Truthymusic

Truthy Music We have focused more on style than on substance.







A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I.

Ps. 146:2 Ps. 149:1 Ps. 147:1 The subject is more than music – it is worship What music is God-like?? Music is the creation of God, before there were any humans Job 38:4-7 Music is a reflection of Godʼs nature Zeph 3:17 – God sings over his people They have never found a people group that doesnʼt laugh, worship, or sing 1. So, There is a difference between singing and music

I am going to try to focus on what music is supposed to be, and focus on errors at another time...

I.





















Purpose for Music A. Biblical 1. Music is very close to praise and worship a. 1st song ex 15 1. they sang to the Lord  2. praise for deliverance b. last song rev 15:3-4 – song of the lamb 1. he says it is only for praise and worship and turn their hearts toward God 2. What God creates, Satan tries to pervert a. music is a gift from God b. he will use it for his plans and purposes 1. to communicate a false message 2. a way to teach a lie – it is immoral 3. to put rebellion into hearts – the message matters! 3. Characteristics of music in worship a. Music should express the work of the Spirit b. Eph 5:18 – to one another 1. a variety of singing a. the psalms b. hymns – with a melody and rhythm c. spiritual songs – prompted by the spirit – testimonial, improvised c. should expound the scriptures col 3:16 let the word… 1. teaching each other and admonishing in song! 2. the message must be biblical – from the Bible comes the song and admonition d. it must be understandable – 1 cor 14 1. if people cant understand it, they cant be led in worship 2. if the message isnʼt understood, it doesnʼt edify 4. It will exalt the Savior – the Spirit said He would exalt the Savior B. Practical Purposes for music  1. Because it is a message that we need to know.   2. Because it is memorable and we don't remember things easily.   3. We need to meditate and be reminded of themes.   4. It is many messages in one service and how they relate to one topic, 





5. 6.



7. 8. 9.

a. like victory in Jesus, it gives 4 ways that we have experienced victory.   It puts emphasis on a truth To have our emotions stirred by truth -  a. what they are supposed to be stirred by  instead of all the junk we allow them to be stirred by To worship To meditate To say things outloud that we never say any other time - ʻo for a thousand tongues to singʼ

I.



Why do we not sing a song? A. To sound good B. To make sure we say all the words C. To memorize D. To enjoy it

I.





What songs to sing? A. Truth  B. Ones that amplify and magnify the truth C. Songs that will lead us deeper and higher and stretch our thoughts and affections,  1. not to tell a temporary story about how I feel and what happened to me -  a. those are valid, but the bulk of our life should be focused on truth D. If they are experiential and testimonial, they should encompass the entire biblical response to an issue, not over-emphasize something that sounds good. E. Worship Music Should Be Intentionally Scriptural -  1. Like the rest of the worship service,  2. Should be filled with biblical quotations, imagery, and allusions (Col. 3:16). In some cases, lyrics should be thought-for-thought paraphrases of the biblical text.  3. When hymns pursue a biblical theme or doctrine, however, the biblical content behind the lyrics should be clear. We should be singing the Scriptures!  F. Further, worship music is able to both express and advance the singerʼs theological understanding.  1. Thus, what we value in hymn texts is not merely creativity or artistry, but biblical and theological accuracy.  2. The songs we sing in worship should be doctrinally rich and meaty. People should meditate on spiritual truths as they sing, both in public worship and in private, so we should be endeavoring to provide fuel for such meditation through theologically astute texts, especially regarding the doctrines of God, Christ, and salvation. G. Should follow a very distinctly biblical thought process!  1. maybe this should be the one main point H. Songs should emphasize that God is absolutely right, and our response maybe there, but isnt the point of the song. 1. The song is about Him, not us I. Songs should emphasize Objective truth, not subjective truth 1. Great is thy faithfulness - Objective  J. Congregational songs should speak truth for everyone  1. (a story-song about peter running around depressed vs I stand redeemed) K. Clear direct truths that you don't have to interpret -  1. songs that you would love to have a lost person hear - not because it would tell them the gospel necessarily, but it would  2. clearly demonstrate something that would at least let them see something they may not fully grasp L. Songs of prayer - scriptural prayer

















I.







II.















M.

Songs of Commitment

What songs NOT to sing A. Ones that make you want to move B. Ones that make you want to shout C. Ones that just sound nice - usually about a bird, or a baby,  D. Ones that find their basis on how good we feel about something God does -  1. it misconstrues God as being good because we understand and like the good things he does for us.   2. We need songs that are heavy on ʻwhatever you want, Lordʼ - “As long as you are glorified” E. Songs that have a traditional and conservative melody and feel or vice versa - it is not style, it is the message being communicated accurately that is important F. Musical Flow 1. Message > musical elements should support the truth, not hinder or contridict >  the singer The heart of the issue is what the Bible says – only rule of faith and practice A. we have read too many books about music instead of reading what the Bible says about music – teaching the commandments of men for the doctrines of God  1. What did Bible music sound like? we donʼt know! B. Variety is what the music of the Bible was like 1. Variety of Types of song a. Psalms – singing directly to God  1. We have sung about God for so long that we are uncomfortable when we sing to him b. Testimonials c. Thanksgiving songs d. Loud – high sounding cymbals e. Reflective – the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence  2. Variety of instruments – harps, stringed instruments, loud sounding cymbals, timbrels, tamberines, stringed instrument, pipe, resounding cymbals 3. Variety of manners a. clapping b. shouting c. lifting up hands 1 tim 2,  d. kneeling  e. shouts of praise ps 150 f. Dancing C. Types 1. Objective truth from God 2. Truth to others 3. Our worship, praise, or 

We donʼt have a style, we go for truth, excellence, and worship.