Three marks of a biblical music ministry: Joy
Saturday, October 20, 2007
I was reading through Redeemer Presbyterian Church's website last week and came across something interesting in the worship and music section. They said that 'artistic expression is such an important part of everyday life that God wants us to engage in it with joy, originality and with intellect.'
I thought it could be useful to do a quick summary of all three and what they may look like in a church context.
joy
Psalm 67:4 says this:
'May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.'
Joy and singing are inextricably linked in the Bible. They are seen together all over the place. Check these verses if you have the time: Gen 31:27, 1Sam 18:6, 1Chr 15:16, 1Chr 16:23, Neh 12:27, Job 38:37, Psa 5:11, Psa 27:26, Psa 28:27, Psa 33:1, Psa 33:3, Psa 43:4, Psa 65:13, Psa 71:23, Psa 81:1, Psa 89:12, Psa 90:14, Psa 92:4, Psa 95:1, Psa 96:12, Psa 98:4, Psa 98:8, Psa 100:2, Psa 107:22, Psa 126:2, Psa 126:5-6, Psa 132:9, Psa 132:16, Psa 137:3, Psa 145:7, Psa 149:5, Isa 12:6, Isa 16:10, Isa 35:10, Isa 42:11, Isa 44:23, Isa 49:13, Isa 51:3, Isa 51:11, Isa 52:9, Isa 54:1, Isa 55:12, Isa 65:14, Jer 31:7.
Now that you are 50...
Joy is an inner thing. It is both compulsive and can be learned. We feel inexpressible joy towards God for so many reasons. I feel joy when I remember God's goodness in creation, in election, in saving, in mercy, in grace, in love, in restoring, in justifying, in atoning, in sanctifying and in promising an eternal home where we can know him face to face. He himself brings us joy because He is good.
Singing is an overflowing or an outpouring of that inner joy. You feel joy so you sing. Like how when you feel happy you smile. In the Bible the two are connected because one reflects externally an inner reality.
Would you describe your music ministry as joyful? When you sing do you seem to be singing from a heart overflowing with thankfulness or do you seem to be going through the motions? Often our music can look like it's just something we have to do before the sermon while the seats are still being filled. If joy and singing are linked, then it should seem as if we cannot help but sing. You should be just giving words and a tune to the joy pouring out of the restored hearts within your church. Perhaps if you are leading singing you should ensure that you look joyful. Not because you have to be cheesy, but because it will encourage the people watching you to be reminded of their own joy. Before church remind yourself of the incredible things that have been done for you by Jesus. Think on each song and the truth that it promotes. Be naturally joyful and sing your heart out.joy
Psalm 67:4 says this:
'May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.'
Joy and singing are inextricably linked in the Bible. They are seen together all over the place. Check these verses if you have the time: Gen 31:27, 1Sam 18:6, 1Chr 15:16, 1Chr 16:23, Neh 12:27, Job 38:37, Psa 5:11, Psa 27:26, Psa 28:27, Psa 33:1, Psa 33:3, Psa 43:4, Psa 65:13, Psa 71:23, Psa 81:1, Psa 89:12, Psa 90:14, Psa 92:4, Psa 95:1, Psa 96:12, Psa 98:4, Psa 98:8, Psa 100:2, Psa 107:22, Psa 126:2, Psa 126:5-6, Psa 132:9, Psa 132:16, Psa 137:3, Psa 145:7, Psa 149:5, Isa 12:6, Isa 16:10, Isa 35:10, Isa 42:11, Isa 44:23, Isa 49:13, Isa 51:3, Isa 51:11, Isa 52:9, Isa 54:1, Isa 55:12, Isa 65:14, Jer 31:7.
Now that you are 50...
Joy is an inner thing. It is both compulsive and can be learned. We feel inexpressible joy towards God for so many reasons. I feel joy when I remember God's goodness in creation, in election, in saving, in mercy, in grace, in love, in restoring, in justifying, in atoning, in sanctifying and in promising an eternal home where we can know him face to face. He himself brings us joy because He is good.
Singing is an overflowing or an outpouring of that inner joy. You feel joy so you sing. Like how when you feel happy you smile. In the Bible the two are connected because one reflects externally an inner reality.
(Who can name the band at the top of this post?)
Posted byDan at 7:28 AM
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Joy Division
Yeh joy division it is.
Editors sound heaps like them
I just read a biography on William Wilberforce. His theology was Calvinistic but he didn't like to cal himself a Calvinist because they had a rep 4 being joyless.