Saturday 31 January 2015
Hymn Story: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
John 20:20
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in 1739, in celebration of the first service of London's first Wesleyan Chapel. This chapel was known as the Foundry Meeting House, as it was a deserted foundry. Charles Wesley purchased the building to house his growing number of converts.
Originally published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, this hymn was eleven four-line stanzas long. Martin Madan's Collection of Psalms and Hymns, 1760, included eight stanzas, with many lines rearranged. Only four stanzas are commonly sung now.
The "Alleluia" which we sing at the end of each line was not part of the original hymn, it was added later by some unknown editor, to better fit the tune. "Alleluia," or "Hallelujah" is a common expression of praise, "Praise ye the Lord," from the early Christian Church. Early Christians would greet each other Easter morning, "Alleluia, the Lord is risen!" Jerome, who died in 420, was an important leader of the early church, who translated the Bible into Latin. He wrote that the very ceilings of houses of worship were often shaken with the reverberating "Hallelujahs" when believers sang their praises to God.
Listen to it here: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Hymn Story: Soldiers of Christ, Arise
Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Charles Wesley wrote "Soldiers of Christ, Arise" in 1747, originally calling it "The Whole Armour of God, Ephesians VI." With its bold and stirring message, the hymn was designed to confirm new believers.
At the time, Charles and his brother, John Wesley, had become leaders of the movement known as Methodism. The Church of England did not approve of the Methodists, however, and those associated with Methodism were persecuted. Their houses were vandalized. And even worse, Methodists were sometimes threatened, stoned, mauled, and dragged through the streets.
Given the threatening environment that most Methodists faced, Wesley no doubt thought of very real battles as he wrote "Soldiers of Christ, Arise." Yet the hymn refers to more than just physical warfare: Its more important theme refers to the spiritual warfare that all Christians face. As followers of Christ, we must put on the full armour of God, described in Ephesians 6:10–11, and always be ready to battle Satan’s forces.
Calling on Christians to fight these spiritual battles, the original version of "Soldiers of Christ, Arise" appeared in the 1749 publication Hymns and Sacred Poems. The lengthy hymn contained sixteen verses, each with eight lines. In John Wesley’s Collection of Hymns for the People Called Methodists, published in 1780, only twelve stanzas appeared, divided into three separate hymns. The three-stanza version commonly used today dates from 1847.
Listen to it here: Soldiers of Christ, Arise
Friday 30 January 2015
Thursday 29 January 2015
Sunday 25 January 2015
Monday 19 January 2015
Coram Deo (December 2014)
"There is more to church growth than new converts. Those of us already converted can mature in our faith. We can learn to count trials joy, and grow in our love for one another. Remember that maturing is as much growth as seeing new people converted." —Mark Dever from "God-Given Growth" in the October 2007 issue of Tabletalk Magazine http://bit.ly/1vwduEE
"As a pastor, I have the opportunity to meet many people as they come to our church for the first time. It does not take long to learn which of them are burdened with the desire to participate fully in the life of the church and to use their God-given gifts to serve others. And it does not take long to learn which of them are coming to the church with the intention of remaining at the fringes. The sad fact is that there are many Christians who want to be served but do not want to serve." —Tim Challies from the weekend devotional "Using Gifts for the Good of the Church" in this month's Tabletalk Magazine
"Pragmatism is poison to the church. Church ministry is about trusting the sovereign will of God and being faithful to plant and water the good seed of the gospel (1 Cor. 3:6-8). Growth, increase, fruit—that’s entirely up to Him." —Travis Allen from "Faithful Gardening" in this month's Tabletalk Magazine http://bit.ly/12NjywG
The truth redeems. The truth preserves. The truth makes us free. The truth makes us holy. —R.C. Sproul
Coram Deo: One of the most significant achievements of the Protestant Reformation was the recovery of the biblical truth that Christ is the sole Mediator between God and man. When this truth is proclaimed, we have confidence to approach the Lord with humility, to see Him as our Father who loves us and wants us to come to Him with all of our needs, no matter how insignificant we think they happen to be.
In our natural state, we are completely unwilling and morally incapable of coming to Christ. —R.C. Sproul
What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, but the incarnation of God Himself. —R.C. Sproul
"As a pastor, I have the opportunity to meet many people as they come to our church for the first time. It does not take long to learn which of them are burdened with the desire to participate fully in the life of the church and to use their God-given gifts to serve others. And it does not take long to learn which of them are coming to the church with the intention of remaining at the fringes. The sad fact is that there are many Christians who want to be served but do not want to serve." —Tim Challies from the weekend devotional "Using Gifts for the Good of the Church" in this month's Tabletalk Magazine
"Pragmatism is poison to the church. Church ministry is about trusting the sovereign will of God and being faithful to plant and water the good seed of the gospel (1 Cor. 3:6-8). Growth, increase, fruit—that’s entirely up to Him." —Travis Allen from "Faithful Gardening" in this month's Tabletalk Magazine http://bit.ly/12NjywG
The truth redeems. The truth preserves. The truth makes us free. The truth makes us holy. —R.C. Sproul
Coram Deo: One of the most significant achievements of the Protestant Reformation was the recovery of the biblical truth that Christ is the sole Mediator between God and man. When this truth is proclaimed, we have confidence to approach the Lord with humility, to see Him as our Father who loves us and wants us to come to Him with all of our needs, no matter how insignificant we think they happen to be.
In our natural state, we are completely unwilling and morally incapable of coming to Christ. —R.C. Sproul
What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, but the incarnation of God Himself. —R.C. Sproul
Sunday 18 January 2015
Thursday 15 January 2015
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Sunday 11 January 2015
Saturday 10 January 2015
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