How excited is the Olympic athlete when he/she comes in second? Why are we thrilled to come in first, but fall into the doldrums of depression when we lose? The athlete prepares themselves to win, and stand on the podium for the gold medal, not the silver. Even in life we strive for first place…never for second.
Even Paul urged us to ‘…Run in such a way that you may win.’ (Obviously he is referring to the ‘imperishable wreath.’) So shouldn’t we strive for first place? Perhaps we need to consider what race we’re running? Maybe we get to focused on running in the wrong race. Or maybe our competitive nature causes us to ‘run over’ some folks who actually may be needing help running the race. Or just maybe, we are striving to win in the world rather than looking at heaven’s race. What ever the case, what is it that we should be running for? Christ told us in Mark 12…the most important thing, our goal is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. When we do that, then we’ll be in 1st Place!
“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15
Sunday morning, October 20, 2013
The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.
“I Will Call Upon the Lord” – 63
The Lord Lives! We open our worship time together singing scripture (Psalm 18:3). David wrote, “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” Perhaps we know this song so well we forget that we have deliverance from those who hate us. In a world torn by division we should all be seeking pure hearts, loving our God first and calling upon Him often.
“Purer in Heart, O God” – 671
How do you devote your life? Are you concerned about where you’re walking, how you’re living? We sing this hymn (a song of prayer) asking for God’s guidance and protection. It’s an encouragement to me as I hear my brothers and sisters in Christ singing and praying for God to ‘help me to be pure in heart, so that one day I may see Your holy face…’ Would that we all long for God to reign within our lives (within our souls).
“One Day!” – 353
The first verse of this song takes us back to the day of Christ’s birth, when He came to earth. We continue with the second verse looking to ‘Calvary’s mountain’ and His suffering. The third verse will take us to the tomb where He was laid. But the chorus is our focus as we sing this song before the Lord’s Supper; “Living, He loved me; Dying, He saved me; Buried, He carried my sins far away; Rising, He justified freely forever…One day He’s coming (back), Oh glorious day!” Christ gave Himself so we might be ‘justified,’ by definition: “To be declared free of blame.” Though we are sinful men, if we give our lives to Christ and are baptized into His death, we have been declared free of sin because of His death on Calvary’s mountain.
“Majestic Sweetness” – 530
Notice the title of this song and where ‘majestic sweetness’ is enthroned. The answer; “…upon the Savior’s brow;” (head) Now consider the 3rd verse; “He saw me plunged in deep despair and flew to my relief; for me He bore the shameful cross, and carried all my grief.” Certainly we owe Him our life and breath, and all the joys we have. It’s no surprise that Samuel Stennett would concluded this hymn with the phrase…“Had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord they should all be Thine…”
“Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord” – 762
Remember the old adage, ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?’ It’s true for many areas in life, but when it comes to Godliness we better take a look at how teachable we are. When I’m lost I’m more than eager to have someone ‘show me the way’. When I am sad of heart or when fears and doubts arise, I’m more receptive to being comforted and consoled. As we sing about God’s guidance, would that we long to be taught His ways!
“The Greatest Commands” – 448
A great contemporary song that provides each of the four basic parts an opportunity to sing their individual lines, yet all in harmony. Notice each of these verses come from the scripture; I John 4:7, 8, I Corinthians 13:7 and Christ’s words in Mark as He says, “Love the Lord, thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, all thy strength all thy mind…”; a beautiful soprano line. But here’s some homework for you; which part (bass, tenor or alto) sings the words from I Corinthians 13:7?
“Let Him Have His Way with Thee” – no book
This old spiritual song will serve as our invitation as we ask the question, “Would you live for Jesus and be always pure and good?” If you say ‘Yes’, then you will choose to let Him have His way with you. But what does that mean? It means that His power, His blood and His love will all be first and foremost in your life. Then ‘you will see ’twas best for Him to have His way with thee.’
“Hear, O Israel” – 446
Theses words are taken straight from the Bible (and sung already this morning). It is first found in Deuteronomy chapter 6, but is repeated by Christ in the gospels. This morning, our basis for study will be Mark 12 when Christ is asked, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” (verse 28) His reply, as He so powerful demonstrated time and again, was to sight the scripture. “The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind… and strength.” Question: How are we doing in life, are we winning first place?
