The Purpose of Music in the Church - Part 3

“...as we worship, we are primarily singing to the Lord, but we’re also singing to one another. More importantly, we are singing biblical truth to one another. This helps to turn our hearts and minds towards Christ as it shapes our thinking and affections to be more in line with God’s will.”

As we continue to look at the purpose of music in the church, we now look at how this relates to us as the congregation. 

In the last two posts under this subject, we’ve been reminded that the first, and primary purpose of using music within the church, is to bring glory to God, because He is worthy. No one else deserves this praise, and what a blessing it is that we can come together as a church and share in praising our Creator. 

We were also reminded that the second purpose is to facilitate the worship of God in spirit and truth. The only reason we can worship God, is because of the incredible sacrifice of Christ on the cross, allowing us, who have been redeemed, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because of that, we can worship God in spirit, through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Secondly, to worship in truth means both our worship, including the songs and words we sing, and the manner in which we worship, must be in accordance with God’s Word.

So continuing now with this week’s post, we are considering how we share the truths of God’s Word with each other as we worship. How does music spiritually nourish and encourage us as believers?

Well, the third purpose of music in the church gives a clear requirement of what worship should encompass, and that is…

To proclaim truth to one another

This is an aspect of worship in song, that I underestimated and didn’t really think much about, for many years - but it’s such an important part of our worship.
 

Of course, as we worship, we are primarily singing to the Lord, but we’re also singing to one another. More importantly, we are singing biblical truth to one another. This helps to turn our hearts and minds towards Christ as it shapes our thinking and affections to be more in line with God’s will. 

We see this in verses like Ephesians 5:19-20, where we are encouraged to be…

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

And also in Colossians 3:16, where it says…

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.

As “iron sharpens iron”, we also, as believers, should be “sharpening” each other through the faithful proclamation of God’s Word, and in the context of worship, this happens through what we are singing. Worship is a time for us to praise God, and to declare the mighty truths about Him, and in doing so, encourage and build-up each other as believers as we consider His majesty. If our worship isn’t proclaiming truth, then we need to reevaluate our choice of songs/words to see if they really are biblically and theologically sound.

So referring back to the question earlier, how does music spiritually nourish and encourage us as believers?

When we sing biblically and theologically sound songs, as a congregation and in worship to God, we are reminding ourselves and proclaiming to each other the truths of God’s Word and His character. 

Consider the words of “Be Still My Soul”:

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side; 

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

in every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heav'nly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

When we sing these words together, as a congregation, we proclaim to each other the truth that the Lord is always on our side, and that His faithfulness endures through every storm, trial, or suffering we might endure. As we sing these words, we are praising God for His steadfast faithfulness and love to us.

So, from a church piano player’s point of view, as we sit behind the piano on the Lord’s Day, let us be mindful that we are facilitating both vertical praise towards God, and also at times, horizontal proclamation of God’s truth towards one another.

[Return to The Church Piano Player Website]

This blog post was written by pastor and pianist Kris Baines, from The Church Piano Player. Kris lives in the UK with his family, having recently moved back New Zealand where he worked as a pastor for the past 26 years (also leading worship/worship teams). Kris has also spent over 35 years writing, recording, and performing music and is now bringing all that combined experience together to help equip church piano/keyboard players.

Check out the church piano player website for more information on online courses by Kris Baines.

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