Sunday, February 3rd at Waterview church of Christ, our sermon title is:
“Basic Training…For Parents”. The following ‘order of worship’ is designed to provide you a glimpse of our song selection (either early or after the fact). We have a great responsibility to train up our children, and mom and dad need to be prepared for that task. As always, let me encourage you to think about the songs you sing in praise to God. Remember I Corinthians…”I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”
Sunday morning, February 3, 2013
You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Let God Arise” and “Faith is the Victory” – 471 & 469
This medley, two spiritual songs, is intended to accomplish two basic objectives. First, we sing to motivate the Christian using the words of David in Psalm 68 (‘Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered’). But also to admonish the congregation to join in the spiritual battle against forces of darkness. Note verse 3 (missing from many of our hymnals)… “On every hand the foe we find drawn up in dread array. Let tents of ease be left behind and onward to the fray. Salvation’s helmet on each head with truth all girt about, the earth shall tremble neath our tread, and echo with our shout…”
“There is a Redeemer” – 287
How often do you say, “Thank You, Father, for giving us Your Son.”? The verses are sung in duet, sopranos and tenors, but the whole of the congregation should join in the chorus. We do have a Redeemer, and the cost for our salvation was high. Are you thankful?
“Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” – 383
We’ll sing this song before the Lord’s Supper, holding the 3rd verse to be sung between the Bread and the Fruit of the Vine. Notice that 3rd verse; “Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring it’s scene’s before me; help me walk from day to day with it’s (the cross) shadow over me…” We focus our hearts and minds as we remember our Savior’s sacrifice.
“How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts” – 432
One of my favorites, and a spiritual song that really talks toward our families. Parents, as we consider ‘training’ our children for a life with God we have to follow the teaching from God’s word. The best (only) option for imparting wisdom and cleaning our hearts and minds. (Verse 1; “…Thy word, the choicest rules impart…”; defined, the word of God is the best set of directions we can pass on to our heirs.)
“Trust and Obey” – 915
How do we find true happiness in this life? What could I do to obtain peace and joy in a world of pain and sorrow? Reading God’s word (and singing this old spiritual song) you’ll come to see that we need to trust and obey. But there’s so much more to that simple statement. How will you trust in God? How do I intend to obey Him? A Christian life is more than just trusting in God, you must be willing to Obey His word!
“Our God, He is Alive” – 23
God is alive and well! This spiritual song sings to the splendor of His creation and the majesty of His name. Notice the 3rd (often ignored) verse from this song… “Secured is life from mortal mind, God holds the germ within His hand…” What’s the germ? By definition germ can simply be “something that may serve as the basis of further growth or development”. Or it could simply be “something microscopic”. Either way, God is in control. Our God holds the growth of life. And though men try to find it and understand God, He alone knows.
“…for God alone does understand.”
Parents…we have a great responsibility to teach our children to know God’s word. To strive and fulfill His will for our individual lives, and to always trust and obey Him.