1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit… I. AN IMPORTANT MATTER, SINCE SINGING AND PRAYER CONSTITUTE THE CHIEF PARTS OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. II. THE "EXTERNALS" OF SINGING AND PRAYER ARE NOT OF THE FIRST IMPORTANCE. 1. Music. 2. Eloquence. 3. Form. III. THE RIGHT METHOD. 1. With the spirit. Intellectual worship alone is very imperfect. It is cold, formal, not stimulative. Our emotional nature should take part. We should make melody in the heart, and should be deeply stirred in heart as we approach the Deity. To this end we must pray and sing "with the Holy Spirit;" the Holy Ghost must fall upon our spirits, and we shall then become acceptable worshippers who "worship the Father in spirit and in truth." 2. With the understanding As the intellectual alone is not sufficient, neither is the emotional. The whole man should engage in the sets; even the body taking its subordinate part. Man, being an intelligent creature, should worship intelligently; should realize (1) to whom he speaks, (2) what he utters, (3) what he is. IV. A TOO COMMON METHOD. 1. Without realization of the worshipped. 2. With inattention to the sentiments expressed. 3. With souls unmoved. - H. Parallel Verses KJV: What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. |
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