{"id":20839,"date":"2018-12-05T15:39:29","date_gmt":"2018-12-05T20:39:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=20839"},"modified":"2018-12-06T07:42:10","modified_gmt":"2018-12-06T12:42:10","slug":"worship-wednesday-jesus-thank-you-sovereign-grace-music-pat-sczebel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=20839","title":{"rendered":"Worship Wednesday – Jesus, Thank You – Sovereign Grace Music, Pat Sczebel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: The Apologetics Group, Eric Holmberg<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank You, Jesus, for the creche, the cross, and the crown.<\/p>\n

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<\/span> He was with God in the beginning.<\/span> All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.<\/span> In him was life, and that life was the light of men.<\/span><\/em> That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it…<\/em>The Word became flesh and dwelt among us<\/em> [creche]<\/strong>. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! <\/span><\/em>[cross]<\/span><\/strong>…<\/em> the Son of God; the King of Israel! <\/em>[crown]<\/strong> – John 1:1-5, 14, 29, 49<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

A middle school in Virginia won’t subject its students, staff, or families this year with any holiday songs having the name Jesus in them. Some students reportedly<\/a> were uncomfortable singing the songs in a school program, so instead of giving them the freedom not to sing those particular songs, the songs themselves are banned. The school officials felt it appropriate given the increasingly diverse nature of the student body. So what if most religions of the world recognize Jesus in some capacity<\/a> or another?! I don’t understand removing such a world-impactful historical figure from a school curriculum or extra-curriculum.<\/p>\n

The movement of our culture and its sensibilities toward the secular is obvious in so many arenas. Whatever one ends up believing at the end of their lives, to miss the person of Jesus altogether is a terrible thing, a brutal consequence of living in a post-Christian world.<\/p>\n

Today, I wanted to highlight a simple song with a glorious message. As I write, it’s Christmas time and images of a Christ child in a manger are everywhere (even in a town where a middle school won’t allow such a thing as part of its programming).<\/p>\n

A child in a manger…such an extraordinary birth. One part of the triune God, separated for a time into humanity. Thinking about that in front of the fire this morning, it hit me again what that birth must have meant to God the Father…and for all of Creation.<\/p>\n

Jesus was born to give us a closer look at the God of the universe – the beauty of a sinless life, the mystery of justice perfectly balanced by mercy, the love that never turns from His own.<\/p>\n

In celebrating the birth of Christ, we have the creche, the cross, and the crown <\/em>[to which the Scripture above points]. The creche demonstrating a God-life made small so we could even begin to fathom a God who loves us His frail ones. The cross displaying a God-love that withholds nothing – “the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”<\/em> – that we may have everything – forgiveness and life forever with Him. Lastly of the three, the crown signifies the risen King, who is seated triumphantly by the Father, interceding for us, until the day we all enter His Kingdom.<\/p>\n

Thank You, Jesus<\/em> <\/a>is a song by Pat Sczebel, of Sovereign Grace Music<\/a>. Its focus is Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. Still, the first time I heard it was a couple of weeks ago as part of a worship service in a small downtown church in Tennessee. It was the beginning of Christmas time, and the merging of the creche and the cross touched our hearts so deeply.<\/p>\n

Worship<\/a> with me:<\/p>\n

VERSE 1
\n<\/strong>The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
\nThe agonies of Calvary
\nYou the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
\nWho drank the bitter cup reserved for me<\/p>\n

CHORUS
\n<\/strong>Your blood has washed away my sin
\nJesus, thank You
\nThe Father\u2019s wrath completely satisfied
\nJesus, thank You
\nOnce Your enemy, now seated at Your table<\/strong>
\nJesus, thank You<\/p>\n

VERSE 2
\n<\/strong>By Your perfect sacrifice I\u2019ve been brought near
\nYour enemy You\u2019ve made Your friend
\nPouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
\nYour mercy and Your kindness know no end<\/p>\n

BRIDGE
\nLover of my soul<\/strong>
\nI want to live for You<\/strong>*<\/p>\n