Centerfold Articles 主日刊文章

Centerfold Articles 主日刊文章

How to Lead Singspiration?

By Rev Tay Piak Kheng  10 November  2024

        “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy array, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures for ever.” (2Ch 20:21)

       This passage reveals a wonderful and reassuring spiritual principle: singing praises is Christ’s soldiers’ charge on the spiritual battlefield! In the book of Revelation, departed saints are seen singing new songs to the Lord with the heavenly hosts in the spiritual realm! Therefore, do not belittle the power of singspiration in any gathering held in the name of Jesus, even if there are only two or three people. Song leaders must remember they are marching on battlegrounds, lest they sing for self-entertainment or self-expression of individuals’ sentiments. There are three basic attitudes that a song leader must cultivate in order to bring the people of God into His presence.

       First, always ‘comb and tidy up’ your mood before leading. Learn to put aside your worries; it is a skill you must master if you desire to serve God long-term.   

       Second, be willing to hone your singing skills – tune, pronunciation, rhythm, beats, etc. Be open to receiving feedback and corrections.

       Third, be willing to learn new songs constantly. Do not limit yourself to the songs you like. Hymns are part of the rich Christian heritage; some oldies were used mightily by the Lord and can still be so. 

       A prayerful effort to choose and sing the right hymns correctly will ensue from the right attitudes. After a day of toiling and hanging out in the corrupted world, a hymn about sin and saving grace is needed to refresh our souls and revive our eternal hope. Then, another hymn relating to the theme of the gathering will help prepare our hearts to receive the truth. The Singing arrangement can be flexible as long as it is not chaotic. Practising with the pianist should not be regarded as optional.

       Last but not least, no matter how familiar you are with the hymns, you should read through the lyrics, meditate on the truth and prepare an introduction to every hymn. That will help people sing with their souls! We will hold a workshop for all interested in or already leading singspiration. If you have the gift of singing, may the Lord train and use you, perhaps, for the church’s next gospel rally!

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How to Lead Singspiration?

How to Lead Singspiration? By Rev Tay Piak Kheng  10 November  2024         “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy array, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures for ever.” (2Ch 20:21)        This passage reveals a wonderful and reassuring spiritual principle: singing praises is Christ’s soldiers’…
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如何带领聚会唱诗  

如何带领聚会唱诗   郑璧卿牧师 2024年11月10日         「约沙法既与民商议了，就设立歌唱的人颂赞耶和华，使他们穿上圣洁的礼服，走在军前赞美耶和华，说：『当称谢耶和华，因他的慈爱永远⻓存!』」（代下20: 21）         这个记载给我们看见一个既奇妙又大感安慰的属灵原则：除了祷告外，歌唱赞美也是基督精兵在属灵战场上的冲刺!《启示录》也让我们看见在属灵境界里已故圣徒们与众天军一同唱新歌！故不可小看音乐的力量，更不可轻看任何一个奉耶稣之名的聚会中的唱诗，即使只有两三个人。带领唱诗的人必须记住他是脚踏属灵战场，免得隔江犹唱后庭花，以为唱诗歌是制造轻松的气氛，或者在抒发感情。唯有怀着正确的领诗心态，才能把聚会带到基督的面前。正确的心态基本有三：         第一，先整理你的心情，把心中的愁烦暂时搁下，这是事奉的基本功，想要长期事奉主的人必须掌握。         第二，在技术上要自我要求，把音符、节奏、拍子、歌词…抓得准确， “有什么要紧，大家都是这样唱”的马虎心态是要不得的。要谦卑接受别人的反馈和纠正，你就能越领越好。         第三，要经常学新歌，不要局限在自己喜欢的歌。基督教有丰盛的诗歌遗产，其中有许多是曾经被神大大使用的，今天也仍然可以。         每一次的领诗都要下功夫预备。先以祷告的心选择诗歌。一首关于罪人蒙恩得救的诗歌是少不了的。不要以为十字架的道理大家都懂，它也是常常被忘记的，忘记自己是罪人、是靠着恩典得救、是有永生盼望、是为荣耀主活着…忘记救恩何等丰盛是导致信徒一再犯罪或堕入忧郁中的常因。         另外，要有一首与当天聚会主题有关的诗歌，预备众心田来领受真理的启发和教诲。         至于带领的技巧，可以灵活但不可凌乱。可以轮唱、清唱、有一段独唱、钢琴弹奏…等。重要是要先和司琴练过一遍。         最后，无论你多么熟悉所选的诗歌，你仍当读过每一首歌词，然后预备每一首诗歌的引言，不要只说：让我们唱第X首或第X页的诗歌。那是懒惰工人的作为。明年我们举办一个领诗工作坊，栽培所有已在领诗或有兴趣领诗的人。弟兄姐妹，如果你有歌唱的恩赐，求主训练使用你；也许有一天，教会布道会上领诗的就是你！
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Revisit the Need to Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate

Revisit the Need to Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate By Rev Tay Piak Kheng  3 November  2024         It is a shame that Christians often disregard this timeless warning of our Lord Jesus, for they misunderstood it was for the nonbelievers only. Whereas there are many professing Christians who have yet to enter the kingdom of God.         There are also true Christians who have a saving relationship with Christ, i.e. they are in Christ…
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再谈努力进窄门

再谈努力进窄门 郑璧卿牧师 2024年11月3日         「耶稣对众人说：『你们要努力进窄门。我告诉你们：将来有许多人想要进去，却是不能。」（路22: 24）         主耶稣这个不朽的警戒常被信徒误解为是针对未信祂的人所发出的。事实上，有许多基督徒并非真基督徒，他们事实上还未入神的国。         然而也有一些真基督徒，但他们虽然已经与基督发生救赎的关系——在主里面——但他们并没有把珍惜这个无价的、最关键性的关系活出来。他们不愿意下功夫穿窄门，所以仍还没有穿过。他们做礼拜没有赞美神，他们只关心自己的朋友不关心主的儿女，他们做主工是按自己的时间、方法、目标…等。         关键是：与基督的救赎关系使我们认识到我们的生命气息和生活的一切所有都是神的恩惠，从而驱使我们爱神胜于神给我们的恩惠，我们努力去服从基督我们生命的王，以祂的心为心，把我们的心与祂的心同律，我们的思想与祂的思想同步。当我们这样活着时，就发现自己正在努力进窄门。         举例说明。亚伯拉罕出吾珥的决定就是努力进窄门的体现，因为他必须舍弃城堡式的住处带着孩子一生住帐篷。大卫几次放弃杀扫罗的机会，那是努力进窄门的体现，因为扫罗还是不领情地追杀他。奉献两个小钱入圣殿敬拜神的寡妇也是努力进窄门的体现，因为那两个小钱是她仅有的养生之道。保罗三次宣教行程也是努力进窄门的体现，因为他虽然历经坐牢、受鞭打、船沉、被同工背弃…等苦难，却不放弃作外邦人使徒的召唤。         在《天路历程》中，基督徒对翻墙进入的形式主义者和虚伪说：“你们这样不就是违法侵入，违背了城主明明的旨意吗？” 他们说：“看，我们不已经进来了吗？怎么进来有什么要紧呢？你从窄门进来有什么好处呢？”基督徒说：“你们不在祂的指示下进来，也必在没有祂的怜悯下出去。”         弟兄姐妹，许多人想进入神国但却因没有信心而不得而入。我们蒙恩白白得了入神国的信心，就当拼命、竭力进去。你说是吗？