Sunday morning, February 17th at Waterview church of Christ, our lesson was aimed some of our trials/problems on our way to heaven.  To be specific…complaining!

As we examined the Israelite nation (post Egyptian captivity), Robert opened the word and we looked at how often the people of God complained about; the water and food (or lack there of) and the leadership coupled with an ‘I can do better’ attitude. The following ‘order of worship’ was designed to focus our minds on this Lord’s day.  Will you think about the songs you sing in praise to God?

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

 

Sunday morning, February 17, 2013

You’ll notice the following songs come from the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

 

“Praise the Lord” and “Great Are You, Lord” – 74 & no book

Four songs in this hymnal begin with these three, power words; “Praise the Lord”, but our song this morning was written by J. Kempthorne in 1796.  The words are taken from the 148th Psalm and the chorus resounds with “Hallelujah! Amen” repeated twice for emphasis.  “Holy Lord” (or better known as “Great Are You, Lord”) came on the scene almost 200 years later.  Written by a husband and wife team, Steve & Vikki Cook, this hymn again sings praises to our God.  A wonderful introduction to coming together, with my heart and sing…Great are You Lord!

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” – 314

We set our minds on the Lord’s Supper as we sang the 1st and 3rd verses of this song.  As we set our minds and hearts at the foot of the cross, in our mind’s eye we can see, “the very dying form of One who suffered there for me.”  But we’ll keep our eyes on the cross as we continue to focus during the Lord’s Supper this morning.

“The Old Rugged Cross” – 313

Perhaps a bit of controversy surrounds this old hymn as some feel we shouldn’t ‘cherish’ the old rugged cross. But to others, this is metaphorically cherishing the death of my Savior, for without that cross, I’m lost.  This morning however, we specifically sang only the 3rd verse following the bread and before the fruit of the vine. Continuing to keep our eyes on Jesus we sang, “In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see; for ’twas (it was) on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me…”

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” – 315

Though a very popular ‘communion’ song, again we only sang the third verse of ‘When I Survey.’  My reasoning was simple…keep your eyes on the cross of Jesus.  “See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flowed mingled down…”  Keeping the volume soft and thoughtful we maintained a solemn focus on the death of our Savior as we partook of the Lord’s Supper.

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” – 276

The title of this song comes from the chorus which was made famous by Helen Lemmel in 1922 (how many thought this to be a contemporary song).  Though we rarely sing the first three verses of this song, (verse 1) “O soul are you weary and troubled?”  the power of the chorus helps us keep our eyes on Jesus.  As we conclude the Memorial of our Lord’s death, we continually strive to stay focused on Him.  Would that our mind be so strongly tied to our God that, “…the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

“To Canaan’s Land I’m On My Way” – 867

With the title of our lesson on ‘the promise land’, I thought it appropriate our song before the lesson singing us toward Canaan’s Land (heaven).  Interestedly enough we have lots of sorrows, struggles, tears and pain here on earth, but in heaven…“Dear friends they’ll be no sad farewells.  They’ll be no tear dimmed eyes.”  Why you might ask?  Simply, in Heaven (Canaan’s Land) the soul never dies.

“Bring Christ Your Broken Life” – 911

Though specific for the hymnal Faith and Praise, I think it’s interesting that this invitation song, this call for sinners to ‘bring Christ your broken life’ is found on page 9-1-1.  Notice these words: “Bring Christ your broken life, so marred by sin, He will create a new, make whole again; your empty wasted years He will restore, and your iniquities (sin) remember no more.” (Emphasis added) “Bring Him your every care if great or small – whatever troubles you, O bring it all!  Bring Him the haunting fears, the nameless dread, Thy heart He will relieve, and lift up thy head.”

“A Mansion, Robe and Crown” – no book

Another contemporary song, this one again focuses on heaven.  The third verse grabs my attention when I sing about difficult times; “My head is bowed and bloody now from the work I’ve tried to do…”  Maybe not physically for most of us, for some in the mission field I’m certain this is true.  Needless to say we are all looking forward to a mansion, robe and crown!