Category: Sacrifice

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Will You Join Me for Supper?…Jan. 26th

collection plateEvery Sunday morning we meet together to worship God, sing songs of praise and edification and study from His holy word.  But above all, we come as a collected body of His people to commemorate our Lord’s death, burial and resurrection.  And we do so, as He commanded, by taking the bread, His body, and the cup, His blood in remembrance of Him.

This Sunday morning we’ll focus our time together, in the corporate worship, solely around the Lord’s Supper.  Our songs will be interspersed with the message of Christ’s sacrifice.  Often we come together, and often we sing and prayer, but our prayer is that we will keep in memory all the things Jesus said.  Sunday morning would be a good time to, “join me for supper.”

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

Sunday morning, January 26, 2014

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing” -121

As our country struggled in the early years before the Civil War, a song of unification was penned.  That same spiritual song will serve as our opening song of encouragement this Sunday morning.  “Come, let us all unite to sing…God is love!”  The call is for every soul to wake up from the sleep of death (sin), and make sweet music in his heart…for Jesus’ sake.  Why?  Simply because God is love!

“He Has Made Me Glad” -103

Taken from the Psalms (100th chapter) this contemporary ‘psalm’ expresses our wish to come before the Lord with singing.  We sing about thankfully entering through His gates and praising Him in His courts.  Today is the day the Lord has made…how will you react to it?  If He has made you glad, REJOICE!

Rose of Sharon“Jesus, Rose of Sharon” -568

A song from years gone by and one that is not often sung amidst all our contemporary options.  But what a power message that references the Old Testament.  The Rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon) is used poetically and expresses the beauty of the one who is loved.  Do you see Jesus as beautiful in His sacrifice and love for you?  There is so much more to this rose which grew in Sharon’s plain (Isaiah 35) besides it’s beauty.  It possessed qualities for healing and health as noted in the third verse; “Jesus, Rose of Sharon, balm for every ill, may Thy tender mercy’s healing power distil for afflicted souls of weary burdened men, giving needy mortals health and hope again…”

“Oft We Come Together” -no book

Written and composed by Tillit S. Teddlie, this song focuses on the Lord’s Supper and fits well with our message this morning.  Would that we truly worship as we eat the bread and drink the cup.  But not only should we have a worshipful heart, we should be together as one (in one accord) without decisions or division.  “Help us Lord, Thy love to see…”

“Til My Faith Becomes Sight“ -836

A beautiful song of prayer as we identify six specific names for Jesus, the Christ.  1) Bread of Life 2) pure Living Water 3) Lover of my soul 4) Lamb of God 5) Savior 6) Lord & King…Don’t fear the world, it may ‘slay’ you, but He is the light darkness.  Keep your eyes on Him til your faith becomes sight.

“When I See the Blood” -no book

Perhaps not familiar to most, this song was written in 1892 and uses the exact wording found in Exodus 12:13, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”  As the children of Israel prepared to leave Egypt by the delivering hand of God, they are given some specific instructions.  We too are delivered (blessed) by ‘the blood.’  But for us it’s not lamb’s blood, but the blood of THE LAMB.

“There is Power in the Blood” -903

Question…‘would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?  There’s power in the blood.”  Focusing on the Supper we have taken the bread and now we’ll take of the cup.  The cup that represents His blood.  The power of life eternal comes from the blood of the Savior.  There is power!

“Hallelujah!  What a Savior” -337

Isaiah prophesied of a Messiah who would be a ‘man of sorrows’ (Isaiah 53:3).  We’ll sing of the Son of God who came for the sinner.  A Savior who bore our shame and was condemned for our pardon.  We are guilty and vile (full of wickedness) and He is a spotless Lamb of God.  He was lifted up to die, but now exalted on high…how can we not sing, “Hallelujah! What a Savior.”       

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Sound the Battle Cry

civil war soldiersWars are fought and won by soldiers!  We’ve honored our veterans this month and each day we should express our ‘thanks’ for their sacrifice.  But we must never forget that soldiers fight for a cause.  They strap on their gear (armor) and charge into the fray for a common cause, to defeat the foe.  And though our methods of battle are much more ‘sophisticated’ today, we still are engaged in wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6).

Since the day God delivered His people from the Egyptians (Exodus 14), armies have sung songs to rally the troops and encourage the victor.  Songs like Moses and the sons of Israel sang in Exodus 15; “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has hurled into the sea…”   Following the example from those men of old, we have continued to sing in triumph on the battle field.

The Civil War holds some strong examples of battle songs as we recall some familiar tunes from the 1860’s; “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”, “Dixie Land” and “Rally Round the Flag Boys”.  Like the Civil War, both World Wars and other battles fought over the years, songs of encouragement were sung to inspire the troops.

In the battle for right vs. wrong, God’s children find themselves fighting as soldier’s of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).  We recognize this and even teach the idea to our children at the youngest ages.  Who hasn’t attended a Vacation Bible School and not sung, “I’m in the Lord’s Army”?  But do the ‘battle songs’ end with children?  Obviously not when we consider; “Soldier’s of Christ, Arise” or “The Battle Belongs to the Lord” or “Victory in Jesus”.  Let’s look at one particular battle song that the Christian has sung since the days of the Civil War.  A song by William F. Sherwin sherwin...1869entitled “Sound the Battle Cry”.  Notice the call for soldiers to be aware of the impending battle (the foe is nigh) and the call from Ephesians 6 to ‘put on the armor of God’.  The second verse encourages the soldier to realize and see the importance of never quitting (marching on in the strength of God).  And the final verse is a plea to the ‘Captain’ to continue with us, support us and reward us at the close of the war.

With the sound of distant cannons echoing in his mind, Sherwin pens the chorus as if singing the Civil War tune, ‘rally around the flag boys’; “Rouse then soldier’s (of the cross), rally round the banner…” , but who is the banner?  Notice Isaiah 11, “In that day the Root of Jesse (David’s father) will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His resting place will be glorious.”   Who is the “Root of Jesse”?  Look to John as he wrote in Revelation 5, “…behold the Root of David (son of Jesse)…a Lamb, standing, as if slain…”.  When we sing about ‘the banner’, we’re singing about the Christ.  When we “rally ’round the banner,” we are rallying around our Savior.

Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;
Raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;
Rest your cause upon His holy Word.
Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,
While our cause we know, must prevail;
Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,
Battling for the right we ne’er can fail.
O Thou God of all, hear us when we call,
Help us one and all by Thy grace;
When the battle’s done, and the victory won,
May we wear the crown before Thy face.
Refrain:
Rouse then, soldiers, rally round the banner,
Ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud, “Hosannah!”
Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.
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Counter Cultural Christianity…Nov. 3rd

Culture can be defined as; ‘the predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.’ We consider the actions of a people and determine their culture. What do the people believe?  What is the most important part of the people’s life?  Perhaps we need to look no further than what that ‘culture’ values.

Counter CulturalConcerning His disciples Christ prayed in John 17, ‘…they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.’  We do live in this world (this culture), but we are called to be separated from it.  In this same text Jesus also prayed, ‘I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.’  If our culture should embrace (have an attitude or behavior) that opposes God’s will, where will we stand?  With culture, or counter to it?  Just remember, oil and water won’t mix…and neither should Christians and the world.  Does that mean we ought not to ‘hang around’ non-Christians?  Not exactly, but we had best consider how we are seen by the world.  Will we fall in-line with the current culture, or will our Christianity be counter cultural? 

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

Sunday morning, November 3, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.Awesome God

“Awesome God” -38

We toss around the word ‘awesome’ when we want to describe something we really like.  That movie was awesome.  The meal was awesome.  What an awesome time we had together.  But let me encourage you to re-think the way we use this adjective.  It means to be inspired and moved beyond the norm.  Is that what God is for you?  Are you in ‘awe’ of Him?  Personally, I guess it’s just hard for me to place my Creator in the same category as Hollywood’s latest production.  God deserves much more than we give Him credit for…
Our God IS an awesome God!

“Faith is the Victory” – 469

A strong, spiritual songs that recalls the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and the battle we Christians should be preparing for.  We sing to admonish the congregation as we anticipate the spiritual battle against forces of darkness.  The message is poetically clear in the first verse; as soldiers we are camped next to the hills of light (heaven), but we must be ready to go to war ‘against the foes in vales below.’  Our fight is against the ‘night’ lest it should overcome the glowing skies (which seems to be the current situation in our culture).   Just remember, with our faith in God, we have the victory!

“Wounded for Me” – 328

Written in the 1930’s, this spiritual song has the sound of a contemporary piece with the basic message of Christ’s sacrifice for us, “Wounded for me, wounded for me.  There on the cross He was wounded for me…”  Our song continues as we sing how he was not only wounded, but He died for me.  But praise be to God, “He has risen for me; now evermore from death’s sting I am free, all because Jesus has risen for me.”mount of olives and jerusalem

“‘Tis Midnight, and On Olive’s Brow” – 334

Open your Bibles and you’ll be able to follow the thought process of William B. Tappan as he penned these words in 1822.  The poetry takes you to Luke 22:39-44, “He came out and proceeded…to the Mount of Olives…and He withdrew from them about a stone’s thrown…an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him…His sweat became like drops of blood…”  And singing, “Tis midnight and on Olive’s brow…the Savior prays alone…’ (1) ‘…unheard by mortals are the strains that sweetly soothe the Savior’s woes…’ (4) ‘…the Man of Sorrows weeps in blood…’ (3)
See also Hebrews 5:7, “…He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death…”

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” – 276

The title of this song comes from the chorus which was made famous by Helen Lemmel in 1922 (some may have thought this to be another contemporary, 80’s or 90’s, song).  The power of the words encourage 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 hearts and minds be so close to our God that, ‘…the things of earth will grow strangely dim…’

“Onward, Christian Soldiers” – 646

A great ‘battle song’, but one with a verse many may have missed.  Notice these ‘new’ words; “Like a mighty army moves the church of God; Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.  We are not divided, all one body we; one in hope and doctrine, one in charity…”.  Would that we understand and remember Ephesians 4; “There is one body and one Spirit…one hope…one Lord…one faith…one baptism…one God and Father.”

“I Am Resolved” – 948

January 1st is a good time to find people making ‘resolutions.’  A time when you fix your mind toward accomplishing our goals.  A time when we promise ourself personal achievement.  A new year, a new start, a new goal.  This morning’s invitation is more than just a ‘first of the year’ promise.  We sing to confirm a promise that we are going to stop lingering, we are going to go to the Savior, follow the Savior, and ultimately, to enter His kingdom.  Do you hurry to get to the Savior (do you hasten to Him) or are you just lingering, taking your time?

“All the Way My Savior Leads Me” – no book

We live in a culture determined to lead us to believe and behavior in a particular way.  But as a child of God, our attitude and actions should be determined by Him and His will.  Who is leading your life?  Are you following in line with the ideals (behavior) of our culture, or are you being lead by the Savior…all the way?

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The Silence of the Lambs…September 22nd

Fearful of their surroundings, an unlikely threesome walk down a brick road chanting the infamous, “Lions and Tigers and Bears, O my…” They feared what many consider vicious predators.  Animals whose character is powerful and lions-tigers-bearsruthless.  It’s true, some of God’s creatures are not to be trifled with; but on the other hand, some are extremely passive and best described as vulnerable.  So why would the Son of God be classified as one of these?  Isaiah will describe Him as, ‘a lamb led to slaughter.’  Non-aggressive and defenseless is a good description for a lamb.

A silent lamb led to its shearers is the way Isaiah describes Christ.  Not kicking back, roaring or ‘fighting to the end.’  Mark states clearly at Christ’s ‘trial’ that He, “…kept silent and did not answer.”  Join us this coming Sunday morning at Waterview church of Christ as we’ll be looking at the innocent and un-protesting Lamb of God.

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

Sunday morning, September 22, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

 “We Praise Thee, O God”

This is a wonderful, old hymn that dates back to the days before our country’s Civil War; a song that transcends time and brings ecstasy to the singer and listener alike.  Though penned more than 150 years ago, it still as a powerful message.  The first two verses begin, “We praise Thee, O God,”  while the next two verses begin, “All glory and praise…”  Beautiful words of exclamation, but least we lose sight of what we’re singing we conclude the chorus (and being the final verse) with the phrase, “Revive us again…”

“The Old Rugged Cross”

Some hymn writers have a wide collection of songs they’ve written over the years.  Authors and composers like Isaac Watts, Fanny J. Crosby, Albert Brumley, William Doane and Tillet S. Teddlie to name a few.  But for one man, George Bennard, his call to fame came in one song and one song alone, ‘The Old Rugged Cross.’  What a message of salvation from the pen of this man who turns our minds back in time to, ‘a hill far away’ as we remember the cross of Christ.

 “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”

The third verse of this song will be sung between the bread and the fruit of the vine as we consider coming near the cross.  The plea for us to visualize our Lord’s death on the cross comes as we sing, “Near the cross! O Lamb of God, bring its scenes before me…”  Maybe some would rather not focus on that scene.  It was a murder scene and one that was graphic as you think about his hands, feet and side.  Not to mention the crown of thorns.  We need to stay near the cross because all that pain and sorrow was on our account.  He died for you and me.

“Worthy is the Lamb”

We’ve sung this before as we take the tune from Just As I Am and put it to some words and thoughts found around the throne of God in the book of Revelation.  When we can sing the scripture (a psalm) it makes for stronger understand of the text.  But when the words we sing are noted as having been sung around the throne of God…now that’s powerful.  We’ll sing: “You alone are worthy to open its seals, because You were slain and gave Your blood.  You purchased every man for God O worthy is the Lamb.”  Revelation 5:9 reads: “Worthy are You to worthy-is-the-lambtake the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

“You Are My All in All”

“Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name!”  We’ll sing this contemporary song as we consider where our strength comes from, and what types of treasures we truly are seeking.  Interestingly enough how many people really believe what they say in that first verse; “Lord, to give up I’d be a fool…”  Defined:  ‘A person lacking judgment’…giving up on God is not only foolish, it’s life threatening.

 “Lamb of God”

The scripture reading just before this song is Isaiah 53:7, “…and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.”  This inspired prophecy of Christ’s trial and crucifixion is captured by Isaiah the prophet, and we’ll follow it as we sing, “O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God…”

 “I Will Sing of My Redeemer”

This song has an interesting chorus, “Sing, O sing of my redeemer, Sing O sing of my Redeemer; with His blood He purchased me, with His blood He purchased me, on the cross He sealed my pardon, on the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free and made me free, and made me free.”  How often we sing, but fall short of listening to what we’re singing.  Why repeat these words?  Is it just for filler, or to enhance the harmony?  Maybe we just like the way we’re echoing the ladies part?  Or is there something more?  Maybe it’s important enough that it’s worth repeating…for emphasis.  Yes, I’ll sing!

 “Redeemed”

The song before our lesson, has a strong upbeat tempo.  But in case you haven’t noticed, this song uses the word ‘redeemed’ a total of 7 times…in the first verse alone.  How thankful are we for the redemption we have in Christ.  Because of the blood of the Lamb of God I can sing that I am, “…His child, and forever, I am.”

“Have You Been to Jesus?”       

An invitation, in its purest form, is a question.  Will you come to the party?  We send drop of bloodinvitations to ask for a response to our questions.  Each Sunday the preacher ‘offers the invitation’ for those who will respond to come to Christ.  How fitting, as we have sung and talked about the Lamb of God, that we would ask the question; “Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power; are you walking daily by the Savior’s side…are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”  How will you answer (have you answered) the invitation?

 “We Will Glorify”

A contemporary song that proclaims what the people of God long to do…we want to (we will) glorify our God!  How often we sing with spirit and truth, but remember we must sing with understanding too.  This first verse alone gives glory to the King of Kings, the Lamb and the Lord of Lords.  But did you notice the last line of this verse (and the fourth)…?  Who is the Great I Am!  That’s not a question asking who the great I Am is, it’s a statement that the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and the Lamb are all the great I Am…

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Thoughts From the Cross

Christ on the crossHave you ever wondered what went through Jesus’ mind as He hung on the cross?  The gospel accounts tell us about the scorn of the soldiers, the hatred of the Jews, the fear of the apostles and the sorrow of Mary; but little is said of the mental state of Jesus Himself.

Fortunately, almost a full millennium before the death of Christ, David penned the soul stirring words of Psalm 22.  This powerful psalm eloquently relates Jesus’ perspective as He bled and died for humanity’s sin.  David writes, almost as if he were standing at the foot of the cross peering into the mind of the Savior.  His words give us a glimpse into Heaven’s point of view, and helps us to grasp the intense anguish of our Savior as He hung upon Calvary’s tree.

The Cry of the Savior (Psalm 22:1-5)

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  What a cry was made by our Lord and Savior.  One can only imagine the loneliness that Christ felt on Execution Hill.  The Lord made Him a sin offering, placing the whole of man’s sin upon His shoulders.  The weight of that sin must have been unbearable as Jesus knows that He had been ‘made to be sin’ for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) and that the eyes of God Almighty were too pure to even look upon Him (Habakkuk 1:13).  Yet despite His solitude, Jesus still gave reverence to His Father, “Yet, You are holy, O You are enthroned upon the praises of Israel.”  Psalm 22:3

The Rejection of the Savior (Psalm 22:6-13)

Can you imagine One who left behind the splendor of Heaven for our benefit, being treated with less respect than a worm?  Jesus, “…came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.”  John 1:22.  The Jews desecrated his dignity and sentenced Him to a death normally reserved for the lowest of the low.  David records, “But I am a worm and not a man; reproach of men and despised by the people…” (Psalm 22:6).  Jesus truly was ‘a man of sorrows’ (Isaiah 53:3)  He was hated, scorned, mocked, spat upon, beaten, rejected and ultimately crucified on behalf of the very men and women who despised Him…and some still do today.

The Crucifixion of the Savior (Psalm 22:14-18)

It is difficult to surmise a form of punishment more cruel and humiliating than crucifixion.  Though undeserving, our Savior suffered this torturous death at the hands of Roman soldiers.  As His body hung there, weakened from the beating just hours earlier, those who hated Jesus looked upon Him with a sadistic satisfaction.  They are described as dogs that enclosed Him and pierced Him; “For dogs have surrounded Me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet.” (vs. 16)  They laughed and mocked at Him, inflicting pain to the best of their limited abilities.  The spotless Lamb of God endured this for you and me.

The Deliverance of the Savior (Psalm 22:19-21)

In His hour of darkness, the Messiah found consolation and hope in His Father, our Lord. “But You, O Lord, be not far off, O Lord my help, hasten to my assistance.”  Psalm 22:19.  The Hebrew writer reveals that Christ offered up both prayers and supplications to the Lord (Hebrews 5:7).  Truly, to whom may we turn in times of extreme need?  Christ did not forsake His Father, neither did He despise Him during His hour of trail.  Rather, Christ called out to Him and placed His confidence in Him.  We, too, find our deliverance through Christ in God the Father.

Thanks to Terry Harmon (the former minister of the Flagler church of Christ in Flagler, Colorado) for once again sharing some thoughts about our Savior and His death on the cross.  Would that we come to better understand the cry of the Savior, His rejection and crucifixion on the cross so we can learn of the deliverance we have in Him.

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Hobson’s Choice?…August 25th

How much do you really want what’s being offered?  Are there times when you feel the ‘gift’ just isn’t worth it?  A father offers his son an old, beat up car as a graduation gift; but the boy was wanting something newer and with more appeal.  Dad’s response; ‘Well son, this is what you’ve got.  You can take it or leave it.’

But is it really a choice?  If you reject what’s offered you’re left with nothing, but if you take what you don’t really want, how can that be ‘my choice?’  Thomas Hobson lived inhorse stable the late 1500’s and he owned a horse-rental business in England.  This idea provides the back drop for Sunday morning’s lesson.  Can a Christian find Biblical application in “Hobson’s Choice?”

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

Sunday morning, August 25, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“The Steadfast Love of the Lord” -123

Taken from Lamentation 3:22-24, our opening song this morning is a Psalm since we will be singing scripture.  “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.”  Of course!  If His love is steadfast…it never would cease.  We believe and know that His mercies never come to an end either.  But the question today, do you hope in Him?

“Lord, Take Control” – 790

We’ve set the contribution early this morning, and as we prepare to give back a portion which is rightful His.  We’ll sing about giving our hearts, minds, bodies and souls to God.  But most are more comfortable with just giving to God our financial means, our money.  But are you really prepared to say, “Lord, take control” of my life?  It’s more than just a song, it’s a commitment.

“We Bow Down” – 577

A contemporary song with a basic message, “You are Lord of creation and Lord of my life, Lord of the land and the sea.  You were Lord of the heavens before there was time, and Lord of all lord’s You will be.”  Some will, in their hearts and lives, bow down and worship while others will just sit by and sing.  What are you willing to do?

“The Lord’s Supper” – no book

Tillit S. Teddlie wrote a vast number of songs to focus the Christian and glorify God.  This spiritual song is used primarily around the Lord’s table as we remember Christ death.  Notice the scripture reference as we conclude each verse; “While we feast Christ gentle whispers, ‘Do this in My memory.’”  At Waterview this Sunday morning we’ll read I Corinthians 11:23, 24 then sing this song to focus more on His memorial.

“By Christ Redeemed” – 366Lord's Supper2

Similar to Teddlie’s song which sites I Corinthians 11: 24, this song by George Rawson also alludes to Paul’s words in I Corinthians.  Notice the words from this old song; “By Christ redeemed, in Christ restored, we keep the Supper of the Word, and show the death of our dear Lord, until He come.”  Each line of this song ends the same way, ‘…until He come.’  Paul wrote in vs 26, “…for as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

“O Happy Day” – 494

I remember very well the night my grandparents were baptized.  The congregation that gathered together sang this song after their baptism.  We’ll sing it again Sunday morning as we conclude the Lord’s Supper and remember the hope we have because of the sacrifice He gave.  Christians appreciate the last verse, “Tis done; the great transaction’s done; I am my Lord’s and He is mine!  He drew me, and I followed on, charmed to confess the voice divine…”  Each time we take of the Lord’s Supper, we confess His matchless love.

“We’re Marching to Zion” – 869

A great song before our lesson…Christians are marching to Zion (heaven) and we should be proudly proclaiming that fact.  Or are you more like verse 2, refusing to sing?  Maybe for those who have never heard would refuse to open their voices and hearts, but how can a child of God keep quiet when we join together to praise Him?  You might stop and think about that next time you don’t want to sing…

light of the world“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” – 389

Perhaps not a typical invitation song, but the message here is clear.  Each line begins with “I heard the voice of Jesus say…”  Reading your Bible and you’ll hear Him say ‘Come unto me…I am the living water…I am the light of the world’.  Jesus calls us to come follow Him.  Reading your Bible you can hear the voice of Jesus.  Maybe this is more of an invitation song they we’ve previously thought?

“Home of the Soul” – 875

By request we’ll sing this old spiritual song of heaven.  Christians strive for that home above, we hope for a ‘sweet rest’ and we look forward to the bright homeland, but we first need to endure the storms of life.  Maybe we should ask ourselves how much we long for Him?  Are the storms worth fighting?  Are we laboring for the Master and leaning on Him, or are we just biding our time here on earth?  If you are one of the ‘ransomed’ you’re looking forward to that beautiful home of the soul…And, if the truth be known, you have a “Hobson’s Choice”.

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Do We Want More? (part 2)

more...Oliver TwistOliver is a young, orphan boy who, at the tender age of nine, lives each day with other orphans at the ‘workhouse.’  His daily routine is much like every boy in the orphanage.  He isn’t a trouble maker, but he does something no one else is willing to do.  After finishing his bowl of gruel (porridge), with a trembling hand, he returns to food line and utters the famous line, “Please Sir, I want some more…”

Charles Dickens authors this literally piece and many have adapted Oliver Twist to their own version of orphans and the homeless.  The story is an interesting one, but our focus is centered on the words of this fictitious nine-year old, “…I want some more.”  If we’re truthful with ourselves we would admit that each of us, in some form or fashion want more.  But as we’ve studied previous, what more do we want?

Let’s continue the study of the hymn written and composed by Philip Bliss in 1873.  Interestingly enough, this song was penned less than 35 years after Dickens wrote Oliver Twist.  As you might remember, we sing the word ‘more’ twenty-four (24) times during the course of song “More Holiness Give Me”.  Let’s continue our deeper examination of what more we could possibly be aspiring toward.

In verse two we sing (and seek); more gratitude, more trust, more pride and more hope .  More tears, more pain, more meekness and more praise.  One by one we consider what are we asking God to give us ‘more’ of:
girl praying
1) More gratitude give me…  Our prayers are often laced with thankfulness.  We’re thankful for the day, the food, the good night’s rest so why ask for more thankfulness?  Gratitude is synonymous with thankfulness but often we ramble out our prayer of thanks without processing why we have what we have.  God has given us EVERYTHING!  For that alone we should have gratitude.  Personally, I don’t get tired of hearing thank you from my children.  Do you suppose God is the same?

2) More trust in the Lord… David wrote in Psalm 20:7, “Some boast (trust) in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast (trust) in the name of the Lord, our God.”  With some much self-proclaimed wisdom, our culture and this present generation has come to trust in self.  So much has been accomplished and achieved during the last 50 years we have become masters in our own right.  What do we trust?  Who do we trust?  Would that we prayer for more trust in the Lord.  “…the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

3) More pride in His glory.  Each of us knows the swell of pride we feel when our team is victorious.  We take pride in knowing we have succeeded in this task or that accomplishment.  But more pride in HIS glory means I take pride in giving God glory.  We humble ourselves and take pride in knowing our God, He is Alive.

4) More hope in His word.  The word “hope” can mean to long for something, wish for it; or it can mean trust or confidence.  Our hope in God’s word is not to wish for it to be what it claims to be, but to put our trust and our confidence in His word.  You’ll remember we sang that we pray for more trust in the Lord (previous line), and now we turn our prayer to be confident (hope) in His word!

5) More tears for His sorrows.  Each week we gather and remember the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection.  With the Lord’s Supper we keep Jesus’ sacrifice every in our minds and hearts.  But be careful that this time doesn’t become routine.  Remember the words of Isaiah (chapter 53) when he prophesy’s about the Messiah saying, “…He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief…” (KJV)  Do we weep when we consider His death?  We need more tears for His sorrows.Head bowed in prayer

6) More pain at His grief.  Again, looking to Isaiah 53 we are reminded of His grief.  As we sing this hymn we are asking that we feel the pain, as we shed the tears, for our Savior’s grief.  Undoubtedly you’ve said something like, “That breaks my heart!”  Simply an expression of pain for someone’s grief.  Does Jesus’ suffering (grief) break your heart?

7) More meekness in trial.  My mind immediately goes to the book of Matthew and the words of Jesus in the 5th chapter, “…whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.”  (vs. 39)  But we shouldn’t be surprised when we consider what Jesus said just a few sentences earlier (vs. 5), “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”  When someone slaps you down (trials), are you fighting mad…or meekly enduring?

8) More praise for relief.  In baseball there is a position known as the ‘relief pitcher.’  The man who take over for the ‘starting’ pitcher.  He may be there because the starter was injured or perhaps just exhausted.  Either way, there is a relief for the starter.  In the sport of baseball the relief pitcher isn’t always praised.  He may fail to ‘provide’ the relief he was called to deliver.  But in the case of Jesus, He is our answer to the injury and exhaustion we feel on a daily basis.  He is our relief, our salvation, and He never fails.  When we understand and accept Him in that way, we’ll know that we need to give Him more praise for our salvation…He is our relief…

We’ll continue this song in later weeks, but until that time take a look at the last verse of this song; there are still eight more…’mores’.

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Lessons from a Pulpit

Pedestal PulpitFor those ‘church going’ folks, you know what the pulpit is.  You’ve seen one almost every Sunday morning, and you know the preacher (most of the time) stands behind it to deliver a message for the word of God.

But sadly enough there are times when the message (the sermon) fails to live up to the position the pulpit represents.   There are some who preach without the strength of understand and the conviction of word.  Too many ‘softballs’ are lobbed out to the congregation making them feel secure, pacified and justified in their day-to-day activities.  (Waterview church of Christ is the exception; Robert Oglesby’s Bible strong lessons challenge the status quo.)  Still ask yourself, are the sermons you hear each week solid or soft.  Will you hear a forward condemnation toward drunkenness, or quiet acceptance to social drinking?  Do the sermons admonish the ladies to practice modesty, or are we fine with short skirts and tight tops?  Are we concerned about the activities that accompany Prom Night?  Or is that just ‘a right of passage’ for our young men and women?  Are these activities (and others like them) discouraged from the pulpit?

Maybe, if we could have ‘seen’ the sermon 2000 years ago that held a crowd spell-bound for more than 6-hours we would understand what’s important in the walk with Christ.  (Mark 15:25 we read, “It was about the third hour (9:00AM) when they crucified Him.”  Then again in Luke 23:44-46 we notice, “It was about the sixth hour (noon), and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00PM), because the sun was obscured; and the crucifixion of Jesusveil of the temple was torn in two.  And Jesus, crying out in a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”  Having said this, He breathed His last.”)

For six hours (9:00 in the morning till 3:00 in the afternoon) people stood and watched the Savior die.  Some passed by shaking their heads (Mark 15:29) while others, rulers and soldiers included, stood looking and listen to the lesson from our Lord.  We remember the short statements He made while on the cross; “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”, “Woman, behold your son.”, “I thirst.” , “It is finished!” and several other short proclamations.  But what lesson was taught on this dark day in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago?  What life altering lesson can I learn from this sermon of all sermons?

The group Acapella recorded a song entitle, There Never was a Pulpit Like the Cross.  As you listen to this song consider the message that came on Calvary.  What was the crowd hearing on that dread day as Jesus was crucified for the sins of all mankind?  If it’s been a while since you’ve read the account of Christ death, burial and resurrection I encourage you to read it again.  Listen to the sermon that Jesus preaches as He hangs on the cross for man’s redemption.

1) Jesus climbed the hill of Calvary
And they nailed Him on a cross
Though He had no sin my friend, like me and you
He submitted like a gentle lamb and let them nail Him there
And prayed “Forgive them, for they know not what they do”
Chorus:
Oh, there never was a pulpit like the old rugged cross
And there never was such a meeting place as Calvary
There never was a greater lesson preached on love by mortal man
And there never was a pulpit like the cross

2) What a crowd was gathered on the hill of Calvary that day
Not long before Christ’s victory was won
As His own mother watched and wept beside a friend whom Jesus loved
Christ said, “Dear mother, when I’m gone, he’ll be your son”
Chorus

3) A guilty man was hanging on another cross that daytheif on the cross
Convicted of some thievery, his sin
And suff’ring Jesus saw some good in him and he forgave that man
And said, “Today, into My Heaven enter in”
Chorus

4) As you sit and pray in comfort, and in finery adorned
Without a thought of shame, regret, or loss
Just think of Jesus on that hill in pain, to awful to be born
And remember that old pulpit called the cross
Chorus

No, there never was a pulpit like the cross

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God With Us…Part Two

word became flesh

Part 2 of 2…Immanuel; God with Us!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 2, 14

Incarnation, by simple definition is, “God in the flesh!”  Let’s continue our thoughts about the Incarnation of Jesus the Christ…

It was foretold in Genesis 3:15 as God pronounces punishment on Adam and Eve and the serpent (Satan).  As the ‘serpent’ is given his consequence for deceiving/tempting Eve, God offers the hope of reconciliation to all mankind.  “…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.”  With the fall of man comes the plan for salvation, the incarnation of Jesus Christ. 

In Matthew chapter 1, prior to the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and confirmed the incarnation.  “…take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”  Perhaps 700 years earlier, Isaiah confirms this with his prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, “…The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”  Immanuel, by definition, “God with us.”  We In the beginning was the Wordunderstand the incarnation was foretold and planned from the beginning of time.But perhaps the question we should be asking is, “Why would God become flesh?”  What would motivate a royal, divine, supreme being to descend to the ranks of mortal man?  Why?

Why did the Savior of mankind come to this earth in the first place?  Why would He come?  What determined his lowly state of birth and His humble circumstances?  God’s word, again, holds the key, but you have most likely sung the answer since you were a child.  John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  To know why incarnation was necessary is to know that, Jesus Loves Me.  “Why did my Savior come to earth and to the humble go?  Why did He choose a lowly birth?”  Why…Because He loved me so!

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God With Us…Part One

John 1...1Part 1 of 2…Immanuel; God with Us!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1, 2, 14

Incarnation, by simple definition is, “God in the flesh!”  The scripture explains it, and for years we have sung about it.  Perhaps you’ll remember some of these old hymns:

  • Come Thou Almighty King (“Come, Thou incarnate Word…”)
  • Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (“…veiled in flesh the Godhead see;hail the incarnate Deity; pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel…”)
  • One Day (“…one day when sin was a black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, dwelt among men, my example is He!”)
  • We Saw Thee Not (“We saw Thee not when Thou dids’t come to this poor world of sin and death, nor yet beheld Thy cottage home, in that despised Nazareth…”)we believe

So how do we explain such a miracle in time?  Certainly numerous questions come to mind when we consider incarnation.  “How can God become flesh?”  “What is the natural, logical property involved with incarnation?”  Read the words of God as we consider this holy phenomenon.  Paul writes in Colossians 3:9, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…”  Earlier in Colossians, Paul confirms the supremacy of Christ, “He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation.” (Colossians 1:15)  Jesus the Christ was not 50% god and 50% man.  He came to earth 100% divine and 100% flesh.  Though the ‘logical properties’ may be unknown to us, for the believer we have blessed assurance that this mystery of Godliness is great.  We believe that He still came to earth, and everything we need to know about salvation and reconciliation with God is found in Christ Jesus.  We wasn’t born in palace as would be expected of royalty, his birth was in a lowly stable.  Royal recognition was gone and He came to experience royal rejection even by His kinsmen (Mark 3:21).  But still…He came.  The video below is a song from Donna Douglas and Pam Thumb that proclamations our faith. Listen to the message as you read the words.

Do we truly understand the sacrifice Jesus made in becoming our Immanuel?  “He left all heaven’s glory to fulfill the Father’s plan.”  A plan that was necessary for our salvation.  We might sing about it and we might know it’s ramifications, but do we truly appreciate it?  There was no out, no substitute as we read in Hebrews 9, “For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.  For a covenant is valid only when men are dead…” (NAS)  But as the song continues, “…the hope of what He offered so out weighed what must be done.”  We have a means by which we are saved; through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  His death, burial and resurrection.

The follow up to this study (part 2) will explore the “WHY” behind the incarnation.
Look for part 2 in late May, 2013…