The Sound of Silence…May 19th
Ask any parent who has young children and they will assure you the sound of silence is best experienced when those angelic children are sleeping. As the parent of three teens the sound of silence is harder to find, but it’s still best when they sleep. Yet the question remains, are there other times when silence reigns?
This Sunday morning, May 19th, we will talk about another time for silence. Often we’re silent when we are humbled and have nothing say. Other times we hear nothing but silence when we’re wrong or ashamed. But consider those who are righteous; could they demonstrate the sound of silence?
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, May 19, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Praise Him! Praise Him” – 300
“He’s My King” -166
“O Worship the King” – 144
This three-song medley will open our time of worship as we transition between each of the first verses of these hymns. The intent of placing these three hymns back-to-back is to build upon the message. Notice how we conclude with, “…Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song.” and then begin with “All day long of Jesus I am singing…” Would that we keep a song always in our hearts, ‘all day long.’ The second concludes with “…He’s my Savior He’s my King.” and then fittingly we pick up with, “O Worship the King, all glorious above…” Notice how verse one concludes, “…Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.” Pavilion is a covering and to gird something is to surround or wrap it up. So we conclude this medley as we sing that our ‘Shield and our Defender’ is covered with splendor (majesty) and surrounded with praise. Indeed…”Praise Him! Praise Him!”
“We Give Thee But Thine Own” – 663
As we prepare for an opportunity to give (contribution), we’ll sing this old hymn that echoes the thoughts of First Chronicles 29:14, “We have given You only what comes from Your hand.” You’ll need to listen carefully to the old English in verse one; “All that we have is Thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from Thee.”
“When He Cometh” – 714
This morning the children will bring their quarters to the front as we collect for the Breakfast Program in Nicaragua. We’ll sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” as they come forward, but then transition to the third verse of the song “When He Cometh.” Written in the 1860’s the sentiment it timeless, “Little children, little children who love their Redeemer are the jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own…”
An extra song (though not being sung this morning) to help share the idea of how we can experience ‘the sound of silence.’ This song is compliments of the McCoy Family Singers, Have a Quiet Time with God Every Day
Our song before the lesson…
“O Listen to the Wondrous Story” – 496
The questions (conversation) in the chorus remind us that many still don’t know the answer to the basic question of salvation. As the singers remind us, “…Yet, One came down from heaven’s glory, saving us at (an) awful cost… The ladies continue into the chorus: “Who saved us from eternal loss!’ (not a question) But the men do respond with a rhetorical question; “Who but God’s Son upon the cross?” Now listen to the Q&A that goes back and forth… “What did He do? He died for you! Where is He now? Believe it… (in unison) In heaven interceding!” As the voices swell, so does the message!
“Be Still and Know” – 31
As we conclude the Lord’s Supper we’ll sing the words of God from Psalm 46:10, “Cease striving and know that I am God…” Maybe when we do that (stop striving, translated ‘let go and relax’) we’ll hear the sound of silence.
“Jesus is Coming Soon” – 712
“Troublesome times are here filling men’s hearts with fear, freedom we all hold dear now is at stake…” Interesting to note, this song dates back to the early 1940’s, just shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as our country struggled from an unprovoked attack, R.E. Winsett penned these words. In the face of disaster we so often turn to God. This time in our country’s history was no different. Only with this spiritual song we sing to encourage and remind the listener that, “Jesus is coming soon.”
“Humble Thyself” – 745
Not a typical invitation song, but one that perhaps will help us focus on the message from this morning’s lesson. Another psalm (I Peter 5) that entreats us to turn our busy lives and troubled hearts over to God. When we are humbled and relying on Him (in silence) He will lift us up!
“Sweet Peace” – 115
What is your foundation set upon? Do you take peace in knowing that God is in control? Our closing song tells us that because of Christ’s sacrifice (on the cross) we can have peace. “Through Christ on the cross, peace was made, my debt by His death was all paid. No other foundation is laid, for peace…” Now that’s the sound of silence!
What Does ‘A Capella’ Mean?
“Suppose they asked you if you could sing A Capella, would you know what to do?”
Barney Fife tries to explain to Rafe Hollister what it means to ‘sing A Capella’ and though he doesn’t get the definition right, he says what many may be thinking. [LINK] To defend his thoughts about A Capella singing, Barney comes up with a song that he sings about ‘A Capella’. Watch the short video, enjoy a laugh and then we’ll talk about ‘A Capella’…
By definition, a cap·pel·la means:
1. without instrumental accompaniment…or
2. in the style of church or chapel music.
Notice the FIRST definition; when we sing A Capella, we’re singing with our voices…only. Read Ephesians 5: 19 “…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…” Speak to one another…sing and make music in your heart… God’s word explains (better yet) commands, that we are to sing. And if you look closely, this singing is done with our voices and not with an instrument. Therefore we are to sing A Capella. Our culture doesn’t know much about this type of singing. Listening to music on the radio is almost exclusively with instrumental accompaniment. That would mean we aren’t much of an A Capella culture. But is it easy to sing ‘without instrumental accompaniment’? It takes work and that work takes practice. We need to be more focused on singing without instrumental assistance. Turn the radio off and start singing A Capella.
But you might be wondering, where do I start? Begin with a search for A Capella singing groups. Consider these as a few: His Harmony, Legacy, The McCoy Family Singers, Hallal, Acappella, Zoe, GLAD and many more. [LINK] But let me encourage you to consider this…why would we try to sing A Capella songs and still make ‘instrumental’ noises with our voices? Doesn’t make sense to me…but that’s just me. in my opinion, let’s support all of the true A Capella Groups (songs) who sing without any ‘instrupella’ or vocal band (using your voice to sound like a snare drum). Singing without any instruments or trying to act like an instrument is true A Capella.
The SECOND definition for A Capella states; “…in the style of church or chapel music.” A Capella singing, choral singing performed without instruments is done in the manner in which the early church, or chapel did their singing. The expression means “in chapel style” in Italian. Hundreds of years ago, religious music was composed for use in the chapels, which, unlike large churches today, had no bands, organs or instruments. Singing and music in the early church, via historical documentation was exclusively designed to be sung using the human voice only! A Capella singing is described in God’s word and was practiced in the early church. Even early on within the denominational world, instruments were universally rejected.
So…”Suppose they asked you if you could sing A Capella, would you know what to do?”
What If…You Make the Choice?
Have you ever ask yourself, “What if…”?
What if I oversleep?
What if I lose my wallet?
What if I miss my flight?
What if I have to sell my house?
The world is full of questions, and not just the ‘what if’ kind. We could spend a lot of time talking and 
thinking about our answers to these questions, but take a moment to dig deeper into the ‘what if’ scenario. During the early 1990, almost 20 years ago, many of us learned and began to echo a personal motto, a phrase that was used as a reminder of our belief. A moral imperative that guided our thoughts concerning how we should act. A phrase that not only directed our thoughts, but became a public display of our love for Jesus. The motto could be found on bracelets and banners. Do you remember WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? This simple phrase was meant to motivate us to think about our actions.
So, what would you do if you overslept, or lost your wallet, or missed your flight? Your heart will determine your actions and how you’ll react to your circumstances. It’s important to keep this thought in mind as you live your life. There’s a song that you will appreciate, and most certainly will help you consider a new dimension to the ‘what if’ question. Click on the picture (or the title of the song below) and listen to the McCoy Family Singers as you read the words to this song. What you would do if you had walked with Jesus? How would that have changed you?
Song Title: “If I Could Have Walked with Jesus”
“If I could have walked the streets with Jesus.
If I could have washed my Savior’s feet,
if I could have seen His acts of mercy and love,
My joy would have been so complete!
If I could have seen Him in the garden,
if I could have waited while He prayed!
If I could have been there when my Lord was betrayed
I hope that I would not have strayed!
If I could have wiped the brow of Jesus
as He carried His cross to Calvary.
If I could have seen the open tomb where He rose
my faith would have transformed me!
O God, let me walk the streets for Jesus.
Let me wash Your people’s weary feet!
May I carry out His acts of mercy and love,
may faith in Him transform me!
May my faith in Christ transform me!”
Over two thousand years ago there were hundreds who really did walk with Jesus. What if you had been one of them, what would you have done? Would that experience have ‘transformed’ you? Today we encounter people at every turn. Within those encounters there are opportunities that will define who we are. As we walk through life consider how you’ll treat people because ultimately that will determine your attitude toward God. Carry out acts of mercy and love and see how you will change. What if TODAY you decided to walk with Jesus?
How would that change you?
Do You Want to Talk?
Think about this for a moment; who are you close to and who do you like to talk to? Is there someone in your life with whom you can share your deepest concerns or your most intimate thoughts?
Understanding that is a personal question, and one that honestly can only be answered by YOU; consider this… how close are you to God? My family and I set aside a time to pray around the kitchen table before we ‘break the bread’ (does your family still pray before you eat?). We remind our kids to ‘say their prayers as they go to bed at night (our kids are all in their teen years). And every week, on more than one occasion, we gather with our church family and pray together. But is that good enough? Do we share with God our personal, heartfelt concerns or are our prayers more routine? Do are prayers just mainly consist of a check list that addresses all the ‘important’ things in our life.
Perhaps, instead, we should be praying with understanding. We should be praying, as Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:17, “…without ceasing.” And as we come to know God and to grow closer to Him, we realize this is our avenue of communication with Him. Take time today, bow your head and pray. He hears you and He cares. Click on the title below (Pray) and listen to this song from Jan McCoy and the McCoy Family singers. A beautiful reminder of the blessings we have when we pray. I hope you’ll consider this song that speaks toward our ‘speaking’ to God. As we call upon to hear us and answer our plea…
Song Title:
“Pray, Pray, Pray”
“The Word plainly teaches that God’s children are to pray.
And how we are to pray is clear for Jesus shows the way.
When He walked on earth, He was a man like you and me,
But He called upon His Father’s help in prayer unceasingly.
Chorus:
So pray (to God) without ceasing, in all your work and your play.
Yes pray (to God) without ceasing. Just stop, don’t look away, just pray, pray, pray.
Today we can carry out this privilege to pray.
And take out God’s captive for the Lord who leads the way.
By living this way we learn to pray unceasingly,
Our eyes upon the Father’s throne where Jesus intercedes.
Chorus:
So pray (to God) without ceasing, in all your work and your play.
Yes pray (to God) without ceasing. Just stop, don’t look away, just pray, pray, pray.
Don’t look away, just pray, pray, pray. (repeat)
It’s not something you have to be a professional about doing, and there’s certainly no secret code. Many fail to pray because they fail to see how God could care about them. With all our issues and problems, many determine that God mostly likely wouldn’t even matter to God. But you need to know this for sure…that is a lie perpetrated by God’s greatest adversary. The devil would just as soon you not pray. “Stop praying, turn away from God and don’t worry about talking to your Father. He’s too busy for you.”
Simply put…God’s wants a relationship with you. He would like to have an intimate conversation with you, but you have to be willing to come to Him. He is speaking to you right now, but you’ll never hear Him unless you pick up the Word, the ‘Good Book’, God’s Holy BIBLE. That’s His intimate conversation with you…I guess you have to ask yourself, do you want to talk?