"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
This is a significant text instructing us as to public worship. It is not a secret that many churches have been divided because of different tastes and preferences regarding the style and content of the central worship hour on Sunday. It would be helpful for those of us who regard the scripture as authoritative to find a text that gives guidance to that experience. I believe this text does so. First, we hear Paul giving not a suggestion but a command. He has proven that his heart is for the benefit of the people and the glory of God. He is not pandering to some age group or popular style. He is concerned for the welfare of all believers who desire to continue the journey with Christ in the world. He knows what is essential and addresses it. Secondly, he focuses on the centrality of Christ. It is the "Word of Christ" that must be front and center. Trends and contemporary subjects must all be subjected to the words of and about Christ. Some have contended that this phrase refers to the specific personal words individuals receive as they worship. I think rather it refers to the whole body of truth regarding Christ. It would include the Old Testament projections, prophecies, and promises, as well as the actual words and works of Christ we now have recorded in the gospels, along with the comments found in the epistles. (Of course, at that time the New Testament Canon had not been completed. The church was depending on the apostolic authority of Paul and others.) I am convinced, that one of the reasons so many people are not being drawn to modern church services is because of the lack of this focus. The central focus of most modern services is the comfort and aid of the listener. We are taught how to improve ourselves so that we can better cope with life. We like to be entertained and affirmed even without the message of the cross of Christ. We can sit through a major portion of the singing without ever knowing to whom or about whom we are singing. God is mentioned, but the worship is not distinctively Christian. There are many gods but only one Jesus Christ. The sermons are short pithy thoughts about self-improvement or long exhortations to try harder, and the songs magnify the angst of the writer and his or her longing for a higher/deeper intimacy with someone -- presumably God. Few references are made to the historicity of God's story and the magnificent life, death, and resurrection of Christ. The Word of Christ must be the subject of the song, as well as the sermon. Notice that the NIV accurately emphasizes that the singing equips as well as the spoken word. People learn from what they sing. I often ask pastors if they can tell me the gist of even one of John or Charles Wesley's sermons. Rarely can anyone even name a sermon title or theme. Then I ask them to name and quote a Wesley hymn. They can go on for an extended time recounting them. Theology -- both good and bad -- is confirmed in what we sing. Songs (psalms, hymns and spiritual songs) that do not feature the "Word of Christ" should be avoided in public worship. Celebrating the author's longings and experiences might identify with our own struggles, but only the "Word of Christ" will bring life to the spirit. What can we do? We can become so captured with the "Word of Christ" that we miss it when it is absent in church. Then we can pleasantly demand that our worship focus there. True pastors want to preach the riches of Christ. They will be glad to hear that we want to hear it. They will begin to mentor their singers and writers so that what we sing educates the believers, as well as exalts Christ.
SYNERGY - Better Together: October 01, 2010 click for more > Five Pillars of New Testament Discipleship: : October 15, 2010 click for more > Family Reunion Retreat: December 03, 2010 click for more >
