Thank you again for coming.
I don't think thank you this morning.
I certainly thank the people who came last night.
I took a fresh look at this passage and thought,
I didn't see before.
Isn't that how scriptural it is?
I didn't notice that before.
So rather than coming to this passage asking the question,
why do we sing?
That's what we think we have on the program.
We're going to be asking a different question.
And the question is, what effect does the gospel have on our singing?
We're just singing about the gospel.
So we're talking about the gospel and our singing.
On a recent flight, one of the flight attendants asked
if there was someone named Johnny, who was the last name,
to identify themselves.
And she went on to inform me and say,
it's Johnny's the 11th birthday.
And she said, but I'm not going to sing a happy birthday to him
because you wouldn't enjoy that.
And I thought, oh, man.
Poor Johnny, that's been clean now.
It's your birthday, but we're not singing.
And I'm sure the flight attendant was telling the truth,
and I'm glad she didn't sing.
And I doubt that Johnny's day was ruined because
the flight attendant didn't sing at the perfect day.
Or asked the passengers to join him.
And she did that.
Hey, why did I make that she didn't do that?
But I'm also sure that the flight attendant represents
a number of people.
What?
Did someone call my name?
Okay, good.
I'm just not going to hear it.
The flight attendant represents a number of people
who don't think they have a very good voice.
And singing in public is not something they ever look forward to.
Whether it's violence also with your group.
You might have some of them in your church.
You know, as you're looking out,
and you're thinking, yeah, that's one.
Well, they say that.
Years ago, I read this book by Ronald Allen and Gordon Boer,
and it came across these words that have always stayed with me,
and they speak directly to those who don't like to sing,
whether it's with the church or anywhere.
The question is not, has God given me a voice?
But has God given me a song?
That just landed on me with such voice.
I've met people through the decades,
many people who say, yeah, I don't know a good voice.
It's not the question.
Has God given you a voice?
The question is, has God given you a song?
And we're going to see,
as we look at this passage,
we're going to focus on it.
We're going to read verses 12 through 17.
Actually, we're going to read the whole,
1 through 17.
We're going to focus on 12 through 17,
and specifically on verses 16 and 17.
But we're going to see that if we're among the people
that Paul's describing here,
those to whom this letter has written,
God has given us a song to sing.
Because the gospel not only turns sinners into saints,
it turns saints into singers.
That's what the gospel does.
It doesn't want to turn sinners into saints,
turns saints into singers.
It doesn't turn saints into soloists.
It doesn't turn saints into superstars.
But it does turn them into singers.
One of the reasons Paul wrote this letter,
just to set the context of what we're reading,
was this concern that the Colossians
were being influenced by false teachers
who were adding to Christ.
And you can't add something to Christ
to make Him better.
You can only take something away.
You can add something to Christ.
And he wants them to be clear
on who Jesus is and what the gospel is.
That's why he's writing.
So the gospel's all over this book
and this passage.
So in chapter 1,
he talks about the gospel,
the word of truth
that has come to the Colossians
and to the whole world.
It's the story of Jesus Christ,
the image of the invisible God
who created all things,
holds all things together.
He's the firstborn from the dead
and has reconciled a people to God.
He's actually reconciled all things to God
through His blood shed on the cross.
And he exhorts them to stand fast
in that truth.
Be steadfast in it.
Don't shift from the hope it brings
because it's the gospel.
It's what we have.
Then in chapter 2,
he goes on to say
that we're to be rooted in Christ
and that if we are rooted in Christ,
we're to walk in Him
and be built up in Him
and not be misled
by the people who are saying
that we need something else,
something extra,
something more than Jesus
to be accepted by God.
And here in chapter 3,
he's going to double down
on what the gospel is,
what it means for us,
and how to live
in light of the fact
that because we are united in Christ,
we've been raised up with Him
and now He is our life.
And in the midst of those
cosmically significant truths,
He's going to talk about singing.
So that's how we want to make that connection.
So I'm going to read
Colossians 1,
I'm sorry,
Colossians 3,
verses 1-17.
This is God's word to us.
And Father,
we pray that You would enable us
to hear this word,
these words,
by Your Spirit,
with fresh ears,
with fresh hearts,
open hearts,
that we may receive
everything You have for us
for Your glory,
for the glory of Your Son,
and for our joy and good.
In Jesus' name.
If then,
verse 1,
you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above,
where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds
on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
For you,
you have died.
And your life is hidden
with Christ in God.
But when Christ,
who is your life,
appears,
then you also
will appear with Him in glory.
Put to death,
therefore,
what is earthly in you?
Sexual immorality,
impurity,
passion,
evil desire,
and covetousness,
which is idolatry.
On account of these things,
the wrath of God is coming.
In these,
you too once walked
what you were living in,
but now,
you just put them all away.
In,
wrath,
malice,
slander,
and obscene talk from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another,
seeing that you have put off
the old self with its practices,
and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed in knowledge
after the image of its creator.
Here,
there is not Greek and Jew,
uncircumcised,
circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian,
Scythian,
slain,
free,
but Christ
is all
and in all.
Put on,
then,
talk about what we're to put off,
now,
put on,
then,
as God's
chosen ones,
holy,
and beloved,
compassionate hearts,
kindness,
humility,
obedience,
and patience,
bearing with one another.
And if one has a complaint
against another,
forgiving each other,
as the Lord
has forgiven you,
so you also
must forgive.
And above all these,
put on love,
which binds everything together
in perfect harmony,
and let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts,
to which indeed
you were called
in one body.
And be
thankful.
Let the word
of Christ
dwell in you
richly,
teaching
and admonishing
one another
in all wisdom,
singing songs
and hymns
and spiritual songs
with thankfulness
in your hearts
to God.
And whatever you do,
in word,
deed,
do everything
in the name
of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks
to God
the Father
through
Him.
God,
stop right there.
But we're not going
to.
We were talking
about four things
that this passage
tells us
about how the gospel
affects our singing.
Number one,
the gospel
specifies
the participants
of our singing.
The gospel
answers the question,
who is singing?
We can jump
right to verse 16
and assume
it doesn't really
matter who's
doing the singing.
Just that people
are singing.
You hear the sound
of singing.
Oh,
but it does matter
who's doing the singing.
Not just anyone
can sing
like this.
Now,
despite the fact
that we are a culture
in which singing
together
is on the decline,
we are still
a culture
that's fascinated
by singing.
Our diction
shows like
the voice
of an American
idol
and a masked
singer
can attest
to that.
I don't get
the last one.
But it's
the most positive.
But when
Christians sing,
when Christians
sing,
it's different.
What makes
congregational
singing
so glorious
and moving
isn't simply
the sound
they make.
It's who
makes up
the congregation.
It's who
is singing.
The gospel
produces
individuals
who have been
transformed.
It turns
saints
into
singing.
So how
does
the gospel
define
the participants
of our singing?
How does this
passage define
the participants?
Well,
we have to look
at what comes
before verse 16
and get the answer.
Right before
the passage
that we read,
Paul's talking
about false
teachers
who were seeking
to influence
the Colossian church.
They were
encouraging things
like asceticism,
being strict
with yourself,
disciplining
the body.
They talked
about the worship
of angels
going on
and on
about visions
they had seen
and puffing
themselves up
in the process.
Hey,
guess what I see?
Guess what I know?
In other words,
what they were saying,
what you have
in Jesus
is good,
but you need
just a little
bit more
than what you got.
And we happen
to have
what we're talking about.
That kind
of thinking
is common
in every religion
outside
Christianity.
You have
to do more.
Something else
you have to do.
And he describes
what they were saying
in verses
16 and 18
of verse 2,
chapter 2,
sorry,
therefore let
no one pass
judgment on you
in questions
of food and drink
or with regard
to a festival
or a new moon
or a Sabbath.
Don't let them
judge you
for those things.
These are a shadow
of the things
to come.
The substance
belongs to Christ.
Let no one
disqualify you
insisting
on asceticism
and worship
with angels
going in
and down
in detail
about visions
puffed up
without reason
by a central
mind.
In other words,
they were saying
a little more
attention to the
laws and
environments
of the Old
Testament.
Just a little
more attention.
A little more
self-effort.
And by the way,
if you really
want spiritual
fullness,
we can tell you
about some
angelic worship
that is really
amazing.
yet,
you just
won't believe
that we have
to be.
I love what
St.
Claire Ferguson
says about this.
The technique
here may sound
vaguely familiar.
Various versions
of it are
promulgated on
television,
promoted in books.
The common
factor is this.
You may get
some teaching
in your own
church,
but what we
have,
what we teach,
is superior.
You will really
learn about the
spiritual life
here,
with us,
and you
will find
the fullness
you desire.
What Paul
says in
response to
that is,
you already
have fullness
in Christ.
You don't
need something
else to make
you more full.
In verse,
chapter 1,
verse 19,
he says,
for in him,
in Christ,
all the fullness
of God
is pleased to
dwell.
And then in
chapter 2,
verses 9 and 10,
he says,
for in him,
the whole fullness
of deity
grows bodily,
and you
have been
filled in
him.
Because we
are filled
with Christ,
who is the
head of all
rule and
authority.
And that's
what he's spelling
out in the
beginning of
the passage
we read.
You've been
raised with
Christ.
You've died
with Christ.
Your life is
hidden with
Christ.
You will
appear with
Christ in
glory when
he returns.
Do you
ever think
about that?
Not enough,
we don't think
about that enough.
we will
appear with
Christ in
glory when
he returns.
Why?
Because we
have been
filled with
the fullness
of Christ.
We don't
need that
extra added
something to
bring us to
God.
We bring
Christ.
But more
precisely,
he brings
us.
And then
in verses 12,
Paul uses
these three
really
remarkable
terms to
describe the
participants of
our singing.
And they
go by so
quickly you
can almost
miss them.
Put on
them as
God's
chosen
ones,
holy
and
lush.
shh.
That's
what's
singing
this
morning.
That's
what's
singing
every
Sunday
country.
With
God,
you see a lot
of problems.
You see
a lot of
things that
matter.
You see
what God
sees?
These are my
writings.
These are my
whole wounds.
these are my
favorite.
Paul's doing
something kind
of shocking
here.
He is
intentionally
applying these
words to the
Gentiles,
the non-Jews
who are part
of the
Colossian
church.
And in the
past,
those words
were used
for this
God's
chosen,
people,
Jews.
But now
the Gentiles
are included.
There's
something
even more
shocking,
and that
is he's
using the
words
that
have only
been applied
to Christ
himself.
1 Peter 2
4 says,
As you
come to
him,
a living
stone
protected
by men
that are
the
sight of
God,
chosen
and crushed.
Jesus is
the chosen
one.
John 6
verse 69,
Peter says
to Jesus,
We have
believed and
come to
know that
you are
the holy
one of
God.
Jesus is
the true
holy one.
And if
Jesus is
being
baptized,
the voice
from heaven
said,
This is
my beloved
son in
whom I
know
I
believe.
God
refers to
his people
the same
way that
he refers
to his
son.
Do you
think it
would be
more amazing,
more breathtaking
than that?
God.
I
often
hear
people
say,
I
just
don't
know
why
God
chose
me.
Why
would
God
pick
someone
like
me?
Maybe
he
thought
that.
Why
would
God
pick
someone
like
me?
Apostle
Paul
answers
that
question
in the
passage
we
read
earlier
in the
planet.
he
saved
us
not
because
of
works
done
by
us
in
righteousness
but
according
to
his
own
mercy
by
the
washing
and
regeneration
and
renewal
of the
Holy
Spirit.
It
was
nothing
in
us
that
caused
God
to
choose
us.
Nothing.
It's a
fruitless
pursuit.
Why
did
God
choose
me?
Don't
spend
too
long
trying
to
find
the
answer
that.
There
is
not
!
I
heard
one
teacher
say
recently
before
there
were
any
atoms
or
any
atom
God
chose
us
to
be
a
part
of
his
people.
Which
means
from
the
foundations
of
the
earth
God
chose
us
to
be
a
part
of
the
choir.
Paul
says
in
Romans
8.33
who
will
bring
any
charge
against
God's
elect.
It
is
God
who
justifies.
We
are
his.
But
that's
not
all.
We're
not only
chosen.
God
says
we're
holy.
We've
been
set
apart
for
God's
purposes,
God's
plans,
God's
glory.
And
most
Christians
think of
holiness
in terms
of moral
categories,
behavioral
categories.
A
holy
person
is
someone
who
doesn't
sin,
stays
away
from
worldly
things,
and
has
consistent
quiet
time.
We
can
feel
holy,
more
holy,
if we've
done
those
things.
As we're
sitting
with the
people around
us,
we can
feel
more
holy
if we've
done
the right
things.
But
holiness
applies
something
deeper
than that.
It comes
from the word
meaning to
cut or
separate.
Holiness
means we've
been cut
off or
separated
from other
things,
separated from
common use.
in his
wonderful book
devoted to
God,
St.
Clark
Ferguson
defines
God's
holiness
as his
utter and
complete
devotion to
himself as
the ultimate
glory,
the ultimate
treasure,
the ultimate
existence.
So when God
says something
is holy,
he talked
about the
Sabbath,
vessels,
nations,
garments,
men and
women,
it means
they are
exclusively
devoted
to him.
so he
shows us
to be
devoted
to himself
as much
as he
is devoted
to himself.
We are
holy.
But that's
not all.
We're not
only chosen
and holy,
we are
beloved.
We're
dearly
loved.
Notice
this,
Paul isn't
saying in
his list
of imperatives,
if you put
off these
vices,
and put
on these
sins,
then,
and only
then,
will you
be loved.
Mine
is about
parenting
sometimes.
Not a
good way
to parent.
God
doesn't
tell us
that.
He starts
with,
you are
beloved,
cherished,
held,
in great
affection.
That's
who we
are.
That's
who's
singing
in the
choir.
That's
who we're
looking
out at
or
standing
with
every
Sunday
morning.
Those
who are
chosen
and
holy
and
dearly
loved.
We
aren't
singing
in a
choir
like
soloist
wabies.
We're
not
singing
because
our
performance
this week
made us
worthy to
sing in
the Lord's
Choir.
In our
church,
like most
churches,
requires a
musical
audition,
I call it
an interview,
if you want
to be part
of a choir,
part of the
band.
We're
just
checking,
can they
sing in
tunes?
Can they
sing in
harmony?
Is their
voice
pleasing?
Can they
blend in?
I'd
encourage you
in your
church to
have that
kind of
choir.
But there's
good news,
you don't
have an
audition to
sing in
the
church.
The fact
that you're
in the
church means
that you're
in the
choir.
If you're
in Christ,
you're in.
You're
chosen.
You're
holy.
You're
dearly
love.
It's not
dependent on
the range,
the timbre,
the sound,
the skill
of your
spirit.
Christ
gets you
into the
choir.
So the
gospel specifies
who the
participants
of our
singing are.
Number
two, the
gospel describes
the nature
of our
singing.
How should
we sing?
What should
those who
are chosen
all in
dearly
love,
what should
their
singing
look like?
These
passages
tell us.
It tells
us that
our
singing
should
be
as
one,
to be
unified.
The
passage is
relentlessly
corporate
congregational.
It doesn't
make any
sense to
think of
these
commands
and promises
outside the
reality of
the church.
Of course
we can
and sing
should sing
on our
own,
but here
we're
reminded
that we
are the
body of
Christ.
We're
united
in
Christ.
And no
secondary
differences
or skill
differences
are going
to keep
us from
celebrating
our common
share in
Christ.
David and
I did
this podcast
called
Southless
Doctrine.
One of the
episodes we
did was
musicians are
part of the
congregation
too.
You know,
we're not
up on this
platform
separate from
people in
some higher
level,
well,
physically
speaking,
we are,
but we're
not different
in God's
eyes.
We're just
part of
the choir.
And we're
not leading
that choir.
Jesus is
leading that
choir.
So we're
singing as
one.
The gospel
enables us
to look past
the differences
and peculiarities
and quirks of
those around
us and say,
oh,
you're in
Christ,
just like
I am.
And you
notice in
Paul's list
to put on
because he
highlights those
sins and
virtues which
either threaten
or strengthen
our unity.
Put off
coveting.
Put off
anger,
malice,
slander.
Put on
compassionate
hearts,
kindness,
meekness,
patience.
Bear with
one another.
Forgive others
as the Lord
is forgiving
you, so you
also must
forgive.
Oh,
by the way,
above everything,
put on the
love which
binds it all
together.
Perfect Harmony.
We're not a
group of random
individuals who
are not a
show in the
same room
at the same
house.
We are one
in Christ.
We're not
pursuing our
own agendas,
our own
interests,
our own
goals.
We were
called in
one body,
he says in
verse 15.
We are
called in
one body.
We are
one in
Christ.
And because
of that,
we're eager
to maintain
the unity
of the
spirit and
the bond
of peace.
And that's
so ironic
that the
source of
so many
differences and
conflicts in the
church have been
over you.
Isn't that
wrong?
When God
says,
if you're
chosen to
hold a
dear in
love,
you're to
sing as
one.
That's why I
called you to
sing.
You sing as
one.
What else does the
gospel say about how
we're to sing?
Well, the gospel
calls us to sing
with gratefulness,
gratefully.
Verses 15-17,
thankfulness is
mentioned three
times.
I've tried to
emphasize it
in the last
reading.
Verse 15,
let the peace
of Christ rule
in your hearts
to which indeed
you were called
in one body.
And be
thankful.
Verse 16,
let the word
of Christ
dwell in you,
literally singing,
teaching and
moshing women
in all wisdom,
singing songs
and hymns
and spiritual
songs,
giving the
thankfulness
in your
hearts to
God.
And then
whatever you
do,
in word or
deed,
do everything
in the name
of the Lord
Jesus.
Giving thanks
to God.
Isn't that
beautiful?
It's
bothering you.
Why do you
think God
had Paul put
that in there
three times,
in three
verses?
Well,
really,
it's because
a lot of
times when
we come to
the meeting
we're not
so thankful.
We're
discouraged.
Just feeling
down,
distracted,
way down,
like sins
were bad,
or suffering
were going
through,
or maybe
even just
a sense
of numbness,
disconnectedness.
This passage
tells us that
we can enter
his gates
with thanksgiving
and his
courts with
grace.
And we
don't have
to ignore
the reality
of the things
that are going
on in our
lives.
God wants
us to
transcend
them.
It says
there is
something
going on
that's a
greater reality
that you can see.
there are
times for
lament.
There are
times for
repentance.
There are
times for
reflection.
But God
wants us
to see
that greater
reality that
surrounds what
we see so
vividly
among.
Remember
Christ,
who he is,
what he's done.
Remember who
you are.
Remember
whose you
are.
Remember
where you're
headed.
It's just
you can't
think about
these things
without being
thankful.
The phrase
singing with
thankfulness in
your hearts to
God, this is a
little bit of a
twist, might be
more accurately
translated in
grace singing
in your hearts
to God.
It parallels
what came
right before,
in all
wisdom,
teaching and
admonishing one
another, in
grace, singing
in your hearts
to God.
We are
singing in
grace.
And this is
what Richard
Malick says
about that.
Grace reminds
singers that
the message
and not the
singers bring
salvation.
It further
reminds us
that everything
good about
what they sing
comes from
God because
of God's
grace.
There is
no room for
self-praise,
ambition, or
high-mindedness
in the realm of
grace.
Those who
are saying
do so,
because they
have felt the
transforming power
of God in
their own lives
and they sing
with an awareness
of that grace.
Are we aware
of that grace
from this?
God intends us
to be.
He wants us
to be.
We're thankful
because of the
grace we stand
in as our
Christ.
Our sins,
the ones we've
committed today
already,
do for
good.
Our sins,
the ones we're
committed for
the rest of the
day,
do for
care.
We have
no fear
of health.
The grave
has been
overcome.
We're headed
for eternal
pleasures at
God's right
hand.
And if you're
in a band,
a pure musician
who serves
in your
church,
often that
thankfulness is
dampened by
thoughts of
anxiety or
comparison or
envy.
It should not
be so.
we live in
reality that
transcends our
petty grievances
against others.
How often is a
thankful heart
overruled by a
judgmental or
critical heart?
It's the
gospel that
enables us.
It's only the
gospel to put
all those thoughts
aside and be
truly grateful
that our sins
are paid for,
that we've been
reconciled to
God and that
all around us
are brothers and
sisters who
have received
the same
unfathomable
mercy of
Christ that
we have.
You're a
Christian part
of me.
We're to sing
as one and
sing thankfully
and the
gospel says
we're to sing
wholeheartedly.
And you guys
have done a
great job
that way.
Sing wholeheartedly.
Singing with
thankfulness
naturally means
to a whole
hearted
participation.
Verse 16.
Let the
word of Christ
dwell in you
richly,
teaching and
promising one
another,
and all
with him,
singing songs
and things
and spiritual
songs with
thankfulness in
your hearts
to God.
Some people
have tried to
make the case
that that means
it doesn't
really matter
if we sing
authorly,
we're really
singing this
in our hearts
to God.
so I
can just
sit here
and not
do anything
but God
hears me.
That's not
what that
was to
mean.
When the
Bible uses
the word
heart,
it is
generally
talking about
our whole
being,
the center
of our
thinking
and will
and affection.
So what
Paul's saying
is we're
not just
singing with
our lips,
we're singing
with our
whole hearts,
our whole
being.
This means
that our
singing isn't
just meant
to be heard,
it's meant
to be seen.
Seeing is
a powerful
and beautiful
way of
expressing our
gratefulness
to God as
we consider
the grace
that he has
shown us
in Christ.
No one
else can
sing like
this.
Do we
get that?
No one
else knows
what we
know.
No one
else has
experienced
what we
have
experienced.
So God
gives us
singing
both to
express it
and to
elicit
that kind
of gratefulness.
So Jonathan
Edmund in his
book Religious
Affection
says,
the duty
of singing
praises to
God seems
to be given
wholly,
completely,
to excite
and express
religious
affection.
There's no
reason why we
should express
ourselves to
God in
verse rather
than in
prose and
with music
except that
these things
have a
tendency to
move our
affection,
affection.
Quick
sidebar here.
There's a
difference between
emotions and
affection.
Emotions are
what I feel.
Happiness,
anger,
excitement,
anxiety.
Affections are
why I feel
them.
That's what
goes down
deeper than
emotions.
Emotions are
response.
Affections drive
the car.
So when
we're talking
about speaking
to our
affections,
we're not
talking about
just getting
people happy
and excited.
We're talking
about bringing
them,
bringing to
their minds,
to their
hearts,
what is true,
what is real,
who they are,
what Christ has
done,
who He is.
Those kinds
of things.
Singing both
expresses and
excites those
truths.
It supplies a
way of giving
voice to what's
in our hearts,
but it also
stirs up what
might be
dormant.
So we might
come into the
science service
overflowing with
thankfulness for
what God has
done for us in
Christ.
Singing helps
us express that
wholeheartedly.
Sometimes we
become distracted.
Sometimes we
become overwhelmed
by our sin or
our suffering.
And that's
okay.
And then we
start singing.
singing reminds
us of what
we're about,
who we are,
what God has
done for us
and is for
us in Christ.
It excites
and draws out
our affections.
We're to sing
with thankfulness
in our whole
being.
It doesn't
mean that you're
a continuation
of charismatic
if you do that.
and you
should be,
but it
doesn't mean
that you're
becoming an
extrovert.
This isn't
me.
Well, you
just got a
passing
better to
sing about.
It doesn't
matter about
you.
It means the
Lord of Christ
is dwelling in
your rich
life.
That's what it
means.
And you
can't help
but respond.
That's why
hearts include,
it's in your
hearts.
It includes
what we do
of our faces
and our
bodies.
Psalm 34
verse 5
says,
Those who
look to
him are
dour.
It doesn't
say it.
Those who
look to
him are
distracted.
It doesn't
say it.
Those who
look to
him are
radiant.
Their faces
shall never
be ashamed.
It's good
to ask
ourselves
occasionally,
what am I
communicating
with my
face,
my body,
my engagement
to others
as I
sing.
What am I,
what can
people see
about the
God I'm
singing about?
What kind
of Savior do
I communicate
Jesus is
through my
body?
That's why
at our home
church we
ask our
inch of
mouth to
sing and
the folks
are going
to hear.
These are
all members
of the
community
church.
Love
serving with
them.
We ask
everyone else
to sing
because it's
not just
about
playing
the notes.
It's about
who you are
in Christ.
The one
who's done
for you.
Now there
may be
occasionally
some who
say,
well I
don't want
to be
a distraction.
Okay?
Great,
that's a good
thing.
Don't be
a distraction.
But being
a distraction
is different
from showing
affection.
So if my
wife,
Julie,
when I
miss all
my heart,
we're
walking
to this
room,
I can
stop the
mess and
have a
local group
to her and
kiss her
passionately.
Because we
always kiss
passionately.
That's what we
try to do.
Actually,
don't try to
do it.
We do it.
And you
know,
I was
thinking,
here's what I
was thinking.
I wonder
what people
are thinking
about me.
Is this
my show?
My show
is my
attraction?
I don't
want to
seem like
too
on the
top
like
this.
That
would be
the fear
of me,
huh?
I don't
care what
you think
in relation
to my
wife.
I
never
worked
on my
arm
in the
year 50
years.
It's
always.
You know,
I was
only one.
How much
should people
see who
it is
that we
are
seeing
and how
the Lord
is
and how
good?
You don't
have to be
distracted.
You shouldn't
be distracted.
You're not
talking about
these problems.
And I
saw them
in all
kinds of
places
all over the
world.
And,
you know,
there's some
very
conservative
places.
David and
I,
here,
to a
conference
in
California.
We're
like,
you know,
two people
in the
room.
You seem
to be
doing
anything.
And it's
okay,
because by
the end
of the
conference,
more people
are engaged.
And that's
the key word,
engaged.
We know
what's going
on.
Know.
So,
wholeheartedly.
Because one
other way,
this is,
end of this
point,
how do we
sing?
We talked
about as
one,
gratefully,
wholeheartedly,
and then to
God,
ourselves,
and others.
There is an
audience for
singing.
Let the
word of Christ
dwell in your
richly,
teaching and
admonishing one
another in all
wisdom,
singing songs and
hymns and
spiritual songs with
thankfulness in
your hearts to
God.
So,
what do we
do?
We're singing,
teaching and
admonishing one
another,
but we're also
singing to
God.
Now,
no one would
argue that when
we sing,
we're meant to
sing to God.
We're singing in
our hearts to
God.
And amazingly,
because of
Christ,
he delights to
hear our praises
perfected through
the work of
Jesus Christ.
But the
gospel reminds us
that we're
singing to
each other.
Back in
Colossians 1.
28,
Paul described
his ministry.
He said,
him we proclaim,
warning everyone
and teaching
everyone with
all wisdom that
we may present
everyone mature in
Christ.
That's what Paul's
apostolic ministry
was about.
Warning everyone
and teaching
everyone with
all wisdom.
You know what
that does to
us?
Warning everyone
and teaching
everyone?
Those are the
same ones he
used right
here.
Teaching and
admonishing one
another.
We're doing as
a community what
Paul was doing
as an apostle.
We're helping
each other see
what's true,
what's real.
And when he
says one
another,
that can be
yourselves,
both reflexively
as I'm singing
to myself,
we're singing
to ourselves,
or we're singing
to each other.
Talk about that
first part for a
moment.
First,
we're singing
to ourselves.
How often do we
bondlessly
participate in
congregational
singing?
singing.
I'm aware
that the
very words
we're singing
can provide
strength
before weary.
They can
provide truth
before confused
or distracted.
They can
provide eternal
delights for our
relentlessly
idol-making
heart.
If we're not
singing to
ourselves,
if we're just
passing on data
or information
to other people,
we're missing
out on how
singing the
word of Christ
is meant to
function for us.
People ask me
sometimes,
or we talk
with leaders,
music teams,
worship teams,
you know,
the difference
between doing it
up here and
doing it down
there.
You know,
there should be
very little
words.
I'm singing
myself up here.
It's not just
about singing
you.
I am singing
you,
because that's
what we're
looking at in a
second.
But if I'm not
singing myself,
I'm missing
the grace
that could
come to me
through the
very words
that we're
singing.
So we do
that,
but we also
sing to one
another.
Sometimes we
do that by
singing songs
to God.
Jesus is
now,
Lord,
Jesus is
now,
O Lord,
I rock you.
We sing
to the Lord,
but a large
number of
songs we
sing.
Or something
about God.
Not to Him.
In Christ
alone,
my hope
is found.
What gift
of grace
is Jesus
my Redeemer?
We're not
singing that
to the Lord.
In one
sense we
are.
Those words
are to each
other.
Crown with
many crowns.
We sing that
in just a few
minutes.
Who are we
singing those
songs to?
Well,
to God,
but to each
other,
are we
aware that
the gospel
invites us
and encourages
us and
exhorts us to
proclaim the
good news to
those that
they know?
Now,
it's easy
when you're
up on a
platform,
you can get
it,
you're seeing it.
But when I'm
down front,
which is where I
usually am,
I'm just going
to turn around
and look at
it,
it's not like
steer somebody
down.
It's just
nothing to
say,
hey,
we're doing
this together.
These words
are true.
They're true
for you,
they're true
for me.
Isn't this
amazing that
we've received
this grace?
This is awesome.
This is truly
awesome that a
bunch of
neutrals like
us are in the
same song and
such joy in
them because we
didn't deserve it,
we didn't earn it,
we didn't ask for it.
God is daily.
It's amazing.
We often
envision singing
together as an
individual event.
We're concerned
with how we
look,
how we sound,
how we feel,
and the
ultimate idea
of worship
with God
for many
Christians is
this singing
with our eyes
closed,
shutting out
the distracting
people around
us,
to see
you.
That's the
height of worship.
You know,
that's not the
height of worship.
Surprisingly.
That can be
one aspect,
but sorry,
you're always
going to be
with other
people.
Heaven's not
going to be
just us and
Jesus,
our own.
There's
a way
myriad to
myriad,
thousands and
thousands of
people with
us.
What are we
going to do
then?
Jesus,
just right
here.
I want
these other
people.
Can we
put that?
I want
to sing
because it's
so distracting.
God says,
no,
you're going to
sing to
them.
They're to
sing.
That's what,
there's a
biblical reason
for why
sitting in your
living room
in front of a
screen can't
be described
as going to
church.
Or going to
the meeting.
Church online
is an oxymoron.
It's two
things that
can't go
together.
Can God
use church
online?
Is that
what the
gospel compels
us to do
and pursue?
No.
The reality
is, even
when we're
singing about
God, we're
singing to
others,
proclaiming
truths that
both they
and we
need to be
reminded of
and are
encouraged to
celebrate.
And it's
worth noting
that there's
no mention
of worship
leaders here.
responsibility
for teaching
and admonishing
falls on the
congregation.
So as
leaders, we
don't want to
be so
involved in
leading that
the congregation
can't survive
anymore.
We are
facilitators.
We're
shepherding.
We're not
the main
thing.
The most
encouraging
comment,
someone told
me in the
conference,
that I
could receive
for what I
do.
So he
said,
you know,
after a
while,
I didn't
even know
this
were there.
I said,
amen.
I'm a
lead,
I'm a
shepherd,
I'm a
shepherd,
but I
want to
get people
to the
place where
they're
going.
Because
they're so
called up
the Lord
and the
Lord
and his
goodness
and his
kindness
with
people
of God's
savior.
So the
gospel
name is
to sing
the
God
and
together.
Number
three,
the gospel
supplies the
content
of our
singing.
What should
we sing?
These last
two points
are shorter
than the
others,
just in
case you're
wondering.
The
process
316
begins,
let the
word of
Christ
dwell in
you
richly.
Notice,
we're not
the actors
in that
phrase,
we're the
receivers.
Let the
word of
Christ
dwell in
you richly.
Let this
word,
this amazing
gospel,
this amazing
goodness,
let that
dwell in
you richly.
We don't
have to come
up with new
things to
sing about.
We don't
have to come
up with new
ways of
stirring our
affections or
more creative
ways of
singing.
We're to
let the
word of
Christ,
already
established,
already
proclaimed,
already
accomplished,
dwell in
us
richly.
Now that
word of
Christ could
be understood
in a number
of ways,
could be the
words of
Christ,
the things
that Jesus
taught and
said,
I don't
think that's
what it
means,
but it
could be
that.
It could
be the
word about
Christ,
the gospel,
the good
news of
coming to
earth,
becoming
flesh,
we take
on our
nature,
to live
a perfect
life of
obedience,
to bear
the punishment
for our
sins that
we deserve,
to rise
from the
dead,
as
Samuel
follows
our
hand,
let he
reigns
and intercedes
for us
until he
comes again
as a
faithful
judge
to end
all
wickedness,
and the
faithful
husband
to claim
the
bride
he
needs.
It's
such a
Christ.
So it
could be
that,
and the
word of
Christ could
also point
to the
word of
God,
which in
its entirety
points to
Christ.
And it
seems to
all for it.
It's the
gospel of
the same.
The singing
is meant to
be grounded
in and
fueled by
the objective
truth of
the gospel
revealed in
his word.
But is
the word of
Christ,
the root
of the
teaching of
the
teaching of
the
teaching of
the
singing,
or is it
the fruit of
those things?
Is it what
inspires those
things, or is it
the result of
those things?
Let the
word of
Christ
go
universally
so you
can sing,
or sing
so the
word of
Christ
go
universally.
Well, I
don't think
we have
to choose.
And as a
word of
commentators,
they don't
seem to
be, it
doesn't seem
to be a
consensus.
The word of
Christ dwell
in us
richly does
produce singing
psalms and
hymns and
spiritual songs,
but it also
dwells in us
richly as we
sing psalms and
hymns and
spiritual songs.
Have you ever
had the
experience of
singing the
same psalm
before a
message and
then after
a message?
You should
try that
sometimes.
We sang,
the most recent
example is we
sang he is a
word of
program,
and then we
heard him
and then we
had this on
playing and
thought we
got to do
the word of
it.
Because that's
what the
message is
about.
And you
would have
thought the
word of
was going
to blow
off.
They were
the same
song,
it was
separated
by
time.
Same
people,
same
room.
What
happened?
The word
of Christ
was
well
in
that
worship.
It
transforms
our
seeing.
But it
works the
other way
as well.
As we
sing songs
that expound
on the
reality of
the first
in the
work of
Christ,
the
word of
Christ
is
sung
in us
richly.
And while
the heart
of the
gospel
is the
substitutionary
sacrifice
of Christ,
when we
talk about
the word
Christ,
it means
everything
in us.
It means
his preexistence
state,
his incarnation,
his perfect
life,
his suffering,
his death
on the cross,
his resurrection,
ascension,
his intercession,
his reign,
and his return.
It's all
those things
that we want
to draw
people's attention
to.
And we
want to
make sure
that with
this content
we're not
just trying
to squeeze
so much
doctrine into
our songs
that people
don't have
time to
read,
that people
don't have
time to
respond.
That
doctrine of
fuel is
meant to
produce an
emotional
fire,
an
affectional
fire.
We need
opportunities
to respond
to that
word of
Christ,
to express
that
thankfulness.
That's why
songs
seem to
be spiritual
songs,
because
when you
make
out
it
applies
a
variety
of
songs,
not necessarily
a specific
type,
but it is a
variety of
songs that
make us
both to
hear the
truth of
Christ and
to respond
to that.
And then
finally,
this is the
fourth point,
the gospel
informs the
purpose of
our singing.
It talks
about who
the systems
are,
how we
should sing,
what we
should sing,
and what's
the effect.
Verse 17
says,
whatever you
do in
word or
deed,
do everything
in the
name of
the Lord
Jesus,
giving thanks
to God
for all
peace.
P.T. O'Brien
in one
of the
commentator
remarks,
there are
few
expectations
in the
New Testament
which are
as comprehensive
as they are.
Do whatever
you do,
in word or
deed,
do everything.
that's
that kind
of
culture.
In the
name of
the Lord
Jesus,
giving thanks
to God
the Father
true of
him.
This
means
seeing
everything
in light
of who
Jesus
is
and
what
he's
done.
Our
singing
is meant
to propel
us into
life with
fresh faith,
with fresh
understanding,
and with
fresh zeal
to live
for the
glory of
God
in Christ.
there's
nothing more
we can do
to earn
God's
forgiveness.
We're no
longer under
condemnation.
When Satan
turns to
lead to
despair,
our
suffering is
never wasted.
It has
purpose and
meaning.
No guilt
in life,
no fear
in death.
This is the
power of
Christ to
me.
From
life's
first cry
to final
breath,
Jesus
commands my
destiny.
Yes,
he does.
We have
confidence in
battle against
sin in the
flesh.
Christ has
defeated
every sin.
Those
aren't just
words to a
song that
somebody came
up with in
a dull
moment.
That's
what life
transforming
is.
Christ has
defeated
every sin,
including
ours.
Isn't
that great
news?
Cast all
your burdens
down.
It's one
of the
reasons I
singing,
by singing
worship and
singing as
synonymous is
so awful.
It's
misguided.
It's even
dangerous.
God intends
our singing to
be an aspect
of our
worship,
an expression
of our
worship,
but not
the sum
total of
it.
Romans 12
1 says
that we're
in view of
the verses
of God
which present
our bodies
as a living
sacrifice,
not just
our singing,
but our
bodies,
holy and
acceptable
to God,
which is
your spiritual
worship.
gospel
singing is
meant to
lead to
gospel
living.
But our
singing here
on Sundays
or here
wherever
any of this
is meant to
progress to
life,
let's prepare
for a
glorious
unending
song
that you
signed
out of
the floor.
Our
singing
reflects that
song,
but it's
limited.
It's limited
in at least
three ways.
time,
understanding,
and strength.
Time,
the meetings
can't go
on forever.
Some pastors
are more
attentive to
that than
others.
We don't
understand
everything we
need to
understand
like the
Lord,
and our
bodies give
out.
We just
can't keep
singing.
But one
day time
will never
run out.
one day
will see
as it
really is
and we'll
be like
it.
One day
we're
stronger,
glorifying
God.
What would
that be
like?
What would
it be like
to hear
songs we
never heard
before?
Sometimes
people say,
yeah,
when you
see that
song in
heaven,
they kind
of think
that.
Maybe,
maybe.
But you
know,
once more
glorified
with Christ,
like actually,
I just
think we
wrote better
songs.
Are you
kidding me?
Come on!
But this
is what we
know.
Every time
we sing,
it's a
preparation
for that
time.
We will
behold our
Savior face
to face
and we
will look
back
and wonder
our
singing
could have
been so
restrained
and so
distracted
and so
optional.
We sing
for the
glory and
honor,
especially
Jesus
Christ,
who has
given us
a reason
to sing.
And as
His word
dwells in
us richly,
in our
minds and
hearts,
the meaning
and the
content and
the purpose
of our
singing become
clear.
Worshiping God
in song,
isn't this a
nice idea
for mutually
gifted people?
It's for our
churches.
It's for those
who are chosen
to hold
and have
their love.
And we
can say
to those
in the church,
I don't know
if God has
given you a
voice,
but I know
if you've
trusted in the
finished word
of Christ,
He has
given you a
song.
And I
want to
help them
sing.
It's a
song that
will continue
throughout
eternity for
the glory
and the
triumph of
it.
And what a
joy it is
every time you
sing to prepare
for that day.
Father, we
ask that you
would prepare
us for that
day as we sing
here.
We would not
be so
caught up in
our views
and our
single singing
that we forget
what the
gospel has
done to
transform our
singing,
and what
Jesus has
done to
transform our
singing.
May we sing
as one,
may we sing
with all
our hearts,
may we sing
of Christ
and His
glory,
and may we
sing in such
a way that
our lives
will transform.
We know
that we want
to do this,
but we will
do this by
the power of
our Spirit
working in
us to do
more than
we can ask
to do.
So we
thank you
and help us
Father to
serve our
church as
well in
this area
for your
glory.
We pray
in Jesus'
name,
Amen.