Light of the World

THANK YOU....
Choir, Band, Squared, Adult Squared Volunteers, Soloists, Tech Team (Sound, Cameras, Lights, Video), Lisa, Pastor, Ushers, Deacons, Women's Ministry, Decorators, and the Fantastic Fix It Guys!!

You did an incredible job preparing, presenting and ministering The Light of the World. May Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, be praised.

Thankful!

"In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." (Galatians 4:3-7)

ADOPTED: Sons & Daughters

In light of the Adoption series which begins this Sunday, you might want to check out the album Sons & Daughters by the ministry of Sovereign Grace Music.

I Am His and He Is Mine

This Sunday our pastor will begin a series called Adoption Q & A. The series is planned along these lines...

• Sunday, November 28 - Why Should Believers Pursue Adoption? (And No, It's Not JUST Because the Bible Says So!)
• Sunday, December 5 - Is Trans-racial Adoption Wrong? (Red, Yellow, Black and White - Are They Precious In Our Sight?)
• Sunday, December 12 - If Jesus Loves All the Little Children, Why Are There 147 Million Orphans? (The Fall, Satan, and Demonic Hatred of Little Babies)
• Sunday, December 19 - Was Jesus REALLy Adopted and Why Does It Matter? (Looking at the Christmas Story Through the Lens of Adoption)

We'll be singing a hymn entitled I Am His and He Is Mine. Here are the lyrics written by George W. Robinson.

I Am His and He Is Mine

Verse 1

Loved with everlasting love

Led by grace that love to know

Gracious Spirit from above

Thou hast taught me it is so

O this full perfect peace

O this transport all divine

In a love which cannot cease

I am His and He is mine

Verse 2

Heav'n above is softer blue

Earth around is sweeter green

Something lives in every hue

Christless eyes have never seen

Birds with gladder songs over flow

Flowers with deeper beauties shine

Since I know as now I know

I am His and He is mine

Verse 3

Things that once were wild alarms

Cannot now disturb my test

Closed in everlasting arms

Pillowed on the loving breast

O to lie forever here

Doubt and care and self resign

While He whispered in my ear

I am His and He is mine

Verse 4

His forever, only His

Who the Lord and me shall part

Ah, with what a rest of bliss

Christ can fill the longing heart

Heav'n and earth may fade and flee

Firstborn light in gloom in decline

But while God and I shall be

I am His and He is mine

How the Auburn University Football Team's Undefeated Season and Subsequent Debacle Over Possible NCAA Violations Regarding Their Heisman Hopeful Quarterback Helps Reveal the Sinfulness of Man, the Fleeting Pleasures of Life, and the Deep Need for the Soul-Satisfying Joy that Comes Only from God through His Son Jesus Christ

Let me say at the outset, I am an unabashed Auburn fan. There are very few, and I mean VERY FEW things that I have loved as long, or as much, as the Auburn Tigers. For that reason, it is a bit painful to rehearse the cause of this article. However, it is because of the pain related to this specific issue, that I am able to reevaluate my own weakness, my all too frequent pursuit of fleeting pleasures, and the real joy that is available to me in Christ.

In case you missed it, here are the facts. Auburn is 10-0. They are ranked #2 in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Poll. Their quarterback is on track to win the most lop-sided Heisman race in history. And they are three games away from securing a spot in the national championship game. These are the facts. They are undisputed. But here's the rub; there looms on the horizon a dark cloud of Eeyore proportions. You see, allegations of possible NCAA violations regarding the previously mentioned Heisman contending quarterback are growing louder by the day. At best, at least from my vantage point, these allegations will be proven false. Auburn will be vindicated. Their quarterback will leap the final tall buildings of the season, fly happily into the sunset, and leave the cheering Auburn throngs with an undefeated and unblemished national championship. Worst case, the allegations will prove true, leaving the 2010 football season in shambles, the future of Auburn football uncertain, and the hearts of Auburn people everywhere broken.

So where does that leave us, those who love the Auburn Tigers, those who despise them, and those who couldn't care less? As I've reflected on the current situation, I've been reminded of three things. First, human beings everywhere are bent toward wrong. Whether it is deceiving and cheating to get ahead or slandering someone else in order to bolster our own appearance or standing, humans will not only find a way, it is our way. Our actions and attitudes are reprehensible because we are corrupt by nature. We sin because we are sinners. Second, human beings will consistently and constantly strive to fill their lives with peace and happiness by means of things that were never meant to fulfill them, and are incapable of producing anything but a momentary high or escape. We know it to be true, yet we all struggle to put to rest the chasing of the wind. Finally, the reason human beings are left empty, in spite of our deception and striving, is because soul-satisfying joy can only be produced by God through His Son Jesus Christ. Because we are broken and undone, only intervention by an outside source can cause us to experience real life. The first few verses of Ephesians 2 say it like this, "And you were dead in the trespass and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

I deeply hope the rumors surrounding my beloved Auburn Tigers are untrue. But, as the mill churns them out, and I am reminded of the sinfulness of man and my own pursuit of fleeting pleasures, my confidence grows with the knowledge that my deliverance, my standing, my future, and my joy have been secured in Jesus Christ.

O How the Grace of God Amazes Me

At the recommendation of our pastor, I have begun reading the book By Grace Alone by Sinclair Ferguson. The book is a biblical exploration on the subject of grace by means of a little known hymn entitled O How the Grace of God Amazes Me. The hymn was written by Emmanuel T. Sibomana. Sibomana (1915-1975) was a pastor in the African nation of Burundi. Each chapter of Ferguson's book takes one stanza of the hymn and examines a different angle, or facet, of God's grace. The jacket of the book ask, "Are you truly amazed by God's grace? Or have you grown accustomed to it?," "If I am not amazed by God's grace, can I really be living in it? Can I really be tasting , and savoring, and delighting in it?" I've only completed the Foreword, Preface, and first chapter, but have already been struck again at the beauty of God's grace.

Here are the words to Sibomana's hymn, around which the book is structured...

O how the grace of God amazes me!
It loosed me from my bonds and set me free!
What made it happen so?
His own will, this much I know,
set me, as now I show, at liberty.

My God has chosen me, Though one of nought,
to sit beside my King in heaven's court.
Hear what my Lord has done,
O, the love that made Him run
to meet His erring son! This has God wrought.

Not for my righteousness, for I have none,
but for His mercy's sake, Jesus, God's Son,
suffered on Calvary's tree;
Crucified with thieves was He;
Great was His grace to me, His wayward one.

And when I think of how, at Calvary,
He bore sin's penalty instead of me,
Amazed, I wonder why He,
the sinless One, should die
for one so vile as I; My Savior He!

Now all my heart's desire is to abide
in Him, my Savior dear, In Him to hide,
my shield and buckler He,
cov'ring and protecting me;
from Satan's darts I'll be safe at His side.

Lord Jesus, hear my prayer, Your grace impart;
When evil thoughts arise through Satan's art,
O, drive them all away
and do You, from day to day,
keep me beneath Your sway, King of my heart.

Come now, the whole of me, eyes, ears, and voice.
Join me, creation all, with joyful noise:
Praise Him who broke the chain
holding me in sin's domain
and set me free again! Sing and rejoice!

It's November (and Christmas is coming)

By now, everyone knows the mall's routine; September - the Fall stuff goes up, October - time for Halloween and a dose of Thanksgiving, by November 1 it's all about Christmas. Garlands, wreaths, trees, Santa, the whole thing turns to Christmas. In light of that change, and because twenty-four hour a day Christmas music is just around the corner, I'd like to make a recommendation. You might even consider it a Christmas challenge.

Around ten years ago Andrew Peterson released his Christmas project, Behold the Lamb of God. I was familiar with the work of Peterson and was interested in what he'd done. I could not have predicted how this recording would affect me. One particular year it is the only CD I listened to in my car from September through December. My focus that Christmas was different. My heart was filled with thanksgiving for the incarnation like never before. I know, it sounds like I'm overstating my case, like maybe I get a kick-back from the sales of the CD. I'm not, and I don't. Andrew Peterson is one of the most gifted song writers of this generation, and Behold the Lamb of God is the most beautiful presentation of humanity's dilemma, God's provision, and our deliverance I have ever heard.

So here's the challenge...
Buy Behold the Lamb of God. Listen to it. Listen to it again and again. (Once is not enough, it's too rich.) Dwell on it. Read its message from God's Word, and behold the Lamb of God Who takes away our sin.

Global Impact Conference 2010

Thank you so much for your leadership during GIC. You did a GREAT job!!

Light

Candle.
Flashlight.
Torch.
Spotlight.
Bonfire.
Lamp.
Smartphone app.

LIGHT.

Different.
Same.

Different places.
Different gifts.
Different backgrounds.
Different personalities.
Same calling.

LIGHT.

Read here for an example of someone using their gifts and influence as light.
A person simply being who God made them and remade them to be.

What about you and me?

LIGHT?

May I Help You Find Your Seat, Sir?

Have you ever been to a play or musical? What do you remember about it? You know, that certain something that just seemed to stick with you long after you'd left the theatre and headed home. A particular character? A moving scene? Maybe a song or an actor's singing ability? Maybe even a set or special effect? What about the usher? Yeah, that guy. Didn't you notice how he so gracefully held the programs? Weren't you astonished by the way he held his flashlight while checking the location of your seats? Weren't you stunned by his fashionable coat and tie? No? Why not? The answer is obvious. The program had nothing to do with the usher. It wasn't about him, by him, or for him. He was only there to help you find your seat. As worship leaders we are ushers. It's not about us, by us, or for us. It's about God. Let's continually seek to help others find their place around the throne of God.

Psalm 46

God Is Our Fortress

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.

 ¹God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
                         Selah
 ⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
   God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷The LORD of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
                         Selah
 ⁸Come, behold the works of the LORD,
   how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰"Be still, and know that I am God.
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth!"
¹¹The LORD of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
                         Selah

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God was written by Martin Luther (1483-1546). It is one of the best loved hymns of the Protestant church. It has been called the "Battle Hymn of the Reformation" for the effect it had in increasing the support for the Reformers' cause. The hymn was most likely written between 1527 and 1529. Originally written in German, it has been translated into English at least seventy times. The text is based on Psalm 46. The hymn was sung at the funeral service of Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was also used at the Prayer Service held at the National Cathedral following the attacks of September 11, 2001. 

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God with the signature of Martin Luther

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

Worship: Why We Do What We Do

It can be a tricky thing to plan for corporate times of worship. What songs should we sing? What musical styles should we use? What instrumentation should we employ? What other creative elements should be used? These are just a few of the questions that are frequently asked. The list goes on and on. Below is a clip I found to be very helpful regarding the use of creativity in worship.

About "And Can It Be?"

"And Can It Be" was written by Charles Wesley, and first published in 1738. Charles and his brother, John Wesley, played a significant role in the development of Christianity in both England and the American colonies, and the establishment of the Methodist movement. While John's influence was felt through his leadership and preaching, Charles influenced many more people through his songs. He wrote over 5500 hymns, which include Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, and many others that have served Christians for centuries.

This hymn describes the wonder that fills our hearts when we consider the mercy that caused God to take on flesh and die in our place. Verse one highlights our culpability, as we were the ones who actually pursued him to death. Verse two tells of Christ's incarnation and death. Verse three describes the creation of a Christian, as God brings him from death to life. Verse four boldly claims that we can approach God's throne because we have been united with Christ and are eternally clothed in His righteousness.

(Information taken from the Covenant Life Church website)

And Can It Be?

Written by Charles Wesley

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me, who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

He left his Father's throne above
So free, so infinite his grace!
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

TIME CHANGE: Choir Rehearsal

NEW REHEARSAL START TIME

6 : 0 0  P M

Begins Wednesday, October 13

AWANA & Student Workers will come to rehearsal after assignments have been completed

Andy Wins!

The Andy Griffith Show wins Wynne Music's first poll for "TV's Best Show." Congrats, Andy!

(Parenthetically, I have never seen The Andy Griffith Show.)

You Were Always On My Mind

Do you ever have those weeks when there's something that stays on your mind consistently? I do. This week it's been the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Every time I turn around, there's been a reminder; a message from Pastor Jim, a song from the choir, a testimony from a video or CD, and then yesterday, a reference to one of the books that God used to influence my life most, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. If you've never read it, I encourage you to do so. If you have read it, I encourage you to read it again.

May God grip our hearts by the power of His Holy Spirit!

How Freedom Happened

Good Friday 2009 - Ending from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.

Freedom

I have never been on trial.
But I have been judged.

I have never been sentenced.
But I have been condemned.

I have never been incarcerated.

But I have been enslaved.

I have never been in chains.

But I have been bound.

Enslaved.

Trapped.

Without hope.

Before I knew I needed freedom, God provided it for me.

Before I knew I could have His freedom, God offered it to me.

Praise the Lord.

I AM FREE!

Multi-what?

"God gets less glory when every Christian talks, thinks, eats, and lives alike. That looks more like a dysfunctional cult than a real movement that brings glory to God. God gets glory when people who dress, eat, talk, and live differently join around the table for a meal with one heart. After they have an authentic encounter with God, people who would not normally be caught dead in a room together greet one another with a holy kiss and call one another brother and sister."

- Ed Stetzer & Thom Rainer

A Kairos Moment

I met John Caubble today. He grew up at Wynne Baptist and is preparing to serve the Lord overseas. He is currently on staff at FBC of Rogers, AR, where a former Wynne Baptist pastor and Minister of Music also serve. The church had a dedication service for their new campus this past Sunday. John said it was incredible and forwarded be the message from guest speaker, Bruce Wilkinson. I encourage you to watch it.


Dedication Day at FBC Rogers from Brian Dunaway on Vimeo.

Birth Day

"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, 'Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.' Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:1-8)

Thank the Lord for the new birth that is ours by the power of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

For further reading on the new birth, check out John Piper's book, Finally Alive.

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

I will sing of my Redeemer and His wondrous love for me;
On the cruel cross He suffered from the curse to set me free.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story, how my lost estate to save;
In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransomed freely gave.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.

I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant pow'r I'll tell,
How the victory He giveth over sin and death and hell.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.

I will sing of my Redeemer, and His heav'nly love to me;
He from death to life hath bro't me, Son of God, with Him to be.

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer, with His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon, paid the debt and made me free.

- Philip Bliss (1838-1876)

Coming Soon

Here's the song we looked at during choir rehearsal this week.

GOD: Our Help - Part 2

GOD: Our Help

In 2 Chronicles the Bible says that Asa became king of Judah. In verse 2 of chapter 14 it says that King Asa "did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God" and "commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment." Under his leadership, Judah prospered. When Asa's army of 300,000 from Judah and 280,000 from Benjamin was facing the Ethiopian army numbering one million strong with 300 chariots, the king "cried to the Lord his God, 'O God, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.'" The Lord prevailed on their behalf and the Ethiopians were defeated. Years and years of prosperity and peace passed. But in the thirty-sixth year of King Asa's reign, in seeking protection from another enemy, the king made a covenant with another ruler. King Asa said to the king of Syria, "There is a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king  of Israel, that he may withdraw from me." But this displeased the Lord. Hanani came to King Asa and said to him, "Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." From that time forward King Asa was troubled. Even when he became sick toward the end of his life "he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians."


The Lord God, He is our help. He is our refuge and strength. He is our deliverer. Trust Him. Call on Him. Depend on Him. Rely on Him. God can!


I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.


The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.


The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.


-Psalm 121

Leading Worship When You Feel Unworthy

Worship Leader Defined

Here's Bob Kauflin's definition of a worship leader, as described in Worship Matters...


A faithful worship leader
magnifies the greatness of God in Jesus Christ
through the power of the Holy Spirit
by skillfully combining God's Word with music,
thereby motivating the gathered church
to proclaim the gospel,
to cherish God's presence,
and to live for God's glory.

Worship Matters

I mentioned the book Worship Matters in choir rehearsal recently. Bob Kauflin's book will encourage, inspire and challenge you. Don't just take my word for it.


Matt Redman, musician and writer of the song Blessed Be Your Name, says...
"Bob loves God, values theology, and cares about people. This mix is found throughout this wonderful book. Worship Matters will inspire you as a worshiper and spur you on as a leader of worship."


Wayne Grudem, theologian, professor and writer of Systematic Theology and editor of The ESV Study Bible says...
"An outstanding book both for those who lead worship and also for every Christian who wants to worship God more fully. The book is biblical, practical, interesting, wise, and thorough in its treatment of the topic. The next time I teach on worship, I plan to make this the required text."

I See the Lord

We will lead the song I See the Lord on Sunday morning, September 12. The song was written by Chris Falson in 1993 and is based on Isaiah 6:1-7. I encourage you to read this passage of Scripture sometime during the coming week. And for further reading...

• Exodus 24:15-18
• Exodus 33:17-23
• Psalm 108:5-6
• 1 Kings 8:1-11
• John 1:14

We Will Declare His Name

Do You Have the Keys?

Some of the keys to a successful music ministry are…

Stay clean.
The Lord requires a life of holiness from us. Be careful what is allowed in and out of our life.

Abide in His Word.
Nothing will help us more than reading, studying, trusting, meditating on, and obeying God’s Word.

Pray.
The effectiveness of the music ministry depends on the presence and power of God. Pray that God would meet with us in power and glory.

Show up.
Our faithfulness to rehearsal and worship is critical.

Work hard.
Preparation and diligence will enable us to minister more effectively.

Joy.
There is nothing more contagious than a genuine demonstration of joy. Remember, the joy of the Lord is our strength!

The Prodigal

"The Prodigal" is from Sovereign Grace Music's latest album, Sons & Daughters.

Recommended Reading

C. J. Mahaney's book, Living the Cross Centered Life, is one of my all time favorites. If you haven't yet read it, pick up a copy this week and be blessed.

At the Cross

Jesus Christ has set me free
His grace alone supplies my need
Sin no more shall reign in me
His death has won the victory

The Cross of Christ

This Sunday evening we will observe the Lord's Supper (Communion). As we approach this time of celebration and remembrance, I thought it would be good for us to focus our attention on the cross of Christ. (Parenthetically, our attention should ALWAYS be focused on the cross of Christ.)

In his book, Worship Matters, Bob Kauflin says...
"The gospel is not merely one of many possible themes we can touch on as we come to worship God. It is the central and foundational theme. All our worship originates and is brought into focus at the cross of Jesus Christ. Glorying in Jesus Christ means glorying in His cross. That doesn't mean looking at some icon or two pieces of wood nailed together. Nor does it imply that every song we sing has the word cross in it. It has little to do with church gatherings that are more like a funeral than a celebration. The cross stands for all that was accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. It focuses on His substitutionary death at Calvary but includes everything that gave meaning to that act. His preexistent state in glory. His incarnation. His life of perfect obedience. His suffering. His resurrection. His ascension. His present intercession and reign in glory. His triumphant return. It is Christ's atoning sacrifice for our sins that the New Testament writers continually return to as a main focus both for worship and for life.

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)


For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3)


He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)


In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)


'Christ is to us what his cross is,' pastor and theologian P. T. Forsyth affirms. 'All that Christ was in heaven or on earth was put into what he did there.... You do not understand Christ till you understand His cross.' Nor will we understand worship until we understand His cross."

AMEN. And AMEN.