Joyful Singing in Church

Aim: To express heartfelt verbal praise to God, as His church.

Doctrine: Joyful singing in church does more than meets the eye. Not only does it laud God's covenantal praise, but it is even heard by the heathen.

Exegesis: Guiding principles for joyful singing in church: it requires a doctrinal balance (vv. 38-39); it encompasses the whole life of the body (vv. 40-42); it impacts and evangelizes all the earth (v. 43).

Further application: Why joyful singing in church is precious to God: because He loves to hear His thankful children extol Christ and His amazing grace.

Key verse: v. 43 ''Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.''