An Evening of Praise

Posted by on January 3, 1999 under Sermons

Songs play an important role in worship and an important role in scripture. Many of the psalms were songs sung when Israel worshipped God. Several statements in the New Testament were either songs or parts of songs that were sung in the early church.

A number of statements in Paul’s writings were likely songs sung in the early church.

  • Ephesians 5:14
    Awake, sleeper,
    And arise from the dead,
    And Christ will shine on you.
  • 1 Timothy 1:17
    Now to the King eternal,
    immortal, invisible,
    the only God,
    be honor and glory
    forever and ever. Amen.
  • 1 Timothy 6:15,16
    He who is the blessed and only Sovereign,
    the King of kings and Lord of lords,
    who alone possesses immortality
    and dwells in unapproachable light,
    whom no man has seen or can see.
    To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
  • 1 Timothy 3:16
    By common confession,
    great is the mystery of godliness:
    He who was revealed in the flesh,
    Was vindicated in the Spirit,
    Seen by angels,
    Proclaimed among the nations,
    Believed on in the world,
    Taken up in glory.
  • Revelation 5:9,10 writes about a “new” song that was sung in heaven.
    Worthy are You to take the book
    and to break its seals;
    for You were slain,
    and purchased for God with Your blood
    men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
    You have made them to be a kingdom
    and priests to our God;
    and they will reign upon the earth.

This evening I want us to read some scriptures and sing some of the songs that came from those scriptures.

  • Reading: Psalm 23

    Song #134 – “The Lord’s My Shepherd”

  • Reading: Psalm 25:1-3

    Song #794 – “Unto Thee, O Lord”

  • Reading: Psalm 40:1-3

    Song #608 – “He Gave Me A Song”

  • Reading: Psalm 100

    Song #103 – “He Has Made Me Glad”

  • Reading: Hebrews 12:22-24

    Song #718 – “We Shall Assemble”

  • Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

    Song #791 – “On Bended Knee”

What does it mean to be God’s people? It means many things. But one thing it means above all other things is that we seek God first. God and His purposes come before everything else.

God wants you as His child. Jesus wants to forgive your sins and give the gift of righteousness. The Spirit wants you to see God as the God who loves and Jesus as the Savior who loves you. We want you to be baptized into Christ. We want you to renew your commitment to godliness.

Since the invitation is given by Jesus, let’s allow him to make it. After I share with you this reading, we will stand and sing our invitation song.

Matthew 6:33 – “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Invitation Song #555 – “Seek Ye First”