Being taught and admonished

Music has a unique way of shaping our hearts and reminding us of God’s truth. Hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs not only encourage us but also teach and admonish us, just as Colossians 3:16 calls us to. Take a moment to reflect on how the songs we sing together can help God’s Word dwell richly among us.

Colossians 3:16 encourages us to "let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts". On Tuesday night at our music open session (open to all, come any Tuesday!) we started thinking more deeply about how to let songs teach and admonish us. This article will explore some of what we talked about.

Hymns are a wonderful part of our music diet at South Calgary Community Church. They are hearty fare, and work well to teach and admonish us. To be taught is to have something explained or shown. To be admonished is to be cautioned, advised or counselled against something. So how do hymns (and psalms and spiritual songs) teach and admonish.

Let's take "And Can It Be" by Charles Wesley as an example. For now I am going to focus on the lesser known second verse:

Verse 2

'Tis mystery all th'Immortal dies

Who can explore His strange design

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine

'Tis mercy all let earth adore

Let angel minds inquire no more

'Tis mercy all let earth adore

Let angel minds inquire no more

What on earth is Charles talking about? If you open your bible to 1 Peter 1:12 you will find an interesting verse that will help perhaps bring some clarity to what Charles was meditating on when writing this verse. I learned a lot contemplating these things. I hope you will take some time to look it up and see what you find.

On Tuesday we also sang a modern hymn "A Christian's Daily Prayer". Here is the first verse:

Verse 1

As morning dawns and day awakes

To You I bring my need

O Gracious God my source of strength

In You I live and breathe

Each hour is Yours by Wisdom planned

Each deed empower'd by sovereign hands

Renew my spirit help me stand

Be glorified today

Admonishing words can be subtle, but I hope you will see how the first two lines can be encouraging or admonishing. Did I bring my need to you, Lord, as the day began? Are you my source of strength or am I trying to power through? Am I looking to you each hour of the day? Here we can find ourselves cautioned, or made aware of some of our daily patterns and advised how to approach God and abide in him throughout the day.

Below are the lyrics to both of these songs for you to look at and contemplate. You will find a music playlist on our website underneath the sermon description (https://www.southcalgary.church/sermons) so you can listen and sing along, or go back to a song to learn more through the week. You can also join us Tuesday nights to sing and be taught and admonished...but not by me, by God's word dwelling richly through the songs.

And Can It Be (Sagina *this refers to the melody used)

Verse 1

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior's blood

Died He for me who caused His pain

For me who Him to death pursued

Amazing love how can it be

That Thou my God shouldst die for me

Amazing love how can it be

That Thou my God shouldst die for me

Verse 2

'Tis mystery all th'Immortal dies

Who can explore His strange design

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine

'Tis mercy all let earth adore

Let angel minds inquire no more

'Tis mercy all let earth adore

Let angel minds inquire no more

Verse 3

He left His Father's throne above

So free so infinite His grace

Emptied Himself of all but love

And bled for Adam's helpless race

'Tis mercy all immense and free

For O my God it found out me

'Tis mercy all immense and free

For O my God it found out me

Verse 4

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature's night

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray

I woke the dungeon flamed with light

My chains fell off my heart was free

I rose went forth and followed Thee

My chains fell off my heart was free

I rose went forth and followed Thee

Verse 5

No condemnation now I dread

Jesus and all in Him is mine

Alive in Him my living Head

And clothed in righteousness divine

Bold I approach th'eternal throne

And claim the crown through Christ my own

Bold I approach th'eternal throne

And claim the crown through Christ my own

Charles Wesley, Thomas Campbell

CCLI Song #25280

© Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

A Christian's Daily Prayer

Verse 1

As morning dawns and day awakes

To You I bring my need

O Gracious God my source of strength

In You I live and breathe

Each hour is Yours by Wisdom planned

Each deed empower'd by sovereign hands

Renew my spirit help me stand

Be glorified today

Verse 2

As day unfolds I seek Your will

In all of life's demands

And though the tempter tries me still

I cling to Your commands

Let every effort of my life

Display the matchless worth of Christ

Make me a living sacrifice

Be glorified today

Verse 3

As sun gives way to darkest night

Your Spirit still is here

And though my strength fades like the light

New mercies will appear

I rest in You abide with me

Until our trials and suffering

Give way to final victory

Be glorified today

Dave Fournier, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker

CCLI Song #7096689

© Sovereign Grace Praise; Sovereign Grace Worship

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com