THE SERMONS IN OUR SONGS LESSON 1

SERMONS FROM OUR SONGS

“THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SERMON”

COLOSSIANS 3: 16

Intro:

                When I was preparing for this lesson, I could not get my Mother off my mind.  As many of you know, this past week we had a chance to head to Tennessee for a vacation.  We were delighted to spend a few days with my family, and as always, that brought back so many wonderful memories of mom.  We spoke of times when we made her smile, and many other moments when we made her cry.  I experienced flashbacks of times of great joy, and instances of crushing agony.

                One of the most pleasurable memories which swam to the surface of my mind took place as we traveled back and forth to town.  Mom and I did a lot of riding around together.  If I needed to go somewhere, mom was there to take me.  If she wanted to go somewhere, I was there to go.  We had a shared joy which I still have to this very day.  We loved to ride in the car and sing.  When I was a child we would sing along with different artist in popular music, but as I grew older, mom’s taste in music changed.  Soon any time we were in the car, we would listen and sing along with acapella gospel music.  We sang it all.  We sang of the victory in Jesus, as well as the amazing grace of God.  We sang of the deep and abiding love of God, as well as the way in which you can see Jesus my Lord.  We sang of all that the Lord has done for me, and we promised that we would assemble on the mountain.  In fact, as we sat to prepare the songs for her funeral, we made sure to include the song “WE SHALL ASSEMBLE ON THE MOUNTAIN.”  

                The point of this story isn’t to tell you of the many favorite songs of Teresia Hilliard, we don’t have time to list them all.  Instead, the point is to illustrate for you the importance of singing for the modern day child of God.

                Beginning today, and for the next several months, we want to engage in a study of the “SERMONS IN OUR SONGS.”   This series is designed to help us to hear, with fresh ears, the powerful messages contained in the songs we sing.  I know for some, you would say, “I don’t like singing.”   This first lesson is designed especially for you.  I want to take time today to show you how important it is for us to sing out, and lift our voice to God.

 

I.                    THE SERMON IS FOR YOURSELF

 

A.      In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he begins with a fairly innocuous statement, which over the years hasn’t been given the attention it richly deserves. 

1.       Colossians 3: 16 “Let the word of God dwell within you richly.”

2.        Notice here that the first step to spiritual growth is focus and improvement upon you.

3.        Matthew 7: 3 we understand that the first step which we must take is to “behold the beam in our own eye”, before we can assist someone else.

4.        2Corinthians 13: 5 Paul exhorted the church at Corinth to examine themselves, and make sure that they were in the faith.

5.        James 1: 21 in the book of James, we find another encouragement to look at one’s self in the mirror of the word of God, and make the changes necessary to remove all filthiness from your life.

B.      In this sermon to yourself, we find a easily understood idea.

1.        The idea expressed here is that we depend upon God, not the other way around.

2.        What we do here in this assembly is publically proclaim that God was, is, and forever will be the head of all that we do.

3.        Psalm 18: 46 in order to remind us, of this first sermon, let’s sing the song “I WILL CALL UPON THE LORD.” 

 

II.                  THE SERMON IS FOR THOSE AROUND YOU

 

A.      Again, notice what Paul says in the book of Colossians.

1.        Colossians 3: 16 “teaching and admonishing one another.”

2.        The second sermon in our songs is meant to instruct and correct those around us, as well as remind them of the commitment which we all have made.

3.        John 13: 35 we do this because we are brethren, and the love which we show one for another reveals that relationship to the world at large.

4.        Ephesians 4: 3 in teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, we aren’t fussing and fighting for forms sake, rather we are doing our part to maintain and promote peace.

B.      Again, in an effort to remind us of this crucial lesson, let’s sing “WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT.”

1.       The message from this song is very simple: “We are one.”

2.        The sermon which we preach when we sing this song is that unity may this day be restored, and that we might know one another by our love.

 

III.                THE SERMON IS FOR YOUR FATHER

 

A.      Above all, when we sing, all praise, honor, and glory goes to God in heaven above.

1.       Colossians 3: 16 “Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

2.        The songs we sing first and foremost are to be directed to the God who gave us everything.

3.        Stop and think about the fact that when you sing, you are making a melody which is meant for the God of the universe.

4.        Psalm 95: 3 David sings that: “The Lord is a great God, and a great king above all gods.”

5.        Psalm 150: 1 it really does come down to the fact that our goal and mission should be to praise God.

B.      Few songs capture this idea better than “WE PRAISE THEE O GOD.”

1.       In this wonderful song, we find the author following the pattern for prayer which Jesus set down for us in Matthew 6.

2.        He begins by acknowledging God’s power and authority, and concludes by requesting the help which only the Lord can provide.