In Jesus We Get Both His Death And His Life (via Esau McCaulley)

Gary Ware

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March 29, 2023

The Easter reflection bids us see the unity of that which we remember on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Jesus’ death and the forgiveness of our sins.
Jesus’ resurrection and the everlasting life he shares with us.
The message of the Gospel recorded in Acts stresses the life that we have in Jesus.
Sometimes evangelicals remember the cross and our redemption on Good Friday, and then celebrate pretty much exactly the same thing on Easter Sunday.
While the events of Friday are just as true on Sunday, Sunday reminds us of the life that God’s forgiven people now live – and will live forevermore.

From Esau McCaulley’s book Lent – The Season Of Repentance And Renewal.

What makes the Christian special is we have the Messiah who has come to give life to the world.
We don’t just get his death for our sins; we get the life he lived before he died, which gives his death meaning. We receive his defeat of death, which gives us hope. We get his instructions. As he told the crowd, we are all taught by God (John 6:45). It is in Christ that we encounter a vision of the human life large enough to satisfy all our longings; it is in the person of Christ that we encounter a God who demands our allegiance.
Esau McCaulley, Lent – The Season Of Repentance And Renewal, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL. 2022, pg. 69.

Is He Worthy? at Covenant Nashville

Gary Ware

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March 28, 2023

I’ve featured music videos recorded at Covenant Presbyterian Nashville on this blog so when I heard the news of the shootings at their associated school today it resonated on multiple levels.
The later news that one of the children lost was from the family of the congregation’s pastor resonated as well.
How to minister to a community in grief at a time when the grief is your own reveals the nature of a community’s love and faith in a profound way.
This I know.

One of the videos on the church’s YouTube page is of Andrew Peterson leading the congregation in singning Is He Worthy?.

I’m sure their hearts feel the world is broken, but the light will shine through as they look to a world made new.
He is worthy.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives – Sunday Songs

Gary Ware

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March 27, 2023

Getty Music with Laura Story have released I Know That My Redeemer Lives.
The song has a number of composers (and a few borrowed lines).
The three verses move in ways that develop the themes of Christ’s redemptive power, daily presence, and future provision.
The lines from the chorus “On heaven’s throne, and in my very soul / I know that my redeemer lives” are nice.
It’s a little late for consideration to use this Easter, but we’ll see how we go later in the year. It’s timely, but not tied specifically to the Easter season.

The lyrics:
1.
I know that my Redeemer lives
What hope this sweet assurance gives
That he who gave his life for me
Arose with healing in his wings
He lives, the tomb is empty still
Redemption’s promise he fulfilled
No condemnation now remains
The stone of death is rolled away
Chorus
My redeemer lives
My redeemer lives
On heaven’s throne, and in my very soul
I know that my redeemer lives
2.
I know that my Redeemer lives
And all my life is bound to his
In realms above, he intercedes
Our sinless Savior, perfect priest
No fear can follow where he guides
His constant presence is my light
No power on earth or heav’n above
Can separate us from his love
Chorus
3.
I know that my redeemer lives
In life and death I trust in him
My soul secure, my future safe
He’ll not forsake me to the grave
He lives and He will not delay
My eyes will wake to brightest day
And in my flesh I’ll see him stand
When Christ in glory comes again
And every eye will see him stand
When Christ in glory comes again
Chorus 2x

On heaven’s throne, and in my very soul
I know that my redeemer lives

Words and Music: Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, Matt Papa, Laura Story
©2023 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Jordan Kauflin Music (BMI) / Matt Merker Music (BMI) / Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP) / Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP) / Laura’s Stories and Songs (ASCAP) / adm. at MusicServices.com

Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day 13

Gary Ware

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March 26, 2023

Heidelberg Catechism – Lord’s Day 13

33.
Q. Why is he called God’s only begotten Son, since we also are God’s children?
A. Because Christ alone is God’s own eternal Son, whereas we are accepted for his sake as children of God by grace.

34.
Q. Why do you call him our Lord?
A. Because, not with gold or silver but at the cost of his blood, he has redeemed us body and soul from sin and all the dominion of the devil, and has bought us for his very own.

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