Category: The Saviour Christ

Angels Really!

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

Appearing sometimes as a man,
sometimes a brilliant awesome one,
though usually unseen, God’s servants they
are spirits who his will obey.

The angel Gabriel one day came,
to tell Zecharaiah he’d have a son:
who’d be the one to call, prepare
all for the Christ who’d soon appear.

And then to Mary, Gabriel went
with such an amazing message sent –
that she would have a child unique –
almighty God, a baby weak!!

A crowd of angels at his birth –
they knew the wonder, knew His worth –
so seen by shepherds, making known
the mightiest work had now begun!

And when his ministry began,
the devil tempted him, and then
some angels came in serving role –
and still, they help God’s people all.

And in Gethsemane, he faced
the awful task before him placed
‘But if it is your will’, he’d do
this saving job for me and you.

And at that anguish great there came
an angel strengthening him again.
And when he’d risen – glorious day!
– an angel rolled the stone away!

Appearing as a man, but bright
the guarding soldiers shook with fright,
and when the women came, announced
that Jesus lives, death’s grip he’d trounced.
Tune: LM
[Bible references: Luke 1:11-20; 26-38; Luke 2: 8-14; Matthew 4:11; Hebrews 1:14; Luke 22: 42-44; Matthew 28:2-7]

Empty!!

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Jesus from death returned,
by many touched and heard
– but some* have doubted, turned
to prove such is absurd.

Intelligent, with wisdom
they thought they’d soon explain
that Jesus hadn’t risen
and all would soon be plain.

But from investigation,
to own they were compelled
that Jesus’ resurrection
is truth to be upheld.

No cruel clever hoax,
no pretty little tale,
a cross that is the crux
and grace that will not fail!

Tune: 66 66iambic eg St Cecilia tune of ‘The kingdom come, O God’
*eg‘Who moved the stone?’ by Frank Morrison’and ‘The case for Christ,’ and ‘The case for Easter’ by Lee Strobel

Signs that Jesus is the Son of God

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He healed the sick and raised the dead,
gave sight, and multiplied the bread.
He turned the water into wine –
creating by His power divine.

He rose from death – his friends then went
to preach the news as they’d been sent,
though this might bring them persecution:
they had to tell of resurrection.

More signs were given as they taught.
Miracles showed the people ought
to wake up, know the mighty God
was calling all to Christ, His Word.

A rich man pleaded after death,
someone be sent to those on earth.
He’s told that as they scripture scorn ,
they’ll heed not though one rise to warn.

The signs should make us realise
that Christ is God with words to prize
to show us how to find his grace,
have life eternal, God’s embrace.
Tune: LM

The 5 ‘Solas’ of the Reformation

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“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’

Simeon

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(Luke 2:2:5-35)
Now he can depart in peace
– as promised, Christ he’d seen.
He’d known that One, bringing release,
was coming to redeem.

He knew the child he held was He
who’d soon bring light to all:
God’s revelation-truth they’d see –
but some would scorn and fall.

But many into Life, He’ll raise
procuring their salvation,
but Mary shall in anguish gaze
upon His crucifixion.

Simeon rejoiced, content for he
knew God was thus fulfilling
His gracious plan: so peacefully
Simeon for death now willing.

Tune: CM

The Young Child, the Wise Men and Herod

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Travelling many months to behold
the King now born, as long foretold.
The star announced and led the way –
no longer in that shed with hay,
Herod of their searching heard
– a growing rival king he feared.

Those men worshipped One so young,
gave him gifts, which very soon
helped his parents take the child
away from Herod’s hatred wild.
Safe in Egypt til told, ‘Return’:
Nazareth his childhood home.

Tune: 77 77 77 eg Dix by Conrad Kocher, tune of ‘As with gladness men of old’

Christ’s glory on the mount, and afterwards

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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

Dangers in the dark

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What dangers when confusion reigns,
and argument concerning what
is good and right, rebellious claims
that hurt some in the disputes caught.
So is there fundamental truth
to guide us all – in age and youth?

The one who came, and all his ways
were perfect, kind, creating sight,
the Son of God the dead could raise,
but also was the Truth and Light,
for he who made the stars from nought
the wisdom that we all need taught.

He made mankind – now so rebellious.
He has not left us without guidance,
and also offers grace, forgiveness,
– and then we love His laws so righteous!
His Light shows dangers well concealed,
safe pathways, boundaries are revealed.

Tune: 88 88 88 eg ‘Solid Rock’ by William Bradbury (Tune of ‘My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness’

The Giver of Life

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Christ Jesus said, Seek out,
pursue food that sustains
which does not spoil, endures:
so heed his wondrous claims:
  ‘I am the bread of life’, he said,
  for I give life to souls now dead –
  eternal life, your souls refreshed and fed.

The barren heart revived
for by the Spirit drenched:
fruit grows, life’s Source made known,
soul’s hunger, thirst is quenched.
  ‘I am the bread of life’, he said,
  for I give life to souls now dead –
  eternal life, your souls refreshed and fed.

(see John 6:35 etc)

Tune: 6666 8810 eg ‘Gospel grace’ by J McGranahan

Authority

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“All authority in heaven
and on earth to Me is given”.
While on earth, Jesus, the Lord
food created, sight restored.
As He taught – men were astonished –
with authority admonished,
and the Way of grace conveyed
– repentance, faith must be displayed.

Ostentatious leaders found
their verbal traps He could confound.
Satan could not make him sin.
Satan’s sway was crumbling.
Still on earth, Christ’s Spirit stirs
minds to see through Satan’s slurs
and one day this King will come –
then His rule we all will own.