From creation’s song through the fall’s interruption, from Israel’s worship to Christ’s perfect fulfillment, we’ve traced God’s story through Scripture. Today we ask: What does this mean for Christ’s church living in the "already, not yet" of salvation history?

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The Commission to Sing

After Christ’s resurrection and ascension, the church was commissioned to spread the Good News of his kingdom to every nation. From the beginning, this mission was sustained through worship. Even amidst persecution, especially amidst persecution, God’s people sang out. From house churches to prison cells, the song of God’s people multiplied around the world.

As Paul writes from his own imprisonment, believers should be "addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart" (Ephesians 5:19).

Rich Instructions for Worship

The New Testament is filled with detailed guidance for singing and leading worship that goes far beyond casual suggestions. These are apostolic directives for how redeemed communities should function:

We sing to God. We sing to one another. We sing always for God’s glory.

We are commanded to sing! Make music from your heart! Teach and encourage one another!

Sing Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, songs from the Spirit of God as we are filled with the Spirit of God!

The core instruction is clear: we sing songs of worship that declare the person of Jesus and the meaning of the cross, resurrection, and his coming return. As Paul’s Christ hymn declares: "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things" (Colossians 1:19-20).

The Current Challenge

Despite this clear apostolic vision, we find ourselves in a unique moment. Never before have Christians had access to such extensive worship resources, yet surveys consistently show disconnection:

• 67% of churchgoers report feeling disconnected during worship music
• Many stand silent, unsure how to engage their hearts
• Others avoid churches based on musical style preferences
• The formative power of congregational song has been largely lost

Scripture mentions singing 400 times with 50 direct commands to sing, yet many believers treat worship as optional or purely emotional expression.

Three Primary Barriers

Through extensive research, we’ve identified what keeps believers from the worship they were created for:

1. Poor Theology: Many don’t understand why God desires our worship through song, seeing it as optional emotional expression rather than essential spiritual formation.

2. Performance Anxiety: The "I can’t sing" mentality confuses worship with performance, focusing on human ability rather than heart engagement with God.

3. Misplaced Priorities: People confident singing at concerts remain silent in church, revealing the issue isn’t musical ability but worship context and community formation.

The Formation Solution

The solution isn’t better music or new technology: it’s systematic formation in biblical worship. We need:

• Theological foundation: Understanding why God designed us for worship through song
• Practical training: Learning how to engage heart and mind during worship
• Community context: Safe environments for authentic participation
• Progressive development: Clear products from consumer to participant to leader

Living Between the Already and Not Yet

Today, we find ourselves in what theologians call the "already, not yet" moment of history. Christ has accomplished salvation (already), but we await his return to make all things new (not yet).

The songs we sing reflect both the joy of salvation found in Jesus and the hope for him to come again. We sing "new songs" (i.e., Jesus songs) because Jesus is what sets our songs apart from what the world can offer.

All of our songs, new and old, point us to the eternal song we’re preparing to join: "He is worthy!"

The Eternal Perspective

All of this singing, it’s meant to prepare us for and join us to the eternal worship of Christ that has already begun. Right now, heaven is singing its eternal song, and we participate from earth.

Scripture’s salvific history climaxes in song: "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ’To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever’" (Revelation 5:13).

The Connection to Eternity

What song do we find in Revelation 15? The song of Moses, the very first song sung by the people of God after their deliverance from Egypt. But this time, the rescue from bondage isn’t temporary, it’s eternal.

The song that started at the Red Sea finds its ultimate completion in heaven’s eternal worship. Every time we learn to worship rightly now, we’re preparing for that eternal chorus.

Your Role in the Song

Whether you’re a pastor, worship leader, musician, or congregation member, you have a part in helping God’s people learn to sing rightly during this "already, not yet" period.

The church needs equipping to rightly sing to God. This isn’t about musical performance, it’s about forming disciples who can take their place in the choir of earth as it will be in heaven.

Tomorrow, we’ll conclude by exploring how all of this prepares us for eternity’s ultimate song and why your formation journey matters more than you might think.

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Next: Practicing for the eternal song.