Our Singing Faith
This is an exposition of Psalm 149:1-9. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 24, 2016.
Intro:
Do you like to sing? I like to sing. I was cut out to be a singer – it’s not my fault someone sewed me up wrong! When I was a little kid – I was known for singing to myself in the backyard until one day our neighbor, Mr. Hart, heard me. Later in the day when folks were around he said, “Hey toddler, sing me a little ditty.” Everybody got a good laugh out of it – it didn’t keep me from singing – I was just careful when and where I did it! I remember watching the Mitch Miller Show. Did you “sing along with Mitch?” Do you remember the cartoons where you followed the bouncing ball and sang along with the cartoon? People used to sing. Families would sing at the table following dinner. Neighbors would gather and there would be singing. Have you noticed, folks don’t sing much anymore? People today “listen” to music but they seldom sing.
Singing is a natural way of expressing delight. There are those times when you’re just happy and it seems singing is appropriate. About the only place people sing today is in church and even that is in jeopardy. Singing has always been a part of the church’s life. One of the earliest records of the church is found in Pliny’s letter to the emperor in which he makes reference to the church. He said, “They gather early in the morning and sing a hymn to Christ as God.” On the night our Lord was betrayed the Gospel writer says, “Following the Supper they sang a hymn and went into the night.” But singing and the people of God have a longer history than that. The book of Psalms is Israel’s hymnbook. Even beyond that we find Moses and Miriam singing in the book of Exodus. When given glimpses into heaven – we consistently find the gathered assembly singing the praise of God.
Psalm 149 calls on the people of God to sing his praise. Psalm 148 demanded that all of creation praise him. Celestial bodies, kings, beasts, mountains, forests and every created thing were to join in the song. Now 149 focuses specifically on those who are the recipients of his grace to sing his praise. Our text is found in Psalm 149.
Text: Psalm 149:1-9
What we learn about God through our study of the Word and our observations of the world around us are not facts to be held in our memory banks. They are truths that inform, guide and direct our worship of God and our relationship to Him. These truths demand a passionate response from us. When we discover that our God is a loving God who has graciously provided salvation for us in his son, Christ Jesus, and that he continues to give himself to us in the person of the Holy Spirit, we cannot remain silent.
When we understand that God loves us, cares for us, preserves us, guides us, lifts us up when we are down, comforts us in our distress and empowers us in our weakness – we have to express our gratitude and love.
One of the best ways of expressing the depth of our gratitude is through song. And I said “song” rather than music. Music is important and much can be expressed in music but singing provides a unique joining of biblical content and emotional assent. Music alone cannot do that.
When we sing biblical truths they reach the core of our being. We respond on a deeper level emotionally. They become more a part of us and far more joyful when we sing them especially when we sing them with others who believe them too!
I just got back from attending a conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The conference is for pastors and is called Together for the Gospel. It is held every 2 years. The first was in 2006. They were expecting about 1000-1500 to attended and 2000 came. This conference had over 10,000. The conference has wonderful preaching, helpful breakout sessions, a fabulous bookstore but the highlight is the singing. There is no band. There are no smoke machines, no special lighting, no soloists – it’s all congregational with just a piano and we seek hymns! New and old. Often the pianist/leader stops playing and we just hear the voices singing the praise of God. I stood and wept as 10,000 sang, “It Is Well With My Soul.”
This Psalm reminds us that:
Thesis: The church of the Lord Jesus resounds with a joyful song!
Our text contains two stanzas.
- Our song celebrates God’s goodness and grace. (149:1-5)
- Our song affirms God’s inevitable triumph over evil. (149:6-9)
Conclusion:
Our faith is a singing faith.
Our song celebrates the goodness and grace of God.
Our song affirms God’s inevitable triumph over evil.
You might want to do some vocal exercises – we’ve got some singing to do!