Worship Music
"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" -Psalm 95:1
What is worship?
“Christian worship is the response of God’s redeemed people to His self-revelation that exalts God’s glory in Christ in our minds, affections, and wills, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Bob Kauflin, Defining Worship
Why do we sing?
There are several reasons we sing, not the least of which being the commandments to sing seen throughout Scripture.
"Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." -Psalm 30:4-5
"Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants." -Isaiah 42:10
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." -Colossians 3:16-17
"Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! ...Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!" -Psalm 47:1, 6-7
As we see from that last portion of Scripture, not only is our worship commanded but it is a voluntary outpouring of praise and thanks from the believer. Our singing and music making is a response to the work and person of God within and around us.
Singing is also special in its quality that enables us to remember the words that we sing and its ability to stir the emotions of the heart. This is an important element of true, head and heart, worship. As we read in John 4:23-24 and Luke 10:27 God wants us to worship him in spirit and in truth with our hearts and our heads.
To Whom do we sing?
"Worship has three audiences—Our Triune God is both the object of worship and one of its audiences, but the Scriptures also tell us to pay attention to two other audiences—the Gathered Church (Col 3:16, Heb 10:23-24) and the watching world (1 Cor 14:22-40)." -Mike Cosper, Theology and Worship with Mike Cosper
Since one of the audiences of worship is the gathered church and the watching world, it is important to note here that another reason for our singing is the building up of the body of Christ and witnessing to the unbelieving world through music that is faithful in representing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What do we sing?
At FBCN, we strive to sing songs that are rich in Biblical theology and musical quality. There is also no bias when it comes generational preference. From the hymns of Reformation to songs being written today, we are interested in what the song is saying, not when it was first said. In selecting songs, there are two questions that matter most: "Is it BEAUTIFUL?" and more importantly, "Is it TRUE?" By employing this criteria, we strive to ensure that we are always offering our best and purest in our worship of God.
How can you be involved?
If you would like to be involved with music at First Baptist Church of Norco, you can contact Adrian Martinez, Music Director. He would be happy to further discuss the possibility of you using your gifts in the service of the church.
Music Resources Recommended by FBCN
Indelible Grace Music
Worship Matters
Sojourn Music
Sovereign Grace Music
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
Red Mountain Music
New Old Hymns
Reformed Praise
