Eld Chew Chong Kiat

Congregational or choir singing is not a performance, entertainment or something to do to kill time while we wait or before we start our actual service or meeting. Singing is worship, instruction and admonition as described in Colossians 3:16, “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.”

When Christians sing such songs, they are ministering to one another and worshipping God. But before we can do so, we need to have the following prerequisites:

I.   “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”  

This implies that we need to ensure the words we sing align with the words of Christ. Thank God for a diligent committee that has vetted our hymnal and all songs that are presented by the choirs. But we need to be diligent in examining whether what we sing is according to the Word of God. God will not use or bless the words that are not His. We must sing with such understanding and conviction and let these words that are expressed in the song dwell in us richly, till they overflow to others who hear or sing with us. That means that these words of God are believed, loved and obeyed by the singer. It presumes that those who sing are born again and that these words of Christ are not just in their heads but also experienced by them. When we sing as such, our singing will be a blessing to all around us, and our singing will be acceptable worship to God. God calls this “worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.” The Holy Spirit who indwells all His children will use the words of Christ to build us up in grace and knowledge of God.

What joy and delight will be experienced by all worshippers when they are so influenced by the words of Christ and express them in songs to one another and to God! Suitable choice of hymns in response to a call to worship, or after responsive reading and especially a closing hymn that expresses the words of Christ preached and understood by all, is such a great blessing. The congregation can, with one voice, echo the truth in the song, teaching and admonishing one another and singing with thanksgiving to God.

II.   The Two-Fold Ministry of Singing

“…teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (highlight added)

There is the horizontal fold to one another and the vertical fold to the Lord.

Once we are saturated with the Word of God richly, we can be used by God to serve one another, and our ministry in song will be acceptable worship to the Lord.

A.   Singing TO ONE ANOTHER: “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs…”

(i)   Teaching (instructing): Singing is a teaching ministry in the church. The lyrics declare what we believe about God and the duties that God has given to us in His words. And with the use of a suitable tune, our singing carries that message to our hearts and minds. Through the songs we remind one another of God's truth, character, and promises.

(ii)   Admonishing (warning & exhortation): Through the singing, God the Holy Spirit can use His words to convict, rebuke, correct and comfort the saints. He can also draw a sinner to salvation and a prodigal to come home.

B.   Singing TO GOD: “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”

This is the vertical ministry in singing. "Singing with grace” means singing with thanks, joy and gratitude in our hearts. Our singing is not a technical performance but one from heart to heart and from mind to mind of one another, and a worship to God; it is a sweet savour sacrifice to God as He is exalted, and His words are honoured in the song.

May we remember this two-fold ministry every time we sing, that we may sing in the Spirit and with understanding. God can use our singing to build us up and to honour His own name. As we sing, be conscious that we are ministering to one another as a congregation, and above all, to worship the God above, in making an offering to His glory.

And of course, we cannot do so without God’s help. All will be in vain without the blessing of His own Holy Spirit.

III.   Do so In His name and with Thanksgiving

“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.”

This verse should regulate our lives, more than our singing, in all our words and deeds.  

Two rules should regulate our words and deeds:

(i)   “[do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”, i.e. as one who represents Christ, doing so in faith that God will help us and use us to be a testimony to Him. This means that we only have one identity: Christians bearing the name of Christ, in every calling in our lives. “Will Christ approve and put His name into our word and deed?” In the context, can we sing in the name of the Lord Jesus?

(ii)  “giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Can what we say and do come from a thankful heart? Thankfulness is rare in our society; let us shine by being thankful, not grudgingly but cheerfully. Singing is an expression of thankfulness. Let us enter into His gates with thanksgiving. (Psalm 100). Amen.