Preaching on 'Worship'

Romans922 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 08:57 PM

The session has decided to do a series on worship. Of which I am thrilled to do, although overwhelmed by the idea. The following is the order of the series, please comment on that.

However my biggest question is what passage should I preach from to communicate the command of public singing in worship? Colossians 3 comes to mind, and the passage in Ephesians. But I don't know if I am satisfied with these. I'm not seeing the express public dimension of these passages. Can someone help here in explaining where they see that. (note: i understand the good/necessary consequence, etc. part). I just don't know how to communicate the express command of God for public singing. Anyway, help me out, here is my outline so far.

[Each place where a scripture reference is listed is one sermon]

I.Sabbath (Deuteronomy 5:12-15)
II.Character of Worship

A.Reverent (Hebrews 12:28-29)
B.Spiritual (John 4:21-24)
C.Decency and Order (1 Corinthians 14:20-40)
D.Desirable and not Neglected (Acts 13; Hebrews 10)
III.RPW: Elements and Circumstances (Deuteronomy 12:1-32)
A.Reading and Preaching of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13)
B.Hearing of Scripture (Luke 4:16-21; Acts 17:10-12; Romans 10:13-21; Hebrews 4:1-3) [I don't know which one yet]

C.Sacraments (Romans 4:1-13)
1.Baptism (Acts 2:37-41)
2.Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
D.Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13)
E.Singing (?????)
F.Giving (2 Corinthians 8:9-15; 9:1-15)
IV.Family Worship (Deuteronomy 6:1-2)

VirginiaHuguenot · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 03:07 AM

The three Scriptural texts used by the Westminster Assembly to prove the duty of singing psalms in public worship are: Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; James 5:13. At this point Robert Shaw comments:

Quote:

Singing of psalms. This was enjoined, under the Old Testament, as a part of the ordinary worship of God, and it is distinguished from ceremonial worship (Ps. 69:30-31). It is not abrogated under the New Testament, but rather confirmed (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). It is sanctioned by the example of Christ and his apostles (Matt. 26:30; Acts 16:25). The Psalms of David were especially intended by God for the use of the Church, in the exercise of public praise, under the former dispensation; and they are equally adopted to the use of the Church under the present dispensation. Although the apostle insist much upon the abolition of ritual institutions, they give no intimation that the Psalms of David are unsuitable for gospel-worship; and had it been intended that they should be set aside in New Testament times, there is reason to think that another psalmody would have been provided in their room. In the book of Psalms there are various passages which seem to indicate that they were intended by the Spirit for the use of the Church in all ages. ‘I will extol thee, my God, O King,’ says David, ‘and I will bless thy name for ever and ever’ (Ps. 145:1). This intimates, as the excellent [Matthew] Henry remarks, ‘that the Psalms which David penned should be made use of in praising God by the Church to the end of time.’ We ought to praise God with our lips as well as with our spirits, and should exert ourselves to do it ‘skilfully’ (Ps. 33:3). As this is a part of public worship in which the whole congregation should unite their voices, persons ought to cultivate sacred music that they may be able to join in this exercise with becoming harmony. But the chief thing is to sing with understanding, and with affections of heart corresponding to the matter sung (Ps. 47:7; I Cor. 14:15; Ps. 108:1) (An Exposition of the Confession of Faith [Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, repr. 1973], pp. 224-225).

W.B. Smiley - The Singing of Praise a Duty
John Gill - 7. Of Singing Psalms
John Cotton - Singing of Psalms a Gospel Ordinance
Links and Downloads Manager - Worship - Catechism on Praise - The PuritanBoard