WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.460 It's on page 603, and also turn please to Colossians chapter 3, which is on page 1184. 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:20.019 Colossians chapter 3, and that's on page 1184. 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:25.679 So we're going to read from Psalm 98 first, we're going to read that together, 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:29.199 and then we're going to read Colossians 3. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.679 15 to 17. 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:44.460 So let's read Psalm 98 together. 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:49.879 We are not only singing, it is a song. 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:57.200 We're not only saying this to God, but we are also saying it to one another for our own mutual encouragement. 00:00:57.200 --> 00:01:01.600 So let's read Psalm 98 together. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:09.240 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:14.140 His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:20.460 The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:25.680 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:30.120 All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:33.540 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 00:01:34.260 --> 00:01:36.840 Burst into jubilant song with music. 00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:39.760 Make music to the Lord with the harp. 00:01:40.320 --> 00:01:42.400 With the harp and the sound of singing. 00:01:43.100 --> 00:01:45.840 With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn. 00:01:46.400 --> 00:01:49.040 Shout for joy before the Lord, the King. 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:52.520 Let the sea resound and everything in it. 00:01:52.980 --> 00:01:55.160 The world and all who live in it. 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:57.680 Let the rivers clap their hands. 00:01:58.320 --> 00:02:00.680 Let the mountains sing together for joy. 00:02:01.300 --> 00:02:03.160 Let them sing before the Lord. 00:02:03.540 --> 00:02:05.500 For he comes to judge the earth. 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:10.520 He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:14.380 And then turn please to Colossians 3. 00:02:14.980 --> 00:02:18.500 And I'm going to read verses 15 to 17. 00:02:18.760 --> 00:02:22.920 Colossians 3, 15 to 17 on page 1184. 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:34.600 Colossians 3, starting at verse 15. 00:02:34.600 --> 00:02:38.160 Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:41.599 Since as members of one body you are called to peace. 00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:43.359 And be thankful. 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:47.900 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:51.699 As you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. 00:02:52.180 --> 00:02:57.560 And as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. 00:02:58.019 --> 00:03:00.479 With gratitude in your hearts to God. 00:03:01.259 --> 00:03:02.300 And whatever you do. 00:03:02.759 --> 00:03:04.379 Whether in word or deed. 00:03:04.939 --> 00:03:07.740 Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:11.620 Giving thanks to God the Father through him. 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:22.460 Well, in our series we've been taking an aspect of what we do on a Sunday morning as our gathering together. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:26.019 And this morning we're going to be looking at singing. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:30.219 Because singing is a big part of what we do when we come together. 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:35.520 Now, I've talked or written, if you like, about this before. 00:03:36.360 --> 00:03:42.939 If you look on our church website, there is a series of three articles on the theme of worship. 00:03:43.419 --> 00:03:45.620 Which addresses the whole issue of singing. 00:03:46.080 --> 00:03:48.500 So, I'm not going to try and repeat everything there. 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:50.199 And say the same thing here. 00:03:50.199 --> 00:03:53.500 But I do encourage you to look at that on the church website. 00:03:53.659 --> 00:03:56.359 You can read through what that has to say. 00:03:56.419 --> 00:04:00.679 And it also directs a little bit about those who lead in singing. 00:04:01.399 --> 00:04:04.379 So, I just let you know about that. 00:04:05.339 --> 00:04:10.099 But we're going to pray now and ask for God's help as we look at his word together. 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:10.839 Let's pray. 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:17.860 Our Father, we thank you for your many gifts to us. 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:21.000 We thank you for the gift of song and of music. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:27.860 We thank you for the talents that people have in their ability and their willingness to share them. 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:29.420 And to help us. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:34.079 And we also thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. 00:04:34.079 --> 00:04:41.899 And we pray that he would enable us to understand your word. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:47.979 That your word would be like music to us. 00:04:49.579 --> 00:04:54.019 That it would encourage us, motivate us. 00:04:55.019 --> 00:04:59.639 It would cause us to look upon Christ in a fresh way. 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:03.319 That we may see him and know him. 00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:06.240 And understand him better. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:09.779 So, we pray for your help in Jesus' name. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:10.879 Amen. 00:05:13.279 --> 00:05:17.979 Well, we live in a music addicted and a song saturated world. 00:05:18.479 --> 00:05:22.419 It's incorporated into every aspect of our life. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:25.459 We get it at weddings and funerals. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:28.819 We use it for personal reflection. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:31.579 Or even in public celebration. 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:32.680 It's everywhere. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:37.560 Music and song is a powerful medium. 00:05:38.399 --> 00:05:42.620 A song can stir emotion and fire passion. 00:05:43.699 --> 00:05:47.599 A piece of music can make us laugh or cause us to cry. 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:53.019 And together, they bring back memories and they fuel our imagination. 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:59.919 Music and singing is very much a part of our culture as people. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:04.100 And it's also very much a part of church culture. 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:09.620 In the Bible, there are over 400 references to singing. 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:15.100 In fact, we are commanded to sing over 50 times. 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:20.040 For example, in Psalm 47, verse 6, it says this. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:22.220 Sing praises to God. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:23.199 Sing praises. 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:25.480 Sing praises to our King. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:26.959 Sing praises. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:29.539 And in case we didn't get what he was trying to communicate. 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:32.099 He says, for God is the King of all the earth. 00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:35.759 Sing to him a psalm of praise. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:47.980 And then in our text in Colossians 3, it says we are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:55.259 So, in our gathering on a Sunday morning, we want to take time to sing. 00:06:56.460 --> 00:07:05.480 Now, that might seem straightforward for us because we do it all the time, but music and singing has become quite divisive. 00:07:05.600 --> 00:07:09.879 In fact, it's been very divisive right the way down through the centuries. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:18.680 People choose the church they go to on the basis of the music, whether it's traditional or contemporary. 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:26.399 Churches even divide over the use of instruments, whether it's an organ or an electric guitar. 00:07:27.920 --> 00:07:38.040 In my readings up about this, when the organ first came into churches, into the great big cathedrals, people said that it ruined the worship service. 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:39.519 They didn't want any music. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:43.899 In fact, some people said that they weren't going to have any music at all. 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:50.920 They could all sing their hymn in whichever tune they wanted as a sign of the Spirit working through them. 00:07:51.300 --> 00:07:52.800 So, you sing whatever tune you wanted. 00:07:53.639 --> 00:07:59.379 So, over the centuries and even now, it's had a lot of different effects. 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:05.180 After all, we all have our own taste, our own style, and our own flavour. 00:08:05.180 --> 00:08:09.040 Now, I find all that quite strange. 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:14.600 The text here in Colossians, that is commanding us to sing, starts with this. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:15.720 Look at verse 15. 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:22.420 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. 00:08:24.340 --> 00:08:30.720 Since as members of one body, as one people, one family, you were called to peace. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:40.660 So, our singing ought to be an expression of our gathering together to express our unity in Jesus Christ. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:44.980 So, rather than be divisive, it should be an expression of our unity. 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:55.600 The problem is, I think, we have become influenced by the world's view of music, rather than God's word on music. 00:08:56.259 --> 00:09:05.340 So, what we need to do this morning is to hear what God has to say about singing primarily in our gatherings together. 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:08.920 So, we're going to look at three things this morning. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:14.759 Why we sing, what we sing, and how we sing. 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:17.800 Why we sing, what we sing, and how we sing. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:19.300 We're going to start with why we sing. 00:09:19.680 --> 00:09:25.960 The text gives us two reasons why we should sing, and they're both found in verse 16. 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:30.620 In fact, most of what we're going to say this morning comes from verse 16. 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:31.740 Let's read it. 00:09:31.740 --> 00:09:40.000 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:46.680 and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 00:09:47.419 --> 00:09:53.220 So, we are to sing to one another, and we are to sing to God. 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:57.419 So, first, we sing in response to God. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:59.299 Look at verse 16, the end there. 00:09:59.299 --> 00:10:07.679 It says, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 00:10:08.579 --> 00:10:13.019 It's very often the praise, or what some people call the worship time, 00:10:14.099 --> 00:10:18.079 is seen as something that we are doing for God. 00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:23.059 In other words, when we start singing and when the instruments are being played, 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:28.679 somehow we are bringing God into our presence through our singing. 00:10:29.439 --> 00:10:33.839 Or that through our songs, somehow we are entering into God's presence. 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.039 So, you might hear people say, 00:10:36.119 --> 00:10:40.899 well, I didn't really get into God's presence until about the third song or so. 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:43.119 Then I really felt his presence. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:47.500 Now, that's just simply wrong. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:55.080 Because singing is our response to what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:57.080 It is primarily a response. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:02.159 Look back to 1 Chronicles chapter 16. 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.039 Where's that? Where's that? 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:05.820 It's on page 420. 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:06.260 Okay? 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.540 420. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:12.200 1 Chronicles chapter 16. 00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:16.620 Keep your finger in Colossians. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:19.700 Go to 1 Chronicles chapter 16. 00:11:22.940 --> 00:11:25.460 It's on page 420. 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:30.240 So here the Levites, or the priests, as they were called, 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:39.399 were appointed to lead people into God's presence through sacrifice and through song. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.560 So, verse 1 of chapter 16 of 1 Chronicles. 00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:46.659 They brought the ark of God. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:52.480 The ark of God was a symbol or a sign of God's presence amongst the people. 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:55.740 So they brought, if you like, the presence of God 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:59.519 and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:05.259 And they prepared, or they presented, burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:10.919 They made their sacrifices before God so that they could come into his presence. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.679 And verse 4. 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:18.240 He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:22.840 To make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel. 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.799 Asaph was the chief. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:27.519 Zechariah 2nd and then J.E.L. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:38.399 Then Sherimoth, Jehiel, Metathiah, Aliab, Benaniah, Obed-Edom, Jehiel. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:42.039 They were to play the harps and the lyres. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:44.559 Asaph was to sound the cymbals. 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:49.639 Benaniah and Jehaziel, the priests, were to blow the trumpets regularly 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:53.519 before the ark of the covenant of God, before his presence. 00:12:53.519 --> 00:13:03.579 So, you see, their sacrifices and all their singing was a means of bringing the presence of God, 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:07.559 preparing the people to bring the presence of God among the people, 00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:10.199 so that they could know God was there. 00:13:10.200 --> 00:13:14.360 Now, when we get to the New Testament, 00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:20.500 Jesus fulfills and he replaces the old system. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:25.020 Very often we see that people just kind of take a passage like that and they say, 00:13:25.140 --> 00:13:29.740 right, okay, instead of the priests and the Levites, we have worship leaders. 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:33.020 And instead of all the sacrifices, we've got songs. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:35.520 And that's the way into the presence of God. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:40.100 Well, look at Colossians chapter 1, verse 19. 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.879 Colossians 1, verse 19. 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:53.220 We're told here, chapter 1, verse 19, 00:13:53.319 --> 00:13:57.720 that God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Jesus. 00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:03.840 So the presence of God is no longer now found in a temple or in a tent or anywhere else like that. 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:07.879 It is found in Jesus, all of God in Jesus. 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:09.860 Verse 20. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:14.540 And through Jesus to reconcile to himself all things. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.720 Verse 21. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:20.580 Once we were alienated from God. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:24.440 We were enemies in our minds because of our evil behavior. 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:27.759 In other words, we were outside of his presence. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:38.960 But now, verse 22, he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you wholly in his sight, in his presence, 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:46.799 without blemish and free from accusation, if you continue in your faith. 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:53.319 So through Jesus' death on the cross, we are united or reconciled to God. 00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:59.439 It's Jesus' once and for all sacrifice that brings us into God's presence. 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:04.079 And the good news of that is, look at verse 27. 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:08.259 We'll read the whole verse, but we'll get to the key phrase. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:14.179 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery. 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.639 And here's the key phrase. 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:19.659 Which is Christ in you. 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.819 The hope of glory. 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:23.860 Christ in you. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:28.360 So Jesus is already present with us. 00:15:28.460 --> 00:15:29.379 Not only with us. 00:15:29.659 --> 00:15:34.200 In fact, the presence of God is in us through our faith in Christ. 00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:39.840 So singing is not the way into the presence of God. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.220 Jesus is. 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:46.000 And music is not the way to bring God down to us. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.560 Jesus is. 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:51.300 So you say, well, what about singing then? 00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:57.140 Well, when we sing, it's in response to what God has done for us in Jesus. 00:15:57.139 --> 00:16:07.199 So in chapter 3, verse 16, we're encouraged to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 00:16:08.439 --> 00:16:14.980 Jesus, by his grace, enables us to come to God individually or corporately. 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:18.679 And in response, we sing full of gratitude. 00:16:18.679 --> 00:16:25.500 We often refer to the singing time as the worship time. 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:30.299 But worship in the Bible is not just confined to singing. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:35.279 It includes it, but it incorporates all of life. 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.679 Everything that we do throughout the week. 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:47.659 So when we come across the word worship in the Bible, it means to submit, to honour, to bow down, to serve. 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:51.179 These kinds of words, they're all response words. 00:16:51.359 --> 00:16:53.019 They're in response to someone. 00:16:54.199 --> 00:17:04.019 So when we come together to sing, we express our submission, our devotion in response to what God has done. 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:12.700 When we sing, we're renewing our trust and our loyalty in response to God's amazing grace and his mercy to us. 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:21.079 When we're singing, we're singing to God because we want to thank him and to show him how much we love him. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:26.200 So first, we sing in response to God. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:29.599 Second, we sing to encourage each other. 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.160 Look at the first part of verse 16. 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:42.860 It says we are to teach and admonish one another with all wisdom as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:45.540 So the instruction is clear there, isn't it? 00:17:45.560 --> 00:17:51.500 We are to teach and admonish or instruct each other as we sing to each other. 00:17:53.040 --> 00:18:01.360 Our singing isn't some private individual experience just between me and God, me and God connecting and, well, it doesn't matter about anybody else. 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:04.839 No, it's a corporate time of encouragement. 00:18:06.439 --> 00:18:08.359 So maybe you never thought of this. 00:18:08.439 --> 00:18:11.919 When I'm singing, I'm encouraging you. 00:18:12.479 --> 00:18:14.219 I'm actually singing to you. 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:15.740 I'm serenading to you. 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.419 Isn't that nice? 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:19.039 Not because I have a beautiful voice. 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:21.299 I don't stand beside me. 00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:22.879 You know, I can't keep tune at all. 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:28.960 I sing because I want to remind you of all that God has done for you. 00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:38.760 And when you sing, we're wanting to remind each other how much God loves us, how much he cares for you, how much he has done that he's died for you. 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:48.579 When I go to watch Munster play, one of the songs that they'll sing, all the crowd, is the fields of Athenri. 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:52.000 It's become, if you like, the anthem of the Munster team. 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:57.519 And when the team are down, if they're on their back foot, that the crowd will get together. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:01.200 Somebody will start the song somewhere and everybody will join in. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:07.660 And a voice of 25,000 people joining together to encourage their team on. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:15.080 Now, we might be playing rugby this morning, but we all need to keep encouragement. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:18.380 We all need encouragement to keep going. 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:22.940 We need to be reminded of what God has done. 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.600 We need that encouragement. 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:28.880 That Christ has actually won the victory. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:32.120 He has stepped onto the pitch for us. 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:35.880 He has played against the other side, the enemy. 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:38.580 And he's secured the victory for us. 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:43.100 So look at Colossians chapter 2, verse 13. 00:19:45.140 --> 00:19:47.980 Halfway into verse 13 of Colossians 2. 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:53.280 It says that God made you alive with Christ. 00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:58.640 He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:03.260 With its regulations that was against us and that stood opposed to us. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:06.640 He took it away and he nailed it to the cross. 00:20:07.020 --> 00:20:11.900 And having disarmed the powers and authorities of Satan and all his dealings. 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:14.720 He made a public spectacle of them. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:18.520 Triumphing them over them by the cross. 00:20:18.780 --> 00:20:19.540 Victorious. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:22.580 This is our anthem. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:25.279 This is our music. 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:36.539 This is the song that we need to hear as we stand shoulder to shoulder, part of the same team, supporting and encouraging each other on in the Christian life. 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:39.759 Because we all know it is hard to walk it alone. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:49.339 But we need to walk together, singing to each other, to encourage each other along in the Christian life. 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:53.160 So when we sing, there are two reasons. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.079 One is vertical. 00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:59.579 We sing to God in response to what God has done for us in Christ. 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.500 That's the vertical. 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.599 Then the other is the horizontal. 00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:06.079 We sing to each other. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:13.319 We stand together to remind each other of what God has done for us in Christ. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:16.839 Don't worry about whether you're tuneful or not. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:20.179 We're singing those words of encouragement. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:23.000 So that's why we sing. 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.859 What about what do we sing? 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:30.779 Because we've all got our favourites when it comes to singing. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:33.779 Some like the old traditional hymns. 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:35.039 That's me. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:39.660 You can't beat a song with about ten lines in it and about eight verses long. 00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.359 Brilliant. 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.000 No? 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.980 Some like a slow tempo. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.779 Some prefer contemporary songs. 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:50.779 That's lively and fast and kind of get you going. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:54.279 We've all got our particular tastes and styles. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:57.559 So what should we sing when we gather together? 00:21:57.559 --> 00:22:04.799 Well, verse 16 again tells us that we're to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. 00:22:05.639 --> 00:22:11.079 Which I think is referring to the whole range of music and song that is out there. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.139 God is the creator. 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:17.299 He is the giver of wonderful gifts of music and singing. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:23.680 So it's not confined to just hymns or just choruses or just this or just that or fast or slow. 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:27.200 He's given us a whole range of music. 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:34.079 So our singing, I think, when we gather together should reflect both traditional and contemporary, fast, slow. 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:37.779 It should represent the whole range of what God has given to us. 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:47.519 But more importantly, and this is where our focus should be, and this is primary, is the content of our songs. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:51.559 Again, look at verse 16, the beginning of verse 16. 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.359 It says, 00:22:53.359 --> 00:23:04.519 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom as you sing. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:16.339 You see, it's the word of Christ, the gospel, the good news of Jesus, that is to direct the content of our songs. 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:22.900 That's what makes our songs at our gathering different to every other song that we sing. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:26.119 We could sing, couldn't we? 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.460 Remember one? 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:32.339 Look for a safe place, the safe cross code. 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.879 That's instruction, isn't it? 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.859 But we're not here to sing about that. 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:40.920 We want the word of Christ to shape our songs. 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:43.619 That's the kind of instruction that we need. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:49.740 We want songs that say something to us, that teach us. 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:53.799 So we want songs like, Oh, to see the dawn. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.819 Listen to this line from this song. 00:23:56.819 --> 00:24:01.159 Christ became sin for us. 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:02.819 Took the blame. 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.759 Bore the wrath. 00:24:05.439 --> 00:24:08.159 We stand forgiven at the cross. 00:24:09.159 --> 00:24:12.559 So much packed in there to instruct us. 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.460 Propitiation. 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.339 Expiation. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.519 Don't worry. 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.659 Wonderful words. 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:19.300 But this is what it's about. 00:24:19.300 --> 00:24:21.180 Christ dying for us. 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.620 Christ forgiving us. 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:25.220 Christ dealing with that wrath. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:27.960 Or what about before the throne of God above? 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.240 Here's another line. 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:33.000 Behold him there, the risen lamb. 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:36.160 My perfect spotless righteousness. 00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:38.960 His righteousness given to me. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:41.600 One with himself. 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.640 I cannot die. 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:46.480 These words instruct us. 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:48.400 They encourage us. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.480 They lift us up. 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:55.579 Songs have always played an important part in Irish culture. 00:24:56.740 --> 00:25:00.160 Stories are told and history is communicated through song. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:03.680 So we've got a great tradition of ballads. 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:06.720 Where they were sung to each generation. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.420 Adults to their children. 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:10.759 Reminding them of the stories of the past. 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:12.220 Of the great famine. 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:14.160 Or of the uprising. 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:18.500 All communicated and passed on through song. 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:22.160 Well in the same way our singing. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.880 To one another. 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:28.920 Is to sing the story of Jesus Christ. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:30.420 A much greater story. 00:25:30.560 --> 00:25:31.900 A much greater history. 00:25:33.100 --> 00:25:37.100 And through our song we're telling each other the story again and again. 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:42.600 We're driving home the truths that are going to keep us and sustain us through the week. 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:46.080 And motivate us afresh to serve him. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:52.140 We sing the story to one another of what Christ has done. 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:55.160 Our faithful and loving God. 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:58.340 So that's why we sing. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.340 That's what we sing. 00:26:01.560 --> 00:26:03.360 But what about how we sing? 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:07.660 Well we kind of looked at that just now didn't we? 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:09.640 We fill our lungs with air and we. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:11.019 That's good. 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:12.259 We need to do that to sing. 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:14.380 But that's not really what we're getting at here. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:19.600 We think it's just maybe easy to get up and start singing. 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.259 Well not really. 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:27.099 If we want the songs that we sing to have a lasting effect in our lives. 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.839 We need to learn how to sing. 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:36.420 If we want the truths of Jesus that we sing about to change us and to transform us. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:39.460 We need to do more than just stand up and open our mouths. 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:43.640 There's a whole lot more going on and involved in our singing. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:52.860 Three things and these are all by way of application to try and drive home the point, the importance of how we sing. 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:57.219 First of all, we sing with our minds. 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:05.519 When we sing, our focus is the person and the character of Jesus. 00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:09.279 Not the worship experience. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:16.899 In other words, when we come together we don't leave our minds outside and just let the moment take over. 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:21.019 We want to know more of who Jesus is. 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:27.319 We want to understand him more so that we know how to respond to him better. 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.339 So verse 16 says, 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:32.960 Let the word of Christ dwell in you. 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:35.339 Individually and corporately. 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:37.240 Let it dwell in you richly. 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.500 Let it sink deep. 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:42.420 Let God's word go right down into your life. 00:27:43.980 --> 00:27:47.119 The word of Christ is going to inform us. 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:52.480 It's going to shape us and it's going to direct us and mould us into the people that we should be. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:57.779 So our desire when we're singing is to understand Christ better. 00:27:58.119 --> 00:28:00.460 To comprehend all that he has done. 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.140 And who I am now. 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:04.619 How Christ sees me now because of that. 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:09.699 So this truth is a truth that engages our minds. 00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:11.359 We have to think about it. 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:19.559 Very often the worship time as it's called is all hyped up by loud music. 00:28:19.679 --> 00:28:21.359 Heavy beats and endless repetition. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:23.359 Not saying that it's wrong. 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.419 But that's what it can be. 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:30.299 But that kind of singing and kind of getting lost there doesn't involve the mind. 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.940 There's no thinking involved. 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:36.039 Emotion is not going to change anybody. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:38.659 It will give you a nice feeling. 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:41.460 But it's never going to last. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:44.559 What did Jesus say in his word? 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:47.960 A worship experience will set you free. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:53.900 No, he says the truth is what will set you free. 00:28:54.519 --> 00:29:00.079 So we need to engage our minds with the truth of the gospel. 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:02.259 So that's the first thing. 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:04.559 When we sing we've got to bring our minds. 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.759 And now I know you're thinking there saying, 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:08.500 He doesn't like emotion. 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.740 He doesn't like the heart. 00:29:10.340 --> 00:29:11.799 Ah, next point. 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.960 We need to sing with our heart. 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.120 Okay. 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:21.399 The heart in the Bible is the seat of our emotion and our experience. 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:24.579 So when we sing, look at the end of verse 16. 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:31.559 Sing with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs with gratitude in your heart to God. 00:29:32.699 --> 00:29:38.659 In fact, the corresponding passage, which is fairly similar in Ephesians 5, says this. 00:29:38.979 --> 00:29:43.539 Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:45.839 So our hearts are to be involved. 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:47.579 We don't leave them outside either. 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:50.579 We bring our minds in and we bring our hearts in. 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:55.180 Our emotions are to be engaged with what we're singing. 00:29:56.940 --> 00:30:01.659 Yes, emotion by itself is not going to change us or transform us. 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:10.399 But emotion that is directed by the truth will make what Jesus has done a reality deep within your life. 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:16.720 Involving the heart as we sing magnifies the truth. 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:20.140 It lifts it up higher and greater. 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:23.880 It doesn't replace the truth, but it makes it greater. 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:31.040 When we sing and involve our hearts, it's like a massive magnifying glass over it that kind of just lifts it out for us. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:37.359 In Mark 7, verse 6, Jesus says, 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:44.180 These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:52.299 We can stand and sing with our lips, but our hearts can be very far away. 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.819 Intellectually, we can have it all. 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.819 We can understand. 00:30:56.139 --> 00:31:02.480 We could write down on a piece of paper everything about justification and sanctification and glorification and all these wonderful things. 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:04.379 And we have all the information up here. 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:08.299 But in the heart, it's not there. 00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:13.720 Experientially, Jesus doesn't have anything to do with you day to day. 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.019 There's nothing. 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.059 Emptiness. 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.460 Coldness. 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:22.620 You see, it's not enough just to know the truth with our minds. 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:27.400 We've also got to treasure Jesus with our hearts. 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:29.600 To desire him. 00:31:29.720 --> 00:31:30.500 To love him. 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.940 The Psalms. 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:34.220 Read through the Psalms. 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.500 Full of emotion. 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:39.240 As people express their joy and their thanks. 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:42.240 Their pain and their hurts. 00:31:42.740 --> 00:31:44.779 Their longing and their desires. 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:49.420 So we shouldn't be afraid of emotion when we sing. 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:52.879 Tears of repentance. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.319 Tears of happiness. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.220 Shouts of joy. 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.160 Cries of doubt. 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:06.700 The whole range of emotion is there when we come to God. 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:13.599 So, we involve the heart as we engage with God. 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:16.180 So we sing with our mind. 00:32:16.899 --> 00:32:18.359 We sing with our hearts. 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:22.799 And we also sing with our bodies. 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:26.180 Now, that's a good question to ask, isn't it? 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:28.180 How do we express ourselves when we sing? 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:30.359 What do we do with our bodies? 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:32.759 I mean, yep, lips, got that thing. 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:35.099 But the rest of us. 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:37.480 Because there's more of the body there than just the mouth. 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.920 So, what do we do with it? 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.580 Do we dance? 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:45.300 Do we kind of run up and down the aisle all excited and hop around the place? 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:45.940 What do we do? 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.539 Do we raise our hands? 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:51.779 Do we lay prostrate on the ground? 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:54.119 Do we lay prostrate on the ground? 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.680 Do we lay prostrate on the ground? 00:32:54.680 --> 00:33:00.160 Well, the Bible talks about the need for order when we gather together. 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:01.500 We see that in Corinthians. 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:08.059 So, when we gather together, it's not a free-for-all to do whatever we like and to behave as we want. 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:12.119 It must be appropriate and respectful. 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:23.959 As we mentioned earlier, worship in the Bible means to submit, to bow down, to honour, to serve. 00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:25.919 They're all response words. 00:33:26.919 --> 00:33:33.519 And they all give us something of how perhaps we should use our bodies in response to God. 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:40.659 And I think it's orderly and appropriate to respond with our bodies. 00:33:42.119 --> 00:33:47.859 Our physical actions express what we think and believe. 00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:49.479 Don't they? 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:55.339 If you've got an emotion, you don't just kind of say, I love you. 00:33:57.099 --> 00:34:00.899 I might do that, but I'm trying to learn, trying to be a bit more expressive. 00:34:01.139 --> 00:34:02.559 No, I say, I love you. 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:03.959 And give her a big hug. 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.019 I think. 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:10.019 So, our physical actions express what we think and believe. 00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:18.780 It helps us to affirm what we're trying to say and what we're communicating, what's on our minds and on our hearts. 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:27.119 So, let me suggest two physical expressions that I think are helpful, may be helpful to you. 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.539 It's not enforced. 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:31.619 But what might be helpful as we sing? 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:37.460 Both of which are appropriate, respectful, and orderly. 00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:40.420 The first might be the obvious one. 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.119 Our hands. 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:42.259 What do we do with our hands? 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:47.839 I've got to be careful using my hands because I'm not wearing a jumper today, okay? 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.539 Don't look. 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:49.319 Okay? 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:54.200 But lifting our hands can express honour and praise. 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.539 Can't they? 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:58.480 We can say, yeah, praise the Lord. 00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.820 Great God. 00:35:00.519 --> 00:35:02.580 Or we can praise the Lord. 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:06.920 Our physical actions express what we are saying. 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:10.019 Delight. 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.019 But also service. 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:16.780 As we hold out our hands, it's an action of, I am here to serve you. 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:22.159 I am here sacrificing my life, giving my life to you. 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:25.139 To live for you and you alone. 00:35:26.900 --> 00:35:29.099 So, I think we can use our hands. 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:33.400 Of course, we have to be careful that we're not kind of blocking the screen for everybody. 00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:34.400 Maria. 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.739 I'm only joking. 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.820 So, we just have to be careful, don't we? 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:44.519 But it's the use of our hands in how we praise God. 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:47.860 How we offer our service and our sacrifice. 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:52.900 The second is bowing down or kneeling. 00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:54.820 Okay? 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:58.600 We might be a little bit more confined in the rows that we have. 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:06.180 But certainly sitting down and kneeling down and bowing down, it expresses repentance. 00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:10.539 If we are genuinely repentant. 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:15.840 We kneel before our great King, the Creator of the universe. 00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:23.400 An act of humility and submission as we bow to our King. 00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:27.880 And you'll be thinking, well, I ain't going to do that. 00:36:27.960 --> 00:36:29.380 What is somebody going to think? 00:36:30.680 --> 00:36:32.380 Well, it's not about other people. 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:37.380 It's about us responding to God. 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:37.400 It's about us responding to God. 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:39.440 With our praise. 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.680 With our thanksgiving. 00:36:41.280 --> 00:36:43.320 Raising our hands if we wish to. 00:36:43.700 --> 00:36:44.539 Kneeling down. 00:36:44.640 --> 00:36:46.200 Bowing down if we need to. 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:54.079 Doing something physical helps enforce what is on our minds and what is in our hearts. 00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:58.940 So how we sing is very important. 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:02.480 Our singing addresses the mind. 00:37:03.340 --> 00:37:04.579 It engages the heart. 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:07.079 And it involves the body. 00:37:07.779 --> 00:37:12.340 We are created intellectually, emotionally, physical beings. 00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:17.000 And together they affirm the truth of God. 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:19.900 They deepen the work of God in our lives. 00:37:20.280 --> 00:37:24.700 And they reinforce our response to God. 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:27.780 You think about your own relationships. 00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:28.800 If you're married. 00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:30.600 Your husband or to your wife.