Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Ed Cash; © 2012 Gettymusic and Alletrop Music (BMI) (adm. by MusicServices.org)
How can it be, the One who died,
Has borne our sin through sacrifice
To conquer every sting of death?
Sing, sing hallelujah.
For joy awakes as dawning light
When Christ’s disciples lift their eyes.
Alive He stands, their Friend and King;
Christ, Christ He is risen.
CHORUS
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!
Oh, sing hallelujah.
Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed.
Where doubt and darkness once had been,
They saw Him and their hearts believed.
But blessed are those who have not seen,
Yet, sing hallelujah.
Once bound by fear now bold in faith,
They preached the truth and power of grace.
And pouring out their lives they gained
Life, life everlasting.
CHORUS
The power that raised Him from the grave
Now works in us to powerfully save.
He frees our hearts to live His grace;
Go tell of His goodness.
CHORUS
He’s alive, He’s alive!
Heaven’s gates are opened wide.
He’s alive, He’s alive!
Now in heaven glorified.
Faithful Men is a blog to encourage Christian men to be faithful to their commitments to Christ, His church and their families. Welcome to any who share that goal. "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Hymn for Today -- Blessed Redeemer
Blessed Redeemer by Avis Christiansen / Casting Crowns
Up Calvary's mountain one dreadful morn
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn
Facing for sinners, death on the cross
That He might save them from endless loss
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
"Father, forgive them," my Savior prayed
Even while His lifeblood flowed fast away
Praying for sinners while in such woe
No one but Jesus ever loved so
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Dying for me
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Oh, how I love Him, Savior and Friend
How can my praises ever find end?
Through years unnumbered on Heaven's shore
My songs shall praise Him forevermore
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Up Calvary's mountain one dreadful morn
Walked Christ my Savior, weary and worn
Facing for sinners, death on the cross
That He might save them from endless loss
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
"Father, forgive them," my Savior prayed
Even while His lifeblood flowed fast away
Praying for sinners while in such woe
No one but Jesus ever loved so
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Dying for me
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Oh, how I love Him, Savior and Friend
How can my praises ever find end?
Through years unnumbered on Heaven's shore
My songs shall praise Him forevermore
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Blessed Redeemer, precious Redeemer
Seems now I see Him on Calvary's tree
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading
Blind and unheeding, dying for me
Monday, March 25, 2013
Memorization Monday - Hebrews 4:12
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
If you would like to see the entire list of recommended verses from Hebrews to memorize in 2013, check here.
We've also produced a Bible study guide on the book of Hebrews you may be interested in. You can find it here.
If you would like to see the entire list of recommended verses from Hebrews to memorize in 2013, check here.
We've also produced a Bible study guide on the book of Hebrews you may be interested in. You can find it here.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Hymn of the Week - My Song is Love Unknown
- My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I,
That for my sake
My Lord should take
Frail flesh, and die? - He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed-for Christ would know:
But oh, my Friend,
My Friend indeed,
Who at my need
His life did spend. - Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!“
Is all their breath,
And for His death
They thirst and cry. - They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they save,
The Prince of life they slay.
Yet cheerful He
To suffering goes,
That He His foes
From thence might free. - In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death, no friendly tomb,
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say?
Heav’n was His home;
But mine the tomb
Wherein He lay. - Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend,
In whose sweet praise
I all my days
Could gladly spend.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Christian and Fear - A Puritan Devotional
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. 1 John 5:4In the experience of God’s people, it is often found that when their outward condition is troubled, their inward state is full of perplexities and fears. In affliction Satan seeks to make a breach between us and God. He is most malicious to those with whom he has little hope of victory, as in Job’s case. If he cannot run us on a rock, he will seek to upset us with a tempest. If he cannot rob us of grace, he will seek to disturb our peace and comfort. Believers can expect inward and outward trouble because we have married Christ with his cross. We are delivered from the curse indeed, but are appointed to the cross. Outward afflictions may be many and heavy, and come upon the neck of another. We may feel the hard brunt enough to exercise our whole strength of faith and patience. Inward afflictions are far more heavy and grievous than afflictions of the body, for a wounded spirit who can bear? It is not unusual though, that both of these rods come upon us at once, as a load on a broken back. What shall we do? We must take a hold on God by renewed acts of faith. Faith is used not only for our entrance into grace, but also for our continuance and progress through all temptations and difficulties. Faith and prayer must be as the breathing of our souls to keep the heart alive. We must trust the Lord in every change and condition of life. I will lay the weight of my sinking spirit on the free grace of Christ. I will renew my hold, life, and expectations there. This is the path. I will never be turned from it. A trusting Christian in this strength my challenge all the gates of hell. ‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in you’ (Psa. 56:3). Afraid? Alas! Who is not? But what course will you take then? Believe. Use faith always, and have it now!
by Elias Pledger
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Do you love me more than these?
A week or so ago I posted a short article about the question Jesus asked, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?" You can find that original article here: http://rogert.me/YQ67oy
Today I want to add some additional thoughts that came up as I taught through this passage.
Jesus taught that if we were to follow him we should deny ourselves, take up his cross, and follow him. We are to do this daily. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:15 that because Jesus died for us, we are to live for him rather than for ourselves. The basic principle then is that whoever would save or love his life will lose it. But whoever loses or hates his life for Christ's sake and the gospel's will save it.
It seems that there are two extremes we should avoid. The first is that I must not be a true believer because I can't say that this level of commitment is completely true of me all of the time. The other extreme is to say that Jesus didn't really mean this and we don't have to give it another thought. Obviously he means it in the strongest terms because he says that the potential for loss of our own soul is involved.
So what I want us to do is to review some important principles.
1. The Bible clearly teaches that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, (Romans 10:13) and whoever comes to Christ will not be cast out. (John 6:37)
2. We are justified freely by his grace and given the righteousness of God. (Romans 3;24; Phil 3:9) This righteousness includes all of the righteousness which is needed to meet all of the demands of God. This serves as sort of a shield or umbrella protecting us from God's wrath and gaining God's favor while our spiritual growth takes place. As we grow we will be able to deny ourselves in more and more areas of life and in deeper ways as the Holy Spirit brings these things to our attention.
3. When w are saved, we receive many benefits and resources:
God's commitment to finish what he started. (Phil 1:6) In other words, God brought the word to us, he gave us faith, he granted us repentance and he opened our hearts to the gospel.
Sanctification (1 Cor 1:30) which is applied by the Holy Spirit. (2 Thess 2:13)
God gives us a new heat with new motivations. (Ezekiel 36:27)
Being his sheep, we will follow him, but not follow others (John 10:4, 5)
God is at work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Phil 2:13; Heb 13:21)
The grace he gives us teaches us to deny ungodliness and to live righteous lives. (Titus 2:12)
God has promised to discipline us so we partake in his holiness without which we won't see the Lord (Heb 12:10, 14)
God has promised to prune the vine in order that we might bear fruit. (John 15)
4. God doesn't do it all for us while we sit around and do nothing, but his salvation provides not only the strength to follow and obey, but the desire, motivation, and faith that is required. God holds us responsible, but as Jesus said, "Without me you can do nothing."
Concluding Thoughts:
This is Christ's challenge for all Christians on a daily basis.
He is asking for ultimate loyalty --Jesus Christ above all things and all relationships. Daily the challenge is to put Christ first and reject self. "Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your heart." (Heb 3:15)
Every day and throughout the day we face choices, to be obedient or not, to die to our own desires or not, to put Christ's teaching into practice or not, to serve others or not. Our choice is similar to the one Jesus gave Peter, "Lovest thou me more than these?"
Today I want to add some additional thoughts that came up as I taught through this passage.
Jesus taught that if we were to follow him we should deny ourselves, take up his cross, and follow him. We are to do this daily. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:15 that because Jesus died for us, we are to live for him rather than for ourselves. The basic principle then is that whoever would save or love his life will lose it. But whoever loses or hates his life for Christ's sake and the gospel's will save it.
It seems that there are two extremes we should avoid. The first is that I must not be a true believer because I can't say that this level of commitment is completely true of me all of the time. The other extreme is to say that Jesus didn't really mean this and we don't have to give it another thought. Obviously he means it in the strongest terms because he says that the potential for loss of our own soul is involved.
So what I want us to do is to review some important principles.
1. The Bible clearly teaches that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved, (Romans 10:13) and whoever comes to Christ will not be cast out. (John 6:37)
2. We are justified freely by his grace and given the righteousness of God. (Romans 3;24; Phil 3:9) This righteousness includes all of the righteousness which is needed to meet all of the demands of God. This serves as sort of a shield or umbrella protecting us from God's wrath and gaining God's favor while our spiritual growth takes place. As we grow we will be able to deny ourselves in more and more areas of life and in deeper ways as the Holy Spirit brings these things to our attention.
3. When w are saved, we receive many benefits and resources:
God's commitment to finish what he started. (Phil 1:6) In other words, God brought the word to us, he gave us faith, he granted us repentance and he opened our hearts to the gospel.
Sanctification (1 Cor 1:30) which is applied by the Holy Spirit. (2 Thess 2:13)
God gives us a new heat with new motivations. (Ezekiel 36:27)
Being his sheep, we will follow him, but not follow others (John 10:4, 5)
God is at work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Phil 2:13; Heb 13:21)
The grace he gives us teaches us to deny ungodliness and to live righteous lives. (Titus 2:12)
God has promised to discipline us so we partake in his holiness without which we won't see the Lord (Heb 12:10, 14)
God has promised to prune the vine in order that we might bear fruit. (John 15)
4. God doesn't do it all for us while we sit around and do nothing, but his salvation provides not only the strength to follow and obey, but the desire, motivation, and faith that is required. God holds us responsible, but as Jesus said, "Without me you can do nothing."
Concluding Thoughts:
This is Christ's challenge for all Christians on a daily basis.
He is asking for ultimate loyalty --Jesus Christ above all things and all relationships. Daily the challenge is to put Christ first and reject self. "Today if you will hear his voice, do not harden your heart." (Heb 3:15)
Every day and throughout the day we face choices, to be obedient or not, to die to our own desires or not, to put Christ's teaching into practice or not, to serve others or not. Our choice is similar to the one Jesus gave Peter, "Lovest thou me more than these?"
Monday, March 18, 2013
Memorization Monday - Hebrews 4:9-10
Heb 4:9-10 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
The "rest" spoken of in this chapter is not heaven. The author speaks of the rest being available "today". What he is speaking of is the fact that when we truly understand that our salvation is a gift from God, and not from our own works or effort, we enter into that trusting relationship where we realize that God has it all under control. He has undertaken our salvation and our growth in faith and he can be trusted with it. It doesn't mean we don't do anything. But it means that we don't carry the stress of trying to keep God from being angry with us. If we are a believer, then we are accepted because of what Christ has done for us and we can rest in that.
The "rest" spoken of in this chapter is not heaven. The author speaks of the rest being available "today". What he is speaking of is the fact that when we truly understand that our salvation is a gift from God, and not from our own works or effort, we enter into that trusting relationship where we realize that God has it all under control. He has undertaken our salvation and our growth in faith and he can be trusted with it. It doesn't mean we don't do anything. But it means that we don't carry the stress of trying to keep God from being angry with us. If we are a believer, then we are accepted because of what Christ has done for us and we can rest in that.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Memorization Monday - Hebrews 3:14
Heb 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
Perseverance is an important Scriptural principle. Those whom God saves, He keeps. It's His power that keeps us. As Jesus says in John 10:28-29 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand."
The writer of the book of Hebrews is explaining that holding our confidence steadfast to the end is the sure sign that God has actually saved us. It is not saying that we must hold on to the faith at all costs that we don't allow ourselves to be lost. He is saying that maintaining our confidence is proof of our salvation.
If you would like to see the entire list of recommended verses from Hebrews to memorize in 2013, check here.
We've also produced a Bible study guide on the book of Hebrews you may be interested in. You can find it here.
Perseverance is an important Scriptural principle. Those whom God saves, He keeps. It's His power that keeps us. As Jesus says in John 10:28-29 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand."
The writer of the book of Hebrews is explaining that holding our confidence steadfast to the end is the sure sign that God has actually saved us. It is not saying that we must hold on to the faith at all costs that we don't allow ourselves to be lost. He is saying that maintaining our confidence is proof of our salvation.
If you would like to see the entire list of recommended verses from Hebrews to memorize in 2013, check here.
We've also produced a Bible study guide on the book of Hebrews you may be interested in. You can find it here.
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Questions, Questions, Questions - Luke 9:25
Luke 9:25:
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the
whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?”
This is
another installment in my on again off again series on questions in
the Bible. Today we look at a question Jesus posed in Luke 9:25:
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the
whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” The parallel verse
in Matthew 16:26 reads this way: “For what profit is it to a man if
he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man
give in exchange for his soul?”
Jesus' question in Luke
comes after explaining what is required of those who want to follow
him. In verse 23 he says first of all a person should “deny
himself.” It doesn't say to deny oneself something as in denying
oneself chocolate. It says we are to deny ourselves. This is
extremely difficult because by nature we are focused on ourselves and
have a desire to make sure we have everything we need and want. Our
focus is on ourselves most of the time. But what Jesus wants us to
understand is that we need to give up on that approach to life and
focus on him and his mission in the world.
The second thing Jesus
says we need to do if we want to follow him is to take up our cross.
Often people will say things like, “My husband is difficult to live
with. He's my cross to bear.” Or someone may say that their illness
is their cross to bear. I don't think that is what Jesus is saying
here. The cross was not merely a burden when Jesus carried his, but
it was the instrument of execution. Jesus is basically asking us to
die to ourselves. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:31 says, “I die daily.”
What he means by that is that he is giving up on his own rights and
desires in order to serve Christ.
I can't go into all of
the details here, but God sees Christians as being in Christ and
having died with him. Because of that, we should consider ourselves
dead to sin, the world, and our own agenda. In 2 Corinthians 5:15
Paul says it this way, “If one died for all then all died and He
died for all, that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” In
other words Jesus Christ “took the bullet” for us when he died on
the cross. We now owe him everything. So our lives should not be
focused on us but on him.
Finally he says that
this approach should be a daily occurence. The Bible is very
practical in that it describes many actions that we are to carry out
daily. God understands that we cannot live our entire lives at once.
It is a day-to-day thing. So each day we must consider ourselves dead
to sin, dead to the attractions of the world, and dead to our own
desire to be the center. We are to rather focus on what would bring
God glory and advance his agenda in the world.
He emphasizes his point
in verse 24 when he tells us that whoever would save his life will
lose it. And, whoever loses his life for Christ's sake and for the
gospel's sake will keep it. That's a pretty strong distinction. It's
one that Jesus says in another place we should think seriously about
and count the cost.
So back to the
question: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole
world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” The answer of course is
that there is no profit in gaining everything else but losing oneself
or ones soul. The way to avoid losing ones soul is to stop seeking
our own way, turn to Christ, trust him and commit ourselves to being
his follower. In response to that faith God promises to save our
souls and grant us the gift of eternal life. It can't be earned or
worked for, but must be received by faith.
Monday, March 04, 2013
Memorization Monday - Hebrews 3:12-13
Heb 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
I see a couple of important things in these verses. First, there is the warning to the brethren. I take that to mean fellow Christians. Now I don't believe that a true believer can ultimately fall from grace, but on the other hand, this is a pretty strong warning. It's a warning to be careful that we don't have an evil heart of unbelief. We shouldn't just presume upon God's grace with the plan that we can be disobedient and unbelieving.
Second, God calls an unbelieving heart an evil heart. Unbelief is the chiefest of evils. It is the evil that says to God, "I don't believe you are who you say you are and I don't believe you have the right to tell me how to live."
Third, I see the importance of the body. We are to encourage one another each day. Sin is deceitful and has a hardening effect on our lives and we need to be there for each other to help motivate one another to avoid sin and its effects on our lives.
If you would like to see the entire list of recommended verses from Hebrews to memorize in 2013, check here.
We've also produced a Bible study guide on the book of Hebrews you may be interested in. You can find it here.
I see a couple of important things in these verses. First, there is the warning to the brethren. I take that to mean fellow Christians. Now I don't believe that a true believer can ultimately fall from grace, but on the other hand, this is a pretty strong warning. It's a warning to be careful that we don't have an evil heart of unbelief. We shouldn't just presume upon God's grace with the plan that we can be disobedient and unbelieving.
Second, God calls an unbelieving heart an evil heart. Unbelief is the chiefest of evils. It is the evil that says to God, "I don't believe you are who you say you are and I don't believe you have the right to tell me how to live."
Third, I see the importance of the body. We are to encourage one another each day. Sin is deceitful and has a hardening effect on our lives and we need to be there for each other to help motivate one another to avoid sin and its effects on our lives.
If you would like to see the entire list of recommended verses from Hebrews to memorize in 2013, check here.
We've also produced a Bible study guide on the book of Hebrews you may be interested in. You can find it here.
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Hymn of the Week - Wounded for Me
Wounded for Me
Wounded for me, wounded for me,
There on the cross He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,
All because Jesus was wounded for me.
Dying for me, dying for me,
There on the cross He was dying for me;
Now in His death my redemption I see,
All because Jesus was dying for me.
Risen for me, risen for me,
Up from the grave He has risen for me;
Now evermore from death's sting I am free,
All because Jesus has risen for me.
Living for me, living for me,
Up in the skies He is living for me;
Daily He's pleading and praying for me,
All because Jesus is living for me.
Coming for me, coming for me,
Soon in the air He is coming for me;
Then with what joy His dear face I shall see,
Oh, how I praise Him! He's coming for me.
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/christianlyrics/woundedformewoundedformelyrics.html
There on the cross He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,
All because Jesus was wounded for me.
Dying for me, dying for me,
There on the cross He was dying for me;
Now in His death my redemption I see,
All because Jesus was dying for me.
Risen for me, risen for me,
Up from the grave He has risen for me;
Now evermore from death's sting I am free,
All because Jesus has risen for me.
Living for me, living for me,
Up in the skies He is living for me;
Daily He's pleading and praying for me,
All because Jesus is living for me.
Coming for me, coming for me,
Soon in the air He is coming for me;
Then with what joy His dear face I shall see,
Oh, how I praise Him! He's coming for me.
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/christianlyrics/woundedformewoundedformelyrics.html
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