On Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Wildwood Community Church, I preached a sermon based on Colossians 3:16.  This message was part 2 in the “Whys of Worship” sermon series.  Below you will find questions related to the message for personal reflection or group discussion.  You will also find audio and video of the message to listen to/watch, download or share.

Sermon Questions:

1. Pray
2. Read Colossians 3:16
3. Do you have any particular songs that can “transport you to another place and time”?  A song from high school that makes you remember high school?  A song from your wedding that makes you remember your wedding? etc.
4. What is your attitude toward singing at church?  Do you consider this something “lesser” than the sermon?  Do you consider this something for only the “gifted”?
5. The Word of God should influence all our singing in the church.  What are some ways you can have the Word of God illuminate the words we are singing more for you?
6. How have you seen singing unite groups of people before (both inside and outside the church)?
7. What are some ways music and singing AMPLIFY your experience?
8. What are some ways you have had Christian music encourage your soul in a time of difficulty or stress?
9. What is one particular application you took away from this passage/message?

To access these questions in pdf format click here.

 

To listen to message offline, click the link:

Whys of Worship #2 1.14.24

 

To listen online, use media player below:

 

To watch online use YouTube:

 

 

“Ain’t it funny how a melody can bring back a memory?  Take you to another place in time; completely change your state of mind.” – Clint Black (from the 1993 song “State of Mind”)

It is ironic that I write this lyric today.  I have not listened to this country hit from my college days in at least a decade.  Yet as I prepare for Sunday’s sermon at Wildwood Community Church, I find myself singing this song in my head … and I can do more than simply hum the tune, I know the words!  I literally am singing verses AND chorus in my office as I write this!  And as I sing these long remembered lyrics, it is ushering me back to my sophomore year of college.  Ain’t it funny how a melody can bring back a memory?  Take you to another place and time?  Completely change your state of mind?

Music is like that – it is memorable … yet that is only PART of its super power.

Given this dynamic, it is not surprising that God INSTRUCTS His followers to sing.  In response, every Sunday as a part of worship gatherings all over the world, Christians lift up their voices in song together.

As we begin 2024 at Wildwood, we are engaging in a series of sermons exploring the Whys of Worship.  Why do we gather, why do we baptize, why do we share communion, why do we pray, why do we give, why do we have sermons … and, (specifically this Sunday, January 14) we will be looking at WHY WE SING.

Make plans to join us Sunday in our 8:30, 9:45, or 11:00 service as we look to God’s Word together (in Colossians 3:16), and sing a few melodies that will change our state of mind … and glorify the Lord.  See you then … and bring friends!