Worship Articles – GROW magazine

06 Jan

Teaching Each Other In Song

WORSHIP ARTICLE | Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

“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” (Colossians 3:16).

I remember an old couple from over forty years ago. Neither could read a note of music. They sat about halfway back on the far left side in a congregation of over 200 members. He sang like a bull frog and as loud as one and added a unique little lift at the end of a note. She was shrill. A music teacher would shudder. I miss them. They were a godly, dedicated old couple who could teach and praise in song. I hope we can sing together in heaven. Read More →

15 Oct

Sing With The Understanding

WORSHIP ARTICLE | Kevin Kay | Kokomo, Indiana

1 Cor. 14:15: ¹⁵ What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Have you ever been reading along in a book, you get to the end of a page, and you suddenly realize that you have no earthly idea what you’ve just read? It happens to me quite often. We can read without understanding for at least two different reasons. Sometimes it happens because the material we are reading is difficult and complex. However, more often than not, it happens simply because we let our minds wander. We are reading the words, pronouncing them in our minds or even out loud, but our minds are a million miles away. Read More →

20 Jul

1 Corinthians 14 and Edification

WORSHIP ARTICLE | T. Sean Sullivan | Paragould, Arkansas

Introduction:
Being built up in the knowledge of God’s will was different way back when Paul penned the first epistle to the Corinthians. In the early church, before the completion of God’s inspired revelation, the hearts of the brethren were built up by the information given through gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:1-40). Read More →

17 Apr

Instrumental Music in Church History

WORSHIP ARTICLE | William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

We have in previous articles looked at instrumental music in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, and specifically in the book of Revelation. In Revelation, we found instances of the instrumental music to deal with the heavenly realm and not with the worship of the Lord’s church upon the earth. In the Old Testament, we discovered musical instruments were commanded and used in worship in Israel, but acknowledged this was not authority for us, since we are noted that none of the occurrences of instrumental music therein address worship. Rather, every example or command with regard to our worship in song calls for vocal music, not instrumental. Read More →

01 Jan

Instrumental Music in the Book of Revelation

WORSHIP ARTICLE | William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

In the religious world, there is a basic cognizance of the need to conduct ourselves within the confines of God’s authority. The apostle Paul, when writing to the brethren at Colosse implored, “…whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of hte Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). Such demands that we search the Scriptures to know what is and what is not acceptable to the Lord so far as religious practice and doctrine.

When we come to the subject of proper worship in song, just as with any other topic, we must seek to know what pleases the Lord. A practice or teaching may delight us, but we are not the object nor the designer of worship. How does God instruct us to worship in song? Are we to use mechanical instruments, are we to use our voices, or a combination of the two? Read More →

10 Oct

Instrumental Music in the New Testament

WORSHIP ARTICLE | William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

In a previous article, we looked at Instrumental Music in the Old Testament (click here). We noted several instances of instrumental music used in worship as well as direct commands for such. Now, we want to focus on the New Testament. Do we see examples of worship with instruments? Are there any commands to play instruments in worship? What was the manner of music used by the early church as directed by the Spirit-inspired apostles? Read More →

17 Apr

Instrumental Music in the Old Testament

WORSHIP ARTICLE | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

In the search for instrumental music in the Old Testament, one need not go very far. In Genesis 4:21, among the offspring of Cain, we read of Jubal, identified as “…the father of all those who play the harp and flute.” Thus, we have the beginning of instrumental music described for us. From this point onward, we find references to instrumental music in many Old Testament passages. Read More →

28 Jan

Psalm 145 – The Mighty Works, Goodness, and Kingdom of God

WORSHIP ARTICLE | Jeremy Woodman | Kingston, Ontario

The Book of Psalms concludes with a series of psalms that praise the Lord. Some of our most popular hymns, such as “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah”, based on Psalm 148, are directly from this section of scripture. Although there are commonalities between these psalms, each also have a unique focus on various attributes, actions, or characteristics of God that are worthy of praise. For example, in Psalm 145, David focuses on the mighty works of God, the goodness of God, and the kingdom of God. Read More →

08 Oct

Psalm 61 – A Prayer : Returning to God’s Shelter

WORSHIP ARTICLE | Tim McPherson | Bountiful, Utah

Psalm 61 is a prayer we all need to pray. When do we say we need God the most? We need God in times of despair, in times of great sorrow or trouble, when we are possibly feeling distant or separated from God. Yes, many times in life we feel helpless. Who can we turn to? I turn to God. We so desperately express our need for a greater strength beyond mortal wisdom or human counsel. We look longingly for that time of Almighty God’s care. The enemy is trying to tug us away from God. Although the enemy seems to have pulled us away and we may feel in despair, we truly can draw nearer to God. Read More →

05 Jul

Psalm 136 – Give Thanks To The Lord

WORSHIP ARTICLE | Marshall McDaniel | Athens, Alabama

Ingratitude is a symptom of idolatry. Those who reject the Lord do not give thanks: “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21, NASB; see 2 Timothy 3:2). It is sad when people fail to acknowledge the divine source of their blessings! Yet, the people of God know better (or at least, they should). They have experienced the goodness of God and hopefully respond with grace. The short admonition at the end of Colossians 3:15 says it all: “be thankful.” So, what instills within us a sense of authentic gratitude and motivates us to express our thanks to God? An ancient Hebrew song supplies the answer. Read More →