A Singing and Shouting Church

In the heart of every believer lies an innate desire to connect with God and express that connection through worship. Today, we delve into the essence of why our faith calls for a vibrant and expressive worship experience. The idea of a “Singing and Shouting Church” encapsulates not only the joy of worship but also the transformative power of celebrating God’s presence in our lives.

The Power of Scripture

Scripture serves as the foundation for understanding our relationship with God. It is through the Word that we see and know Jesus, and in doing so, we discover the depths of His love and grace. The more we engage with the Bible, the more we uncover its layers, revealing a God who is continually inviting us into a deeper relationship.

Every encounter with Scripture should lead us to a greater understanding of who God is. As we read, we should expect our perceptions to evolve; we should never reach a point where we feel we have “seen it all.” Instead, we should anticipate a continual revelation that draws us closer to Him, transforming us into His likeness.

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This transformation is not just personal; it equips us to bring His light into the world. As we embody His character, we become agents of change, illuminating the darkness around us. The world desperately needs this light, and it is through our worship and obedience that we can shine brightly.

Understanding Light and Darkness

Light and darkness are central themes in our faith. Scripture tells us that darkness cannot coexist with light. The moment we turn on the light, darkness flees. This is a powerful metaphor for our lives as Christians. When we become enlightened through God’s Word, we are empowered to dispel darkness in our personal lives, families, and communities.

As we train ourselves to see God through special revelation—His Word—we develop the ability to recognize His presence in the world around us. This includes seeing His handiwork in creation, in history, and in the lives of those we encounter. The challenge is to align our experiences with the truths of Scripture, allowing God to open our eyes to His attributes.

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When we grasp the reality that God is intricately involved in every aspect of our lives, we begin to perceive His glory everywhere. This awareness should ignite a passion within us to share that light with others, reflecting His love and grace in all interactions.

God’s Jealous Love and Judgment

In Zephaniah 3:8-13, we see a profound depiction of God’s jealousy—His desire for us to experience the fullness of life as He intended. This jealousy is not petty or sinful; rather, it stems from a deep love for His creation. God’s judgment is not merely punitive but restorative. It seeks to cleanse the world of unrighteousness and liberate those trapped in sin.

Judgment, in this sense, serves a dual purpose: it vindicates the righteous while liberating the oppressed. God’s heart is always inclined toward restoration, and He desires that all people come to know Him. As we understand this, we recognize the importance of our role in purifying the church and transforming the world.

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When we embrace God’s call to purity, we position ourselves as vessels for His glory. The remnant of His people is called to live in righteousness, speaking truth and love in all circumstances. This commitment to holiness empowers us to make a significant impact in our communities.

Rejoicing in the Lord

The command to “Shout to the Lord” is not merely an invitation; it is a directive from God. Zephaniah 3:14-17 encourages us to rejoice wholeheartedly. Yet, how can we fulfill this command when we may feel unworthy or burdened by life’s challenges? The key lies in understanding God’s perspective of us.

God rejoices over us not because we are perfect, but because He chooses to forget our shortcomings and remember our potential. Jeremiah 31:33-34 illustrates this beautifully: God promises to forget our sins and remember us as His beloved people. This divine forgiveness empowers us to embrace joy and worship wholeheartedly.

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When we grasp the magnitude of God’s love and grace, we cannot help but respond with joy. This joy is not contingent on our circumstances; it is rooted in the knowledge that we are deeply loved and accepted by our Creator. As we engage in worship, we participate in an eternal song of praise that echoes throughout all of creation.

Creating a Culture of Worship

As a church, we are called to cultivate an atmosphere of worship that celebrates God’s goodness. This environment is marked by joy, unity, and a commitment to uplifting one another. When we gather, we should expect to encounter the presence of God, which should compel us to sing and shout in response to His greatness.

Worship is not confined to music; it encompasses every aspect of our lives. Colossians 3:16 encourages us to let the message of Christ dwell among us richly, teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This mutual encouragement fosters a culture where we spur one another on in faith and love.

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As we practice rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in all circumstances, we create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can move freely. This is the essence of being a “Singing and Shouting Church.” Our worship should reflect the heart of God and invite others to experience His transformative love.

Conclusion: The Call to Sing and Shout

In conclusion, we are called to be a church that sings and shouts in celebration of God’s love and grace. Our worship is a powerful declaration of the light that dispels darkness. As we embrace our identity as His beloved children, we can confidently rejoice in the truth that He is with us, fighting our battles and rejoicing over us with gladness.

Let us commit to being a community that embodies joy and worship, reflecting the heart of God in every aspect of our lives. May our voices rise in unison, declaring His greatness and inviting the world to join in this beautiful song of praise.

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A Singing and Shouting Church

(Sermon Outline)

1. Why I love scripture.
   1. The goal is to see and know Jesus: through the things He says and does.  Everything he says reveals His heart and who He is.
   1. The more we know Him, the more beautiful and glorious He becomes in our perception.
   1. We grow to love Him and desire to be more like Him.  It is part of seeing and becoming.
   1. His words are transformative – we come to know the truth that sets us free.
   1. We become like him and bring His light into the world.
   1. Another exciting reality is that as we train ourselves to see the Lord through special revelation, we begin to see Him more and more through general revelation. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY EXCITING
   1. As we are enlightened through scripture, our world becomes enlightened and we begin to see the Lord more and more alive, active and moving in our midst and in the world.
2. A glimpse of the Lord through Zephaniah
   1. Context: Zephaniah 3:8-13
      1. Out of His jealousy, God is going to bring judgment on the earth for a purpose: Zephaniah 3:9 (NKJV) — 9 “For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the Lord, To serve Him with one accord.
      1. He is going to bring impact the whole world and His strategy is to purify the church. The result is: Zephaniah 3:13 (NKJV) — 13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”
      1. This shows God’s heart and purposes in the earth.  As we have been studying, if we expect God’s promises in history it changes how we act in the world.  It also gives us strategy, because it was all dependent on purifying a bride.  It is the outcome of a purified bride – HOW WE EXPECT PURIFICATION IS ESSENTIAL.
         1. John 15:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
   1. PASSAGE: Zephaniah 3:14–17 (NKJV) — 14 Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! (WHY? THAT COMMANDMENT CAN BE OPPRESSIVE IF IT ISN’T GROUNDED IN SEEING THE LORD) 15 The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. 17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
      1. We love because He has first loved us.
      1. Singing is part of God’s design and has its root in God.
         1. Job 38:4–7 (NKJV) — 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
      1. The normal Spirit in the church that will transform the world. 
      1. Theology adopted a passionless God from Greek philosophy so that all expressions of emotion are considered anthropomorphisms to communicate to human beings.
      1. General revelation – invisible attributes
         1. Man as image bearer.
            1. What is true of human experience teaches us about God.
            1. I often ask people, does God laugh?
         1. God sings!  He loves music! 
         1. The doctrine of the spheres.
   1. THE BIG QUESTION IS HOW GOD CAN SING OVER US WHEN WE KNOW HOW IMPERFECT WE ARE?
      1. This is the key to creating a transformed community that will change the world.
3. What God forgets so He can remember:
   1. Jeremiah 31:33–34 (NKJV) — 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” (THIS LAST CLAUSE IS THE KEY CONCERNING THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF THE NEW COVENANT WHICH IS KNOWING GOD AND HAVING FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM).
   1. The importance of fellowship and relationship
   1. What is truly satisfying in life is not keeping rules but enjoying God and one another. 
      1. One element of “the rules” is that when we love one another we want to bless rather than harm others.
      1. What I am not saying is best said by Paul: Romans 6:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
   1. WHAT WE REMEMBER AND WHAT WE FORGET IS AT THE HEART OF BUILDING AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY THAT WILL TRANSFORM THE WORLD.
      1. Choosing to forget and remember is paradoxically the way we create a culture where people become set free from sin – motivated by love and not fear.
      1. IT IS ABOUT MANIFESTING THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH – HIS RULE AND REIGN MADE TANGIBLE – A CULTURE OF LIFE.
      1. Zephaniah 3:13 (NKJV) — 13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.” (RESULT OF KEEPING THE LAW) – THE NEW COVENANT IS ABOUT EMPOWERMENT TO LOVE GOD AND ONE ANOTHER – WHICH IS KEEPING THE LAW
4. The New Testament is often about teaching us the laws of the Spirit that cause us to keep the laws of God.
   1. Another element of “keeping the rules” is focusing on the rules that will cause us to walk in love and build transformative culture.
   1. We already referenced abiding in Christ (to bear much fruit).
   1. It is about manifesting the kingdom, so we need a simple definition of the kingdom to pursue: Romans 14:17–18 (NKJV) — 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (external rules), but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
   1. If you prefer to focus on rules, then here is the rule of life for today:  1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 (NKJV) — 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
   1. There seems to be an intentional order in this passage.  (Start working the passage backward)
   1. Before and after the will of God for us.
   1. It seems like rejoicing always is a good description of the heart of God and naturally expresses itself in song.
   1. Revelation 15:1–4a (NKJV) — 1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.
5. Conclusion
   1. God’s word reveals the heart of God to us to ultimate reveal it in us and in the world.
   1. God passionately loves us and sings to us because of what He chooses to remember and forget.
   1. The transformation of the world begins in the purifying of the church.
   1. What we remember and forget and the songs we sing rooted in our revelation of God will transform the world.
   1. Let us 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NKJV) — 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
   1. Zephaniah 3:14 (NKJV) — 14 Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
   1. A singing and shouting church.