Worshipping God In Spirit and In Truth

2. Worshipping God In Spirit and In Truth Offering the fruit of our lips Hebrews 13:15

3. The Beginning Point • What singing isn’t • Entertainment • Subject to popularity • Playing • Clapping, humming, whistling or reading

4. What singing is • Praise (Heb. 13:15; Acts 16:25) • Teaching and admonishing (Col. 3:16) • Different circumstances • Individual {private} (Acts 16:25; James 5:13; Rom. 15:9—likely) • Gathered together (1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12)

5. Singing Is A Matter Of Authority • God authorizes singing (Matt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12; James 5:13)

6. Matthew 26:30 - And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives Mark 14:26 - And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives Acts 16:25 - And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God

7. Romans 15:9 - And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name 1 Corinthians 14:15 - What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also

8. Ephesians 5:19 - Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord

9. Hebrews 2:12 - Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee James 5:13 - Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms

10. Adding to God’s word is disobedience (Rev. 22:18-19) • Singing is audible, something produced by a living creature • Playing is not found • Therefore, instrumental music will have to be added • We cannot do what we “like” (Matt. 7:21-23)

11. Points To Consider (Col. 3:16) • An obvious connection to teaching and admonishing • Teaching & admonishing done with words • Importance of teaching (Matt. 5:1-2, 7:28-29) • Cannot be emphasized enough • If the word is to “dwell richly”, we must first be taught the word • Admonishing is a practice that is likewise connected to being taught • Thayer – warn, exhort (cannot do so without some knowledge, tfs) • Cf. Romans 15:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:15

12. It is intended for “one another” • This is collective action not individual • This letter was written to the church at Colossae (Col. 1:2) • Number of collective pronouns used (viz., 1:13) • Statements demand collective reference (Col. 1:19-23) • Plural pronouns in all of chapter three • “One another” demands reciprocal action • This passage (and Eph. 5:19) authorizes singing when saints gather together

13. What we are to sing: • Psalms (primarily an inspired piece) [2 & 375 - - Psa. 148 & 2] • Hymns (a song of praise to God or Christ) [434 & 9] • Spiritual songs (all other songs, emphasis on spiritual) [394 & 326]

14. “With grace in your hearts” • This indicates a grateful and thankful manner • A response from a glad heart. • “To the Lord” • Always the object of praise and devotion of worship • Cf. Matthew 4:10.

15. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Colossians 3:17)