Men…lift your voice and SING!
During the first three weeks in July the men in our church met for what we call our Summer Breakout Sessions. In these gatherings we enjoy the opportunity to fellowship around the table sharing a meal and then spend time worshipping together. There’s much I enjoy about the time we spend together as men encouraging each other in the Lord. One of the most encouraging is listening to these men sing together! Hearing these men lift their voices and sing unashamedly, boldly, and worshipfully was a tremendous blessing.
Unfortunately, the resonant timbre of men’s voices lifted in song is lacking in corporate worship occasions. This is a great loss to the church. There are several reasons why men may not be singing. First, the song selections are outside the range of what many male voices can sing. Ministry leaders should be conscious of selecting songs that fit within the range men can sing. Second, men are often timid in signing because of how they think they sound and what others may think about their singing. At the core this is a pride issue. Remembering that we sing not as a performance but as praise as part of a congregation of collective voices can help fight against this sin. Finally, most men don’t know why they should be singing and not silent. I exhorted our men with the following six reasons to be singing out in worship. I hope they will help you lift your voice and sing as well.
1. Singing is an act of obedience.
Signing isn’t optional for the believer. God commands that we sing (see Psalms, Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). If you’re not signing, you’re not living out the command God has given to us. Our faith is one that sings. Our savior was a singing savior (Mark 14:26). If your faith doesn’t compel you to sing, it may be that your faith isn’t real.
2. Singing teaches us the Word.
All creation sings. Even unbelievers sing. However, the song of the saints resounds with the Word of God. We sing the Word (Colossians 3:16). As we sing the Word, we are learning the Word and leaning about the God of the Word. Our singing then isn’t just an emotional experience but a mental exercise. The songs we sing will often be the theology we remember. J.C. Ryle said, “There is an elevating, stirring, spiritualizing, effect about a thoroughly good hymn, which nothing else can produce. It sticks in men’s memories when texts are forgotten.”
3. Singing encourages the saints.
Our voices singing the truth of God and his gospel is a means of encouraging others in the faith. Paul is clear, as we sing to the Lord we are also singing to one another. Building up the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Men, as you sing well in worship your example of bold belief in gospel truths proclaimed in song is a means of encouraging those around, especially your family worshipping with you.
4. Singing is artillery in spiritual warfare.
Our singing aids us in our fight against sin and evil. In the context of Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5, where Paul writes about the singing of our faith, he is calling for believers to put sin out of their lives. “A singing heart is a heart at war with the work of the evil one and the power of sin.”
5. Singing strengthens our faith.
Singing is not only a way to fight for joy, but it also fills you will joy. The book of Psalms reminds us to sing in the midst of our suffering. Paul and Silas sang in the midnight hour while in prison. Singing bolsters our faith when the trials are fierce.
6. Singing prepares us for heaven.
When we sing, proclaiming the Word of God and praising the God of the Word, we’re getting a glimpse of heaven on earth. Singing won’t be all we do in heaven, but it will be a definite part. “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus we'll sing and shout the victory.” We share in that victory today and that’s worth singing about!
Lift your voice and sing to the Lord!