Luke 1:1-25
Zechariah did not believe the prophesy that the angel Gabriel told him. His lack of faith cost him months of speech. I feel that if I saw an angel I would be apt to believe what he said. However, nothing makes me better than Zechariah. I must accept that I am certainly capable of this level of unbelief. It makes me all the more grateful that God worked and moved in my life and heart so that I would have faith to believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Psalm 69-72
David not only recognizes all of the incredible things that God has done for him, but he also acknowledges the importance of telling the next generation about the works of the Lord. We must be willing to tell our children what God has done in our lives. It is so important that they see that God is real to us and He is good to us.
Leviticus 3&4
The Levitical law holds leaders and priests in high esteem. If a leader sinned unintentionally, there is a great list of things that must be done for the sake of the whole nation. Leaders must recognize the great responsibility they have for those that they serve.
Ezekiel 10-12
This false attitude that the people of Israel had is one that we too can fall into. They saw and understood the signs that Ezekiel performed for them, but they said that the punishment must be far off. They saw no need to make immediate change or repentance.
Philippians 2&3
We are straining after Christlikeness. If we are not filling our minds with the example of Christ, how are we to become more like Him? We must strive after knowing Him more so that we can be made like Him each day.
2Kings 10-12
It is made clear in these passages that it was not enough for these kings to simply not worship Baal anymore, but they were meant to root out all idolatry in the land. It is not enough for us to simply not do one sin, but we must root out all sins from our lives.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
June 29 Bible Reading
Mark 16
What would the Gospel be without the resurrection? Our hope of life after death would be unattached to any thread of reality without this incredible miracle. God was proven truly sovereign not only over sin but even death and Hell.
Psalm 66-68
The earth was created to praise, honor, and worship God. We are created that He might receive glory. It is obvious in Psalms 66 and 67 that God ought to be praised. In Psalm 68 we see a different way that God is glorified. Even when man refuses to praise God, God is a just God and punishes sin, and in this He is glorified.
Leviticus 1&2
I think that the picture of the person bringing the sacrifice putting his hands on the bull’s horns is beautiful. It is a symbol of how Jesus took our sins upon himself. Our sins were transferred to Him and then He died a sacrificial death and paid the price for those sins.
Ezekiel 7-9
The people of Israel thought that because God had left them to be destroyed for their sins, that they could do evil and God would not know. God is all knowing, and even when we feel as if He has left us, He will still see us and what we do. God is not blind to our sin; He knows every bit of it.
Philippians 1
While Paul writes this letter, he is in prison. It is amazing that he is able to speak with such joy in his heart in the midst of this terrible circumstance. What keeps his spirit lifted is not the hope of release, but the fact that he has been able to share the gospel of Christ with the guards around him. This should be our fuel as well. When we are in an unfortunate circumstance, we must give thanks that we might have opportunities to share the gospel with those around us.
2Kings 7-9
God is faithful to provide. It is interesting that the same people group that God had sent manna to had trouble believing that they would be fed. When the King’s servant doubted that God could provide he was punished for his lack of belief. We must always remember that God has the power to provide.
What would the Gospel be without the resurrection? Our hope of life after death would be unattached to any thread of reality without this incredible miracle. God was proven truly sovereign not only over sin but even death and Hell.
Psalm 66-68
The earth was created to praise, honor, and worship God. We are created that He might receive glory. It is obvious in Psalms 66 and 67 that God ought to be praised. In Psalm 68 we see a different way that God is glorified. Even when man refuses to praise God, God is a just God and punishes sin, and in this He is glorified.
Leviticus 1&2
I think that the picture of the person bringing the sacrifice putting his hands on the bull’s horns is beautiful. It is a symbol of how Jesus took our sins upon himself. Our sins were transferred to Him and then He died a sacrificial death and paid the price for those sins.
Ezekiel 7-9
The people of Israel thought that because God had left them to be destroyed for their sins, that they could do evil and God would not know. God is all knowing, and even when we feel as if He has left us, He will still see us and what we do. God is not blind to our sin; He knows every bit of it.
Philippians 1
While Paul writes this letter, he is in prison. It is amazing that he is able to speak with such joy in his heart in the midst of this terrible circumstance. What keeps his spirit lifted is not the hope of release, but the fact that he has been able to share the gospel of Christ with the guards around him. This should be our fuel as well. When we are in an unfortunate circumstance, we must give thanks that we might have opportunities to share the gospel with those around us.
2Kings 7-9
God is faithful to provide. It is interesting that the same people group that God had sent manna to had trouble believing that they would be fed. When the King’s servant doubted that God could provide he was punished for his lack of belief. We must always remember that God has the power to provide.
June 28 Bible Reading
Mark 15
The cruelty of Jesus’s death is something that always brings my heart to sorrow. The very idea that we, who were created from dust, would dare to torture our Creator is repulsive. How dare we! Yet, Jesus willingly submitted Himself to such brutality for the sake of accomplishing the Father’s plan for redemption. He even goes so far as to pray for the forgiveness for those who abused Him. How little did those soldiers know that the very blood they drew was the same blood that could satisfy the price for the sin they were committing.
Psalm 63-65
Are we also thirsty for God? Do we long for His presence or recognize that He is the only one who can truly satisfy? Not only does David thirst after God, but he also praises Him, and He knows that God is due this praise. God deserves our praise because He has given us salvation (to David this salvation was from his enemies, but to us it is from sin, death, and Hell) and He gives the earth life.
Exodus 38-40
It must have been amazing to see the presence of God surrounding the tabernacle! After all of this work in building it, it also must have been assuring when God’s presence came upon the place. We too have filled with the Spirit of God and are even called tabernacles. This is our assurance as well.
Ezekiel 4-6
Again we are reminded that God is a jealous God who will not stand for the worship of idols. He is the One True God and we must not put anything before Him. As creator of the universe He has the right to punish people when they are not doing what He designed them to do--Worship Him.
Ephesians 6
The majority of the pieces of the Armor of God are used for defense and not offense. We often forget that we are being attacked and that we must defend ourselves. It is easier to arm oneself for offense, but in defense we must take time to shield ourselves. It is also important to remember that it is God and His word that is protecting us, and we must rely on Him to guard us.
2Kings 4-6
Chapter four contains a great story of hospitality. Here was a woman who loved the Lord and His prophet enough to take him in to her house and see that he was provided for. She even went as far as to build a room onto her house so that Elisha could stay there. She was even rewarded for her hospitality with a son, and then Elisha raised the boy from the dead! God loves hospitable people and rewards them.
June 26 Bible Reading
Mark 13
Jesus is most definitely coming again. The signs leading up to His return are but small pains in comparison to the great judgement that God will pour out onto the earth in the final days. We know that we have the hope of the resurrection and the return of Christ, and these things ought to make us pursue knowing Him more and make us steadfast in our waiting for His return. We must not be caught off guard, but perpetually we must be preparing ourselves.
Psalm 57-59
David can pray confidently for deliverance, because he knows that God has anointed him to be the king of Israel. We too can pray confidently in the promises of God. As we read His word and understand more and more what He has given us we can pray for more things that He has promised us.
Exodus 34&35
God is absolutely against any idols. He wants the people of Israel to serve only Him. Again and again the people of Israel are warned about falling into the snare of idol worship, and as the nation progresses, they continually are prone to wander from God. We must watch that we do not make idols in our lives, but that we stay true to God. This is the first commandment that we love God above all else.
Lamentations 3-5
Although Jeremiah is mourning the desolation of his people, he remembers that this is due to the people for their sin, and that God is faithful. When we are faced with discipline, we must remember that God is faithful even through our testing, and He will make us more like His Son even through tragedy.
Ephesians 3
Here Paul prays that the Ephesians would come to have knowledge of Christ’s love. It is not enough that we simply feel the love and power of Christ, but we must come to comprehend it as well. In my experience, the more I understand the love of Christ, the deeper my affections are toward Him. We must strive for understanding, and this will effect our feeling.
1Kings 19-22 While King Jehoshaphat did not worship idols himself, he did leave the alters to them up and did not make any effort to destroy these practices in the land of Judah. It is a compromise like this that leads the next generation into complete idolatry. We must be on our guard to not let compromise sneak into our lives. We may not experience negative outcomes, but those after us most certainly will.
Jesus is most definitely coming again. The signs leading up to His return are but small pains in comparison to the great judgement that God will pour out onto the earth in the final days. We know that we have the hope of the resurrection and the return of Christ, and these things ought to make us pursue knowing Him more and make us steadfast in our waiting for His return. We must not be caught off guard, but perpetually we must be preparing ourselves.
Psalm 57-59
David can pray confidently for deliverance, because he knows that God has anointed him to be the king of Israel. We too can pray confidently in the promises of God. As we read His word and understand more and more what He has given us we can pray for more things that He has promised us.
Exodus 34&35
God is absolutely against any idols. He wants the people of Israel to serve only Him. Again and again the people of Israel are warned about falling into the snare of idol worship, and as the nation progresses, they continually are prone to wander from God. We must watch that we do not make idols in our lives, but that we stay true to God. This is the first commandment that we love God above all else.
Lamentations 3-5
Although Jeremiah is mourning the desolation of his people, he remembers that this is due to the people for their sin, and that God is faithful. When we are faced with discipline, we must remember that God is faithful even through our testing, and He will make us more like His Son even through tragedy.
Ephesians 3
Here Paul prays that the Ephesians would come to have knowledge of Christ’s love. It is not enough that we simply feel the love and power of Christ, but we must come to comprehend it as well. In my experience, the more I understand the love of Christ, the deeper my affections are toward Him. We must strive for understanding, and this will effect our feeling.
1Kings 19-22 While King Jehoshaphat did not worship idols himself, he did leave the alters to them up and did not make any effort to destroy these practices in the land of Judah. It is a compromise like this that leads the next generation into complete idolatry. We must be on our guard to not let compromise sneak into our lives. We may not experience negative outcomes, but those after us most certainly will.
June 27 Bible Reading
Mark 14
Jesus’s prayer in the garden is one that truly reveals a submissive heart. We must take notice of the way that Jesus addresses the Father while dealing with a seemingly impossible task. He knew that it was His mission to pay the price for the sins of the world, but He begs His Father that if there is any other way that He would not have to endure this death. This proves that Christ’s death on the cross was indeed the only way for God to pay the ransom of sin. We should pattern our hearts after Jesus’s. When we are given a hard or seemingly impossible task for the Heavenly Kingdom, we must know that we must submit to the will of our Heavenly Father.
Psalm 60-62
These Psalms remind us that God is all-powerful. God is the one who crushes our enemies, not us. God is the only hiding place that we truly have, and we cannot securely rest in anything of this world. God is the highest and most powerful. We need to remember that we have been blessed with a relationship with this omnipotent God.
Exodus 36&37
To the people of Israel, the house of God was important enough for them to give up their finest possessions so that it could be built. People of our time ought to have the same giving attitude when it comes to building a place for ministry. Our hearts ought to be softened to these projects so that the gospel can be preached.
Ezekiel 1-3
Like Ezekiel, we too are watchmen of sorts. We have been given the gospel message. It is now our duty to help people recognize their sin and lead them to an understanding of the gospel so that they can repent and become a child of God.
Ephesians 4&5
Christians share a number of things no matter how much they disagree. All true believers ought to be able to find common ground on these specific issues: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God the Father of all. Holding fast to these things ought to unite us.
2Kings 1-3
What a great privilege it must have been, not only for Elijah’s life to end in such a way, but also that Elisha was able to witness his being caught up to heaven. This sight was not simply amazing because of its splendor, but it was also significant for Elisha because it meant he inherited Elijah’s spirit twofold. This request of Elijah is something that we can take notice of and apply to our lives. It is good to recognize the work that God has done through others, and ask that He use us in similar ways.
Jesus’s prayer in the garden is one that truly reveals a submissive heart. We must take notice of the way that Jesus addresses the Father while dealing with a seemingly impossible task. He knew that it was His mission to pay the price for the sins of the world, but He begs His Father that if there is any other way that He would not have to endure this death. This proves that Christ’s death on the cross was indeed the only way for God to pay the ransom of sin. We should pattern our hearts after Jesus’s. When we are given a hard or seemingly impossible task for the Heavenly Kingdom, we must know that we must submit to the will of our Heavenly Father.
Psalm 60-62
These Psalms remind us that God is all-powerful. God is the one who crushes our enemies, not us. God is the only hiding place that we truly have, and we cannot securely rest in anything of this world. God is the highest and most powerful. We need to remember that we have been blessed with a relationship with this omnipotent God.
Exodus 36&37
To the people of Israel, the house of God was important enough for them to give up their finest possessions so that it could be built. People of our time ought to have the same giving attitude when it comes to building a place for ministry. Our hearts ought to be softened to these projects so that the gospel can be preached.
Ezekiel 1-3
Like Ezekiel, we too are watchmen of sorts. We have been given the gospel message. It is now our duty to help people recognize their sin and lead them to an understanding of the gospel so that they can repent and become a child of God.
Ephesians 4&5
Christians share a number of things no matter how much they disagree. All true believers ought to be able to find common ground on these specific issues: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God the Father of all. Holding fast to these things ought to unite us.
2Kings 1-3
What a great privilege it must have been, not only for Elijah’s life to end in such a way, but also that Elisha was able to witness his being caught up to heaven. This sight was not simply amazing because of its splendor, but it was also significant for Elisha because it meant he inherited Elijah’s spirit twofold. This request of Elijah is something that we can take notice of and apply to our lives. It is good to recognize the work that God has done through others, and ask that He use us in similar ways.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Boldly I Approach: Hymn Study
Here is the link to "Boldly I Approach": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QDnVD7gu5Y
“Body I Approach” by Rend Collective is a song that reminds us of the incredible gift we have to come before God’s presence. It points to the beautiful working of God that, although He is completely Holy, and therefore sin cannot be in His presence, we, sinful people, are allowed access to Him such as never before in history. This amazing story is due to Christ’s death and resurrection which paid for the sin that ought to separate us from God. A passage that beautifully parallels this song is Hebrews 4:14-16, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The first verse begins in a timid manner. It makes us recognize how strange it is that sinners can stand before God and in the presence of the Heavenly Host. It attributes this strange meeting to the fact that Jesus has redeemed us. It begins, “By grace alone somehow I stand/ Where even angels fear to tread.” It is truly by grace alone that we are able to come before a Holy God. We know God is Holy because of passages such as Isaiah 6:3 where the angels surround God’s throne crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;/ the whole earth is full of his glory!.” Even Christians are instructed to be holy in 1 Peter 1:16, “since it is written,’You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” And we know that this holiness of God is not something to be trifled with. Isaiah 6 paints a picture of the well-known prophet coming into the presence of the Almighty, and the light of the purity of God reveals Isaiah’s sin to such a degree that in terror Isaiah exclaims, “‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’” (Isaiah 6:5) When God came into the tabernacle and lived with His people, His presence was so holy that a priest could only come into the room, the Holy of Holies, but once a year, and this was such a terrifying job, that there were measures to retrieve the man of God if he were to be struck dead in God’s presence. There are many other examples of God’s Holy presence being a terrible thing. One last account of the Holiness of God’s presence is told in 1 Samuel 5 and 6. Here the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines, but when they stood the Ark next to the idol Dagon, Dagon kept having mishaps and falling off its stand. Eventually the Philistines sent the Ark back to the people of Israel. When the Ark was being brought through the streets of Jerusalem, Uzzah, in order to keep the Ark from falling, reached out and took hold of it. Because a sinful man had come into contact with the resting place of the Holy God, Uzzah died. (2 Samuel 6) Yet, God allows those who are born again access into His throne room. Ephesians 2:18&19 tell us, “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” reminding us that because of Christ’s work we are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom. This access to the place where even angels are afraid to enter comes only by grace. Just earlier in Ephesians 2 we are told, “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” (5) and “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (8&9)
Verse one continues, “Invited by redeeming love/ Before the throne of God above.” God has truly invited us to come and live in His presence. In John 6:44 Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” As mentioned before, we were dead in our sins, alienated from the love of God when Jesus ransomed us from sin. We have been invited to come into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The last two lines of verse one are “He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands/ Into His everlasting arms.” This poetic and beautiful phrase reminds us that it is the hands that were pierced for our transgressions that call us into a relationship with the Father. In John 20:27 Thomas feels and sees the scars in Jesus’s hands, “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” We are also reminded that God is everlasting. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)
The second verse describes a scene where the singer is being tempted by Satan to not focus on his redemption, but instead on the condemnation (the guilt which demands punishment for sin) which has been removed by Christ’s work on the cross. “When condemnation grips my heart/ And Satan tempts me to despair/ I hear the voice that scatters fear/ The Great I Am the Lord is here.” The lyrics do not leave the singer in this place of guilt, but instead reminds him that God speaks to us. This same God who is inviting us into His presence is the one who paid for our sin. When believers are before God they need not fear His wrath, because it has been satisfied. This is why they ought not to remember their condemnation, but instead their forgiveness. God’s voice gives us peace and hope and drives away our fear. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) This verse goes on with a spirit of praise to the God who would sacrifice Himself so that we could be sanctified, “O praise the One Who fights for me/ And shields my soul eternally.” God is on our side, and He does fight for us. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 states, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our natural response to God’s gifts of salvation, protection, and sanctification should be that of praise. If Psalm 136 is any indication, we ought to be praising and thanking God for His steadfast love, which empowered Jesus to bear the cross.
Verse three paints a picture of the beauty of Christ and how incredible it is that we are allowed to behold such majesty. “Behold the bright and risen Son/ More beauty than this world has known/ I’m face to face with Love Himself/ His perfect spotless righteousness.” We are told that when we come face to face with God he will be literally luminescent. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) “His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.” (Habakkuk 3:4) We also know that the Son, Jesus Christ, is risen. An angel speaks in Matthew 28:6, “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” This verse also reminds us of the truth that God is love. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Also, Jesus is not only described as, but He must be a perfect, spotless, and righteous sacrifice. Only a perfect sacrifice could pay for the debt of sin. This is described in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The last two lines of verse three echo the thoughts of Psalm 145:2, “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.” The song states it this way, “A thousand years a thousand tongues/ Are not enough to sing His praise”
The chorus takes the singing believer from the door of the throne room and recognizing the truths about the situation to the foot of the throne itself, so that he is able to rejoice in the fact of redemption. The chorus sings, “Boldly I approach Your throne/ Blameless now I’m running home/ By Your blood I come welcomed as Your own/ Into the arms of majesty.” Again Hebrews reminds us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16) We are allowed to come into God’s presence with unashamed confidence. Colossians 1:22 states, “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” reminding us that we are now considered blameless when we come to God. Another beautiful truth that is in this line is the fact that our home is not this earth, but heaven. It is implying that we are running to God’s presence and it calls this place home. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ[.]” (Philippians 3:20) The only way this incredible circumstance could have come about is by the blood of Christ. “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18&20) This line is also a pairing of truths, reminding us that not only are we saved through the blood of Christ, but that we are adopted into the family of God as well. We read about this truth in Ephesians 1:5, “he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will[.]” This intimate picture is not without the weight that the Creator God deserves. The chorus ends reminding us that the God who is embracing us is not only loving but also majestic. Psalm 8:9 praises, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
The final piece of this song is the bridge. This section reminds the singer that he ought to be rejoicing at that fact that salvation has been shown to him. “This is the art of celebration/ Knowing we’re free from condemnation/ O praise the One praise the One/ Who made an end to all my sin.” It is interesting that the word condemnation reappears here in the bridge after we are reminded of Satan recalling it to our minds in verse two. We can know that we are not bound by the condemnation that once would have sent us to Hell and that Satan brings to our memories, but we are free from it. Romans 8:1 simply states this truth, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” As in verse two, we are again given an opportunity to praise the God who has made all of this possible. We are also given another reason to praise God, and that is that our sin has been ended. This incredible truth is told to us through a passage previously discussed--1Corinthians 15:54-57 “‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’/ ‘O death, where is your victory?/ O death, where is your sting?’/ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We have great reason to praise and to celebrate just in the fact that Jesus Christ is our perfect sacrifice. Not only can we praise God for the process of redemption, but we can come before Him and speak with Him. “Boldly I Approach” is a beautiful way to remind ourselves of these truths.
“Body I Approach” by Rend Collective is a song that reminds us of the incredible gift we have to come before God’s presence. It points to the beautiful working of God that, although He is completely Holy, and therefore sin cannot be in His presence, we, sinful people, are allowed access to Him such as never before in history. This amazing story is due to Christ’s death and resurrection which paid for the sin that ought to separate us from God. A passage that beautifully parallels this song is Hebrews 4:14-16, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The first verse begins in a timid manner. It makes us recognize how strange it is that sinners can stand before God and in the presence of the Heavenly Host. It attributes this strange meeting to the fact that Jesus has redeemed us. It begins, “By grace alone somehow I stand/ Where even angels fear to tread.” It is truly by grace alone that we are able to come before a Holy God. We know God is Holy because of passages such as Isaiah 6:3 where the angels surround God’s throne crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;/ the whole earth is full of his glory!.” Even Christians are instructed to be holy in 1 Peter 1:16, “since it is written,’You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” And we know that this holiness of God is not something to be trifled with. Isaiah 6 paints a picture of the well-known prophet coming into the presence of the Almighty, and the light of the purity of God reveals Isaiah’s sin to such a degree that in terror Isaiah exclaims, “‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’” (Isaiah 6:5) When God came into the tabernacle and lived with His people, His presence was so holy that a priest could only come into the room, the Holy of Holies, but once a year, and this was such a terrifying job, that there were measures to retrieve the man of God if he were to be struck dead in God’s presence. There are many other examples of God’s Holy presence being a terrible thing. One last account of the Holiness of God’s presence is told in 1 Samuel 5 and 6. Here the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines, but when they stood the Ark next to the idol Dagon, Dagon kept having mishaps and falling off its stand. Eventually the Philistines sent the Ark back to the people of Israel. When the Ark was being brought through the streets of Jerusalem, Uzzah, in order to keep the Ark from falling, reached out and took hold of it. Because a sinful man had come into contact with the resting place of the Holy God, Uzzah died. (2 Samuel 6) Yet, God allows those who are born again access into His throne room. Ephesians 2:18&19 tell us, “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” reminding us that because of Christ’s work we are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom. This access to the place where even angels are afraid to enter comes only by grace. Just earlier in Ephesians 2 we are told, “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” (5) and “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (8&9)
Verse one continues, “Invited by redeeming love/ Before the throne of God above.” God has truly invited us to come and live in His presence. In John 6:44 Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” As mentioned before, we were dead in our sins, alienated from the love of God when Jesus ransomed us from sin. We have been invited to come into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The last two lines of verse one are “He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands/ Into His everlasting arms.” This poetic and beautiful phrase reminds us that it is the hands that were pierced for our transgressions that call us into a relationship with the Father. In John 20:27 Thomas feels and sees the scars in Jesus’s hands, “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” We are also reminded that God is everlasting. “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)
The second verse describes a scene where the singer is being tempted by Satan to not focus on his redemption, but instead on the condemnation (the guilt which demands punishment for sin) which has been removed by Christ’s work on the cross. “When condemnation grips my heart/ And Satan tempts me to despair/ I hear the voice that scatters fear/ The Great I Am the Lord is here.” The lyrics do not leave the singer in this place of guilt, but instead reminds him that God speaks to us. This same God who is inviting us into His presence is the one who paid for our sin. When believers are before God they need not fear His wrath, because it has been satisfied. This is why they ought not to remember their condemnation, but instead their forgiveness. God’s voice gives us peace and hope and drives away our fear. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) This verse goes on with a spirit of praise to the God who would sacrifice Himself so that we could be sanctified, “O praise the One Who fights for me/ And shields my soul eternally.” God is on our side, and He does fight for us. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 states, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our natural response to God’s gifts of salvation, protection, and sanctification should be that of praise. If Psalm 136 is any indication, we ought to be praising and thanking God for His steadfast love, which empowered Jesus to bear the cross.
Verse three paints a picture of the beauty of Christ and how incredible it is that we are allowed to behold such majesty. “Behold the bright and risen Son/ More beauty than this world has known/ I’m face to face with Love Himself/ His perfect spotless righteousness.” We are told that when we come face to face with God he will be literally luminescent. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) “His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.” (Habakkuk 3:4) We also know that the Son, Jesus Christ, is risen. An angel speaks in Matthew 28:6, “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” This verse also reminds us of the truth that God is love. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Also, Jesus is not only described as, but He must be a perfect, spotless, and righteous sacrifice. Only a perfect sacrifice could pay for the debt of sin. This is described in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The last two lines of verse three echo the thoughts of Psalm 145:2, “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.” The song states it this way, “A thousand years a thousand tongues/ Are not enough to sing His praise”
The chorus takes the singing believer from the door of the throne room and recognizing the truths about the situation to the foot of the throne itself, so that he is able to rejoice in the fact of redemption. The chorus sings, “Boldly I approach Your throne/ Blameless now I’m running home/ By Your blood I come welcomed as Your own/ Into the arms of majesty.” Again Hebrews reminds us, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16) We are allowed to come into God’s presence with unashamed confidence. Colossians 1:22 states, “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” reminding us that we are now considered blameless when we come to God. Another beautiful truth that is in this line is the fact that our home is not this earth, but heaven. It is implying that we are running to God’s presence and it calls this place home. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ[.]” (Philippians 3:20) The only way this incredible circumstance could have come about is by the blood of Christ. “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18&20) This line is also a pairing of truths, reminding us that not only are we saved through the blood of Christ, but that we are adopted into the family of God as well. We read about this truth in Ephesians 1:5, “he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will[.]” This intimate picture is not without the weight that the Creator God deserves. The chorus ends reminding us that the God who is embracing us is not only loving but also majestic. Psalm 8:9 praises, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
The final piece of this song is the bridge. This section reminds the singer that he ought to be rejoicing at that fact that salvation has been shown to him. “This is the art of celebration/ Knowing we’re free from condemnation/ O praise the One praise the One/ Who made an end to all my sin.” It is interesting that the word condemnation reappears here in the bridge after we are reminded of Satan recalling it to our minds in verse two. We can know that we are not bound by the condemnation that once would have sent us to Hell and that Satan brings to our memories, but we are free from it. Romans 8:1 simply states this truth, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” As in verse two, we are again given an opportunity to praise the God who has made all of this possible. We are also given another reason to praise God, and that is that our sin has been ended. This incredible truth is told to us through a passage previously discussed--1Corinthians 15:54-57 “‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’/ ‘O death, where is your victory?/ O death, where is your sting?’/ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We have great reason to praise and to celebrate just in the fact that Jesus Christ is our perfect sacrifice. Not only can we praise God for the process of redemption, but we can come before Him and speak with Him. “Boldly I Approach” is a beautiful way to remind ourselves of these truths.
Sermon 7/19
Here is the YouTube link to my sermon. Below are the notes from the program.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evhAB5bmZMw
I. A Historical Point of View
A. The past must be learned from and appreciated
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
1. Worship wars are not new
-Socrates (380-450) Constantinopolitan lawyer and historian
The Arians, as we have said, held their meetings without the city. As often therefore as the festal days occurred--I mean Saturday and the Lord’s day--in each week, on which assemblies are usually held in the churches, they congregated within the city gates about the public squares, and sang responsive verses adapted to the Arian heresy.[...] But since they did not desist from making use of insulting expressions in relation to the Homoousians, often singing such words as these: “Where are they that say three things are but one power?”--John fearing lest any of the more simple should be drawn away from the church by such kind of hymns opposed to them some of his own people, that they also employing themselves in chanting nocturnal hymns, might obscure the effort of the Arians, and confirm his own party in the profession of their faith. John’s design seemed to be good, but it issued tumult and dangers. [...] the Arians who were very numerous, and fired with envy, resolved to revenge themselves by a desperate and riotous attack upon their rivals. For from the remembrance of their own recent domination, they were full of confidence in their ability to overcome, and of contempt for their adversaries. Without delay therefore, on one of these nights, they engaged in a conflict; and Briso, one of the eunuchs of the empress, who was at that time leading the chanters of these hymns, was wounded by a stone in the forehead, and also some of the people on both sides were killed.
-Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
A letter to Benjamin Colman 1744
REV’D & Honoured Sir,--It has been our manner in this congregation, for more than two years past, in the summer time, when we sing three times upon the Sabbath, to sing an Hymn, or part of a Hymn of Dr. Watts’s, the last time, at the conclusion of the afternoon exercise. I introduced it principally because I saw in the people a very general inclination to it: indeed I was not properly he that introduced it: they began it in my absence on a journey; and seem’d to be greatly pleased with it; and sang nothing else, & neglected the Psalms wholly. When I came home I disliked not their making some use of the Hymns: but did not like their setting aside the Psalms; and therefore used them principally, and continued the singing of the Hymns only in the manner that I have spoken of, and thus we continued to use them: which at first I suppose, was to universal satisfaction: and [so] it continued to be till very lately, excepting one [m]an, one Mr Root; he after a little while manifest[ing] a disgust, not by coming to me to say anything [to] me, but by turning his back on that part of [our] publick worship from time to time, and [going] out of the meeting House. There was no appearance of dislike in any other person that I know of, ‘till lately I have heard some other persons have appear’d not well pleased[.]
2. It is unfair to authors of the past to say that their writing can’t reflect the situations we find ourselves in.
Malachi 3:6
“For I the Lord do not change”
William Cowper (1731-1800)
B. History of Church Music
1. Psalm Singing
Psalm 23 -Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
2. Latin Hymnody
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Formula Missae et Communionis (1523)
Also, I wish we had more songs in the vernacular for the people to sing during mass, either immediately after the gradual of the Sanctus and Agnus Dei. For who doubts that once the voices of all the people did this, which now only the choir sings or responds to the blessings of the bishop? In fact, the bishops may arrange these songs thus, either after the Latin songs, or alternately in Latin on one day and sung in the vernacular on another, until the whole mass is brought out in the vernacular. But poets are missing among us, or are not yet known, who can produce devout and spiritual songs (as Paul calls them) [Colossians 3:16] [.]
3. Return to Psalmody
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Simplicity- accessible to the laypeople
Modesty- something offered to God
“Epistle to the Reader” from Cinquante Pseaumes en francois par Clem. Marot (1543)
As for public prayers, there are two kinds. Some are made through simple words, others with singing. And in truth, we know through experience that song has great power and strength to move and inflame the heart of men to invoke and praise God with a more vehement and ardent zeal. It is always necessary to give heed that the song may not be light and vulgar, but may have majesty, as Saint Augustine says. And thus there may be great difference between the music that one makes for entertaining men at table and in their house, and the psalms which are sung in the Church in the presence of God and his angels. Now when one would judge rightly of the form that is here presented we hope that it shall be found holy and pure, seeing that it is simply ordered for the edification of which we have spoken, no matter how far the use of singing extends itself. Even in houses and fields this may be an incentive to us and a means to praise God and raise our hearts to Him, to comfort us in meditating on His virtue, goodness, wisdom and justice. [...] But in speaking now of Music I include two parts, namely the letter or subject and substance, secondly the song or melody. It is true that every evil word (as Saint Paul says) corrupts good morals, but when melody is with it, this stabs the heart much more strongly and enters within. Just as wine is poured inside a vessel through a funnel, so poison and corruption is distilled down to the depths of the heart through the melody.
Now what St. Augustine says is true, that no one can sing things worthy of God, except what he may have received from Him: when we shall have moved all around to search here and there, we shall find no better nor more proper songs to do this than the Psalms of David, which the Holy Spirit has spoken and made through him.
Congregational Singing is NOT Performance
4. Return to Songs of Human Composure
a. Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Preface to Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707)
To see the dull Indifference, the negligent and thoughtless Air that sits upon the Faces of a whole Assemble, while the Psalm is on their Lips, might tempt even a charitable Observer to suspect the Fervency of inward Religion; and ‘tis much to be fear[e]d that the Minds of most of the Worshippers are absent or unconcern[e]d. [...] But of all our Religious Solemnities Psalmodie is the most unhappily manag[e]d. That very Action which should elevate us to the most delightful and divine Sensations, doth not only flat our Devotion, but too often awakens our Regret and touches all the Springs of Uneasiness within us.
I have been long convinc[e]d, that one great Occasion of this Evil arises from the Matter and Words to which we confine all our Songs. Some of [th]em are almost opposite to the Spirit of the Gospel: Many off them are foreign to the State of the New-Testament, and widely different from the present Circumstances of Christians. Hence it comes to pass, that when spiritual Affections are excited within us, and our Souls are raised a little above this Earth in the beginning of a Psalm, we are check[e]d on a sudden in our Ascent toward Heaven by some Expressions that are more suited to the Days of Carnal Ordinances, [...] Thus by keeping too close to David in the House of God, the Vail of Moses is thrown over our Hearts. [...]
Since there are some Christians who are not yet perswaded that it is lawful to sing any thing in Divine Worship, but a meer Version of some part of the Word of God, I have subjoyned a Discourse for the satisfaction of their Consciences; wherein I indeavour to prove, that the Duty of Singing under the Gospel is not confin[e]d to the Jewish Psalms, or any other Scriptural Songs; but that Hymns of human Composure suited to the clearer Revelations of the New Testament are incouraged by the Word of God, and almost necessary for Christian Churches, that desire to worship Christ in the Beauty of Holiness, and praise him for the Wonders of redeeming Grace.
b. John Wesley (1703-1791)
“Directions for Congregational Singing” from Sacred Melody (1761)
This part of divine worship may be more acceptable to God, as well as more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions: ―
1. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find a blessing.
2. Sing lustily, and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
3. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above, or distinct from, the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
4. Sing in time. Whatever time is being sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before, nor stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
5. Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this, attend strictly to the sense of what you sing; and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
Don’t be Carried Away with the Music
Huldreich Zwingli (1484-1531) went so far as to ban music in his churches. Music has a powerful effect on the soul.
II. Scripture
A. Colossians 3:14-17
Above all: Love
Be Thankful
Teach and Admonish
It Must be Based in Christ’s Word
It Must be in Christ’s Name
ψαλμός (Psalms) The Songs of the Old Testament
ὕμνος (Hymns) A Song of Praise to God
Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
From Ennarationes in psalmos, Psalm 72
Hymns are praises of God with singing: hymns are songs containing the praise of God. If there is praise, but not of God, it is not a hymn; if there is praise, and praise of God, but no singing, it is not a hymn. Therefore, if it is a hymn, it will properly have these three things: not only praise, but of God, and singing.
πνευματικός (Spiritual) Coming from the Holy Spirit
ᾠδή (Songs) A Song of Honor
B. 1 Corinthians 14:13-19
Thankfulness
Head & Heart
Alistar Begg (1952)
C. Psalm 98
Worship Because of What He’s Done
Worship with Many Instruments
Rejoice!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evhAB5bmZMw
I. A Historical Point of View
A. The past must be learned from and appreciated
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
1. Worship wars are not new
-Socrates (380-450) Constantinopolitan lawyer and historian
The Arians, as we have said, held their meetings without the city. As often therefore as the festal days occurred--I mean Saturday and the Lord’s day--in each week, on which assemblies are usually held in the churches, they congregated within the city gates about the public squares, and sang responsive verses adapted to the Arian heresy.[...] But since they did not desist from making use of insulting expressions in relation to the Homoousians, often singing such words as these: “Where are they that say three things are but one power?”--John fearing lest any of the more simple should be drawn away from the church by such kind of hymns opposed to them some of his own people, that they also employing themselves in chanting nocturnal hymns, might obscure the effort of the Arians, and confirm his own party in the profession of their faith. John’s design seemed to be good, but it issued tumult and dangers. [...] the Arians who were very numerous, and fired with envy, resolved to revenge themselves by a desperate and riotous attack upon their rivals. For from the remembrance of their own recent domination, they were full of confidence in their ability to overcome, and of contempt for their adversaries. Without delay therefore, on one of these nights, they engaged in a conflict; and Briso, one of the eunuchs of the empress, who was at that time leading the chanters of these hymns, was wounded by a stone in the forehead, and also some of the people on both sides were killed.
-Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
A letter to Benjamin Colman 1744
REV’D & Honoured Sir,--It has been our manner in this congregation, for more than two years past, in the summer time, when we sing three times upon the Sabbath, to sing an Hymn, or part of a Hymn of Dr. Watts’s, the last time, at the conclusion of the afternoon exercise. I introduced it principally because I saw in the people a very general inclination to it: indeed I was not properly he that introduced it: they began it in my absence on a journey; and seem’d to be greatly pleased with it; and sang nothing else, & neglected the Psalms wholly. When I came home I disliked not their making some use of the Hymns: but did not like their setting aside the Psalms; and therefore used them principally, and continued the singing of the Hymns only in the manner that I have spoken of, and thus we continued to use them: which at first I suppose, was to universal satisfaction: and [so] it continued to be till very lately, excepting one [m]an, one Mr Root; he after a little while manifest[ing] a disgust, not by coming to me to say anything [to] me, but by turning his back on that part of [our] publick worship from time to time, and [going] out of the meeting House. There was no appearance of dislike in any other person that I know of, ‘till lately I have heard some other persons have appear’d not well pleased[.]
2. It is unfair to authors of the past to say that their writing can’t reflect the situations we find ourselves in.
Malachi 3:6
“For I the Lord do not change”
William Cowper (1731-1800)
B. History of Church Music
1. Psalm Singing
Psalm 23 -Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
2. Latin Hymnody
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Formula Missae et Communionis (1523)
Also, I wish we had more songs in the vernacular for the people to sing during mass, either immediately after the gradual of the Sanctus and Agnus Dei. For who doubts that once the voices of all the people did this, which now only the choir sings or responds to the blessings of the bishop? In fact, the bishops may arrange these songs thus, either after the Latin songs, or alternately in Latin on one day and sung in the vernacular on another, until the whole mass is brought out in the vernacular. But poets are missing among us, or are not yet known, who can produce devout and spiritual songs (as Paul calls them) [Colossians 3:16] [.]
3. Return to Psalmody
John Calvin (1509-1564)
Simplicity- accessible to the laypeople
Modesty- something offered to God
“Epistle to the Reader” from Cinquante Pseaumes en francois par Clem. Marot (1543)
As for public prayers, there are two kinds. Some are made through simple words, others with singing. And in truth, we know through experience that song has great power and strength to move and inflame the heart of men to invoke and praise God with a more vehement and ardent zeal. It is always necessary to give heed that the song may not be light and vulgar, but may have majesty, as Saint Augustine says. And thus there may be great difference between the music that one makes for entertaining men at table and in their house, and the psalms which are sung in the Church in the presence of God and his angels. Now when one would judge rightly of the form that is here presented we hope that it shall be found holy and pure, seeing that it is simply ordered for the edification of which we have spoken, no matter how far the use of singing extends itself. Even in houses and fields this may be an incentive to us and a means to praise God and raise our hearts to Him, to comfort us in meditating on His virtue, goodness, wisdom and justice. [...] But in speaking now of Music I include two parts, namely the letter or subject and substance, secondly the song or melody. It is true that every evil word (as Saint Paul says) corrupts good morals, but when melody is with it, this stabs the heart much more strongly and enters within. Just as wine is poured inside a vessel through a funnel, so poison and corruption is distilled down to the depths of the heart through the melody.
Now what St. Augustine says is true, that no one can sing things worthy of God, except what he may have received from Him: when we shall have moved all around to search here and there, we shall find no better nor more proper songs to do this than the Psalms of David, which the Holy Spirit has spoken and made through him.
Congregational Singing is NOT Performance
4. Return to Songs of Human Composure
a. Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Preface to Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1707)
To see the dull Indifference, the negligent and thoughtless Air that sits upon the Faces of a whole Assemble, while the Psalm is on their Lips, might tempt even a charitable Observer to suspect the Fervency of inward Religion; and ‘tis much to be fear[e]d that the Minds of most of the Worshippers are absent or unconcern[e]d. [...] But of all our Religious Solemnities Psalmodie is the most unhappily manag[e]d. That very Action which should elevate us to the most delightful and divine Sensations, doth not only flat our Devotion, but too often awakens our Regret and touches all the Springs of Uneasiness within us.
I have been long convinc[e]d, that one great Occasion of this Evil arises from the Matter and Words to which we confine all our Songs. Some of [th]em are almost opposite to the Spirit of the Gospel: Many off them are foreign to the State of the New-Testament, and widely different from the present Circumstances of Christians. Hence it comes to pass, that when spiritual Affections are excited within us, and our Souls are raised a little above this Earth in the beginning of a Psalm, we are check[e]d on a sudden in our Ascent toward Heaven by some Expressions that are more suited to the Days of Carnal Ordinances, [...] Thus by keeping too close to David in the House of God, the Vail of Moses is thrown over our Hearts. [...]
Since there are some Christians who are not yet perswaded that it is lawful to sing any thing in Divine Worship, but a meer Version of some part of the Word of God, I have subjoyned a Discourse for the satisfaction of their Consciences; wherein I indeavour to prove, that the Duty of Singing under the Gospel is not confin[e]d to the Jewish Psalms, or any other Scriptural Songs; but that Hymns of human Composure suited to the clearer Revelations of the New Testament are incouraged by the Word of God, and almost necessary for Christian Churches, that desire to worship Christ in the Beauty of Holiness, and praise him for the Wonders of redeeming Grace.
b. John Wesley (1703-1791)
“Directions for Congregational Singing” from Sacred Melody (1761)
This part of divine worship may be more acceptable to God, as well as more profitable to yourself and others, be careful to observe the following directions: ―
1. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find a blessing.
2. Sing lustily, and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan.
3. Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above, or distinct from, the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony; but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.
4. Sing in time. Whatever time is being sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before, nor stay behind it; but attend closely to the leading voices, and move therewith as exactly as you can. And take care you sing not too slow. This drawling way naturally steals on all who are lazy; and it is high time to drive it out from among us, and sing all our tunes just as quick as we did at first.
5. Above all, sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to this, attend strictly to the sense of what you sing; and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve of here, and reward when he cometh in the clouds of heaven.
Don’t be Carried Away with the Music
Huldreich Zwingli (1484-1531) went so far as to ban music in his churches. Music has a powerful effect on the soul.
II. Scripture
A. Colossians 3:14-17
Above all: Love
Be Thankful
Teach and Admonish
It Must be Based in Christ’s Word
It Must be in Christ’s Name
ψαλμός (Psalms) The Songs of the Old Testament
ὕμνος (Hymns) A Song of Praise to God
Augustine of Hippo (354-430)
From Ennarationes in psalmos, Psalm 72
Hymns are praises of God with singing: hymns are songs containing the praise of God. If there is praise, but not of God, it is not a hymn; if there is praise, and praise of God, but no singing, it is not a hymn. Therefore, if it is a hymn, it will properly have these three things: not only praise, but of God, and singing.
πνευματικός (Spiritual) Coming from the Holy Spirit
ᾠδή (Songs) A Song of Honor
B. 1 Corinthians 14:13-19
Thankfulness
Head & Heart
Alistar Begg (1952)
C. Psalm 98
Worship Because of What He’s Done
Worship with Many Instruments
Rejoice!
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