I. What is not important about singing
A. It is unimportant to God how we sound. No passage in Scripture teaches us
that a melodious sound is better than any other sound. It is God Himself
who says "Make a joyful shout to the Lord"(Psalm 100:1).
B. It is unimportant if we impress people. Singing is done to God, with
occasional applications to others. This is why we see examples of people
singing even when alone.
C. Most often problems in singing come from a misplaced emphasis. We think
that God is pleased with what pleases us. A congregation or singer can
sound horrible to our ears yet melodious to God. They also could sound
wonderful to us and yet be abhorrent to God.
D. Jesus Christ makes grown men and women sing for joy! We ought not be
ashamed to express our faith in song, even if we don't know how to read
music or make harmony!

II. Singing is an outgrowth of spiritual emotion
A. We cannot discuss singing without discussing where singing comes from.
B. James 5:13. When we are cheerful, it is important that we praise God for
making us cheerful. That physical fuel needs to be turned into spiritual
emotion.
C. Acts 16:25. Paul and Silas were in prison and had just been beaten (v. 23).
Yet they were singing hymns to God. Certainly they were distressed, yet
they sang to God to settle their spirits and encourage one another.
D. Paul and Silas also prove the point that singing can be a tool for evangelism.
The jailer may never have asked his question (v. 30) had they not been
singing. However, this singing did not fully teach him-that came later
(v. 31-32).
E. Eph 5:18-21. This singing is an outgrowth of being filled with the Spirit (v.
18) and expresses thankfulness to God (v. 20).
F. If our singing is a drudgery, more than likely this is the problem. Singing is
not to be something we feel compelled to do, but is to be a natural
expression of what is in our hearts (the Spirit, Eph 5:18, the word, Col
3:16). Perhaps our singing is a drag because we are not concentrating on
things that make us thankful and cheerful!

III. We must understand what we are singing
A. 1 Cor 14:12-15. Paul is speaking of the time of spiritual gifts. Yet, then and
now, what is most important is that everyone understand and participate in
what is going on in the worship.
B. "Sing with the spirit" means to sing with the emotion of thanksgiving and
praise to God (as we discussed above).
C. "Sing with the understanding" speaks to the level at which we appreciate and
mean the words we are singing. It is insufficient to mean what we are
saying if we are speaking lies about Jesus.
D. This is often a difficult command because while singing, it is hard to remain
concentrated on the words we are singing. Old, familiar songs become too
familiar to meditate on. New, unfamiliar songs must be learned and often
fail to be understood.
E. We must know that if we don't understand what we're singing, then our
worship has been for naught.

IV. We sing to praise God
A. Heb 13:15. This is a sacrifice we offer to God. We are giving Him our praise
and adoration in song.
B. We lift up God in our hearts and words. We thank Him for all He has done in
our lives and are willing to tell others about His wonderful works.
C. Psalm 148:1-14. When we praise God, we join in with the rest of His creation
in exalting our Creator. God still deserves and expects our praise.
D. Many times problems arise because we forget who's listening to our songs!
If we are unwilling or unhappy to be praising Him here, will we really
belong in heaven?

V. We sing to teach and be taught
A. Col 3:16. In singing we teach and admonish one another. There are important
things the Bible says that we must remind one another of.
B. Not only is our song heard by God, but it is also heard by our brethren. We
must remember that we are teaching others and also being taught by
others.
C. Let us be sure and receive their admonition as well. Each time we sing
together, we must listen to others encouraging us to remain faithful in
God's way.
D. Eph 5:19. We are "speaking to one another" in addition to "making melody in
(our) heart to the Lord."
E. This is one important reason why instruments don't cut it in the New
Testament. They cannot teach, admonish, or edify!
F. We must remember that when we sing in the assembly, we are talking to one
another in addition to praising God. Let us never neglect to sing, or to
mean what we are singing, so that our brethren are not discouraged.
G. Also, when we are troubled by life's difficulties, let's remember to listen to
the abundant encouragement our brethren offer in song.___Jacob Hudgins