Elements of Worship: Singing

Ephesians 5:19

Introduction.

  1. We respond very readily to music whether happy or sad, lively or somber.

  2. Television and movie scores can elicit all manner of emotions without your even realizing it sometimes: a sense of adventure, suspense, or romance.

  3. History, Meaning, Instruments.

Body.

  1. The History of Music in Worship to God.

    1. Music is important in OT worship, emblazoned in the Psalms.

      1. Musical instruments for worship really began with David (2 Chron. 29:25).

      2. They used specially made instruments for worship, not worldly instruments.

      3. Amos warned of using them without meaning (Amos 6:5).

      4. The Old Covenant, including what David commanded, was taken out of the way at the cross (Col. 2:14).

      5. In the OT, the music ended when the sacrifice was made, though singing continued (2 Chron. 29:25-30).

      6. Our last sacrifice has been made, and singing continues (Heb. 9:28).

      7. That Old Covenant was inferior to the New (Heb. 8:6-7).

      8. Paul wrote on this worship, which also reflected worship in the Jewish synagogues, that they were to sing with one’s heart as the musical instrument (Eph 5:19).

    2. The organ was introduced in the 7th century.

      1. It was not popularized until the 13th in the Catholic Church despite all of the early church writers (called Early Church Fathers) being against its use.

      2. The Orthodox Church, which split from RC in the 11th century, largely does not use them to this day.

    3. Protestant Reformation begun by Martin Luther steered people back toward the Bible.

      1. He did not espouse all biblical teachings, including concerning musical instruments in worship – there is a quote, “ensign of the Baals,” but it is apocryphal.

      2. All other Reformers, however, like John Calvin, John Knox, John Wesley all held to a cappella, congregational worship in song.

      3. Eventually it crept back into Protestantism until the Puritans arrived on the scene in America. They were asked to return to Anglicanism, but refused, citing the Anglican practice of using musical instruments in worship.

      4. Yet again, it eventually crept back into Puritan Baptist churches by the 19th century.

    4. By the mid-19th century, people started returning to scriptural worship.

      1. It was a struggle at first for them.

      2. This was especially true in one church in Cincinnati that met in members’ homes and eventually an old cooper shop (barrel makers).

  2. The Meaning of Singing.

    1. Singing is integral to our worship.

      1. Brings out deepest emotions and respect that we ought to have for God.

      2. We sublimely sing the ideas we ought to have on God, our relation to others, and the church’s mission in this world.

      3. The themes we sing ought to be scriptural.

    2. Singing ought to be done intelligently, speaking to and teaching one another (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16).

    3. We ought to make melody in our hearts to the Lord.

      1. We must focus on what we’re singing, as we do all acts of worship.

      2. Remember we are to worship in spirit (proper attitudes) as well as in truth (John 4:24).

    4. Worship is not meant to be a spectator sport, but participatory—this includes singing!

      1. We often make ourselves spectators, even if we’re singing.

      2. Our hearts and minds are elsewhere, not in worship.

      3. Perhaps we are consistently late to worship, so the first few songs become a waste of time.

      4. We are on time for the bus or to catch a flight, or even to work or school—why not for worship?

    5. If we are worshiping properly, it will improve our lives, and singing is vital for that.

    6. If we do not get much out of worship, are we just being spectators? The fault then lies with us.

  3. What About Instrumental Music in Worship?

    1. In an editorial in the Chicago Tribune in 1876, they praised a liberal Presbyterian minister who started a congregation and everyone was actually singing which was surprising to them in that age!

    2. There is no authority to use musical instruments for worship in Scripture.

    3. There is under the Old Testament, but we are not under that law today.

      1. It catered to humanity’s baser instincts with animal sacrifices, incense, and priestly garments.

      2. That law was done away by Christ on the cross.

    4. McGarvey stated that if we included the instrument, then why not anything else that is aesthetically pleasing to us? – No, we must obey the Bible!

    5. Should we add it because some people see nothing wrong with it?

      1. That could lead to many changes in our worship!

      2. Wouldn’t each man, then, be his own authority, and not the Word of God?

      3. A Catholic nun wrote concerning using the rosary of the benefit she thought it gave her.

        1. This is the same reasoning some use for musical instruments.

        2. So why not add the rosary to our worship?

    6. Using a musical instrument in worship would be using something that is unholy.

      1. Principle comes from the OT—while we are not under it, its principles are still to be learned from (Rom 15:4).

      2. Each item in the tabernacle/temple had to be dedicated by the blood of an animal.

      3. All items could not be used, even if they looked alike, only those that were made holy, set apart by the blood of an animal.

      4. Later priests became lax concerning this law—one is as good as another, right?

      5. Ezekiel condemned them for using these unholy things (Eze. 22:26).

    7. The OT is a shadow of the reality of the NT (Heb 8-10).

      1. In the O.T. after the sacrifices were made, the music ceased—our final sacrifice has been made.

      2. The blood of animals is no longer shed as a sacrifice, but the reality is Christ who shed His blood once for all.

      3. This NT (or new covenant, the gospel) has been sanctified by the blood of Christ.

      4. The church has been purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28).

      5. If that is so, we cannot add anything into the worship of the church that has not been sanctified by His blood, i.e. that is in His Word!

    8. Let us not add anything unholy or unauthorized to our worship.

Conclusion.

  1. Our worship is a central part of our Christian walk.

  2. It helps us to be better equipped to face this world and its evils.

  3. We stand in the presence of God in our worship.

  4. When Moses did this literally, his face shone brightly.

  5. Similarly, your countenance ought to brighten after being in the presence of our Lord.

    1. You have worshiped Him according to His Word.

    2. You have reverenced Him in your heart.

    3. You have praised Him with your lips.

  6. We must do what the Lord told us, not add to or taking away from it.