Christian’s understand and believe that faith is based on an eternal promise, an everlasting covenant.  And as we consider a covenant, it’s logical to conclude that it should be confirmed in writing.  But one written, confirmed, with blood?  Obviously a holy promise, a divine theology, that is written in blood must be of the highest importance.  Since blood is essential to life, it’s no surprise that this covenant is indispensable for our eternal survival as well.  Simply stated, without blood…we die!

Remember Romans 3; “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith.” Thanks be to God for this theology, written in blood!

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

Sunday morning, August 4, 2013

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

“Nothing But the Blood” -902

‘What can wash away my sins?’  A question many have sung for years, and we know the answer, ‘…nothing, but the blood of Jesus.’  When we sing the third verse take note of the second line in the verse, ‘naught of good that I have done…’  Translated; of all the good things I have done in this life, ZERO of that can atone for my sin.  Nothing can bring us to God except the blood of Jesus.

“There is Power in the Blood” – 903

As part of this short medley we’ll continue our thought about the blood of Jesus and His saving power.  We continue with another question.  Not what can wash away my sin, but a question of do you want your sins to be washed away?  ‘Would you be free from the burden of sin?’  Is so, the blood of Jesus can cleanse you.

“In Christ Alone” – no book

A song of admonition that we’ll sing as we prepare our minds to partake of the Lord’s supper.  A memorial of His death, burial and resurrection.  As verse one consist of recognizing our Cornerstone, solid ground and Comforter, verse two takes us from His birth to His crucifixion.  Those who know this song cherish the third verse.  As we begin singing softly of His burial, our voices ‘burst forth’ as we sing of His resurrection.  The final verse gives us assurance in Christ as we sing, ‘No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand…’  This video features one man’s voice, harmonizing together to the glory of God.

“Nearer Still Nearer” – 478

Following the Lord’s supper we’ll sing this hymn expressing a strong desire to stay ‘close to (His) Thy heart…’  Listen to the words you’re singing and you’ll notice that the nearer we draw to God, the further we draw away from sin and its folly (foolishness).  Would that we willingly resign, give up, all of life’s pleasures, pomp and pride so that we draw nearer…still nearer to our God.

“There is a Redeemer” – 287

We sing the affirmation of this contemporary hymn/spiritual song as we proclaim, “There is a Redeemer, Jesus, God’s own Son…” Melody Green wrote, and we sing, a song of thanks to God.  “Thank You, O my Father, for giving us Your Son and leaving with us the gift of Your Holy Spirit…until (the work) our work on earth is done.”  Maybe we should be asking ourselves, ‘How am I doing with my work?’

“There’s a Royal Banner” – 627

Before we listen to the lesson Robert has prepared for us, we’ll sing about our mission as Christians.  The purpose of this ‘song before the lesson’ is found in the second verse.  ‘Over land and sea, wherever man may dwell, make the glorious tidings known; of the CRIMSON BANNER now the story tell, while the Lord shall claim His own…’  In Exodus 17, after the Amalekites are defeated, we read, “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner…” The banner is a symbol from the battlefield.  As soldier’s of Christ we too have a symbolic banner; one that’s crimson, blood red.  Do you fly this banner in your life?

“There’s a Fountain Free” – 909

Perhaps one of my favorite invitation songs has the chorus ask the question, “Will you come to the fountain free?”  When we consider the words of Jeremiah the prophet we better understand the fountain; “O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:13)  It’s interesting to me that 3 times the author writes ‘hasten’ (come quickly) to the fountain.  Yet sadly, in this ‘fast-paced world’, the ‘living stream’ is the one place many are slow to approach.

“There is a Habitation” – 860

Leaving this morning we’ll encourage each other with these simple words; ‘…I long to see heaven!’  How ready are you for the Lord’s return?  Is the abode you seek eternal?  The heavenly city we seek has a foundation that’s firm and eternal.  One we can anticipate because of the atonement we have through the blood of Christ.