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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
October 12, 2025
◘Qualities of Great Sacred Music
Ephesians 5:15-20
Introduction
This morning my sermon will be a modified version of what I preached at our men’s conference at the end of last month. I was assigned the topic, What Makes a Hymn Great? The answer is, of course, I like it! However, that criteria is subjective and in conflict with others who like what they like and not always what I like. ◘This morning we cut through personal preferences to examine several Scriptures that reveal what God desires on the expanded topic of Qualities of Great Sacred Music. Music written to the honor and glory of God whether it is used directly in worship, praise or petition of Him, or recounting what He has done, or extolling His character reflected in His creation and life on this earth.
My sermon will focus on the lyrics of a song, but I will make a few comments about the music itself. Though I am not a musician, I do understand church music well having sung in church choirs since I was in grammar school until my early 50’s, and having led worship singing in many contexts for at least 40 years. That includes choosing the hymns for our worship services here for several decades until my sons were able to take that over. I have a very good understanding of hymnology and singing as a part of personal and corporate worship.
◘Determining the qualities of great sacred music begins with proper Biblical theology. The lack of that is the reason so many songs supposedly written for worship of God are weak, pointless, insipid and even heretical. While that problem has certainly been getting worse over the last forty years, it stretches back through history. You cannot write lyrics that will properly praise, honor and magnify God if you do not know Him, and you cannot know Him if you do not know what He has revealed about Himself in His word. Biblical ignorance results in lyrics reflecting that ignorance.
◘We could easily spend weeks digging into the Psalms as the basis for understanding proper worship music and what can make sacred music great. Many of our great hymns come directly from, or are paraphrases of, or include sections of various Psalms. Examples include: Thy Word (Amy Grant – Psalm 119:15); Cleanse Me (J. Edwin Orr – Psalm 139:23); Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him (Psalm 148); Surely Goodness & Mercy (John W. Peterson & Alfred B. Smith – Psalm 23): Give to Our God Immortal Praise (Isaac Watts – Psalm 136): Jesus Shall Reign (Isaac Watts – Psalm 72); A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Martin Luther – Psalm 46). However, I want to set this into a New Testament context, so turn to Ephesians 5.
◘Context – Ephesians 5:15-20
Context is always critical to properly understanding any Scripture passage, so let me set that for you quickly. Paul’s letter to the saints at Ephesus has two related themes. ◘The first is the position of the believer in Christ which is covered in the first 3 chapters. Saints are chosen in Christ to become holy and blameless before God, adopted as sons of God through the redemption that comes from the blood of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. The sealing of the Spirit is the guarantee of God’s promises to believers. Salvation is a radical change by which we who were dead in our trespasses and sin are made alive in Christ by God’s grace alone through faith alone in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone, so that we would walk in the good works which God prepared before hand and no longer according to the course of this world, according to Satan and the desires of our own flesh and mind. We are reconciled and joined with all other believers into one body regardless of ethnic and cultural differences that once separated us. That is Paul’s example and prayer.
◘Chapters 4-6 are the practical applications of the truths explained in the first three chapters with each subject set within a theme of walking. Walk worthy of God’s calling in 4:1-16 being unified because there is one body, one Spirit, one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of all who is over all and through all in all. He has gifted to the church men who can equip the saints for the work of service, and He has given gifts to each individual believer so that the whole body can mature as each part interconnects with and strengthens the whole.
◘Ephesians 4:17-32 directs believers to walk no longer as the Gentiles in futility of minds with darkened understanding, ignorance and hardened hearts due to sin. The behavior of the Christian is to be radically different demonstrated by speaking truth, not sinning even when angry, laboring to provide for ourselves and others, speaking in ways to build up and give grace, and being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving one another even as God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus
◘Ephesians 5:1-14 gives the command to be imitators of God as His children. This includes the commands to walk in love and walk in the light. Paul gives more detail about proper behavior and speech set in contrast to the sinful ones. Believers are to be without immorality, impurity, filthiness, silly talk, course jesting, covetousness, idolatry, deeds of darkness because we are to be imitators of God and the sacrificial love of Christ.
◘Ephesians 5:15-6:9 addresses several specific issues all under the theme of being careful to “walk, not as unwise men, but as wise.” It is the first portion of this passage we will examine this morning, but it also covers family and work relationships. Ephesians 6:10-20 deals with standing firm in the midst of spiritual warfare by making sure you have put on your spiritual armor.
◘Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs – Ephesians 5:15-20
Follow along as I read Ephesians 5:15-20. I am using the LSB – 15 Therefore look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 On account of this, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
◘Verse 19 deals with music within an immediate context of walking in wisdom set in the flow of thought as an expression of redeeming the time, understanding the will of the Lord, and being filled with the Spirit. All set in the larger context of living a radically different life because you have been redeemed and made alive in Christ so that you will be holy and blameless before God which is to bring about a unity in the church as each member sacrificially strives to build one another up that the whole body may mature.
Let me give you some quick definitions of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and then I am going to go back through the context of this passage and apply what is said in the flow of thought leading up to their proper usage. And since the phrase psalms, hymns and spiritual songs also occurs in Colossians 3:16, I will also be making references to it. The context of that verse is a passage describing the characteristics and behavior of those who have been chosen of God.
◘Psalms – The Hebrew word for Psalm actually means “melody” and could be used in reference to what is produced by musical instruments or voice, and most often together. Many of the Old Testament Psalms include musical notations or references to instrumentation in their introduction. In the New Testament, the Greek term translated as psalm (yalmovV / psalmos) is primarily used to refer to the Old Testament Psalms. Those Psalms magnify God primarily by focus on the nature and work of God, especially in relation to the life of a believer. ◘A modern Psalm would be Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him which is based in Psalm 148. However, since the Greek term for psalm actually means “twitching or twanging with the fingers” in reference to striking a musical instrument, it can also have a broader meaning in referring to music of any type (1 Cor. 14:26?). That may be the case here, and so would include instrumentals that are played unto the Lord.
◘Hymns. A hymn (u{mnoV / hymnos) is a song with religious content, and generally is one of praise. Usage in this verse differs from a Psalm only in that the praise is primarily of the Lord Jesus Christ, though in Colossians 3:16 it is to God. Many scholars believe that certain scripture passages such as Colossians 1:12-16 were used in this manner. Modern Hymns would include songs such as Worthy is the Lamb, In Christ Alone, and Immortal, Invisible.
◘Spiritual songs – This is a broad category of any song with spiritual content, and in this context and in Colossians 3:16, spiritual truths and experiences sung unto or about the Lord Jesus or God. This would include “new songs” about things the Lord has recently done, testimonials, and personal expressions of worship including commitment. Many of our modern choruses fit into this category as well as songs such as He Touched Me, When We All Get to Heaven, The Power of the Cross, Amazing Grace, and As the Deer.
◘That last song brings up the point that there does not need to be debate as to what category a particular song belongs. The first stanza of As the Deer is taken from Psalm 42:1, and the second and third stanzas combine declarations about the position and actions of Christ with personal commitment to Him. Sacred music encompasses all three of these categories and every combination of them.
◘Qualities of Great Music
Most people judge music by their personal preferences. The music is great if they like and not so if they don’t. That is a terrible way to determine what is truly good and great. I like lima beans, field peas and Brussel sprouts. A lot of you have the opposite opinions. I know that my son Jonathan does not like Brussel sprouts, but he wrote a song that begins with advocating them as being good for you. ◘Truth prevails over personal taste. Great sacred music is not determined by personal preference, in fact, a great hymn that has been part of Christian worship for hundreds of years judges you. If you don’t recognize its great character, then the problem lies with you.
The context of Ephesians 5:15-20 gives the characteristics by which the quality of sacred music can be evaluated. I am also going to include the characteristics that are part of Colossians 3:16 which states. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.”
◘Wisdom – Ephesians 5:15. The first quality of all great music is wisdom, which in simple terms and in reference to Christians, is the ability to apply knowledge and understanding in the daily affairs of life in harmony with God’s revelation. To walk in wisdom then is to take knowledge and apply it in all areas of life with the goal of doing God’s will. That is why the command in verse 17 to understand the will of the Lord is set in contrast to being foolish. ◘The particular word there for foolishness (a{frwn / afrōn) means “without mind, without understanding.” Ultimately, foolishness is living as if there is no God. Atheists and agnostics are quite blatant in this, but even professing Christians often think and behave as if God is not present and involved in every aspect of their lives. They act as practical atheists, and that is foolishness.
◘Any music, poetry, prose or story that is great will exhibit this godly wisdom. It will express the will of the Lord on any subject it may be addressing. If it lacks godly wisdom, it may be popular, it may be well written, it may be performed exquisitely, but it will not be great. It will at best be a work of wood, hay, stubble that is burned up when judge by God (1 Cor. 3:12). If it is foolish, it will bring His condemnation.
◘Redeeming the time – Ephesians 5:16. This next category is a practical application of wisdom – “redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” The idea here is to make the most or best use of your time as translated in the NASB & ESV. This is much more than just a call to be a good time manager since Paul uses the word kairovV / kairos here instead of crovnoV / chronos which is the measurement of time. From it we get our word “chronometer” as in a clock. KairovV / kairos designates a measured, allocated or fixed season. It refers to the specific periods of time that are given to you to accomplish particular tasks. It is used in 1 Peter 1:17 to describe “the time of your stay” (upon earth) in which to fulfill the command to be holy as God is holy in the previous verse. ◘In other words, God has only given you a certain length of time to dwell on the earth and accomplish whatever it is you are going to accomplish with your life. That is also the point of Psalm 90 in which Moses calls on God to “Teach us to number our days, That we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom” (vs. 12). Consider this short poem
When as a child I laughed and wept; Time crept
When as a youth, I dreamed and talked; Time walked
When I became a full-grown man; Time ran
And later, as I older grew; Time flew
Soon I shall find while traveling on; Time gone.
◘The idea of making the most of your time is to order your life according to God’s priorities. Follow the example of Jesus who never rushed, but kept steadily moving forward to accomplish the will of the Father. He knew His human need for food and both physical and mental rest, and therefore He kept the balance of communion with His Father and practical ministry to people. He never got caught up in the tyranny of the urgent which often controls our lives. Paul’s point here is that time is precious for it is a stream that flows swiftly by, so make sure you use it according to your God given priorities, ◘and that will include the proper worship of God which includes music, and the proper church body life in interacting with other believers with Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to teach and admonish.
◘Great music will not waste your time. It will redeem the time by being part of fulfilling one or more God given priorities or remind you and help you pursue those priorities. That brings up verse 17.
◘Understand the will of the Lord – Ephesians 5:17. Music is powerful in teaching, and those being entertained by it can easily forget that. While enjoying the tune, rhythm and harmony of a song, don’t forget it has a message which could be good or evil, meaningful or nonsensical. Redeeming the time means your musical choices will be for what is good and meaningful while avoiding the nonsensical and shunning evil, the profane and idle babbling (2 Tim. 2:16). Whether the music used is in church or for personal worship, content is critical because songs proclaim and instruct. ◘Scripture set to music is easier to memorize and therefore to apply its instructions to life. Biblical theology set to music proclaims the nature and character of God and His will. That is why hymns such as Immortal, Invisible and “Holy, Holy Holy, Lord God Almighty are so rich and worthy to memorize and sing often. The life of Christ and hope of His return is summarized in the hymn, One Day. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross tells of His crucifixion, Christ Arose His resurrection, We Shall Behold Him His return for His church, and I’ll Fly Away the Christian’s hope of eternal life with Christ.
◘Music is also very useful in both teaching and admonition. It can be used to instruct us and encourage us to lives holy before God as well as warn us about straying from God’s will into sin. Just as I Am and I Know Whom I Have Believe points to salvation from sin through faith in Christ. May the Mind of Christ, My Savior encourages yielding every aspect of life to following Christ. Trust and Obey also instructs on basic truths in living the Christian life, while Higher Ground enthusiastically encourages that pursuit. I Will Remember Thee instructs on taking Communion. Rescue the Perishing encourages evangelism and missions. I Must Tell Jesus gives instruction on prayer. Cleanse Me, taken from Psalm 139:23, seeks repentance, cleansing and revival. I could go on in this vein for a long time, but I think you get the point. But are these the type of songs we memorize and sing to ourselves when alone and to and with others?
◘My wife says that at times she feels like she is living in a musical because I am often humming, whistling or softly singing some song, often some kind of hymn. And if it is not that, I may be playing a recordings of Christian music, especially hymns and gospel quartets. That quality may be in me due to it being instilled as I grew up singing hymns at church, in choirs, small groups and at home. Perhaps it has been a pursuit of what is stated here in Eph. 5:17 and Col. 3:16 without really thinking about it. But it is worth thinking about and pursuing. As I my wife and I were raising our family, music was purposely part of our family devotions. When the church purchased new hymnals, I got a copy and we went through the whole hymnal so that we could become familiar with them. We memorized some of them. We figured out others but did not sing them twice. Some had theological problems which could be fixed with a few word changes, and a few were too flawed to redeem and use at all.
◘This brings up a serious warning. Be very careful of what music you allow into your life. Music, including sacred music, can be used for good or evil, and there is a lot of sacred music that is pablum and worth little, and worse are the songs that are aberrant or even outright heretical in its theology. Don’t learn bad theology from poorly written or heretical music. For example, I will not allow There is a Fountain Filled with Blood to be used in our worship services and I will not sing it. Why? Even given poetic license, there is no “fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins,” and tragically, that song created a false theology as if it was teaching a Biblical truth – one that borders on heresy. Jesus’ nature is both divine and human, but his human, physical blood flowed out, dried and decomposed. It was not caught up to heaven and stored in a fountain in which sinners are metaphorically plunged to cleanse them from sin. Am I making too big a deal about this? Perhaps, but I have had people claim it is heresy not to believe that. ◘Sacred music that is not careful in what it teaches can be poor, bad or even evil. Great sacred music is Biblically sound and theological correct. The lyrics have clarity and are easily understood. Songs with meaningless phrases or poetic expressions that leave you guessing as to their meaning are not good songs.
◘Be Filled with the Spirit – Ephesians 5:18 is often misunderstood because of a wrong usage within Charismatic circles to make it a reference to speaking in tongues due to being baptized by the Spirit. ◘Aside from the fact that all true believers are by one Spirit baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13), and any spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7), the verb used here for filled (pljrovw / plēroō) is a present, passive imperative. ◘It is a command that must be continually done by allowing something to be done to you. Being filled with the Spirit is the continuous yielding to the Spirit to do His work in you. What is that? It is clearly understood by it being set in contrast to being drunk with wine. ◘It is to be influenced, controlled by the Spirit in the same way that wine influences someone that is drunk. The Spirit directs you in what you do. This is accomplished by believing what God has said to yield to Him and step out in faith to do what He says trusting Him for the future results. ◘As you step out in faith, the Spirit abiding in you empowers and enables you to accomplish His will. The Holy Spirit changes your heart toward God and His will which is then demonstrated in how you life your life, and in this passage, a specific evidence of that will be your praise of Him individually and corporately.
◘Speaking, Singing & Making Melody with Your Heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19. Speaking is from lalevw / laleo and its root meaning is what it sounds like: la, la, la. It is to make a sound. The word is used of trumpets, peals of thunder, and of birds chirping, though its origin is probably from the chatter of children as they are first learning to talk. It can be any sound offered to God from a Spirit filled heart. It could be a musical instrument of some type whether purposeful or improvised since the verb form of Psalm translated as melody here is used at the end of the verse. ◘To make melody, yavllw / Psallō, is to pluck on a stringed instrument, especially the hand harp, to which someone would often sing. That is the reference here since the speaking / sound is in an understandable language expressed in the lyrics of the psalm, hymn or spiritual song.
◘Singing, a[/dw / adō, simply means to utter words in a melodic pattern – sing with the voice. You may sing well or you may sing poorly. You may only be able to carry a tune in a bucket, but God still wants you to sing. And no, you cannot take refuge in the translations that read “making melody in your heart” ◘since the verb here is in the dative case showing relationship, not location, and so its meaning is “with your heart” as in the NASB, LSB & ESV. True worship of the Lord arises from within your soul to be expressed with your heart, the core of your being, and not just either emotions or intellect. Both of those will be involved because of your core beliefs about God and life. Music is to be an element of your worship of God.
◘Always Giving Thanks for All Things – Eph. 5:20. Thankfulness in all things is a mark of salvation because the unsaved can only give thanks for the things they like. Christians can give thanks even in the midst of trouble and sorrow because we know our God is sovereign and works all things out for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). Thanksgiving is a mark of wisdom because it is living according to reality. That includes recognizing your need for God’s provision and intervention in every point in life. Wisdom results in thankfulness to God for all that He does. Thanksgiving is a mark of maturity, for it is the mature that understand that the purpose of their existence is for the Lord’s glory and not their own. The mature can even be thankful for the negative aspects of life because God can still be glorified in them. Thanksgiving is a mark of worship for it is a yielding to properly give praise and glory to God in all circumstances. It bows before Him in humble submission seeking His will and glory. Music is a means by which such thanksgiving can be expressed.
◘Colossians 3:16
Colossians 3:16 is a parallel verse, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God.” Its context is putting on the “new self,” so we can add the following to the qualities found in great sacred music.
◘The Word of Christ Dwelling in You Richly – Great sacred music arises from the Scriptures abiding in you. The greater you know the Bible, the greater you can produce and / or participate in great sacred music because it reflects your own heart that has been transformed by the word of God. Great sacred music arises from the content of the Scriptures and their effect on the worshiper of God.
◘Biblical ignorance results in songs that range from poor to heretical in lyrics. It is not hard to find those in modern Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) because, tragically, the vast majority of professing Christians in the United States are very Biblically ignorant. The better ones may read some sort of very short 1/4 page devotional which may direct them to read a Scripture passage, but few actually read the Bible on a regular basis, much fewer study it, and extremely few have read the whole Bible. Musicians that do not know the Bible cannot produce great sacred music. Even if it gets a point or two correct, it will not have theological depth. Worshipers that do not know the Bible can only sing in ignorance because they do not have a reference to discern if the lyrics are true or not. The song, Days of Elijah, is a very upbeat song that was very popular, but the lyrics are contrary to reality. These are not the days of Elijah, Moses, Ezekiel, David or Jubilee. People sang enthusiastically about things that are not true while learning bad theology.
◘Biblical ignorance and wrong motivation often combine to result in poor musical quality. The music becomes a exhibition of “look at me” instead of a performance of “look at God.” A “rock star wanna be” may handle their instrument well, but they cannot lead in true worship because their own self centered heart cannot reflect that.
I have already pointed out the importance of teaching and admonition in sacred music, so I don’t need to repeat that. While great sacred music has a vertical component of pointing to God, it can also have a horizontal component of teaching people about God and His will and warning them not to stray from living for Him.
◘Quality in Congregational Music
I want to make a just few quick points about qualities in the music itself that determines if it is great or not for congregational worship. While styles and genre can vary greatly, high quality music will have these characteristics.
◘First, tune and words are complimentary. Joyful lyrics should be sung to a joyful tune. Laments match a mournful dirge.
◘Second, a great tune is both melodious and memorable, and those qualities are found more often in a tune that is modest. A complex tune is difficult for most people to follow and therefore makes the song hard to learn. The music should be written and played to enhance the ability of normal people to join in instead of either overpowering or confusing them.
◘Third is being singable. If the key is too high or low, or too great in range of scale, most people will not be able to sing it. Leave complex and difficult songs for trained musicians and singers to perform to the Lord with the congregation giving the Amen. Trying to get a congregation to imitate a performance song will frustrate some and exclude others from participation simply because it is beyond their abilities.
◘Conclusions
To quickly summarize, great sacred music – Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs – will have more than one of the following components. The greater the clarity and accuracy of those components, the greater that sacred music can be. Having any component that is the opposite of these results in music that will range from poor to heretical. ◘Great sacred music has lyrics that are:
Full of Wisdom. Applies knowledge of truth to life in the pursuit of doing God’s will
Redeem the time. Keeps and points to the proper priorities in life
Understand the will of the Lord. It explains and proclaims the Lord’s will
Be filled with the Spirit. Has the quality of being in submission to God’s Spirit and encourages submission & obedience to God.
◘Speaking, Singing & Making Melody with Your Heart to the Lord. It expresses the core of a person’s being – their heart – both individually and corporately to the Lord and God.
◘Always Giving Thanks for All Things. It reflects Christian maturity that trusts God in all circumstances. Its lyrics can express joy in good things, but can also be deep and rich in the realities of life with both laments and thanksgiving in troubles and trials
◘The Word of Christ Dwelling in You Richly. It is Biblically based and theologically sound.
Teaching and admonishing one another. It instructs in truth about God and His will, encouraging submission to Him and / or warning of consequences to fail to do so.
◘Congregational music that compliments the lyrics, is melodious, memorable, modest and singable. The vast majority of the congregation will be able to fairly easily participate. Complex songs are performed unto the Lord as special music by trained musicians and singers with the congregation giving the Amen.
Sermon Notes – 10/12/2025
Qualities of Great Sacred Music – Eph. 5:15-20; Col. 3:16
Introduction
Great sacred music is written to the _______________of God – worship, praise, petition, testimony, teaching
Great sacred music starts with proper _______theology – the lack of which results in poor to heretical music
A study of the ______is foundational for understanding great sacred music. Many hymns come from Psalms
Context – Ephesians 5:15-20
Eph. 1-3: The Believer’s __________in Christ. Chosen, redeemed, made alive, sealed, joined to church
Eph. 4-6: The Believer’s __________in Christ. Walk worthy of God’s calling – unified & serving in church
Eph. 4:17-32: Walk no longer as the Gentiles with _____mind, darkened understanding, ignorant, hard heart
Eph. 5:1-14: Be imitators of God walking in ________and in the light – live as a contrast to the Gentiles
Eph. 5:15-6:9: _____, not as unwise, but as wise. Eph. 5:15-6:9 – _____firm against the schemes of the devil
Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs
Instructions on music are in the context of walking as ____in the larger context of walking worthy of calling
Psalms = “melody” – played with ______________with or without voice. Usually refers to O.T. Psalms
This category includes ___________set & sung to music, but could also include instrumentals
Hymns = religious songs, usually of __________, to Christ or God the Father
Spiritual songs = a broad category of any song with ________content – including “new songs,” testimonials
A song can fit into one or __________of these categories
Qualities of Great Sacred Music – Ephesians 5:15-20; Colossians 3:16
Great Sacred Music is not judged by personal taste – ________prevails over preferences
Wisdom – Eph. 5:15. _________knowledge & understanding in daily life in harmony with God’s revelation
Foolishness – “without mind, understanding” – it is living as if there is _____ God (Psalm 14)
Any music, poetry, prose or story that is great will exhibit this __________ wisdom
Redeeming the time – Eph. 5:16. Making the most / __________ use of time.
Your time is __________, use it wisely (Psalm 90)
Order your life according to God’s ___________- follow the example of Jesus
Great music will not _________your time and will encourage you toward to wise pursuit of godly priorities
Understand the will of the Lord – Eph. 5:17. Music is a powerful means of ____________
________set to music is easier to memorize. Music can instruct on the character & nature of God & His will
Music can teach & _____________toward living a holy life and avoiding evil
Great sacred music should be part of ________, family, small group & congregational worship & edification
Be careful of music of little worth, and ________music with aberrant or heretical theology
Sacred music that is not careful in what it teaches can be poor, bad or even _________
Be Filled with the Spirit – Eph. 5:18 does not refer to or is manifested by “speaking in ____________”
______believers are baptized by the Spirit, and any spiritual gift manifests the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7, 13)
Be filled is a present, passive meaning it is done _______________by yielding to the Spirit
The Holy Spirit should ___________your thoughts & behavior – in similar way that wine influences a drunk
The Spirit abides in the believer, so step out in faith in ___________and He changes your heart & empowers
Speaking, Singing & Making Melody with Your Heart to the Lord – Eph. 5:19. Speaking = make _____
To make melody is to ___________on a string instrument – often accompanied by singing
Singing is to utter words in a _____________pattern – this is done _____your heart – the core of your being
Always Giving Thanks for All Things – Eph. 5:20.
________________in everything is a mark of salvation, wisdom & maturity – music is a way to express that
Colossians 3:16 – set in a context of putting on the “new self” to live a ___________life
The Word of Christ Dwelling in You Richly – Great music arises from the _____________abiding in you
Biblical ignorance results in songs that range from poor to heretical in ___________
Biblical ignorance often combines with wrong motivation to result in poor __________quality for worship
Quality in Congregational Music
The musical tune and words are _______________
A great musical tune is melodious, _____________ and usually modest
Great congregational music is _____________
Conclusions – Great Sacred music will have more than one of the following characteristics:
Lyrics that are: *____________, *Redeem the time, *Understand the will of the Lord, *Filled with the Spirit
*Speaking, singing & making melody with your heart to the Lord. *___________giving thanks to the Lord
*The word of Christ dwelling richly. *Teaching & __________________ one another.
Congregational music that is complimentary, melodious, memorable, modest & ____________
KIDS KORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children: Draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following:1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times “music” is mentioned. Talk with your parents about the qualities of great music and how learning music & singing can help in your own worship of the Lord.
THINK ABOUT IT! – Questions to consider / discuss with others. What is the importance of the Psalms in determining great sacred music? Why is Biblical theology important in music? What is the context of Ephesians? Book? Section? Chapter? Passage? Define the meaning each: Psalm, Hymn, Spiritual Song. Describe how each of the following characteristics will affect the quality of sacred music: Wisdom; redeeming the time; understand the will of the Lord; be filled with the Spirit; Speaking / singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things; the word of Christ dwelling richly. What is the danger of Biblical ignorance in music? What qualities make a musical tune great for congregational singing?
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