Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, November 18

This Sunday we will continue our sermon series “Grate-ful” by examining Paul’s use of the word “thankful” in the book of Colossians.  Thankfulness is one of Paul’s primary themes in Colossians.  

As you prepare for worship this week I encourage you to read through Colossians.  To read through its four chapters will take you less than 30 minutes. (I’m a slow reader, and it takes me 15 minutes to read Colossians)    Read it out loud, and note the times Paul mentions “thanks” or “thanksgiving”. (1:3; 1:12; 2:6-7; 3:15; 3:16; 3:17; 4:2)

In Colossians 3: 15-17 we read:

(15) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (17) And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Verse 16 says singing is to be an important part of the worship we offer to God.  Our singing is to be Scripturally centered, “singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” that proclaim “the word of Christ”.    Our songs are to be sung “to God” and they should come from “your hearts”.  So, worship is not a cold, emotionless religious exercise.

In his book, “The Singing God”, Sam Storms writes:

       “Singing enables the soul to express deeply felt emotions that mere speaking cannot. Singing channels our spiritual energy in a way that nothing else can. Singing evokes an intensity of mind and spirit. It opens the door to ideas, feelings, and affections that otherwise might have remained forever imprisoned in the depths of one’s heart.

       Singing gives focus and clarity to what words alone often make fuzzy. It lifts our hearts to new heights of contemplation. It stirs our hope to unprecedented levels of expectancy and delight. Singing sensitizes. It softens the soul to hear God’s voice and quickens the will to obey.  

       Nothing else can do for me what music does. It bathes otherwise arid ideas in refreshing waters. It empowers my wandering mind to concentrate with energetic intensity. It stirs my heart to tell the Lord just how much I love Him, again and again and again, without the slightest tinge of repetitive boredom” (p. 22).

This Sunday we will sing the familiar chorus I’m Forever Grateful. You can hear it here.  Take the time to sing this song as a part of your own private or family worship.   Sing it to God.  Sing it from your heart.  Sing it with thanksgiving. 

You did not wait for me to draw near to You,

But You clothed Yourself with frail humanity;

You did not wait for me to cry out to You,

But You let me hear Your voice calling me.

And I'm Forever Grateful to You

I'm Forever Grateful for The Cross

I'm Forever Grateful to You

That You came to seek and save the lost.