Sermon Synopsis for July 13, 2008

“Gifted for Service: The Legacy of Kenaniah”
1 Chronicles 15:16-22

Imagine a church without music
Today we celebrate part of the musical heritage of Maple Grove. The Open Air Singing – started because the people of this church loved to sing.

Think about our worship service and take out the music; what would it be like? (the sermon could be longer!)

No music means … a number of people could not use their gifts and talents for God. No hymnals, no piano, no singing, no guitars, no drums (some may not argue with that).

Music helps us express what we feel but cannot say and often cannot even define. It helps us understand our emotions, eases us through life's difficulties, and helps us celebrate life's joy. It can lift (or at least transform) our mood when children, or parents, or spouses are trying our tempers.

You might often forget the words of a sermon, but as you leave, and throughout the week, you will probably recall at least one of the songs that we sang.

Today we will consider one of the great people of the Bible. Most have heard of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, etc. Few have heard of Kenaniah (Chenaniah in the KJV).

All have heard of King David. David wanted to build the Temple (a building on a hill in Jerusalem). God told him no, because he was a warrior and had blood on his hands. But God did permit David to build the Temple in terms of ministry. Music was an important part of the ministry of Israel. David appointed a number of worship teams.

Today’s Scripture passage is one of those lists of names we often skip over when we read the Bible. In biblical times people must have had a lot of time on there hands – to invent so many names that are difficult to pronounce. These lists of names are there because that is the nature of God’s work – personal – dealing with people – the church is not a building, it is people.

KENANIAH
Today we think of Kenaniah – let’s just call him Ken.

We don’t know much about Kenaniah? But we know more than many of the other names listed in Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 15:22 tells us that Kenaniah was the leader of the Levites and was placed in charge of the singing, because he was skillful at it.

Kenaniah became the first music director of the Bible. Why?

I asked the children, “What are you good at? What do you do well?” They had a lot of different answers (riding a bicycle, swimming, soccer, singing, etc.). I told them the story of Kenaniah (a short story).

He was selected by King David to lead the music ministry of the Tabernacle.

What were his qualifications? There were 3:
He was good at it!
King David chose him.
He was willing.

He led the singing; he led the singers; he organized the music. He did a good job!

I told the children that God wants to use the things that they do well. They need to think about how they can use the things they do best for God.

1 Peter 4:10 tells us, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

THREE QUALIFICATIONS FOR YOUR UNIQUE MINISTRY

1. The NIV says, “he was good at it.” He had talent and ability in music. His name in Hebrew means “prepared for the Lord.” There are many of you I would never ask to sing in a worship team or a solo – You’re not good at it. But you are good at something. Everyone is good at least one thing. Scripture says that God gives us gifts (talents, abilities, “things we’re good at”). This is a gift based ministry. (We find that Kenaniah was part of a family of musicians)

2. He was chosen. King David and his fellow musicians recognized that he was a good musician and a good leader. Apostle Paul says, “You are the body of Christ, and everyone is a part of it – some are eyes, some are hands, some are feet.” Each is chosen for a specific task. Not all are to be music leaders (Imagine a church full of music directors.) We are chosen to be part of the greater whole (the church).

3. He was willing. He served! Willingness makes all the difference. He said yes. (Were any others asked? We don’t know; we only know in the Bible about the ones who said yes.)

BUILDING GOD’S CHURCH

The task at hand is the construction (building) of the church. I’m not talking about constructing a building, but building the church – a group of people, called by God, gifted by God, willing for service. God has a task that is to be completed – Talented, recognized and willing people are necessary.

LEAVING FINGERPRINTS IN THE CHURCH

The Jerusalem Lutheran Church in New Ebenezer, Georgia (near Savannah) is the oldest church building in The South with a continuously active congregation. It was begun by exiles from Salzburg, Austria, who brought their faith with them to the new world. The old church building was built by the Salzburgers from 1767 to 1769 and is the oldest structure in Georgia. The church regularly hosts tour groups and visitors. The building was built back in the days when Georgia was a colony led by General Oglethorpe, and the colonists struggled with poverty, rampant disease, and frequent attacks by hostile Native Americans.

The church walls are made of 21 inch thick bricks formed from clay deposits near the church site. The men, women and children worked together to dig the clay, form and mold it, bake the bricks, carry them to the building site, hoist them up makeshift scaffolds to build the church walls, that stand to this day.

The fingerprints of those involved in the church’s construction can still be seen in many of the old bricks. Each fingerprint is a reminder of the people who worked using their talents and abilities to build up the church.

These bricks are a silent witness of people using talents and working together for a common goal.

BUILDING THE CHURCH IS NOT (ALWAYS) CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING

Of course, the primary task is not building a building. That eventually came for Israel. The primary task was to build the people of God, together in ministry, each doing what they were good at, called and willing to do. This is the body of Christ, a healthy body of Christ.

What gifts (talents/abilities) do you bring to the Lord?
Are you developing them?
What has God (and the church) asked you to do?
Are you willing?

Everyone receives gifts / talents / abilities for ministry.

These are to be used “in concert” with others.

They are for the benefit of the congregation and the enjoyment of God.

PLEASE FORGIVE ANY COPYWRITE INFRINGMENT

There is a song by Petra: “Kenaniah” (on 1987 album “This Means War”)

Kenaniah of the Levites appointed by the king
To teach the songs of Zion, to lead them as they sing
Your song is not forgotten, we hear it in our souls
Let it burn and burn within us (And) Fan the sacred coals

Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we will sing your ancient song
Kenaniah, Kenaniah, we will sing it loud and strong

Gathered for the battle, Kenaniah led the way
As the singers closely followed him they all began to pray
The musicians all assembled, Kenaniah gave the word
Through the raging battle zone the anthem could be heard

Sing unto Jehovah of his wonderous ways
Sing a song of triumph, sing a victory song
And in the cloud of witnesses Kenaniah sings along

Kenaniah, Kenaniah, through the ages it will ring
Kenaniah, Kenaniah, to Jehovah we will sing


Kenaniah is remembered because he was good at music and used it for God.

What do you bring to God today?
What “fingerprints” are you leaving in God’s church?