Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Congregational Singing
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. In his web log, Ray Pritchard asked: “Whatever happened to congregational singing?”...
a. In visiting many (denominational) churches, he often found the practice lacking altogether
b. In some churches that had it, he found the singing lackluster
2. He offered some reasons why such may be the case...
a. Song leader chooses songs no one knows
b. Style issues confuses people (Fanny Crosby vs. Hillsong)
c. Architecture not always conducive to singing
d. Not enough people (e.g., 70 in a building that seats 500)
e. Too many new songs presented too fast
f. Wooden worship leader
g. Musical instruments so loud that singing is overpowered
h. Songs with little sense of order or progression or theme
i. Some congregations seem to not expect members to sing
j. Choirs and orchestras to do their singing for them
k. Lack of spiritual zeal
l. Preachers and other leaders don’t sing
m. Entertainment culture leads us to expect to be entertained
n. We have lost the theological truth that God is to be praised in the singing of His people
3. In churches of Christ, congregational singing has been held as a matter of principle...
a. In opposition to instrumental music and choirs
b. Yet some churches today are getting away from congregation singing
c. In many churches that have it, the singing seems half-hearted at best
[“Whatever happened to congregational singing?” is a question some may do well to ask themselves.
In seeking to ensure congregational singing its proper place in our worship, we first review...]
I. THE BASIS FOR CONGREGATIONAL SINGING
A. THERE IS BIBLICAL PRECEPT...
1. The Messianic age to be a time of singing praise - Isa 12:1-6
2. Christians were commanded to sing to one another - Ep 5:19; Co 3:16
-- Prophet and apostle make it clear that we are to sing praises
B. THERE IS BIBLICAL PRACTICE...
1. Jesus and His apostles sang a hymn following the Last Supper - Mt 26:30
2. Heavenly beings and the sainted dead fill heaven with their praise - Re 5:9-14; 7:9-12
-- If such deemed it proper to join together in the praise of God, shouldn’t we?
C. THERE IS BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE...
1. One purpose of singing is to praise the Lord (inherent in the meaning of “hymn”)
2. Another is to teach and admonish one another - Co 3:16
3. A third is to be enriched by the Word and filled with the Spirit - Co 3:16; Ep 5:18-19
Topical Sermons 82