and the song of the Lamb

"Why Do We Sing?"
* Intro: Worship much bigger than music, much more than singing songs -- but why sing?
- Over 500 references to singing in Word
- Over 50 direct commands to praise Lord by singing
- Ps47:6
* To rejoice in God
- "We praise what we enjoy because the delight is incomplete until it is expressed in praise. If we were not allowed to speak of what we value, and celebrate what we love, and praise what we admire, our joy would not be full." -- Piper, Desiring God
- Ps57:9-11
- To celebrate who God is, what He has done, and our enjoyment of Him
* To remember & meditate upon His word
- Col3:16-17
- God gave us capacity to employ songs so that we could remember His truth (e.g. Martin Luther)
- Deut31:19,21
* To reflect upon His word
- "When my singing is combined with faith and understanding it has the effect of driving the words into my heart."
* To respond fully to God revealing Himself
- Many ways to respond, of which singing called out in Col3
- Responding fully also a heart issue, not just a style issue
- Not about spiritual goosebumps, but about transformed heart
- Mark7:6
- Jam5:13
* To resound God's glory in your life
- Zeph3:17 -- God sings
- Heb2:12 (Ps22:22)
- Eph5 & Spirit-filled life results in singing
* Application
- For those who sing, ensure engaged hearts
- For those who don't sing, remember your off-key notes still perfect in God's melody
- For unbelievers, you need a song