Our Advocate In Christ

The Scriptures tell us to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. We did that very thing this past Sunday at Calvary and God moved mightily in our worship gathering. This week Pastor Paul continues our study in John, examining John 11. We will also have the opportunity to join with three families as they dedicate their children to the Lord.

The songs we have chosen will point us to Christ and help us celebrate the glorious truth of the Resurrection. We open the service singing Matt Redman's Blessed Be Your Name. Over the years this song has become an anthem for us as we deal with the hardships and trials of life. The theme of the song is summed up in the bridge when we sing You give and take away, my heart will choose to say Lord blessed be Your name. The video here is of Matt Redman and the London Community Gospel Choir singing this wonderful anthem.

We will also be singing Vikki Cook's Before The Throne Of God Above. This text was written by Charitie Lees Bancroft a few years after the great Irish revival of 1859. Originally titled The Advocate, this modern hymn declares that although Satan, the accuser of the brothers, will tempt us to despair, will try to squelch our witness by reminding us of our sin, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who has already accomplished everything we need for forgiveness and restoration. I think it is best stated in this lyric from stanza 2:

     Because the sinless Savior died

     My sinful soul is counted free

     For God the just is satisfied

     To look on Him and pardon me

Another song we will use in our gathering is the Stuart Townend and Keith Getty song In Christ Alone. I believe that this song will endure for generations to come if the Lord tarries. It serves to turn our hearts to the living Christ who has bought us with His precious blood. The closing lyrics reminds us of the truths from Romans 8:35-39:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:35-39 ESV)

The video clip is of Kristen Getty and the Shadow Mountain Church. I hope it blesses you as much as it has me.

We will close the service singing Sovereign Grace's You Have Been Raised. The song begins with a series of questions. How do we know we've been forgiven? How do we know that we have been made clean? How do we know we'll go to heaven? How do we know we've been redeemed? The answers lies in the resurrection of Christ. The powerful chorus gives us hope and assurance in Christ.

     You have been raised, the tomb has been opened

     Nothing can take away our hope in You, You have been raised!

     You have been raised the work is completed

     Hell and its powers have been defeated! You have been raised!

I came across this video from Covenant Life Church of You Have Been Raised from their Easter service a couple of years ago. 

I trust that you will prepare your heart before the Lord in private before we gather to corporately proclaim the glories of Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Trent