400
 than me.

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.660
 The parents

00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:14.400
 who buried

00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.039
 their daughter

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.980
 two weeks ago

00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.079
 singing in unison

00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.600
 together,

00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.299
 it is well

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.120
 with my soul

00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:22.019
 that as we get

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.620
 these songs

00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.740
 into our lives,

00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.380
 they teach us

00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.059
 how to respond

00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:25.819
 rightly to the

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.519
 circumstances

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:28.660
 we face in our lives.

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.360
 The congregation

00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.779
 facing uncertainty

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.640
 about the future

00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.860
 singing with one voice,

00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.900
 Jesus,

00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:35.920
 we enthrone you,

00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.680
 we proclaim you

00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.160
 our king.

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.180
 The dad

00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.480
 recently made redundant

00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:41.079
 and worried

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:42.220
 about the future,

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.860
 how to provide

00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:44.700
 for his wife

00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:46.340
 and young son.

00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.380
 In Christ alone,

00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:50.420
 my hope is found.

00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:54.100
 as we sing,

00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:56.560
 we reprogram ourselves

00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:57.840
 to respond rightly

00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:59.160
 to who God is

00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:00.920
 and what he's done.

00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:05.200
 Singing together

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.560
 is so important.

00:24:08.320 --> 00:24:09.680
 The businessman

00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.920
 who's got so many

00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.640
 opportunities

00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:13.340
 to do so many things

00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:15.000
 because money's

00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.840
 not a worry

00:24:15.840 --> 00:24:16.480
 to him

00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:18.380
 and he sings,

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.720
 all that thrills

00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.220
 my heart

00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.819
 is Jesus.

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.740
 The person

00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.299
 who's fallen

00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:27.539
 on hard times

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:29.559
 and can sing,

00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.319
 my heart is filled

00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.380
 with thankfulness.

00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.180
 It's a wonderful thing

00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.960
 to sing together

00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:37.259
 because it helps us

00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.140
 respond rightly

00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:41.259
 and to assure ourselves

00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.339
 of God's deep love

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:42.839
 for us

00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:43.960
 even when it seems

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:45.700
 the world is crumbling.

00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.680
 Singing helps us

00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.059
 reprogram our emotions

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:51.100
 to respond rightly

00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:52.400
 and to rely wholly

00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:54.079
 on God's truth.

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.799
 Fourthly,

00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:57.360
 we sing

00:24:57.360 --> 00:24:58.299
 to reinforce

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.420
 our unity.

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.259
 There is something

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.380
 profoundly beautiful

00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:03.340
 about singing together.

00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.440
 I like singing

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.360
 with lots of people

00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:06.140
 because then it means

00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:07.360
 I can't hear myself sing

00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.279
 which is a much more

00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.559
 pleasurable experience.

00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.819
 I remember last March

00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.420
 when we had our

00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.120
 joint service

00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:14.980
 in Berkeley.

00:25:16.100 --> 00:25:17.039
 Thousand people

00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.180
 from the Gospel Partnership

00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:19.100
 singing together.

00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.039
 I could have been

00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.600
 there forever.

00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.080
 It was great.

00:25:24.060 --> 00:25:24.900
 I remember

00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.560
 early on

00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:26.320
 being here

00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:28.220
 and having a sing song

00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:28.900
 in room three

00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.480
 with the guys

00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:30.200
 from Refine.

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.519
 It wasn't pretty

00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:35.080
 but it was authentic

00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:36.100
 and it was meaningful.

00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:38.100
 The difference there

00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:39.000
 was is we did seem

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.279
 to stay there forever

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.920
 because Refine

00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.460
 used to go on

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:42.100
 until about one

00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.699
 in the morning.

00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.339
 We sing together

00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.119
 Guide me

00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.539
 O thou great Jehovah

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.579
 pilgrims through

00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.719
 this barren land

00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:54.339
 and we do that together

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:54.919
 so we don't feel

00:25:54.919 --> 00:25:56.000
 like lonely pilgrims

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.619
 on the way

00:25:56.619 --> 00:25:58.559
 but people surrounded

00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.599
 by friends.

00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:03.039
 So Psalm 118

00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:04.720
 give thanks to the Lord

00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.500
 for he is good

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.819
 his love endures forever.

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.859
 Let Israel say

00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:10.180
 his love endures forever.

00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:13.319
 Let the house of Aaron

00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.359
 the priests say

00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:15.879
 his love endures forever.

00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.680
 Let those who fear the Lord

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:20.180
 that's the Gentiles

00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.000
 and God fearers

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.339
 say

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.659
 his love endures forever.

00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:25.220
 So as they repeat

00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.100
 that refrain together

00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:29.460
 it knits them together.

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:32.040
 Everyone joins in

00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:34.340
 declaring truth together.

00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.320
 I think back to

00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.440
 1 Corinthians 14

00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:39.580
 What then shall we say

00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:40.360
 brothers and sisters

00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:41.279
 when you come together

00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.660
 each of you has a hymn

00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:43.759
 or a word of instruction

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.440
 a revelation

00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:44.960
 a tongue

00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.779
 or an interpretation

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:48.019
 everything must be done

00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:49.019
 so that the church

00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.799
 may be built up.

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.619
 We're not singing

00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.819
 for personal enjoyment

00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.579
 we're singing

00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:57.299
 because it knits us

00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.240
 together.

00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:02.059
 Back in Colossians 3

00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:05.700
 Let the peace of Christ

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.740
 rule in your hearts

00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.980
 since as members

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.759
 of one body

00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.920
 you were called to peace

00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.680
 and be thankful.

00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.539
 Let the message of Christ

00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.619
 dwell among you richly

00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.259
 as you teach

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.240
 and admonish one another

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.440
 with all wisdom

00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.460
 through psalms, hymns

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.480
 and songs from the Spirit

00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.480
 singing to God

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.519
 with gratitude

00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.660
 in your hearts.

00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:25.099
 Let the peace of Christ

00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.859
 rule in your hearts

00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:27.099
 since as members

00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:27.859
 of one body

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:29.059
 you were called to peace

00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.359
 be thankful

00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:31.920
 and what's going to help that?

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.380
 Well teaching

00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.460
 and admonishing one another

00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.539
 with psalms, hymns

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:37.359
 and songs from the Spirit.

00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:39.740
 Peace rules

00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.039
 one body

00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.980
 be thankful together

00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:44.259
 and do this

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.859
 by singing God's word

00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.740
 together.

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.960
 The word

00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:51.160
 is the source of unity

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:52.619
 and the music

00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.119
 and singing

00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.980
 gives expression

00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.879
 to that unity.

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.960
 This means that

00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.519
 all our songs

00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.539
 need to be balanced.

00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.480
 It's not just me

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.420
 and I songs

00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:04.339
 but it should be

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.779
 also us

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.680
 our and we

00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.599
 songs.

00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:10.700
 Because singing

00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.519
 isn't just me

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.039
 and God

00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:13.059
 it's us

00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:14.920
 and God

00:28:14.920 --> 00:28:15.539
 together.

00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.240
 We sing

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.400
 as a means

00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.440
 of reinforcing

00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.180
 unity.

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:22.039
 Point five

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.299
 we're over

00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.139
 halfway through.

00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.240
 We sing

00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.139
 to reflect

00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:28.480
 God's image.

00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.480
 This blew my mind

00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.059
 this week.

00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.779
 It's probably

00:28:31.779 --> 00:28:32.420
 the only verse

00:28:32.420 --> 00:28:33.099
 of Zephaniah

00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.139
 that any of us know

00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:36.700
 but in Zephaniah

00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.500
 317

00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.520
 God is described

00:28:38.520 --> 00:28:39.200
 as singing.

00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:40.480
 The Lord

00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:40.880
 your God

00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.720
 is with you

00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.720
 the mighty

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.160
 warrior

00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.940
 who saves

00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.840
 he will take

00:28:44.840 --> 00:28:45.700
 great delight

00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.100
 in you

00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:47.220
 in his love

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.100
 he will no longer

00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:48.920
 rebuke you

00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:50.160
 but will rejoice

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.700
 over you

00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.240
 with singing.

00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.240
 So God

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.080
 sings

00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:56.220
 but also

00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.120
 in the New Testament

00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:58.500
 Jesus sings

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.900
 and he sings

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.560
 four times

00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.040
 and this is

00:29:01.040 --> 00:29:01.620
 exciting.

00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:04.219
 In Matthew

00:29:04.219 --> 00:29:04.899
 26

00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:05.619
 verse 30

00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.319
 and

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:07.339
 in the

00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.419
 same

00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:09.379
 passage

00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:10.339
 in Mark

00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.639
 we read

00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.259
 after the

00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.579
 last supper

00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.479
 when they had

00:29:14.479 --> 00:29:15.199
 sung a song

00:29:15.199 --> 00:29:15.699
 they went

00:29:15.699 --> 00:29:16.039
 to the

00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:17.119
 Mount of Olives

00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:18.699
 that Jesus

00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.619
 as the perfect

00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.159
 worshipper

00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:21.339
 sang songs

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.139
 and hymns

00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:23.359
 to the Father.

00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.779
 And then

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.299
 in Hebrews

00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.179
 2.12

00:29:27.179 --> 00:29:28.739
 So Jesus

00:29:28.739 --> 00:29:29.479
 is not ashamed

00:29:29.479 --> 00:29:29.959
 to call them

00:29:29.959 --> 00:29:30.779
 brothers and sisters

00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.559
 he says

00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:33.599
 I will declare

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.099
 your name

00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:34.460
 to my

00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.000
 brothers and

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.399
 sisters

00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.339
 in the

00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.919
 assembly

00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:37.359
 I will

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:37.799
 sing your

00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.559
 praise.

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.579
 It's a quote

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.079
 from Psalm

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.039
 22.22

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.059
 and the

00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.599
 picture is

00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.200
 amazing

00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.119
 that when

00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.740
 God's church

00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.539
 sings together

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.839
 he declares

00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.639
 God's name

00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:49.099
 to brothers

00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.579
 and sisters

00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.319
 so imagine

00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.339
 him holding

00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.799
 the hymn

00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:52.240
 book with

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.940
 you and

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:53.779
 singing with

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.200
 you

00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.859
 but he's

00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.339
 also the

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.259
 chief worship

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.019
 leader singing

00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.859
 praises at the

00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.259
 front.

00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.200
 that is

00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.779
 how much

00:30:00.779 --> 00:30:01.119
 Jesus

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.640
 is into

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.000
 worship

00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:03.980
 ensuring

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.559
 that God

00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.180
 receives the

00:30:05.180 --> 00:30:05.539
 worship

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.019
 that he

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.559
 is.

00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.339
 We see

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.700
 Jesus'

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.539
 solidarity

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.660
 with the

00:30:09.660 --> 00:30:10.279
 worshipper

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.059
 and the

00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.480
 one who

00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.220
 facilitates

00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.460
 that

00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:12.839
 worship.

00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:12.980
 worship.

00:30:15.899 --> 00:30:16.639
 And then

00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:17.079
 in Romans

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:17.799
 15.

00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.359
 Accept one

00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:22.919
 another then

00:30:22.919 --> 00:30:23.500
 just as

00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.240
 Christ accepted

00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:25.419
 you in

00:30:25.419 --> 00:30:25.879
 order to

00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.539
 bring praise

00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.059
 to God

00:30:27.059 --> 00:30:27.859
 for I tell

00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.159
 you that

00:30:28.159 --> 00:30:28.740
 Christ has

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.259
 become a

00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:29.779
 servant of

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.179
 the Jews

00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:30.699
 on behalf

00:30:30.699 --> 00:30:31.199
 of God's

00:30:31.199 --> 00:30:32.159
 truth so

00:30:32.159 --> 00:30:32.500
 that the

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.259
 promises made

00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.579
 to the

00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.220
 patriarchs

00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:34.579
 might be

00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:35.079
 confirmed

00:30:35.079 --> 00:30:36.419
 and moreover

00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:36.799
 that the

00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.259
 Gentiles

00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.939
 might glorify

00:30:37.939 --> 00:30:38.439
 God for

00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.159
 his mercy.

00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:40.439
 As it is

00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:41.559
 written this

00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:41.859
 is a

00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.480
 messianic

00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.460
 eye therefore

00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:44.059
 I will

00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.779
 praise you

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.319
 among the

00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.619
 Gentiles I

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.139
 will sing

00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.859
 the praises

00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.440
 of your

00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:48.859
 name.

00:30:49.659 --> 00:30:50.419
 Again we've

00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:50.799
 got this

00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.460
 idea of

00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.379
 Jesus singing

00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.960
 and the

00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.740
 most exciting

00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.379
 thing is that

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.339
 second phrase

00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.480
 is present

00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.099
 continuous.

00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.659
 So it

00:30:59.659 --> 00:31:00.099
 seems that

00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.700
 Jesus is

00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.659
 continually

00:31:01.659 --> 00:31:02.919
 singing

00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.440
 praises

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.839
 to God's

00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:06.299
 name and

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:06.759
 therefore we

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.519
 can enjoy

00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.879
 and join in

00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.399
 with him.

00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.079
 In Psalm

00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.480
 19

00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.160
 the heavens

00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:12.839
 declare the

00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.240
 glory of

00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.000
 God and

00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.640
 the skies

00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.380
 proclaim his

00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.019
 greatness

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:18.099
 but unique

00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:18.940
 to humanity

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.680
 seems to be

00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.460
 the ability

00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:22.360
 of humanity

00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:22.940
 to sing

00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.440
 praises

00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.920
 to God.

00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:26.360
 We sing

00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:26.779
 because it

00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.180
 is one of

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.640
 the ways we

00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:28.400
 reflect God's

00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.700
 image as a

00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.059
 God who

00:31:30.059 --> 00:31:30.620
 sings.

00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.960
 Number six

00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.920
 we sing to

00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:35.019
 remember God's

00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.480
 word.

00:31:36.360 --> 00:31:36.880
 This is a

00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:37.799
 very practical

00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.299
 point.

00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.099
 This morning

00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:40.819
 we learned of

00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.659
 twelve men

00:31:41.659 --> 00:31:42.200
 who went to

00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:42.799
 spy in

00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:43.460
 Canaan and

00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:43.839
 we know

00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.259
 that ten

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.679
 were bad

00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:45.019
 and two

00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.480
 were good.

00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.000
 And we

00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.599
 remember that

00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.220
 story much

00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.819
 better because

00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:49.419
 it's a

00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:50.359
 song.

00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:51.659
 That I

00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.339
 dare say when

00:31:52.339 --> 00:31:52.720
 you're trying

00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.179
 to remember

00:31:53.179 --> 00:31:53.720
 a verse,

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.220
 if you learn

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.679
 it at Sunday

00:31:54.679 --> 00:31:55.279
 school to a

00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:55.700
 song, it

00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.359
 comes much

00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.460
 easier.

00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.039
 Because we

00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.839
 remember words

00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.879
 of songs and

00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:03.639
 verses of songs

00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:04.299
 much better than

00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.059
 we do remember

00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:06.039
 sentences of

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.899
 prose or whole

00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.839
 paragraphs of

00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:09.079
 Bible books.

00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:11.240
 So when we

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.859
 sing God's

00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.259
 word to

00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.220
 memorable tunes

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.720
 we're helped

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.000
 in remembering

00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.639
 the word.

00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.720
 We're letting

00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.720
 the word dwell

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.879
 in us richly,

00:32:20.439 --> 00:32:21.199
 which is so

00:32:21.199 --> 00:32:21.839
 good.

00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:23.199
 Because if we

00:32:23.199 --> 00:32:24.079
 remember God's

00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:26.240
 word, it

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.379
 supplies spiritual

00:32:27.379 --> 00:32:28.599
 power to us.

00:32:29.459 --> 00:32:30.559
 Psalm 119,

00:32:30.879 --> 00:32:31.419
 I have hidden

00:32:31.419 --> 00:32:32.199
 your word in

00:32:32.199 --> 00:32:32.819
 my heart so

00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.359
 that I might

00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.119
 not sin against

00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:34.500
 you.

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.439
 If we remember

00:32:35.439 --> 00:32:35.980
 God's word,

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.480
 it will help

00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.019
 keep us from

00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.480
 sin.

00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:40.059
 Remembering God's

00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.879
 word strengthens

00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.619
 our faith.

00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.839
 Pay attention

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.660
 and listen to

00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.299
 the sayings of

00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:44.759
 the wise,

00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.700
 says the person

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.119
 who writes

00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.579
 Proverbs.

00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.660
 Apply your

00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.160
 heart to what

00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:48.759
 I teach,

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.539
 for it is

00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.160
 pleasing when

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:50.779
 you keep them

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.559
 in your heart

00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.740
 and have all

00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.339
 of them ready

00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.099
 on your lips

00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:54.900
 so that your

00:32:54.900 --> 00:32:55.799
 trust may be

00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:56.519
 in the Lord.

00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.039
 I teach you

00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.839
 today, even

00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.200
 you.

00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.200
 As we remember

00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.740
 God's word,

00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.740
 it strengthens

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.599
 our faith.

00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.279
 It helps us

00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.059
 to trust and

00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.759
 rely on who

00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.480
 God is.

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:08.680
 If we remember

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.200
 God's word,

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.839
 it equips us

00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.559
 for witnessing

00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:12.180
 and counselling.

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.460
 Proverbs again,

00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.839
 a word aptly

00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.920
 spoken is like

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.980
 apples of gold

00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.920
 in settings of

00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.299
 silver.

00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.259
 Just imagine

00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.059
 how beautiful

00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.879
 that is.

00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.220
 And as you

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:24.019
 remember God's

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.680
 word and share

00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.220
 it with people,

00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.500
 they go,

00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.420
 that is beautiful.

00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:28.259
 Must investigate

00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.879
 that further.

00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.900
 Or Proverbs 27

00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:31.519
 verse 17,

00:33:31.639 --> 00:33:32.740
 as iron sharpens

00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.079
 iron,

00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:34.059
 so one man

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.839
 sharpens another.

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:36.919
 If we can

00:33:36.919 --> 00:33:37.699
 remember God's

00:33:37.699 --> 00:33:37.919
 word,

00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.279
 it helps us.

00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.279
 So both

00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:41.939
 witness to the

00:33:41.939 --> 00:33:42.659
 unbeliever and

00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.079
 counsel,

00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.339
 our fellow

00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:44.919
 Christians.

00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:48.160
 it acts as a

00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.700
 way to be

00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.380
 guided in

00:33:49.380 --> 00:33:49.920
 life.

00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:51.340
 Your

00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:52.080
 statutes are

00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:52.759
 my delight,

00:33:52.840 --> 00:33:53.740
 they are my

00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:55.080
 counsellors.

00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.420
 They stimulate

00:33:57.420 --> 00:33:58.080
 meditation.

00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.560
 If we can

00:33:58.560 --> 00:33:59.400
 remember God's

00:33:59.400 --> 00:33:59.680
 word,

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.180
 we can be

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.700
 psalm on

00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.160
 people.

00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.380
 Blessed is

00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:02.820
 the one who

00:34:02.820 --> 00:34:03.640
 does not walk

00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.259
 in step with

00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:04.660
 the wicked,

00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:05.820
 or stand in

00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:06.320
 the way that

00:34:06.320 --> 00:34:06.940
 sinners take,

00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.900
 or sit in

00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.380
 the company

00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.039
 of mockers,

00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:09.860
 but whose

00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.579
 delight is in

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.099
 the law of

00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.659
 the Lord,

00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.659
 and who

00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.460
 meditates on

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.220
 his law day

00:34:14.219 --> 00:34:14.759
 and night.

00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.699
 It's much

00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.219
 easier to

00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:16.879
 meditate on

00:34:16.879 --> 00:34:17.379
 the law of

00:34:17.379 --> 00:34:17.639
 the Lord

00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:18.079
 day and

00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.439
 night if

00:34:18.439 --> 00:34:18.639
 you don't

00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:18.939
 have to

00:34:18.939 --> 00:34:19.219
 have a

00:34:19.219 --> 00:34:19.919
 book open.

00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:23.000
 It is no

00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:23.459
 coincidence,

00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:24.199
 I think,

00:34:24.219 --> 00:34:24.779
 that on the

00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:25.299
 cross,

00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.599
 as Jesus

00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.399
 bleeds and

00:34:27.399 --> 00:34:27.980
 dies for

00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:29.039
 sinful humanity,

00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:30.759
 he's reciting

00:34:30.759 --> 00:34:31.619
 Psalm 22

00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:32.439
 to himself.

00:34:34.359 --> 00:34:35.079
 My God,

00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:35.639
 my God,

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.319
 why have you

00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.000
 forsaken me?

00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.579
 His David

00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:39.000
 psalm equates

00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.819
 so perfectly

00:34:39.819 --> 00:34:40.319
 with his

00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:40.959
 experience.

00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.359
 He sings it

00:34:42.359 --> 00:34:43.219
 to himself to

00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:43.859
 strengthen his

00:34:43.859 --> 00:34:44.199
 faith.

00:34:44.219 --> 00:34:46.099
 to keep

00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:46.679
 him going,

00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:48.519
 to not

00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:49.199
 despair as

00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:49.819
 he entrusts

00:34:49.819 --> 00:34:51.419
 his life to

00:34:51.419 --> 00:34:52.019
 the one who

00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:53.759
 judges justly.

00:34:55.379 --> 00:34:56.099
 Finally,

00:34:56.959 --> 00:34:59.000
 we sing to

00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.659
 rehearse for

00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.179
 eternity.

00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:03.980
 The picture in

00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:05.159
 Revelation 5 is

00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:05.939
 all God's people

00:35:05.939 --> 00:35:06.939
 gathered together,

00:35:07.379 --> 00:35:08.159
 singing together.

00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:09.759
 It's what

00:35:09.759 --> 00:35:11.119
 eternity is going

00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.939
 to look like.

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:13.039
 And they

00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:13.880
 sang a new

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.559
 song saying,

00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.420
 you are worthy

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.059
 to take the

00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:17.019
 scroll and

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.720
 to open it

00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:18.200
 seal because

00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:18.599
 you were

00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.539
 slain and

00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:19.960
 with your

00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:20.440
 blood you

00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.119
 purchased for

00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:21.820
 God persons

00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:22.320
 from every

00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:22.900
 tribe and

00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.480
 language and

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:23.980
 people and

00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.320
 nation.

00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:25.260
 You have

00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:25.780
 made them to

00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.400
 be a kingdom

00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:27.139
 of priests to

00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:27.639
 serve our

00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.740
 God and they

00:35:28.740 --> 00:35:29.440
 will reign on

00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:29.940
 the earth.

00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:30.559
 Then I

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.079
 looked and

00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.480
 heard the

00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:31.960
 voice of

00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.820
 many angels

00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:33.360
 numbering

00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:34.220
 thousands upon

00:35:34.220 --> 00:35:35.000
 thousands and

00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:35.659
 ten thousand

00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:36.960
 times ten

00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.380
 thousand.

00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:39.599
 they encircled

00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.340
 the throne and

00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:40.720
 the living

00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:41.480
 creatures and

00:35:41.480 --> 00:35:42.059
 the elders.

00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.039
 In a loud

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:43.579
 voice they

00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.019
 were singing

00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:44.980
 worthy is the

00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:45.900
 lamb who

00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:47.559
 was slain to

00:35:47.559 --> 00:35:48.260
 receive power

00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:48.920
 and wealth and

00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.460
 wisdom and

00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:50.460
 strength and

00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:51.099
 honour and

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.660
 glory and

00:35:51.660 --> 00:35:52.240
 praise.

00:35:52.720 --> 00:35:53.059
 Then they

00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.539
 heard every

00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.200
 creature in

00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:54.700
 heaven and

00:35:54.700 --> 00:35:55.340
 on earth and

00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:55.820
 under the

00:35:55.820 --> 00:35:56.320
 earth and on

00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:56.800
 the sea and

00:35:56.800 --> 00:35:57.460
 all that is in

00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.579
 them singing to

00:35:58.579 --> 00:35:59.760
 him who sits on

00:35:59.760 --> 00:36:00.460
 the throne and

00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:01.840
 to the lamb be

00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.539
 praise and

00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.079
 honour and

00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:03.680
 glory and

00:36:03.680 --> 00:36:04.500
 power forever

00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:05.180
 and ever.

00:36:05.920 --> 00:36:06.360
 The four

00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:06.940
 living creatures

00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:08.679
 said amen and

00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:09.519
 the elders fell

00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.880
 down and

00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:12.139
 worshipped.

00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.300
 That's what

00:36:13.300 --> 00:36:14.019
 eternity will

00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.440
 look like and

00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:14.820
 we get to

00:36:14.820 --> 00:36:16.599
 practice right

00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:17.900
 here right

00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.300
 now.

00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.200
 And so we

00:36:20.200 --> 00:36:20.519
 ask the

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.220
 question why

00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:21.920
 do we sing?

00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.220
 Here are my

00:36:24.220 --> 00:36:25.000
 seven initial

00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:25.539
 reasons.

00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.260
 We sing to

00:36:27.260 --> 00:36:28.119
 reaffirm the

00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.760
 word to get it

00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.639
 resonating and

00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.639
 reverberating in

00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.340
 our lives.

00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:32.700
 We do it to

00:36:32.700 --> 00:36:34.079
 respond emotionally

00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.900
 to truth that it

00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.679
 prevents us from

00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:38.059
 mere intellectualism,

00:36:38.419 --> 00:36:40.199
 that it reprograms

00:36:40.199 --> 00:36:41.059
 our emotions and

00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:42.279
 as we sing it

00:36:42.279 --> 00:36:43.299
 helps us respond

00:36:43.299 --> 00:36:44.000
 rightly to

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:45.099
 situations in our

00:36:45.099 --> 00:36:45.619
 lives.

00:36:46.359 --> 00:36:47.799
 It reinforces our

00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:48.879
 unity as we sing

00:36:48.879 --> 00:36:49.919
 shared truths

00:36:49.919 --> 00:36:50.719
 together.

00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:52.659
 It reflects God's

00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:53.500
 image as a God

00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.259
 who sings.

00:36:55.259 --> 00:36:55.940
 It helps us

00:36:55.940 --> 00:36:56.940
 remember God's

00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:57.779
 word which is so

00:36:57.779 --> 00:36:58.659
 useful in every

00:36:58.659 --> 00:36:59.839
 area of our lives

00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:01.460
 and it helps us

00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.059
 rehearse for

00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:02.579
 eternity.

00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:04.639
 I'm all but

00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.119
 done but I

00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:05.819
 want to read you

00:37:05.819 --> 00:37:06.480
 a story about

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:06.960
 Brad.

00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:09.799
 Jonathan

00:37:09.799 --> 00:37:10.559
 Lehman writes,

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.460
 my friend Brad

00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.360
 helped me to do a

00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:13.480
 little reprogramming

00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.000
 of my own

00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:14.460
 heart.

00:37:15.319 --> 00:37:15.920
 Brad was a

00:37:15.920 --> 00:37:16.699
 fellow member of

00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.559
 a former church

00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:18.900
 of mine and we

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.940
 met weekly for a

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.299
 season.

00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:23.119
 I remember one

00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:24.299
 evening driving up

00:37:24.299 --> 00:37:25.039
 to his house to

00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:25.739
 pick him up for

00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:26.980
 dinner and he was

00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.940
 waiting for me on

00:37:27.940 --> 00:37:28.519
 the curb.

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:30.139
 I reached over,

00:37:30.259 --> 00:37:30.940
 opened the car

00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:31.780
 door from the

00:37:31.780 --> 00:37:33.099
 inside and heard

00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.699
 him immediately

00:37:33.699 --> 00:37:34.820
 say, hey

00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.940
 Jonathan, have

00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.659
 you ever seen a

00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.900
 CD player this

00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.320
 small?

00:37:38.820 --> 00:37:39.400
 He had bought

00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.139
 his own battery

00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.119
 powered player and

00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:41.980
 was intending to

00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:43.119
 play it but it

00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:44.039
 wasn't that small.

00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:45.980
 Brad is autistic

00:37:45.980 --> 00:37:46.719
 and blind.

00:37:47.259 --> 00:37:47.960
 Like most people

00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.960
 with autism he's

00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.860
 socially awkward

00:37:49.860 --> 00:37:51.320
 and makes strange

00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:52.400
 bodily movements.

00:37:52.820 --> 00:37:53.539
 For instance he

00:37:53.539 --> 00:37:54.239
 will squeeze his

00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:55.259
 eyes shut, flap his

00:37:55.259 --> 00:37:56.039
 hands in front of

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.239
 his face so that

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:58.460
 his fingertips touch.

00:37:58.519 --> 00:37:59.679
 And then repeatedly

00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:00.639
 wipe his face with

00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.420
 both hands.

00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:03.380
 I turned my car

00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:04.480
 radio off, Brad's

00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.500
 finger hit the play

00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:05.880
 button.

00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:07.340
 We had not made

00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.400
 much conversation at

00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:08.940
 that point.

00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:10.119
 We had not even

00:38:10.119 --> 00:38:10.759
 said hello.

00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:12.659
 Still it was time

00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:13.239
 to sing.

00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:15.079
 Not two more

00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:16.599
 seconds passed and

00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:17.699
 the Atlanta Symphony

00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:19.099
 chorus began filling

00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:20.079
 the small cabin of

00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:21.800
 my car with Handel's

00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:23.179
 Hallelujah chorus.

00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:25.340
 Accompanied by Brad's

00:38:25.340 --> 00:38:27.340
 own sonorous vibrato,

00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.500
 Brad may be

00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.519
 blind and autistic

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:30.460
 but he's also a

00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:30.980
 member of a

00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.880
 professional chorus

00:38:31.880 --> 00:38:32.960
 and has a

00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:33.900
 beautiful voice.

00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:34.840
 Hallelujah,

00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:36.500
 hallelujah for

00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:37.460
 the Lord God

00:38:37.460 --> 00:38:38.500
 omnipotent.

00:38:38.760 --> 00:38:39.659
 I began singing

00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:40.159
 with him.

00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:41.659
 My meagre baritone

00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.539
 was no match for

00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.539
 his hardy tenor.

00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:44.719
 The kingdom of

00:38:44.719 --> 00:38:45.480
 this world has

00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:46.360
 become the kingdom

00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:47.239
 of our Lord and

00:38:47.239 --> 00:38:48.519
 of his Christ and

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.219
 he shall reign

00:38:49.219 --> 00:38:50.119
 forever and ever.

00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:51.980
 The cabin reverberated

00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:52.880
 loudly with these

00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:53.679
 words from the book

00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:54.300
 of Revelation.

00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:56.560
 I began thinking

00:38:56.560 --> 00:38:57.380
 about the king of

00:38:57.380 --> 00:38:58.039
 kings who had

00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:58.780
 established his

00:38:58.780 --> 00:38:59.680
 kingdom in Brad's

00:38:59.680 --> 00:39:00.060
 heart.

00:39:00.660 --> 00:39:01.660
 The song finished.

00:39:02.120 --> 00:39:03.000
 Brad then asked me,

00:39:03.080 --> 00:39:04.000
 do you know this one?

00:39:04.220 --> 00:39:04.980
 He punched the

00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:05.760
 track button and

00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:06.539
 then he sang the

00:39:06.539 --> 00:39:07.440
 following lines from

00:39:07.440 --> 00:39:10.160
 Isaiah that Handel

00:39:10.160 --> 00:39:11.320
 placed in part two of

00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:11.900
 his Messiah.

00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.440
 He was wounded for

00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.300
 our transgressions,

00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:15.280
 he was bruised for

00:39:15.280 --> 00:39:16.080
 our inequities,

00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.620
 the chastisement of

00:39:17.620 --> 00:39:18.620
 our peace was upon

00:39:18.620 --> 00:39:19.900
 him and with his

00:39:19.900 --> 00:39:20.860
 stripes we are healed.

00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:22.700
 But Brad didn't let

00:39:22.700 --> 00:39:23.559
 the song finish.

00:39:23.900 --> 00:39:24.740
 He stopped the CD

00:39:24.740 --> 00:39:25.860
 in order to discuss

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:26.740
 the lyrics with me.

00:39:27.160 --> 00:39:28.380
 Yup, with his

00:39:28.380 --> 00:39:29.460
 stripes we are healed.

00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:30.680
 Do you know that

00:39:30.680 --> 00:39:31.059
 Jonathan?

00:39:31.559 --> 00:39:32.559
 With his stripes we are

00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:32.800
 healed.

00:39:32.920 --> 00:39:33.760
 He was bruised for

00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:34.980
 our iniquities and

00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:35.960
 with his stripes we

00:39:35.960 --> 00:39:36.500
 are healed.

00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:37.880
 He took the suffering

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.700
 we deserved, he

00:39:38.700 --> 00:39:39.660
 paid for our sins.

00:39:40.120 --> 00:39:41.160
 With his stripes we

00:39:41.160 --> 00:39:41.640
 are healed.

00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:43.320
 He talked this way

00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:44.360
 for long over ten

00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:44.860
 minutes.

00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:46.440
 Actually he talked

00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:47.620
 this way most of the

00:39:47.620 --> 00:39:47.980
 evening.

00:39:48.740 --> 00:39:49.880
 There was no pretense

00:39:49.880 --> 00:39:50.740
 in his words.

00:39:51.160 --> 00:39:51.980
 There was no fear

00:39:51.980 --> 00:39:52.700
 in what I might

00:39:52.700 --> 00:39:53.300
 think of him.

00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:54.500
 He simply spoke

00:39:54.500 --> 00:39:56.380
 gospel, gospel words

00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:57.460
 from gospel lips

00:39:57.460 --> 00:39:58.620
 overflowing from a

00:39:58.620 --> 00:39:59.460
 gospel heart.

00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:00.920
 I wondered at

00:40:00.920 --> 00:40:01.940
 several points if I

00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:03.000
 was with a prophet.

00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:05.200
 Make no mistake,

00:40:05.680 --> 00:40:06.559
 Brad is lonely.

00:40:07.120 --> 00:40:07.980
 He longs for more

00:40:07.980 --> 00:40:08.900
 friends, he longs

00:40:08.900 --> 00:40:10.480
 for a wife, he longs

00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:11.900
 to see, he longs to

00:40:11.900 --> 00:40:13.220
 be released from the

00:40:13.220 --> 00:40:14.660
 ravages of a

00:40:14.660 --> 00:40:15.460
 crumpled nervous

00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:16.019
 system.

00:40:16.620 --> 00:40:17.700
 Yet somehow more

00:40:17.700 --> 00:40:18.700
 than any of these he

00:40:18.700 --> 00:40:19.599
 longs for the day

00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.599
 when he will be

00:40:20.599 --> 00:40:21.559
 released from sin

00:40:21.559 --> 00:40:22.480
 and the ravages of

00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:22.779
 sin.

00:40:23.519 --> 00:40:24.779
 That evening, in fact,

00:40:24.860 --> 00:40:25.759
 it occurred to me that

00:40:25.759 --> 00:40:27.079
 Brad's heart rang like a

00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:28.940
 gospel bell, ringing this

00:40:28.940 --> 00:40:30.279
 one sustained note.

00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:31.759
 You know what a bell

00:40:31.759 --> 00:40:32.380
 sounds like.

00:40:32.440 --> 00:40:33.480
 There is no complexity,

00:40:33.839 --> 00:40:34.980
 no dissonance, no

00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:36.079
 conflict in its ring.

00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:37.860
 A bell sound is not

00:40:37.860 --> 00:40:38.400
 boastful.

00:40:38.799 --> 00:40:39.980
 It does not presume to

00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:40.619
 be an orchestra.

00:40:40.779 --> 00:40:41.960
 A bell is single-minded

00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:43.940
 and wills only one thing,

00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:45.300
 to sing its one note

00:40:45.300 --> 00:40:45.760
 clearly.

00:40:46.579 --> 00:40:47.679
 By his stripes we are

00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:48.740
 healed, Brad kept

00:40:48.740 --> 00:40:49.139
 saying.

00:40:49.800 --> 00:40:50.960
 He told me that his mum

00:40:50.960 --> 00:40:52.199
 tries to get him to stop

00:40:52.199 --> 00:40:53.179
 talking about the gospel

00:40:53.179 --> 00:40:53.900
 so much.

00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:55.639
 I wasn't surprised.

00:40:56.220 --> 00:40:57.260
 This evening wasn't

00:40:57.260 --> 00:40:57.780
 unique.

00:40:58.260 --> 00:40:59.599
 Brad often talks this way,

00:40:59.659 --> 00:41:00.840
 he cannot help it.

00:41:01.699 --> 00:41:03.059
 After the evening, I

00:41:03.059 --> 00:41:04.380
 considered my own heart

00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:06.300
 and my own mind.

00:41:07.240 --> 00:41:08.440
 Analytical, complex,

00:41:08.599 --> 00:41:09.679
 fickle, double-minded,

00:41:09.679 --> 00:41:10.759
 occasionally afraid.

00:41:11.759 --> 00:41:12.579
 I wish the people

00:41:12.579 --> 00:41:13.739
 closest to me got sick

00:41:13.739 --> 00:41:15.659
 of me hearing, got sick

00:41:15.659 --> 00:41:16.639
 of hearing me talk

00:41:16.639 --> 00:41:17.579
 about the gospel so

00:41:17.579 --> 00:41:19.440
 much and even singing

00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:20.059
 it as well.

00:41:20.440 --> 00:41:21.159
 Let me pray.

00:41:24.599 --> 00:41:25.579
 Father God, thank you

00:41:25.579 --> 00:41:26.579
 so much for the gift of

00:41:26.579 --> 00:41:26.919
 singing.

00:41:27.879 --> 00:41:28.659
 Father, thank you that

00:41:28.659 --> 00:41:29.599
 you haven't called us to

00:41:29.599 --> 00:41:31.599
 sing alone, but you've

00:41:31.599 --> 00:41:33.879
 placed us in a family of

00:41:33.879 --> 00:41:34.940
 faith so that we might

00:41:34.940 --> 00:41:37.000
 sing together to encourage

00:41:37.000 --> 00:41:37.619
 one another.

00:41:38.440 --> 00:41:39.559
 Father, to build each

00:41:39.559 --> 00:41:40.179
 other up.

00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:42.179
 So, Lord, I pray that as

00:41:42.179 --> 00:41:43.059
 we take time singing

00:41:43.059 --> 00:41:44.799
 together tonight, Father,

00:41:44.900 --> 00:41:46.000
 you might enlarge our

00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:48.360
 hearts, you might open

00:41:48.360 --> 00:41:50.199
 our mouths, and that we

00:41:50.199 --> 00:41:51.599
 might sing joyfully and

00:41:51.599 --> 00:41:52.539
 sincerely to you.

00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:54.480
 We thank you that all

00:41:54.480 --> 00:41:55.619
 this is only possible

00:41:55.619 --> 00:41:57.579
 because of Jesus Christ,

00:41:57.679 --> 00:42:00.320
 who is the true and

00:42:00.320 --> 00:42:01.360
 greatest worshipper.

00:42:02.380 --> 00:42:04.039
 So may he inhabit the

00:42:04.039 --> 00:42:05.980
 praises of his people.

00:42:06.719 --> 00:42:08.239
 We pray this in his name.

00:42:08.239 --> 00:42:09.059
 Amen.

00:42:09.059 --> 00:42:09.079
 Amen.

00:42:09.079 --> 00:42:09.199
 Amen.