darkness, we take confidence in knowing that ‘…He is the true Light, the Kingdom of day!’Passing the Baton…Mar. 30th
The year was 2008, and four men were running for their life. Their adversaries were all around, but they were prepared for this moment. They knew the routine and had visualized it (and done it) over and over and over. Then disaster struck. Two of the four men failed to complete their assigned duties. They failed to pass the baton. In a split second the aluminum cylinder skipped off the track 
and the hopes of a gold medal vanished. During the 2008 Summer Olympics, Tyson Gay and Darvis Patton failed to make the hand off in the 4×100 relay, but if the truth be told, an entire country felt the sting of disappointment when we failed to pass the baton.
But there are other areas in which failing to ‘pass the baton’ can crush hope. A teacher who fails to pass on valuable knowledge, drops the baton. A person of authority who knows truth and yet refuses to stand for what’s right, drops the baton. A father who fails to teach his child the truths of God’s word, drops the baton. As Christians, we have a unique responsibility when it comes to passing on the knowledge of salvation in Christ Jesus. The question is, how are we passing the baton?
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, March 30, 2014
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Surround Us, Lord” – no book
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people…” Taken from the 125th chapter of Psalms, this ‘psalm’ is a direct quote from the word of God. Would that we call upon our God to surround us with His love, mercy and protection…just as the mountains surrounded the city of Jerusalem.
“We’re Marching to Zion” – 869
A call for Christians to come, march (live a life) for Christ! Not in protest or defiance to the world, but to ‘let our joys be known.’ Please consider carefully the second verse and see where you are in this march. “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God, but children of the heavenly King may speak their joys abroad (all around)…” How are you with your singing? Do you sing and speak of the joy you have in Christ? Remember, when you sing about the beautiful city of God, you’re helping pass the baton!
“Ten Thousand Angels” – 349
When we read the scripture, this song should have a different name. Matthew 26:53 states, He could have called 12 legions of angels. So perhaps a better title would be “Seventy-two Thousand Angels.” Never forget, Christ was (is) in control and we are all indebted to His sacrifice. They did bind the hands of Jesus and they did lead Him through the streets…but He allowed it. Take some time to remember that they did spit upon our Savior and He was pure and free from sin…think about Him as we remember the Lord’s Supper.
“Humble Yourself” – 745
Taken from James chapter 4, verse 10, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” Understand what it means to humble yourself. By definition, “showing submissive respect.” As we come together to worship God we are in His presence. Are you submissive and respectful of Him…or is your mind somewhere else?
“Lord, Speak to Me” – 771
As we consider this morning’s lesson, notice verse three of this hymn; “O teach me Lord, that I may teach the precious things Thou dost impart…” Understand that what we’re singing this morning is a prayer. We’re asking for God’s help as we run the race, teach others about Him, and pass the baton.
“Pass It On” – no book
An old youth song from Camp Blue Haven that reminds me of my youth. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going…I wish for you my friend this happiness that I’ve found…I’ll shout it from the mountain tops, I want the world to know, the Lord of love has come to me, I want to pass it on.” Do we really want to pass it on, or are we waiting for someone to come and take it?
“Wonderful Words of Life” – 543
Before our lesson we’ll sing a ‘spiritual song’ that resounds with the idea of passing the baton. “Sweetly echo the gospel call…offer pardon and peace to all…Jesus, only Savior, sanctified forever!” We have wonderful words that give life, beautiful words of life, are we passing this message on?
“To Christ Be True” – 736
As the Olympic runner wins the race and crosses the finish line he runs another lap with the banner of his country 
flowing above him in proud display. If we are to be loyal and true we’ll pass on the message of Jesus Christ. We’ll be brave in His service of taking the message of salvation to a lost and dying world. We’ll ‘pass the baton’ being careful not to drop it. Then, as we sing, “…His banner be unfurled, and borne aloft till is secured the conquest of the world.”
“Heavenly Sunlight” – 611
Completing this service we’ll remind each other of our walk on this journey, that we’re pressing our way to mansion’s above. And though this journey may lead us over the mountains or through the deep valley, our Savior will never forsake us. We rejoice with that assurance…“Hallelujah!”, but we must always be ready to pass the baton!
What Will We See in Heaven?…July 7th
Many think of heaven in terms as they remember from the book of Revelation, specifically chapter 21. Images come to mind such as, ‘the pearly gates, streets of gold and the endless day.’ The scriptures do read, “The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold…the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl.” It’s true that we visualize heaven in terms as John described it.
But Sunday morning, July 7th, we’ll consider what we will see based on heavenly IDEALS such as ‘no mourning, or crying, or pain.’ After all, it was God who told John (Revelation 21:5), “Behold, I am making all things new.” Join us as we look through ‘the pearly gates.’
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, July 7, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“Awesome God” -38
Do we truly hold God as an awesome God? Can we say we are honestly ‘in awe of Him?’ Be careful not to dilute the word ‘awesome’ by describing a movie or even an experience as awesome. Our God is an awesome God; Deuteronomy 10:17 and Nehemiah 1:5 are two great examples of who is awesome.
“You Are the Song that I Sing” – 238
As part of this morning’s ‘medley’ we’ll transition from singing that “…our God is an awesome God!” to praising Him as ‘the song that I sing…” Later this week, when you’re singing in the car, will you be singing about God, or are you singing world’s tunes. Perhaps we should be giving back to God our voice, our song, the very reason of our hope to Him who gave us a song to sing.
“When All of God’s Singer’s Get Home” – 859
Have you ever walked into your home after Sunday morning services and immediately caught the whiff of a roast cooking? The aroma wafts through the air and we realize there is something wonderful waiting for 
us. But, as we sing, ‘…the joy can’t compare with the glory up there…’ our songs of praise and encouragement should be a sweet reminder of how beautiful heaven must be. “What a song of delight in that city so bright will be wafted ‘neath heaven’s fair dome…” Like the lingering smell of roast as it drifts through the air, so is the heart-felt singing of praise to our God. “When all of God’s children get home…”; coming in the pearly gates we can anticipate, hear and almost smell what’s been cooking and what is waiting for us!
“Worthy is the Lamb” – no book
The tune from the song “Just As I Am” is used with the words to this hymn taken from the book of Revelation.
“O Holy Lamb, Thou Son of God most Holy Lord, most worthy Lord. Standing in the center of God’s throne. Oh worthy is the Lamb, the Lamb.” It’s interesting that these ‘recent’ words, taken from Revelation and written/arranged by Jeff Nelson are blended with the music of William Bradbury written long ago. Nelson penned the words 150 years after Bradbury penned the music. But John recorded the image of ‘the Lamb’ over 2000 years ago. And the singer (sinner) still bows in response…“O Lamb of God, I come!”
“Earth Holds No Treasure” – 884
Where do you put your treasures? Maybe you should ask yourself; ‘what are my treasures?’ What do you value most in this life? The most important things in our life are kept in a safe and secure location. But is this world really secure? How ‘safe’ can a safety deposit box really be? 
Time and storms will ravage our homes and the field can be easily flooded beyond recognition. Is this earth where we hold our treasures? Maybe we are holding on to something that’s not worth our grip? Tillet S. Teddlie says it best in the third verse of this song; “Why should I long for this world and it’s sorrows…?” Good question.
“Sweet By and By” – 878
In the sweet by and by (heaven) we trust there’s a land that is fairer than anything we’ve ever experienced. Do we know that for sure? Has anyone been there and returned with pictures of the beautiful shore? John gives us our best glimpse into that realm as we read the book of Revelation. No one has seen heaven, “but by faith we can see it afar.”
“Where the Gates Swing Outward Never” – 864
Before our lesson we’ll sing this old spiritual song about gates that don’t ‘swing outward.’ What an image that the gates of heaven (Revelation 21:25) will never close! Humbled we should considered that in ‘a few more days’ or ‘a few more years’ we’ll ‘wake to see Him for whom my (our) heart is burning…’ How many of us can honestly say we have a heart that is burning to see the Savior, a heart that is yearning to go home?
“In the Land of Fadeless Day” – 890
The chorus of this song has always brought encouragement to me; “God shall wipe away all tears…” . It echoes the words of Revelation 21:4, but continues on into the 16th verse and provides the title for this spiritual song. “The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width…” (four square) Perhaps not a traditional invitation song, but what a great reminder that the gates of heaven (vs. 3) never close.
“Just Over in the Glory-Land” – no book
“What a joyful thought that my Lord I’ll see, just over in the glory-land; and with kindred saved there forever be, just over in the glory-land!” Kindred saved…what (who) is kindred? We don’t use that term much today, ‘kinfolk,’ but that is a term used to identify family. We are the family of God so it makes since to say we’ll go home to be with our kin when this life is over. Where is home? Just over the way…in glory-land!
A Problem on the Way to the Promise Land…Feb. 17th
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!