He’d lay down his life for his sheep.
They know he will save them, in safety keep;
they know his voice, and heed, so aware
of his love and power to care.
John 10:11-16
Why did he say … he is the Truth? (5)
He didn’t mean:
“You have your truth, and I have mine”
“Whatever you want to call truth is fine.”
No, truth is facts and absolute,
it’s things that are beyond dispute,
for we don’t know the truth full well
but he who made it all can tell,
and is omniscient, himself he’s true
and can be Guide to me and you.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Joy in God’s grace
Created to rejoice,
but not in trivial things,
in knowing God’s rich grace,
the comforts Jesus brings.
Joy – we’re loved, embraced by the Lord
wonderful gospel, exult in his Word.
Christ Jesus took delight
in viewing past the grave
joy after suffering’s night
with those his death would save.
Our joy as others grow
in love, humility –
increasingly they show
Christ’s grace and purity.
Paul’s joy in service hard,
for saints – we honour all
those suffering for God’s Word
in pain their joy yet full.
Tune: 66 66+ iambic eg ‘Mine’ by Frank Lehman
Why did he say … he is the Door? (3)
The door to the fold, safety, security,
and to pasture, soul nourishment,
support and encouragement:
no life cramping, restricting,
damping, constricting.
‘I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture … I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ John 10:9,10 (NKJV)
John 9
The blind man could see: what amazed him the most –
the colours, the animals, plants, sky and host
of faces unknown (he had always been blind),
– or, who this man was, with such skill and so kind?
The leaders were angry and chose not to see,
they threatened, ridiculed, disowned him, but he
from heeding, obeying, increasingly saw
the truth about One who blind eyes could restore.
Thrown out of their midst, truth discarded for lies;
sought out by the Saviour who’d opened his eyes,
perceived Jesus now as Messiah and Lord;
the Pharisees’ pride made them shut out God’s Word.
Important to listen, consider and pray,
give thought to his words when he shows you his Way;
the threats and opinions of men do not fear:
more precious a Saviour who always stays near.
Tune: 11 11 11 11 St Luke
Why did he say … he is the Light? (1)
Jesus said,
‘I am the Light of the world’ –
when the blinds on your vision are furled
that Light can enlighten perception and puzzles –
and points to its source in the glory that dazzles –
the glory of God in his power and his purity,
his wisdom and love that perceives all with clarity.
But some want to keep blinds opaque all unfurled –
mistakenly think that the Light of the world
will trick them, make miserable, jollity hurled
far away – but whoever lets in this true Light
progresses with joy through this troublesome night.
Why did he say … he is the Bread? (2)
Our bodies need their fuel food
to grow and mend, survive, feel good,
but souls will not live well for ever
unless they too are fed with Bread
that gives eternal life, sustains,
and Jesus made momentous claims:
divine, he’d take the weight of sin,
and rise to give us life in Him
– he is himself this Living Bread,
but scorners, to this life are dead.
The 2 advents
Christ’s advent changed the world,
and brought anticipation –
a second advent soon
for wonderul completion:
the end of pain and weariness,
the end of death and sinfulness.
The date unknown, we live
in constant expectation
of better things ahead –
for all will give attention,
and everyone will stop and see
when Christ arrives all-gloriously.
But many won’t believe
(and make no preparation),
their days drift on until
the day of separation:
for only those by faith prepared
will be for ever with their Lord.
2 Peter 3:3-13 and Luke 18:8
The world will scoff, deny, forget
– they do not want to know
that to their Maker they’re in debt,
and praise, submission, owe.
Every eye will one day see him,
Jesus returning, majestic, reigning:
how many will be waiting
with faith, upon the earth?
Remember, though, how soon is meant
(God’s time’s not to our scale);
– he waits, that many may repent:
his coming will not fail.
Until every eye will see him,
Christ Jesus coming, in power returning,
I’ll trust, and while I’m waiting
urge faith upon the earth.
When he is ready, he will come:
the world will not expect
the awesome, judging, holy One
whom most now scorn, reject.
We look forward to his coming,
the old earth melting, the new appearing,
in him, keep persevering
in holy, godly faith.
(Tune: of ‘I know not how God’s wondrous grace’)
Approaching Communion
1 Corinthians 11:17-32
Unity, no biting schism
in his church, avoid division, –
imperfections can cause friction –
immature, and lacking wisdom:
but we all who love the Father,
must seek peace, love one another.
Gather, worship God together,
for his death give thanks, remember,
while partaking of his supper
in a right and proper manner:
this brings glory to the Saviour,
and does good to one another.
Looking round, does peace abound here?
Looking inward, what is found there?
Faith, repentance, love to God
and the people of the Lord?
Self-examination’s better
than chastisement hard and bitter.
Looking up to God, the Founder
of salvation’s plan of wonder;
looking back at Calvary,
all that Christ has done for me:
this we show by wine and bread
’til he comes, – we look ahead!
rhiannonshymns.co.uk 
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