We should be encouraged by the great truths we sing every Sunday.  You may not have noticed, but we purposefully choose music that explains God’s character, His attributes and the Gospel.  Our hearts should be set on the Gospel.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” Likewise, the Gospel must be in our songs.  The only thing that should cause Christians to sing, respond and engage in worship, is the truth of the Gospel.

I must admit that at times my heart has been tempted to manipulate the emotions of the saints by utilizing music. At times, I’ve wanted for believers to respond to the music and not to the truth of the Gospel.  Therefore I constantly repent, guard and examine my heart to make sure that it is all about the Gospel.  Our focus should not be in manipulating the saints through cool music, complex arrangements or killer drum beats.  The Gospel is the only thing that should excite me, the other musicians and all those whom we lead in corporate praise.

The musical talents anyone has come from God. James 1:17 teaches that all good things and every perfect gift comes from above. What we have is only by his grace. No one deserves, or even earned, the ability to sing, play musical instruments, understand musical concepts and rhythm.  All that we have is a stewardship, entrusted to us by God.

All that we are and all that we do is by the grace of God.  Its all a stewardship.  That simple truth should cause us to sing praises wholeheartedly and encourage others to see the greatness of God.  We have been saved by grace and we worship utilizing the gifts and strength given to us by grace. We serve one another by grace.  All that we are and do is by God’s grace.

Yet, as stewards, we are called to pursue godly character and humility. In our ministry to one another and in our conversations on Sundays, let us strive to be more like Christ. Let us learn and practice together the principles of humility found in Philippians 2:5-8.
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Thanks for allowing me to lead and join you in singing praise as we model Christ together.