be filled with the Spirit... singing
When the Apostle Paul exhorted the church in Ephesus to "be filled with the Spirit...," he was constrasting this Spirit-filled potential with drunkenness. "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit..." (Ephesians 5:18).
The thought here is that one may give himself over to the Spirit of God -- to be wholly influenced and directed. Paul's vision is that the church experience this Spirit-filled blessing together as a congregation of believers, for they are to sing together, "...addressing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19).
I think it is important to note that the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs flowed out from the congregation's willingness to yield themselves fully to the Holy Spirit. This sense of abandonment to God stands in direct contrast to the losing of oneself in strong drink. Being willing to surrender fully to the rich working of God's Spirit seems to be the precursor to glorious music in the church.
In my next post, I'll touch on Paul's similar message to the Colossian church, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly... singing!"
The thought here is that one may give himself over to the Spirit of God -- to be wholly influenced and directed. Paul's vision is that the church experience this Spirit-filled blessing together as a congregation of believers, for they are to sing together, "...addressing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19).
I think it is important to note that the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs flowed out from the congregation's willingness to yield themselves fully to the Holy Spirit. This sense of abandonment to God stands in direct contrast to the losing of oneself in strong drink. Being willing to surrender fully to the rich working of God's Spirit seems to be the precursor to glorious music in the church.
In my next post, I'll touch on Paul's similar message to the Colossian church, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly... singing!"
posted by Robert W Moore at
9:46:00 PM
2 Comments:
Thanks for this encouragement Pastor. Singing seems to be the ticket to happiness for the Reuters right now. We are moving, as David has probably already told you, to Blue Springs, Missouri, which is about 4 hrs. from Ponca. We are a little saddened about moving, but all the signs of this move spell God's strong will in this particular will. Maybe we can even cook up a football game sometime in Ponca!
By
Anonymous, at Thu Mar 02, 01:30:00 PM PST
Dad,
Another great post! Being led by the Spirit in worship ties into my recent post on showing the fruit of the Spirit in joy. We are to shout, sing, play instruments, clap, and dance!
Elizabeth
By
Elizabeth Pruett, at Fri Mar 03, 07:54:00 AM PST
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