Singing and Making Melody in Your Heart
Paul said, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Singing is a part of our worship to God. Singing serves as teaching and admonishing one another (Colossians 3:16). Singing is emotional, as it conveys joy or sorrow, praise, honor, and glory.
While we often hear expressions such as “birds singing,” “the wing singing through the trees,” or other such melodic sounds, it is God’s ultimate creation, mankind, that was given the ability to praise and reverence God in song, while teaching and admonishing other souls as we sing. Not a single scripture says the individual voice must be “in tune,” but rather the melody comes from the heart. When blended in the sweet harmony of spirit and understanding (1Corinthians 14:15), these voices are sweeter than all sounds! No New Testament scripture authorizes the use of mechanical instruments of music, and this is one of the reasons. With the melody coming from the heart (created by God), and uttered through our voices (created by God), and blended by the spirit and the understanding also (1 Corinthians 14:13), the entirety of our singing praises is GOD CREATED and not from a soul-less creation!
If the Lord is willing, in just six more days (July 19), the Orleans church of Christ will host a singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs on the square in downtown Orleans. We will begin at 7:00 in the evening, with plans to sing for two hours. Three capable song leaders, STEVE CASE, CHARLES JOHNSON (from Prospect), and STEVE WARREN (from Williams), will lead these selected songs. With nearly thirty songs selected, we will begin with introductory comments and prayer, and after ten songs each, have another prayer, closing with a few words of exhortation and a song of encouragement. (As stated on the flyers, in case of inclement weather, we will meet at the meeting house.)
Questions have been asked regarding this event, and here, we’ll try to answer:
- What if someone comes forward, wanting to be baptized? Answer: We’ll go to the building, talk with them, confirm their understanding of baptism, and if their desire is established on God’s commandment, we will baptize them!
- Will there be any security on the grounds?
Answer: No. We trust those in attendance to behave themselves.
- What if folks applaud or cheer, or respond in some way that is not what we usually see in a worship service?
Answer: We will announce that this event is NOT “entertainment.” We have requested NO REFRESHMENTS, although some may bring water (as the heat may demand). While we cannot prevent “unusual responses,” we can and will expect respect and reverence during our worship in song.
- Are you expecting this event to generate bible studies from those who are not members of the Lord’s church?
Answer: YES! Our goal is to prove to this community our love for God and His word, and if by singing with such enthusiasm as to encourage these souls, we would expect some to request further study! - Will there be a “sermon” preached?
Answer: Yes, but not in the way some might expect. The titles of the songs we sing actually teach the lesson we will present. The “sermon” is brief but will include scriptures showing that what we sang aligns with God’s commandments for how we must live, move, and have our being before Him.
So, with your hearts full of love for God and His word, come and join us as we sing these praises to our Father in heaven!