Jump Start # 3918
1 Corinthians 14:26 “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”
The Corinthians had questions. Several times in this first letter to the church, we find the expression, “Now concerning,” (7:1; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1), implying that Paul was now going through a list of their questions. Wouldn’t it be great to ask an apostle a question?
Chapters 12-14 are a unit answering the question about spiritual gifts. These were miraculous gifts given by God for the purpose of edifying the church. The Corinthians got things tangled up with these gifts and jealously and pride had nearly ruined what should have been a wonderful blessing from God. Paul has to iron out all these wrinkles in their thinking. Lots of thoughts about the proper use of these gifts and how to get along with one another are found in these chapters. The love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, is part of this bigger picture about how to get along properly with one another.
In our verse today, Paul lists five of these special spiritual gifts. We find similar lists several times in these chapters. Listed among these gifts in our verse today is “hymn.” The NAS uses the word “Psalm.” This wasn’t a song leader who walked to the front of the crowd with a song book in his hand to lead a song. This gift, like prophecy, tongues or interpretation, was Heaven sent. This was part of the spiritual gifts.
A hymn from Heaven—what a wonderful thought that is. Was it just the words? Was it the tune? You know if it came from Heaven it had to be perfect. God’s music.
Here are some thoughts:
First, music is important to God and important to us. When sending gifts to help the church, God included hymns. God’s music is heard in the sound of a song bird, the gentle falling rain, the clap of thunder, a babbling brook, the coo of a baby, the purr of a kitten. God included hymns.
We learn so many things through songs. We learned the A-B-Cs, the books of the Bible, the names of the apostles, judges all through cute children’s songs. In our worship, singing is one of the great ways we all can participate. The preacher preachers and the audience listens. In prayer, one leads the prayer and we listen and pray in our hearts. But in singing, we all verbally express our love for the Lord.
And music has a wonderful way of stirring our emotions. Every school has a fight song. We have patriotic songs that bring honor to our hearts. There are scary songs that makes a movie even scarier. Songs take us back in time. And, spiritually, songs teach. Many of our hymns ask questions. Some of them remind us of great truths and principles. God included a hymn.
Second, singing is something that we all can do. Not all can nor should preach. Not all can teach. Not all are comfortable leading a prayer, but we all can sing. We may not sing well, but we can sing. Some are very gifted with a deep understanding of music. Others know when we reach the end of the page, the song stops and that’s about it. But, they can sing. And, singing is something you can do without others. Singing is something that can change the atmosphere and mood of yourself and others. Singing is something that reminds you of the grace and blessings of our Lord. God included hymns.
Third, singing can enhance our worship or it can be a real drain. Song leaders trying to lead songs that they do not know quickly falls apart. At the congregation I’m a part of, our song leaders reach out early in the week to the preachers and try to coordinate songs with the sermon. Our song leaders do a great job of thinking about their roles and setting a worshipful atmosphere on Sunday. Guys first learning to lead singing can be encouraged and helped by the seasoned song leaders. Tips, insights and guidance can help them get better and better. And, leading singing isn’t a gift for all of us. Find what you are good at and then get better.
In the midst of tongues, prophecy, spiritual knowledge and wisdom, God included hymns. They were important to God and they need to be important to us.
A hymn from Heaven…what a thought!
Roger