And, he offers to You his music…

Guess what the early church did? The breaking of bread involves special communion with the Lord and we have diminished it by ignoring it. Guess what the early church did? Overflow… That pleases You

Colossians 3:1-4  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

As believers, we have been joined with Christ’s resurrection and therefore… Our lives are in Christ Because of that, our focus, our hearts, are to be set on that Overflow

When He comes back, all that we truly are will be seen in association with Him Our lives, our hope, our future is tied to Him and in Him Overflow

Colossians 3:5-7  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

Colossians 3:8-11  But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

We should treat those things that characterized our past life as past While we have been severed from them (Rom. 6:1-12), we can still do them Overflow

The reality is that the behavior is not only wrong, but brings judgment Why should we, who know better, engage in what is wrong, enslaving, and will bring judgment? Overflow

Colossians 3:12-15  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 

Corporately and individually, we should become who we truly are! So, how is that done? One way is to adopt Christ-centered attitudes and behaviors toward one another Overflow

This all involves a Biblical mind-set and perspective governed by the Word, not our emotions or circumstances Overflow

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We are to use the Word in a way that impacts others in the Body. Few things impact the soul like music! We can’t honor the Word without being true to the Word. Overflow

When Scripture governs our thinking, our lifestyle reflects it. We need to be in the Word and it needs to be in us! When the truth fills, it spills. Consider these words… Overflow

Romans 8:5-6, 10 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  

Romans 8:10-11 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Galatians 5:16-17  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 

John 15:1-4  “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 

John 15:5-8  “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Ephesians 5:15-21  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

Ephesians 5:18-21   And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled (in) the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Listen? (Podcasts, television, radio, CD, MP3s) Memorize? Meditate Time in the Scriptures Get a reading plan When you will read What you will read Do it! Listen? (Podcasts, television, radio, CD, MP3s) Memorize? Meditate

God’s perspective from the Word leads to a spiritual life that overflows with joy. Notice the emphasis again on a thankful heart! Thankful people have joy! People who have joy are thankful! Overflow

Overflow Music expresses things in a manner unlike any other. What better way to express joy and gratitude than in song? Style (Psalms, hymns, spiritual songs) is minimized while content and attitude are emphasized! Music expresses things in a manner unlike any other. Overflow

And, many of those Psalms were songs! It is interesting that the man God describes as one after His heart is also the man who wrote most of what has become the longest book of the Bible. And, many of those Psalms were songs! Overflow

At least to some degree, the presentation mattered! The “sons of Korah” were likely musicians and there are musical indicators involving instruments, singing, and possibly melodies and/or liturgies the Psalmist wanted used. At least to some degree, the presentation mattered! Overflow

It is also interesting that the primary subject of the book of Psalms is the various experiences of the Messiah who leads us through life’s challenges and who can bring us successfully into the Kingdom. Overflow

Overflow Some things are bigger issues today than perhaps need be. For example, there is only one NT reference to hands being raised and it’s in prayer. Worship, certainly prayer, was in a variety of physical postures. Overflow

What we do know is that music plays a key role in preparing us for the Kingdom, our future! Overflow

It starts with hearts and mind spiritually filled by the Word. And, what we also know is that believers who have grateful hearts and spiritual perspectives instruct and encourage others in Christ on to obedient lives! It starts with hearts and mind spiritually filled by the Word. And, it becomes… Overflow

Guess what the early church did? The breaking of bread involves special communion with the Lord and we have diminished it by ignoring it. Guess what the early church did? Overflow… That pleases You

How do you not love that kind of music?