Sermon Tone Analysis

Music Matters!

Colossians 3:16

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - Aug 27, 2014

*Think of some of the things we tend to take for granted.

There are many things, but with the focus on music tonight, I want to mention the music program of our church.

Our Sanctuary Choir rehearses every Wednesday.

Our Children's Choir also practices every Wednesday during the school year.

Our Grayson Baptist Youth Band practices every week, and they play for Orange every Sunday night.

By the way: When I left about 8:00 last Sunday night, I noticed a light on in the middle building, and part of our Youth Band was still there practicing.

*Also think about all the behind the scenes effort to learn how to play instruments and new songs, all the effort to get the sound system right, all of the prayer and planning that goes into worship services, and a lot of extra for special days like Christmas.

*What we hear in the worship service is maybe five percent of the time it took to get us there.

So it's easy for us to take our music program for granted.

But what Herb, Anita, and all of our people involved in music do is very important.

If you are involved in our music program in any way, would you please stand and remain standing, so we can show our appreciation.

*What you do is very important.

And tonight we are going to look into the Word of God to see why.

Let me ask everybody to please stand with you in honor of God's Word, and open your Bibles to Colossians 3:16.

*In vs. 16, Paul tells us to: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

*Musicians and singers: What you do is vitally important to the Lord's Church.

Music matters.

1.

And it matters first of all, because music helps educate God's people.

*Paul said: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom."

But that can't happen unless we learn God's Word.

God wants all Christians to grow in godly wisdom, affection, grace, love and goodness.

He wants us to grow up to be more and more like our Savior Jesus Christ.

*But that can't happen unless we learn God's Word.

And one of the best ways to learn these things is through music.

So Paul tells us to be "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs."

*We know what "teaching" means.

"Admonishing" means to gently caution or warn someone, and godly music can do that too.

That's why we sing hymns like this:

"Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Are you grieving over joys departed?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.

Have you sins that to men's eyes are hidden?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,

He is a Friend that's well known.

You've no other such a friend or brother,

Tell it to Jesus alone."

(1)

*Paul tells us to be "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs."

Think of one of your favorite psalms, hymns or spiritual songs.

What does it teach us about God or salvation or prayer or the cross?

*"What can wash away my sins?

-- Nothing but the Blood of Jesus" (2)

*Here's part of a song that reminds me how much we need God's Spirit to work in our lives:

"Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down

Oh, Comforter and Friend

How we need Your touch again

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down

Let Your power fall

Let Your voice be heard

Come and change our hearts

As we stand on Your word

Holy Spirit, rain down."

(3)

*Here's part of a hymn that teaches us about God's goodness and glory:

-"Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

hearts unfold like flowers before thee,

opening to the sun above.

-Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

drive the dark of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day!

-Thou art giving and forgiving,

ever blessing, ever blest,

well-spring of the joy of living,

ocean depth of happy rest!

-Thou our Father, Christ our brother,

all who live in love are thine;

teach us how to love each other,

lift us to the joy divine.

(4)

*Music matters because it teaches us about God and how to live the Christian life.

Music matters, because it helps educate God's people.

2. It also matters because it helps encourage God's people.

*Again in vs. 16, Paul says: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING WITH GRACE IN YOUR HEARTS to the Lord."

*Paul says we should be "singing with grace in (our) hearts to the Lord."

That's real singing: Singing not just with our lips, but singing in our hearts and souls.

*The good news is that singing itself can help put more grace and gratitude into our hearts.

There are key times in the Bible where we see people encouraged by singing.

For example II Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah were in terrible danger.

*Chapter 20 opens with these words:

1.

It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat.

2. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar'' (which is En Gedi).

3.

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4. So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

*Then God spoke through one of His prophets and he said:

15. . .

"Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat!

Thus says the Lord to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.

16.

Tomorrow go down against them.

They will surely come up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.

17.

You will not need to fight in this battle.

Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!

Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.''

*Then, the next day:

20. . .

They rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.''