| MUSIC |
| Here we wish to share the importance and relavance of music and singing in a worship service. Yes, we all know the Bible says to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord," (Psalm 98:1). Many references to music are found in the Holy Scriptures--'sing' 119 times, 'singing' 29 times, 'song' 78 times--so it must be important to God or He would not mention it so often. But why do we sing, and what is the history and origin behind some of the old hymns of the Faith that we sing? That is what we wish to share with you here. |
| WHY DO WE SING? |
�Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.��Psalm 47:6 �O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.��Psalm 95:1 The Christian faith is a singing faith. Hence the singing of the people�congregational singing�is the most important form of music in an evangelical church. �Christian song is the overflow of the Christian heart. If our hearts are full, our singing will be full.� �Hymn singing reflects a congregation�s spiritual vitality and their response to God�s grace.� �A spiritual church is a singing church!� Throughout church history great periods of spiritual fevor and revival have always been accompanied by a renewed interest in congreagion singing. �Historians have stated that Martin Luther won more converts to Christ through his encouragement of congregational singing than even through his strong preaching and teaching.��16th Century �Of the Wesleys it was said that, for every person they won with their preaching, ten were won through their music.��18th Century �Singing does at least as much as preaching to impress the Word of God upon people�s minds. Ever sing God first called me, the importance of praise expressed in song has grown upon me.��D.L. Moody, 19th Century And so it has been through the ages even to the present time: the songs of Martin Luther, Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, John Newton, Ira Sankey, Philip Bliss, Fanny Crosby, John Peterson and other contemporaries have been used providentially by a Sovereign God to challenge the unbeliever, to edify the saints, and to fan the fires of revival.� To all that I say, �Amen, and Amen!� |