The Power Of Song Series

Because of the theme we are covering the fruit of these messages should be seen in our worship life as a community. Please do not be caught in the enthusiasm of a moment and forget the truths we are receiving and the changes to us those truths should be bringing.

(We have covered: Restoring the value of worship ; The anatomy of a worshipper)

Today: The Power of Song…..Some would say “Worship is not singing!”, though the statement has some truth to it song is a powerful component of worship throughout the Bible and the history of both the church and God’s chosen people, Israel.

In society songs reflect everything. Both Lyrics and the style of the music combine to give voice to all kinds of emotions. Happiness, sadness, anger, fear, love, hate etc..

It’s the same in the scriptures there are songs of lament as well as songs of joy; songs of hope as well as songs of despair. Just read the Psalms and you’ll see.

• God created music to touch the human soul.

Music and song has a powerful effect on the human soul.

1 Samuel 16:23 “Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”

For each of us it may be a very different style of music that touches our souls, relieves our agitation or inspires our hearts. For some it may be classical music whilst for others it may be gospel music, or any genre in between.

• God sings over his children.

Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Just like a parent seeking to quiet an anxious child may sing a lullaby to give them rest.

• WORSHIP AND SONG

King David was the great architect of corporate worship - 1 Chronicles 15

A Large, organized and skilled worship team (it’s not new folks)

Notice: Musicians - 15:16 ; 19 ; 24

Singers - 15:16

Skilled song leaders - 15:22

Choirs - 15:27

David taught the nation that they must come to God’s presence with an offering of worship…….Psalm 100 (read)

Worship is not a warm up for the preacher, music and song in church is not just a lovely background for our chatter. It is how we welcome the Lord, focus on his presence and surrender to him.

The power of song echoes throughout the scriptures. In amazing moments men and women lifted a song instead of a cry or a scream. They sang in their dark and challenging moments.

• THE BABYLONIANS ARE LISTENING - PSALM 137:1-6

Have You lost your joy?

The people of Israel had. Captive in Babylon, refugees by force, slaves of cruel masters.

The Babylonians taunted them….”Sing us one of the songs of Zion…”

The Israelites replied….”How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?”

They had hung their harps on the trees (Psalm 137:2)

Today the Babylonians are still listening. They are watching those who profess to love God. They see when our husbands and wives die and our children rebel. They see us get sick, lose our jobs and experience opposition. And the way we respond to suffering and disappointment preaches a more powerful message than any religious, silver-tongued rhetoric ever could.

Habbakuk 3:17,18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep ii the pen, yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.”

A song can release divine power and potential.

• WORSHIP BRINGS A RESPONSE FROM GOD

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (read)

Worship moves the heart of God. A song of unity brought the presence of God into Solomon’s temple like never seen before.

A song at first sung in pain, disappointment, confusion, guilt or whatever can open a doorway to the very place we can be healed and renewed.

Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD.

Do you need a fresh visitation of God on your life? - SING AGAIN!

• WORSHIP SILENCES THE ENEMY

2 Chronicles 20:22 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated