Earlier this year I was given the opportunity to preach at Community Bible Church in Nashville, Tenn. Upon reading my bulletin that morning I noticed the commonality of all the songs in the lineup. They all dealt with the righteousness of God. This was fitting as my message was also dealing with this topic, and specifically with regard to how the righteousness of God is revealed in and through the gospel (here is the sermon).
I cannot even begin to express the well of emotion that was stirred as this theme had been fermenting in my own soul for days and now was going to be united with music. This was truly a blessing of good providence and served to be a fitting ‘tunnel walk’ for me as I prepared to preach.
As we sang together and read these words one song just stood out to me, it was a song that I had never heard before, it was just so refreshing. Upon coming back I just had to get a copy of that song.
Here are the lyrics to this song…(and the music)
Thy works, not mine, O Christ, speak gladness to this heart;
They tell me all is done; they bid my fear depart.
To whom, save Thee, Who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?Thy pains, not mine, O Christ, upon the shameful tree,
Have paid the law’s full price and purchased peace for me.
To whom, save Thee, Who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?Thy cross, not mine, O Christ, has borne the awful load
Of sins that none in Heav’n or earth could bear but God.
To whom, save Thee, Who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?Thy death, not mine, O Christ, has paid the ransom due;
Ten thousand deaths like mine would have been all too few.
To whom, save Thee, who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?Thy righteousness, O Christ, alone can cover me:
No righteousness avails save that which is of Thee.
To whom, save Thee, Who canst alone
For sin atone, Lord, shall I flee?
As an aside, I’m curious what music leaders do at other churches. Do you interweave the theme from the sermon with music?