I. What we have in common
A. We should sing
*Singing is an important aspect of worship
B. We should sing with melody in our hearts
*Singing should not be a bored, distracted, monotone. We should be actively thinking about what we are singing and our hearts resonating with the truths we are singing.
C. We should sing to one another
*We sing to God; but Paul also teaches that we should sing "to one another"
II. Where we disagree
A. What is the meaning of psalms, hymns, spiritual songs? Is it three distinct kinds of songs, or three kinds of psalms? The case is made for the former and not the latter.
B. Regulative principle
*This principle is discussed at length
*While holding to the principle, there is more freedom that some want to allow.
*We do not expect preaching to simply be a re-reading of a text. We expect exposition. But beyond that, scripture gives us very little specificity and a fair amount of freedom and latitude within the general boundary of "preach the Word".
*The same is true for prayer: We do not expect that the only legitimate prayers are a regurgitation of the Lord's Prayer or other scripture prayers. Rather the boundaries of prayer are the content, the attitude, the kinds of petitions we bring, the God to whom we are praying, the Mediator in whose name we come. Once those boundaries are established, there is freedom and latitude for a variety of expressions and forms and words.
*Why should it be more narrow and restrictive with singing? Whey can't we write hymns and songs that are governed by sound doctrine, just as we expect sermons and prayers?
*Close with an application to Christmas and Easter, and Romans 14.
