Why Do We Sing?Why Do We Sing?

Colossians 3:16Colossians 3:16

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.hearts to God.

Why Do We Sing?Why Do We Sing?

• (1) Song is a way of preaching Christ.(1) Song is a way of preaching Christ. Christ is both the ground and the Christ is both the ground and the content of Christian song. Christians content of Christian song. Christians sing about Christ. sing about Christ.

• (2) Song is a confession of faith (2) Song is a confession of faith made by the lipsmade by the lips. . Singing is a way of Singing is a way of acknowledging God - praising him and acknowledging God - praising him and confessing faith in him. confessing faith in him.

Why Do We Sing?Why Do We Sing?

• (3) Song expresses the (3) Song expresses the indwelling indwelling Spirit Spirit and and word of Christ.word of Christ. The The knowledge of salvation in Christ, the knowledge of salvation in Christ, the acceptance of God's grace, and the acceptance of God's grace, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit as the receiving of the Holy Spirit as the firstfruits of redemption -these lead to firstfruits of redemption -these lead to song.song.

Why Do We Sing?Why Do We Sing?

• (4) Song as praise is a (4) Song as praise is a spiritual spiritual sacrifice. sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 Hebrews 13:15 Through Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name.lips that confess his name.

• (5) In song there is sharing in (5) In song there is sharing in heavenly heavenly praisepraise. . The church by its The church by its song joins the heavenly chorus.song joins the heavenly chorus.

Why Do We Sing?Why Do We Sing?• (6) Song is for (6) Song is for mutual edification.mutual edification. The The

singing in the assembly is not only directed singing in the assembly is not only directed to God in praise but also is directed to one to God in praise but also is directed to one another for teaching and admonition.another for teaching and admonition.

• (7) Song exemplifies the (7) Song exemplifies the unity of the unity of the church. church. "So that together you may with one "So that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 15:6). Singing together Jesus Christ" (Rom. 15:6). Singing together symbolizes and expresses the unity of the symbolizes and expresses the unity of the church.church.

Why Do We Sing?Why Do We Sing?• (8) Song involves the (8) Song involves the whole person.whole person.

Singing engages the mind, heart, the Singing engages the mind, heart, the intellect, the emotions, and the physical self intellect, the emotions, and the physical self are involved. are involved.

• (9) Song expresses (9) Song expresses deep religious deep religious emotion.emotion. "Are any cheerful? They should "Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise" (James 5:13). sing songs of praise" (James 5:13).

• (10) We sing because we cannot help it!(10) We sing because we cannot help it!