Online Lesson - Sunday, April 12, 2020 pm
“Let him sing psalms”
James 5:13
Singing is an integral part of our worship to God.
It can and should be part of our public worship, as we read in
Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 14:15.
In these texts we find it to be something done together as we are
teaching and admonishing one another.
But it is also something we can do in praise to God
at other times, such as in our homes or even when we are apart from
brethren. Our text (James
5:13) notes that if one is joyful, let him sing psalms.
Acts 16:25 finds Paul and Silas in prison singing praises to God
and praying. Prisoners were
listening. A study of the
psalms and the Old Law showed it was something done often, again both
publicly and privately.
Because of our present circumstances we are apart
from one another and unable to assemble as we normally do, but we can
still worship and that includes singing.
So with that in mind, in this lesson I want to notice a few of
the songs we sing from time to time when we are together, but they are
also songs that can be a source of encouragement to us in our homes or
even when we are alone.
That will be our study for tonight.
NOTE: I would like to post these songs and even
lead us in singing them, but there are copyrights laws that I am unsure
of. While our songbook has
many songs that are now public domain (free to use in copying and
sharing), copyright laws are technical and the law – something we should
NOT break. I am not sure
which songs (or verses) are which.
So, let me encourage you to consider the message of these songs
and perhaps in your homes, with your families, sing them together.
If you do not have access to song books, just ask and we will
get you what you need somehow.
Unlike when I pick a single song and examine the
message of each verse, in this talk I’m just going to talk briefly about
some songs and perhaps highlight some of the wording.
I will then pause for a few seconds and if you like, pause the
video and sing the song, or just wait for the message to resume.
The numbers are from Sacred Selections, the book we typically
use.
a.
#477 – Blessed assurance –
There are times in our lives where our faith is being tested, some times
are greater than others.
How do we do on those occasions?
Many of the songs we sing deal with our faith, some directly and many
indirectly, but they serve as reminders that we need a strong faith.
What is faith? Hebrews 11:1
reminds us that Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen. The NASB
says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for”.
The point is our faith is based upon our belief of and trust in
God and His word. Truly it
is a “Blessed assurance”.
Hebrews 10:22-23 notes that because Jesus Christ is our High Priest, we
can draw near to God with full assurance of faith….
Such gives us hope.
This reminds us of how we can with complete assurance (trust) believe
God and His promises of a place much better than this one – in heaven.
Are we waiting for that and will we tell others about it?
On quick observation – in vs. 2 we read about “visions of rapture now
burst on my site.” The word
“rapture” today is associated with a belief that there will be a sudden
disappearance of the godly while the rest of the world is left behind.
I do not believe that is what scripture teaches.
It teaches that there will be one day of judgment for all mankind
– Jesus Himself taught that in John 5:28-29, where He said, ALL who
are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have
done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to
the resurrection of condemnation.
But when this song was published in 1873 by Fanny J. Crosby, that was
likely not the meaning. The
word “rapture” simply means an ecstatic or overwhelming feeling or
emotion. The point is one
thinking about how wonderful heaven is going to be.
When we think about the blessed assurance of heaven, may that
enter our minds.
Now consider the song, “Blessed Assurance”
b.
#33 – My faith looks up to Thee
– Hebrews 12:1-2 speaks of how we are to run the race of life looking to
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
This song reminds us of that fact.
Within we find He is the source of our sins being removed.
We also find a request that in Him we be strengthened in zeal.
And finally, in vs. 3, a commitment to let Him guide us even in
the darkest of times. (Cf.
Hebrews 13:5, we live without covetousness, and in contentment
looking to His promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
Now consider, “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”
c.
#231 – Faith is the
Victory – 1 John 5:4. We live in a broken world, filled with
sorrows and even much evil.
The Bible addresses this battle that we are in – Ephesians 6:10-18
describes the nature of our battle and encourages us to put on the armor
of God. As we fight this
battle we need the shield of faith.
And our faith is a tool that will help us overcome the world.
This song reminds us of the armor
of God as we engage in this spiritual battle.
Now consider, “Faith is the Victory”
a.
#120 – The Solid Rock -
Not only do we faith as we live this life.
We need hope. This
morning we addressed the importance of our hope, now more than ever, if
you will.
Sometimes, as we sing songs can remind ourselves of the source of our
hope.
One such song is The Solid Rock.
It reminds us of the solid foundation that our hope is build
upon. 1 Corinthians 10:4
while addressing Israel in the wilderness, it notes that they drank of
that spiritual rock that followed them, “and that Rock was Christ.”
Without going into great detail about this text, let us note that
Jesus is a solid foundation upon which we build our hope.
Remember how Jesus concluded the Sermon on the mount with the
parable of two builders (Matthew 7:24-27).
Upon what are you building your hope?
This song reminds us there is nothing more solid to depend upon than our
Lord. Everything about Him,
from His sacrifice, to the stormy times, to His promises, and ultimately
His return. Are you standing
on the Rock.
One quick observation about the final verse, When He returns we
want to be found in Him. The
expression “dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand
before the throne” should not mean that we have no part in our salvation
– for we MUST remain faithful and take care of our sins.
BUT in all understand, forgiveness would NOT be possible if it
were not for His perfect righteousness that made an acceptable
sacrifice. NOTE 1 John 2:1 –
He is the righteous.
Let us now consider “The Solid Rock”
b.
#495 – We have an anchor –
Hebrews 6:19.
Another song about our hope is We have an anchor.
It reminds us that in all we do in this life, our hope and faith
need to be anchored at the throne of God in heaven.
In other words, we let our hope of heaven keep us steady
throughout this life.
This is a song that describes this anchor and why it needs to be our
anchor.
Let us consider, “WE Have an Anchor”
a.
#28 – My Jesus I Love Thee,
1 John 4:17-19 – we love Him because He first loved us.
In these times (and always), we ought to consider our love for
God and Jesus. We consider
how He loved and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20, John 3:16), and
how we ought to love Him and let that govern our conduct and attitudes.
This song reminds us how we ought to love Him at all times.
Let us consider “My Jesus I Love Thee”
b.
#112 – Angry words.
In addition to loving our Lord, we need to love our brethren.
That doesn’t change because we are not able to see each other as
we would normally do. This
song reminds us of the second greatest commandment (Matthew 2:37-40 –
and the first). Remember
John 13:34-35 where Jesus gave “a new commandment”.
Be reminded that in this Jesus is saying the world is watching
and they have the right to judge us by the way we love each other.
This song reminds us to think about our attitudes, actions and words.
Let us now consider this song, “Angry words”
IV.
Miscellaneous songs
a.
#361 - This World Is Not My Home.
We know of the uncertainties of this life.
Everything in this life is vanity.
As we are seeing, the best of prosperity can evaporate in a
moment for so many. Be
reminded that our life is a vapor that appears for a little while and
then vanishes away (James 4:14).
But as Christians, we live knowing there is something better
waiting for us on the other side of eternity.
Be reminded that here we are merely sojourners and pilgrims – 1
Peter 2:11.
This song reminds us that this world is not our home.
As the attached verse notes, Where is your treasure? (Matthew
6:19-21)
Let us consider, “This World is Not My Home”
b.
#483 - After the Shadows.
This is a song that reminds us to remain faithful.
It also reminds us that whatever face in this life is temporary.
As the psalmist said in Psalm 30:5, For His anger is but for a
moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy
comes in the morning.
This song is a great reminder when we are going through troubling times.
WE may be experiencing storms, shadows and battles, but
afterward, all will be well.
If not in this life, if we remain faithful, it certainly will in the
life to come.
Let us consider, “After the Shadows”
c.
#561 - It is well with my soul
– a song we sing quite often is a beautiful and a favorite of many.
The back story adds great meaning.
It was written by Horatio Stafford in 1873 after much tragedy.
Living on the shores of Lake Michigan, he lost everything in the
great fire of Chicago in 1871.
Two years later, planned a European trip for his family.
As they crossed the Atlantic, the ship his wife and 4 daughters
was on was struck by another vessel and sank in about 12 minutes many
perished including his 4 daughters.
When his wife arrived in she wired him a message, “Saved alone”.
As Spafford immediately left to join his wife, when they came
near the location of the ship wreck, Spafford was told about it.
At that time, the words to “It is Well” were penned.
As you think of troubling times, remember, it is about attitude.
This song reminds us that no matter what happens, It is going to
be ok. And we need to accept
that as we trust in God and live in faith.
Let us now consider, “It is well with my soul.”
And there we have a few songs of encouragement.
It is my hope that in this lesson we can see the value of song,
especially spiritual songs, as we go through this life as Christians.
I would like to conclude with one final song.
#633 - Prepare to meet thy God.
Times of troubles always remind us that life is uncertain and we
do not know when our Lord is going to return.
Therefore, we must ALWAYS be prepared.
If you are not prepared to stand before God, let me encourage you
to take whatever steps you need to take.
We are ready to help you with this if that is your need.
Let us now consider this final song.
Thank you for joining us in this study this
evening. If you would, let
us pray. The lesson is
yours.