The Soothing Sounds of the Assembly

Have you ever just listened? I hear lots of sounds when God's people assemble for worship. Some of these sounds are appropriate while others are distracting. Congregational worship involves both giving (by participation) and receiving (by edification). As you actively worship this Sunday, consider the sounds that you hear (or maybe the sounds you are making). Consider some of the soothing sounds of our assemblies.

1. Joyful Singers. Every congregation has that person who sings really loud, sometimes out of tune, but with a smile on his or her face without a care about what others think. I think it is wonderful when people make a "joyful noise" to the Lord (Psalm 95:1) and "make melody to the Lord" with their heart (Eph. 5:19). It is soothing to hear heartfelt praise to God that is "not to be seen of men" (cf. Matt. 6:1).

2. Hilarious Givers. The Bible tells us that God loves a "cheerful givers" (2 Cor. 9:7). The Greek word translated "cheerful" here is the same word from which we get the English word "hilarious." Literally, this word says God loves "hilarious givers." Jesus told us to give like our right hand doesn't know what our left is doing (Matt. 6:3). Is it ever appropriate to laugh in church? Absolutely! Especially when you give sacrificially not knowing how God is going to pick up the slack but trusting he will!

3. Parents Explaining. Recently I heard a father whispering an explanation about the Lord's Supper to his son during worship. God instructed the Jews to use the Passover feast as a teaching tool to explain "their story" as God's people (Exodus 13:14). Does this principle not apply to "our story" (as a people in Christ) since Christ is our Passover? It is a soothing sound to hear a parent passing on "our story" to the next generation in worship to our God.

4. Crying Babies. I have often been asked if crying babies disturb me during sermons. I always answer, "Absolutely not!" Crying babies in worship are a blessing! Why? I have been in churches where there were no babies and all the heads were gray. Those churches are growing old and are about to fade away. The sound of crying children in our assemblies is the sound of a living church! When some were "distracted" by the noise of children, Jesus rebuked the naysayers and said "Let the children come to me!" (Mark 10:14; cf. Luke 18:16).

There are many soothing sounds that reflect a people who have gladly assembled to praise and worship God! It is a joyful occasion when we assemble together as the house of the Lord to worship God (Psalm 122:1; 1 Peter 2:5)! Let us come and make joyful noises to God with the fruit of our lips (Heb. 13:15) in worship!