Attempting to summarise scripture teaching in brief verse
What is holiness?
Beautiful righteousness,
purity attractive,
awesome, distinctive.
Free of all defilement,
glorious, splendid, brilliant,
wise and perfect love:
such is God above.
Judgement all correct,
will do his will, elect
all that’s good and right,
King of flame and light.
Great creative power,
see him save, and shower
gifts of grace, salvation.
Soiled, we need redemption.
I dare not draw near
(awakened sense brings fear)
‘til given righteousness,
covering, holiness.
Tune: 55 55
Oh, who is all glorious?
Giving due notice
that He is victorious,
merciful, gracious?
but must not be scorned, or
derided, ignored,
and speaks clear Word of
His love and His sword.
Return to the Father
in heaven, the Saviour,
repenting, submitting
as surely is fitting,
and give Him the glory, the
praises, but hurry
grasp now for His hand – so
the King’s shelter found.
Tune: can be sung to 10 10 11 11 eg Houghton
All know there is some One greater than we.
This universe could not have come to be
with beauty, life, such complex information
without some power, design for its creation.
So why should such a One not care for us?
and come to help, and save us from our mess?
and if He take our form and die He could
rise from the dead as such a Being should.
Why would He die though – ah, He tells, so hear
that there’s a time to come when He’ll appear
and every word and action wrong must bear
their just true sentence, punishment incur.
For all have disobeyed their Maker, God
the only hope was that He bear the rod
himself so that His people could go free –
now He can offer grace to you and me!
Tune: 11 11 11 11 eg Eventide, tune of ‘Abide with me’
A Being greater far than man,
a Being greater than we can
envision, comprehend, conceive
– if He instructs, we must believe.
That such a One should be triune,
three persons in one Godhead – none
should say impossible – indeed
would anyone invent such creed?
So is it really a surprise
that He should come as man all-wise
and good, and claim divinity,
yet with His Father, unity?
And that He’d send His Spirit to
teach people’s hearts and make them new
– one God so great – He says He is
a wondrous triune God like this!
Tune: LM eg eg Niagara by R Jackson, tune of ‘The Lord is KIng’
1 Kings 18:20-46
They called on Baal
to burn the bull –
they called and bawled,
but no fire fell.
But God sent fire
that was not quenched,
burned up the bull
which had been drenched.
The people, awed
turned away from Baal
to God the Lord
who does not fail.
Then came the rain
they needed so –
His power again
makes grace to flow.
Tune: LM eg tune of ‘I know that me Redeemer lives’
“By grace alone”: We could not come
to Him unless He chose to bless
and draw us in to cleave to Him –
for we were ‘dead’, ignoring God.
“By faith alone”: for mercy come
and life receive, repent, believe.
We cannot earn pardon for sin –
accept God’s favour in Christ, the Saviour.
“In Christ alone” the work was done
to free us from our guilt and sin.
He paid the price that would suffice
upon the cross he died for us.
“Scripture alone” – no adding on
to what God said – His words, His Word.
He has revealed what was concealed:
His Word complete our needs will meet.
“To God alone the Sovereign One
be glory”, praise in all, always.
The holy Lord, fulfils His Word –
creation and salvation planned.
Tune: LM eg Church Triumphant by James Elliott, tune of ‘I know that my Redeemer lives’
Abundant his goodness,
abounding his love,
unsearchable greatness
all glorious, above
all we can imagine,
he’s faithful, steadfast,
kind, good things providing,
and mercy when asked.
Forever and ever
each day we should praise –
so mighty, we never
could know all his ways.
His deeds we should ponder,
and tell out to all,
with joy sing in wonder
his mercies recall!
‘I will … extol your name for ever and ever …his greatness no-one can fathom … the glorious splendour of your majesty … the power of your awesome works … The LORD is gracious and compassionate … good to all… (Psalm 145:1-13)
Tune: 64 64 64 64 but can be ung to 54 54 54 54 eg ‘Thine own way’ by George Stebbins
or ‘Hanover’ (tune of ‘O Worship the King’) by William Croft or ‘Houghton’ by Henry Gauntlett 10 10 11 11
They saw his glory – brilliant bright,
and soon all will behold the sight.
Before that time, the sun must hide
while Jesus suffered, bled and died.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.
Upon the mount the Father’s word
acknowledging his Son was heard.
But while Christ on the cross bore sin,
no voice honoured the dying King.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.
His body broken: not ‘til risen
would understanding come, and wisdom –
beginning of awareness, awe
of what his suffering had been for.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.
The three then told of what they’d seen
upon the mount, but now their theme:
the amazing glory of the Lamb
fulfilling thus redemptive plan.
Glimpse of his glory, glory great:
Him we can trust, his coming wait.
Tune: LM+ eg Solid Rock (tune of ‘On Christ, the solid rock I stand’
Matthew 17:1-13
All idols are silent
– God speaks
in words that are clear:
He seeks
to teach and inform
– eye and ear
created to read and to hear.
We’re made so we language
can use
to help, not malign,
or confuse;
communicate, listen
and share
and tell of our God’s loving care.
Through various languages
we
receive revelation
to see
the ‘Why’ of the universe,
and
can chat so our friends understand!
Tune: 88 88 anapaestic eg Celeste, tune of ‘How good is the God we adore’
See Lord how they sneer with scoffing,
think they are so wise and tough
think they have no need of You, Lord,.
think You don’t care what they do:
what a clamour!
what an uproar!
Ignorant and foolish words!
But You still work out salvation;
how long will You wait – arise!
and defend Your reputation –
don’t hold back, rebuke their lies.
Violence lurking,
evil working:
save Your people from their claws.
*Job 15:25
also: “But you, O God, are my king from of old; you bring salvation upon the earth. …Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O Lord, how foolish people have reviled your name.… Rise up, O God, and defend youor cause;; remember how fools mock you all day long.” Psalm 74:12,18,22
Tune: 87 87 47 eg Bryn Calvaria by William Owen, tune of ‘Come, ye sinners, poor and needy’s
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 
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