“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” — Colossians 3:16
Music is a wonderful gift to the church. As we sing together, we aren't simply making music; we are reminding one another of the truths of God's Word. The songs we sing help shape what we believe, what we remember, and what we carry with us throughout the week. That's why we want to be intentional about choosing songs that are rich in biblical truth and that get stuck in our hearts!
Over the last few months, we've introduced a couple of new songs to our worship repertoire. I'd love to share a little about why we've chosen them and the truths they proclaim.
Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
This song has been part of my personal worship playlist for years, and I'm excited that we've now introduced it to our church family.
The song was inspired by an old confession of faith, the Heidelberg Catechism, written in the 1500s. It’s very first question asks:
"What is your only comfort in life and death?"
The answer is beautiful: "That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ."
What a wonderful truth to hold on to! Death can be frightening, and none of us knows what tomorrow holds. But because of Jesus, death does not have the final word. We belong to Him and He promises to keep us to the very end.
This song is more than a personal declaration of faith; it is a proclamation for the whole church. Together, we confess that Christ is our hope in life and death. Even in our darkest moments, our hope remains secure in Him. All the way to the grave, our boast will be in Christ!
Listen to "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death"
Washed
Our most recent addition to the repertoire is "Washed."
This is a joyful declaration of what God has done for everyone who belongs to Christ. Because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross at Calvary, we have been washed clean from the stain of sin. We have been ransomed and redeemed. Our shame has been taken away, our debt has been paid, and we have been made new!
What a reason to sing with joy and gratitude! We are not defined by our past sins or failures. In Christ, we are a new creation. His grace has made us clean, and Jesus’ sacrifice has made a way for us to be brought back into relationship with Him.
As we sing this song together, may we be reminded of the incredible gift of salvation and rejoice in all that Jesus has done for us.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Kyle