Created to Sing!

Pastor Don Carpenter

Sing! / Psalm 139:13–14; Revelation 4:11; 2 Peter 1:3

 A number of years ago Orel Hirscheiser was pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers. They had just won the World Series, & Orel had been named “The most valuable player of the series.”

One of the TV shows about the series showed him in the dugout just before the 9th inning started. He was leaning against the wall & his lips were moving. It was obvious that he was saying something to himself.

So when he was a guest on the Tonight Show, Johnny Carson asked him what he had been saying. “I wasn’t saying anything,” Orel responded. “Well, then, tell us what you were doing.” Finally Orel replied, “I was singing.”

“You were singing?” Johnny said. “I didn’t know you were a singer.” “Aw,” Orel said, “I’m not.” Johnny persisted, “What were you singing? Sing it for us now.” “Nah, I don’t want to sing.” But by that time the audience was chiming in with “C’mon, sing it, sing it to us!”

Finally, Orel Hirschheiser started to sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below.” And Johnny Carson was speechless. The whole audience was dead silent. Then one person started clapping, & soon the whole audience joined in applause.

This morning we are going to launch a series that focuses on singing and why believers should take this seriously. The Bible has much to say on this subject. I want to start by tying a couple of verses together and driving home a point.

 • We were created by God to do His pleasure

Revelation 4:11 KJV

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 • We are commanded to sing.

Psalm 30:4 KJV

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, And give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 33:2–3 KJV

Praise the LORD with harp: Sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 

Sing unto him a new song; Play skilfully with a loud noise.

Psalm 68:4 KJV

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Extol him that rideth upon the heavens By his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Psalm 96:2 KJV

Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; Shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Ephesians 5:19 KJV

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

 • We have been given all we need to obey Him

2 Peter 1:3 KJV

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 • Therefore God has created us to sing. Scriptures lead us to conclude then that we have been designed to sing. We have been given unique voices to use. We have been made to sing in God’s image. When we sing praises to God we are joining all of creation in a chorus of praise. Brothers and Sisters we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we have been made to Sing!

We Are Designed To Sing

Psalm 139:13–14 KJV

For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

A Desire To Sing

_{Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church}

_{We have three young daughters, and it has surprised us with each of them how early they could sing. Simple melodies with mumbled words grew into phrases like “O sing happylujah,” or a bizarre mixture of “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” To sing is written into our human DNA; it is part of God’s design.}

A Desire to Make Instruments

Genesis 4:21–22 KJV

And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. 

And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

The Physical Ability to Sing

 • Vocal cords form at 12 weeks in the womb.

 • We sound different but all have the same vocal apparatus.

 • Lungs. voice, tongues and lips all made to sing, not just speak… and that is by design

The Psyche to Sing

_{Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church}

_{. When singing praise to God, so much more than just the vocal box is engaged. God has created our minds to judge pitch and lyric; to think through the concepts we sing; to engage the intellect, imagination, and memory; and to remember what is set to a tune (we are confident that, right now, 99 percent of this book’s readers can remember more lyrics set to music than can recite Scripture by rote). God has formed our hearts to be moved with depth of feeling and a whole range of emotion as the melody-carried truths of who God is and whose we are sink in.} 

We Are Designed To Sing Uniquely

Ephesians 5:19 KJV

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

2 Peter 1:3 KJV

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

If You Can Speak, You Can Sing

_{Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church}

_{Sometimes we meet people who say, “I can’t sing”—as in, “The sound that comes out of my mouth when I try to sing is not what I was hoping for.”} 

God Cares Whether and What You Sing More Than How Tunefully You Sing.

 • The beauty of the song starts with God making a beautiful heart.

 • When believers unite with heartfelt songs of redemption, the world around them is changed.

Ezekiel 36:26 KJV

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Psalm 40:3 KJV

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Practice Makes Better

_{Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church}

_{To learn to walk takes time, and we first must learn to press down on our feet. To learn to speak takes time, and we must first open our mouths and make sounds. To praise God in tuneful song takes time, and we grow better at singing by singing. And once we’ve reached our peak, if it is still some way short of the tuneful heights, a sense of humor is a useful ally. Some people do have a special gift of singing absolutely every note slightly off pitch (which is, ironically, very hard to do). Since we sing to encourage and praise, not to impress and earn praise, we can smile about that and sing anyway.} 

We Are Designed To Sing In God’s Image

Genesis 1:26–28 KJV

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Created to Enjoy Beauty and Creativity

_{Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church}

_{We can tell the difference between an orchestra tuning up and them then playing a coherent piece of music—suddenly, there is a “rightness” in how the notes sit together. We know that sense of throwing back your head or raising your hands to sing a great hymn with every ounce of your being and the feeling of losing interest in a mediocre one. This is why for a songwriter, it’s worth striving day after day for months (or years) to compose that one melodic idea that is fresh, compelling, and might touch another person’s soul.}

Created To Benefit From Beauty in Creativity

 • We don’t just recite the lyrics to our national anthem.

 • Kids learn the alphabet to rhyming songs rather than monotone spoken sounds.

 • Our senses and memories are engaged through music.

 • Imagination is another dignity God has given humans above the other animals, part of being in His image.

Created to Communicate To Each Other and To God Through Beauty.

We are not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker. – J.R.R. Tolkien

Psalm 19:1–2 KJV

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. 

Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge.

_{Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church Chapter}

_{We show our God-inspired creative spirit when we make music—not just in the songs themselves, but in the many different creative ways we arrange and express the songs together. Whether it is the rhythmic vibrancy of sung worship led by the African Children’s Choir, or the pristine beauty of a chorale echoing within the ancient walls of a European cathedral, or the blended accents in the increasing number of international churches in cities around the world, we seek to create beauty because that’s how we’re designed.} 

_{And as we create, we communicate—just as God does through His creation:} 

_{Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church Chapter}

_{When His Church sings together, voice upon voice like arms linked across a room, and indeed across all the gathering places of His followers around the globe, across history, we are doing what we were designed to enjoy—using our God-given voices to sing praises together to the One who gave us those voices. It expresses what unites us, and it reminds us of our interdependence.} 

We Are Designed To Sing Along With The Rest of Creation.

Psalm 98:4–9 KJV

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: Make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 

Sing unto the LORD with the harp; With the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 

With trumpets and sound of cornet Make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. 

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. 

Let the floods clap their hands: Let the hills be joyful together 

Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: With righteousness shall he judge the world, And the people with equity.

 In C. S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew, the great lion Aslan creates Narnia by singing it into existence. The character and timbre of the song are seen in the shapes and colors of all that springs up out of the nothingness. Lewis delights to point out that the song could not be separated from the Singer and that when your eyes saw the Singer He eclipsed everything else. 

“God is the ultimate musician. His music transforms your life. The notes of redemption rearrange your heart and restore your life. His songs of forgiveness, grace, reconciliation, truth, hope, sovereignty, and love give you back your humanity and restore your identity.” – Paul Tripp

God’s design is perfect. He tells us to Sing. He has designed us with the ability to sing. He has designed us with unique voices we can use to offer up in song. He has designed us in His image with the ability to create and appreciate beauty in lyric and song. When we gather as believers and join our voices, we join all of the rest of creation in praise to God. Brothers and Sisters we were created to SING!

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:43 PM January 28, 2021.

Under The Influence of Submission

Pastor Don Carpenter

Under the Influence / Submission; Humility / Ephesians 5:21

   When J. Wilbur Chapman was in London, he had an opportunity to meet General Booth, who at that time was past eighty years of age. Dr. Chapman listened reverently as the old general spoke of the trials and the conflicts and victories. 

  The American evangelist then asked the general if he would disclose his secret for success. “He hesitated a second,” Dr. Chapman said, “and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks, and then he said, “I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with the poor of London, I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.” ” 

  Dr. Chapman said he went away from that meeting with General Booth knowing “that the greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”

1 Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 1367. 

In the last few weeks we have discovered that our spiritual walk, our use of time, and our spiritual understanding is greatly affected by what we are influenced by or filled with. We saw first of all that we need to avoid being under the influence of substances or lusts that would move us away from God. We saw that we are to seek to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, yielding to His leading. We say that we are to be under the influence of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. We can minister to ourselves, each other, and even to God through the music that is in our mouths and in our hearts. Last week we saw that we are to be under the influence of a thankful heart all the time and about everything. Each of these things feed on the other. If we get rid of the bad influence, we can be filled with the Spirit. If we are filled with the Spirit, we can have a genuine song on our lips and heart. If we have a song on our lips and heart, we can have a spirit of thankfulness. If we have a spirit of thankfulness, filled with all these other influences, we can finally get self will out of the way and with sweet surrender, some under the influence of submission.

___

 People often misunderstand the concept of submitting to another person. It does not mean becoming totally passive. —submitted his will to the Father, and we honor Christ by following his example. When we submit to God, we become more willing to obey his command to submit to others, that is, to subordinate our rights to theirs. In Paul’s day, women, children, and slaves were to submit to the head of the family—slaves would submit until they were freed, male children until they grew up, and women and girls their whole lives. Paul emphasized the equality of all believers in Christ (Galatians 3:28), but he counseled all believers to submit to one another by choice. This kind of mutual submission preserves order and harmony.1 

1 Bruce B. Barton and Philip Wesley Comfort, Ephesians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 111. 

Surrender Self

Ephesians 5:21 KJV

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Philippians 2:3 KJV

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Stop Making Your Needs and Preferences a Priority.

Matthew 20:28 KJV

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Be Willing To Sacrifice For the Cause of The Gospel

1 Corinthians 6:7 KJV

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Be Willing to Yield Your Rights For the Sake of Immature Believers.

Romans 14:19–21 KJV

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 

For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

 To one who asked him the secret of his service, George Mueller said: “There was a day when I died, utterly died;” and, as he spoke, he bent lower and lower until he almost touched the floor—“died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will—died to the world, its approval or censure—died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends—and since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.” 

—British Weekly 

Advocate For Others

Ephesians 5:21 KJV

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Romans 12:10 KJV

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Teach Humbly

2 Corinthians 5:11 KJV

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Ephesians 6:4 KJV

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:24–26 KJV

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Listen With An Open Heart

Galatians 6:2 KJV

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Promote The Preference of Others

Philippians 2:4 KJV

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 Driving down a country road, I came to a very narrow bridge. In front of the bridge, a sign was posted: “Yield.” Seeing no oncoming cars, I continued across the bridge and to my destination. 

  On my way back, I came to the same one-lane bridge, now from the other direction. To my surprise, I saw another “Yield” sign posted. 

 Curious, I thought. I’m sure there was one positioned on the other side. 

  When I reached the other side of the bridge, I looked back. Sure enough, yield signs had been placed at both ends of the bridge. Drivers from both directions were requested to give the other the right of way. It was a reasonable and gracious way of preventing a head-on collision. 

  When the Bible commands Christians to “be subject to one another” (Eph. 5:21), it is simply a reasonable and gracious command to let the other have the right of way and avoid interpersonal head-on collisions.

1 Craig Brian Larson, 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers & Writers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2002), 554. 

Imitate The Savior

Ephesians 5:21 KJV

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Philippians 2:5–8 KJV

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 As the Philippian believers are told, they should be humble enough to count others better than themselves and put the interests of others before their own, following the example of Christ, who “emptied himself,” “humbled himself,” and “became obedient,” even when the path of obedience led to death on the cross (Phil. 2:3–8). Out of reverence for their Lord, who set such a precedent, his followers should place themselves at one another’s disposal, living so that their forbearance is a matter of public knowledge (Phil. 4:7), even when others are encouraged on this account to take advantage of them (1 Cor. 6:7).1 

1 F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1984), 382. 

Be A Minister to Others

Mark 10:45 KJV

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Be An Example to Others

1 Peter 5:2–3 KJV

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Be A Servant of Others

  “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:12–14, KJV)  

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our Christian walk depends upon our influence. Let us be under the influence of the Holy Spirit by yielding to Him. Let us be moved by Godly music and lyrics both in our song and meditation. Let our inner being be under the influence of a thankful heart no matter the circumstances. And finally, let us put that fleshly self away. Let us submit to each other in sweet love and surrender.  

Make me a captive, Lord, 

And then I shall be free;

Force me to render up my sword,

And I shall conqueror be!

I sink in life’s alarms,

When by myself I stand;

Imprison me within Thine Arms,

And strong shall be my hand.

1 Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 1366–1367. 

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:52 PM January 23, 2021.

Under The Influence of Gratitude

Pastor Don Carpenter

Under The Influence / Ephesians 5:20

 There is an imaginative story told of a day when the sun did not rise. Six o’clock came and there was no sign of dawn. At seven o’clock, there was still no ray of light. At noon, it was as black as midnight. No birds sang and only the hoot of an owl broke the silence. Then came the long black hours of the afternoon. Finally evening arrived but no one slept that night. Some wept, some wrung their hands in anguish. Every church was thronged with people on their knees. Thus they remained the whole night through. After that long night of terror and agony, millions of eager, tear-streaked faces were turned toward the east. When the sky began to grow red and the sun rose, there was a loud shout of joy. Millions of lips said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” because the sun had risen after one day of darkness.

  The very consistency of God’s blessings sometimes seems to dull our gratitude. The wonderful thing about the mercies of God is that they are fresh every morning and new every evening. Let us remember to be constantly thankful to our gracious God.

1 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 376.

_____

As we continue our study “Under The Influence” we are reminded that we are to avoid the negative things that would control us, but rather seek to be controlled by certain things on purpose. When believers become yielded to the Holy Spirit’s influence with a song on their lips for others to hear, and in their hearts for God to hear, a constant anthem of thanksgiving is the next logical thing to add to the sweet spirit of a believer. Each element builds upon the other to direct a believer’s steps, use of time, and depth of understanding. By listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the encouragements of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs, and humbly yielding to the will of God, we can find ourselves under the influence of gratitude.

ALWAYS Give Thanks.

Ephesians 5:20 KJV

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

33.349 ??????????a; ??????????, ?? f: to express gratitude for benefits or blessings—‘to thank, thanksgiving, thankfulness.’

??????????a: ?? ???????????? ???? ?? ??? ?????????; ‘why should anyone revile me about that for which I thank God?’ 1 Cor 10:30.

??????????: ???? ??????????? ?? ???????? ???? ?????????? ???? ??? ???? ‘let your requests be made known to God with thanksgiving’ Php 4:6.

Thanks is often expressed in highly idiomatic ways. For example, in some languages one says thank you by saying ‘may God pay you.’ Such a phrase may be so standardized as to even be used in expressing thankfulness to God himself. In other instances, thankfulness may be expressed as ‘you have made my heart warm1

1 Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 427–428.

__

The obligation of thankfulness to God for “mercies countless as the sands” holds the premier place. That we exist depends on the Creator’s fiat, and that our days are passed in comparative tranquillity or within the verge of divine illumination we owe to His lovingkindness. All our positive blessings are of His bestowal. Our very deprivations and trials, frowning providences, as we deem them, if we are His by grace as well as nature, come to us as benedictions in disguise. Were we in full accord with His will we should receive them as such, like Job at the high-water mark of his faith. The Lord’s sovereign dispensations are matter for gratitude, not for murmuring.

Trials must and will befall;

But with humble faith to see

Love inscribed upon them all,

That is happiness to me.

The mixed yarn of life, woven in the loom of heaven by the Father of mercies, traces a perfect design for those “in Christ,” and their thanksgivings should reascend to Him through their mediatorial All-in-all.1

1 E. K. Simpson and F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Ephesians and the Colossians, The New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1957), 126.

Jonah 2:9 KJV

But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

Colossians 3:17 KJV

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Hebrews 13:15 KJV

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

**Eph 5:20 a slide**

An evergreen is always green despite the changes in weather around it. It is green in the heat of summer as well as the cold of winter. So also our lives are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes around us. When the heat of a pressured week or the deadly cold of pain strikes us, we should stand “ever green,” always thankful, regardless of that which surrounds us1

1 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 375.

Give Thanks for EVERYTHING

Ephesians 5:20 KJV

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 And now, the Spirit-filled believer will be a thankful believer. “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Oh, but,” you say, “there are some things I cannot give thanks for, there are some things so hard, so difficult to bear, there are some things that lacerate my very soul.” Wait a moment. Have you ever undergone a serious physical operation as a result of which you have been delivered from something that was just wearing out your very life? When you had to undergo it, it seemed very hard, but as you look back upon it, can you not give thanks for the surgeon’s knife, can you not give thanks for the very sufferings you had to endure because of the blessed after-result? Very well, Christian, some day.

“When we stand with Christ in glory,

Looking o’er life’s finished story,”

We shall see as we cannot now just why all the hard things were permitted, and how God our Father was seeking to set us free from hindrances and from encumbrances, by pruning the branches from which He wished to get fruit for Himself. In that day we will thank Him for all the sorrow as well as for all the joy. In faith let us do it now.

Nothing can come to me but what His love allows. “All things work together for good,” and so a Spirit-filled believer will be loyal and submissive, not the kind who tosses his head and says, “I am not going to have anybody dominate me; I will do what I think and what I like.” That is the old walk of our unconverted days, that is the old nature, not the new.1

1 H. A. Ironside, In the Heavenlies : Practical Expository Addresses on the Epistle to the Ephesians. (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1937), 273–274.

___

The early Church was a thankful church. The instinct was to give thanks for all things and in all places and at all times. John Chrysostom, the great preacher of the Church of a later day, had the curious thought that Christians could give thanks even for hell, because hell was a warning to keep them in the right way. The early Church was a thankful church because its members were still dazzled with the wonder that God’s love had stooped to save them; and it was a church that gave thanks because its members had an awareness of being in the hands of God.1

1 William Barclay, The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002), 192.

For The BLESSINGS

Salvation

2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Answers to prayer

Philippians 4:6 KJV

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

God’s Providence

Romans 8:28 KJV

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For TRIALS

Acts 5:41 KJV

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Job 2:10 KJV

But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

** Eph 5 20 b slide**

A little boy was asked by his father to say grace at the table. While the rest of the family waited, the little guy eyed every dish of food his mother had prepared. After the examination, he bowed his head and honestly prayed, “Lord, I don’t like the looks of it, but I thank you for it, and I’ll eat it anyway. Amen.”

1 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 375–376.

Give Thanks Directly to God The Father

Ephesians 5:20 KJV

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Isaiah 63:7 KJV

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, And according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

Jesus Has Given Us Direct Access

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

We Can Both Pray and Praise Boldly

Hebrews 4:16 KJV

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 When believers become yielded to the Holy Spirit’s influence with a song on their lips for others to hear, and in their hearts for God to hear, a constant anthem of thanksgiving is the next logical thing to add to the sweet spirit of a believer. Each element builds upon the other to direct a believer’s steps, use of time, and depth of understanding.  

Since Thankfulness/ Gratitude are based on God’s constant unchanging character. We are to always be thankful. Since God is at work and in control, we should give thanks for all things. Since Jesus paid the price for sin through His Blood, removing the veil of separation between us and God we can bring our thanks directly to God the Father.

By listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the encouragements of Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs, and humbly yielding to the will of God, we can find ourselves under the influence of gratitude.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:36 PM January 16, 2021.

Under The Influence of The Music

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Under the Influence / Gospel Music / Ephesians 5:19

 Back in 1998, researchers found that music stimulates the auditory nerves and creates brain messages that ripple through the body, influencing muscle tone equilibrium and joint flexibility.

 The human heartbeat is especially attuned to sound. As music changes in tempo and volume, it acts as a natural pacemaker. Our breathing slows down or speeds up along with the music.

 A study at Michigan State University found that just 15 minutes of listening to music increases levels of immune chemicals that are vital to protect us against disease.

 The release of cortisol (the “stress hormone”) dropped by up to 25%.

 (Don Campbell, founder of Institute for Music, Health and Education “Bottom Line –Tomorrow” Sept 1998 p. 9)

 ILLUS: Then in 2001, scientists were amazed to find that music is able to help heal the body.

 • Burn victims, encouraged to sing while having their dressing changed, experienced less pain.

 • Cancer patients who listened to – and practiced with – musical instruments, saw their levels of stress hormones drop and their immune systems get stronger.

 Professor Richard Fratianne observed: “By helping patients relax, music eases pain and may even speed recovery,” (Peter Jaret Reader’s Digest 9/01)

 From a sermon by Jeff Strite, B Joyful, 11/15/2009

Last week we discovered that the quality and use of our walk, our time, and our wisdom will be determined upon what influence we are under. We saw that it is possible to be filled with or under the influence of alcohol or other things that would control us.. and that influence would lead to an outcome that would be displeasing to God. On the other hand, we discovered that if we are under the influence, or filled with the Holy Spirit, we will not be fulfilling the lusts of the flesh and we will be pleasing to God.

This week as we continue our series “Under The Influence”, we will discover that we are to speak to ourselves, to others, and to God through both melody and lyrics. We are to be under the influence of music.

Speak To Yourselves Through Music

King James Version Eph 5:19a

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…

 Psalms -Psalms are religious songs, especially those sung to a musical accompaniment, and par excellence an o.t. psalm;

Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader (Eph 5:18). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

  Psalms—psalmos—a pulling or twitching, or twanging with the fingers.

  The sound of the cithara; a harp. A song sung to a stringed instrument. Same with Col. 3:16.1

1 W. A. Haynes, The Beautiful Word Pictures of the Epistle to the Ephesians: Or, the Busy Man’s Commentary upon the Bible (Caney, KS: Busy Man’s Bible Company, 1911), 176.

James 5:13 KJV

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

In Jas. 5:13 it is psallo—to sing songs of praise, whether accompanied with instrumental music or not, but especially with instruments.1

1 W. A. Haynes, The Beautiful Word Pictures of the Epistle to the Ephesians: Or, the Busy Man’s Commentary upon the Bible (Caney, KS: Busy Man’s Bible Company, 1911), 176.

Hymns -hymns are properly speaking songs of praise;

“Spiritual songs” probably refers to Spirit-inspired songs (cf. 1 Chron 25:1–6), possibly spontaneous, which would clearly distinguish Christian worship from nearly all worship in antiquity (cf. 1 Cor 14:15).

1 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Eph 5:19.

The Music Is Supposed To Move You

John 4:23 KJV

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Worship in spirit = worship with passion and emotion. This emotion will be naturally expressed with certain physical expressions. See what natural expressions occur in Biblical praise and worship:

Ezekiel 25:6–7 KJV

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel; 

Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.

Psalm 47:1 KJV

O clap your hands, all ye people; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Psalm 47:5–6 KJV

God is gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 

Sing praises to God, sing praises: Sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

Psalm 33:2–3 KJV

Praise the LORD with harp: Sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 

Sing unto him a new song; Play skilfully with a loud noise.

Psalm 51:14 KJV

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Psalm 5:11 KJV

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 35:27 KJV

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: Yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, Which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Psalm 65:13 KJV

The pastures are clothed with flocks; The valleys also are covered over with corn; They shout for joy, they also sing.

Psalm 30:11 KJV

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Psalm 149:3 KJV

Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psalm 150:4 KJV

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: Praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Speak To Each Other Through Music

Colossians 3:16 KJV

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.

Psalm 40:3 KJV

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

That is one way to edify each other in the assembly.

Hebrews 10:24–25 KJV

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

So music then in church is not just about you, it is about your brother and sister. Your singing may move you… but it may also may move those around you. Do not cheat your brethren by not singing with all your heart. Do not throw a wet blanket on the flames fanned by the Holy Spirit because your particular musical taste is not being catered to at the moment.

 People complain about the new music. Remember, hymns used to be the new music!

 What is wrong with the inspiring hymns we grew up with? When I go to church, it is to worship God, not to be distracted with learning a new song. Last Sunday’s was particularly unnerving. The song was un-singable and the harmonies were quite distorting. (Letter in 1890 about the hymn “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”

Speak To God Through Your Music

King James Version Eph 5:19b

… singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord

 • God listens to what no one else can hear, the sounds of your heart.

 • God hears the song stuck in your head.

 • Does God enjoy listening to your heart’s playlist?

 • Your heart will put the songs you listen to most often on repeat… will God be honored?

 • We reach each other with the songs and lyrics coming out of our mouth.

 • We honor God with the songs and melodies playing in our hearts.

Psalm 86:12 KJV

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: And I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psalm 105:3 KJV

Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

 A man named Jack Hinton was on a short-term mission’s trip to the island of Tobago. He was leading worship at the leper colony there and there was time for one more song, so he asked if anyone had a request.

 A woman who had been facing away from the pulpit turned around.

 “It was the most hideous face I had ever seen,” Hinton said. “The woman’s nose and ears were entirely gone. The disease had destroyed her lips as well. She lifted a fingerless hand in the air and asked, ‘Can we sing Count Your Many Blessings?’”

 Overcome with emotion, Hinton left the service.

 He was followed by another team member who said, “Jack, I guess you’ll never be able to sing that song again.”

 “Yes I will,” he replied, “but I’ll never sing the same way.”

From a sermon by Jeff Strite, B Joyful, 11/15/2009

The quality and use of our walk, our time, and our wisdom will be determined upon what influence we are under. Be under the influence of the right music. Be under the influence of godly lyrics backed up with skillful accompaniment – Psalms. Be under the influence of songs of praise – Hymns. Be under the influence of songs fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit – Spiritual Songs. Sing to yourselves. Sing among yourselves. Do it so often that your heart picks up the play list and then God gets to listen to the music only the both of you can enjoy together as it rings in your heart. This is what it is to be under the influence of Music.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:13 PM January 7, 2021.