Born to Worship

April 13, 2010
8:22 AM

Our hymn for the month of April led us into our worship celebration last week on Easter Sunday.
Psalm 66:2 commands us to, “Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.” As the worshippers raised their voices and sang, it was glorious!

Crown Him with Many Crowns begins with a focus on Christ as revealed in Revelation19:12,13 which says, “His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns …. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God.” As we sang, “Awake my soul and sing…,” the music transposed up a key. Like a rocket igniting and then slowly picking up speed, our praises lifted with power into the heavens and continued to grow with intensity and feeling from that point on. The second verse hails Jesus as the “Lord of Love” and invites us to “behold his hands and side.” With that, we vividly remembered the wounds that our Savior suffered on our behalf. After a joyful musical interlude, the tempo slowed dramatically, allowing every word of the last verse to resound from deep within. We had finally arrived at the resurrection! “Crown Him the Lord of life who triumphed o’er the grave!”

I’m so grateful to my friend Jeff Moore who arranged this wonderful hymn for our orchestra team and truly led us into the presence of the Lord in a powerful and dramatic way.

Crown Him with Many Crowns became a collaborative work between two men, most likely unknown to each other, yet both desirous to exalt the Lord, Jesus Christ. Good theology is important and the rich text that we sing today is a result of that refining process.

Matthew Bridges (1800-1894) was a part of the Anglican church and converted to Catholicism when he was 48 years old in connection with the Oxford Movement led by John Henry Newman. Among other things, the leaders of this movement were discovering the rich hymnody of the early church and devoting themselves to translations of their Greek and Latin texts. Bridges wanting to share in the rich hymnic tradition of the Protestant church began writing original hymns for the Catholic Church. Crown Him with Many Crowns” was published in the second edition of Hymns of the Heart in 1851 in six, eight-line stanzas.

Hymnology scholar J. R. Watson, notes that, “During the 1870s, objections were made to Bridge’s words, perhaps because of the complex references to the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Godfrey Thring (1823-1903), an Anglican priest, composed a new version and published it in his Hymns and Sacred Lyrics(1874). The United Methodist Hymnal, like many others, combines a stanza of Thring’s text (stanza two) with three from Bridges’ original. (C. Michael Hawn, HISTORY OF HYMNS: Hymn enumerates Christ’s many crowns, (November 2009).)

I can’t imagine singing Crown Him with Many Crowns without Thring’s wonderful 3rd stanza that exalts Christ as the Lord of Life! I’m thankful to the refining process that happens when men and women who are committed to uphold the Word of God, test everything by it. Through that process, a good hymn became a great hymn and encompassed the whole of the gospel by adding the resurrection.

Here’s a little history on the tune.

A good or even a great text does not survive without a stirring tune. DIADEMATA (meaning “crowns”) is the tune that was written by Sir George Job Elvey (1816-1893) for this hymn when it was published in the Appendix of Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1868. Watson agrees with most when he observes, “[DIADEMATA] makes a magnificent setting for the text, march-like and joyful without ever becoming mechanical or strident.” (ibid)

Here are the verses that have endured the ages and that we will sing together at Trinity. Verses 1,2 and 4 are by Bridges and verse 3 is by Thring.

Crown Him with many crowns
The Lamb upon His throne
Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns
All music but its own
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Thru all eternity

Crown Him the Lord of love
Behold His hands and side
Rich wounds, yet visible above
In beauty glorified
No angel in the sky
Can fully bear that sight
But downward bends his wond’ring eye
At mysteries so bright

Crown Him the Lord of life
Who triumphed o’er the grave
Who rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save
His glories now we sing
Who died and rose on high
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die

Crown Him the Lord of heaven
One with the Father known
One with the Spirit through Him given
From yonder glorious throne
To Thee be endless praise
For Thou for us hast died
Be Thou, O Lord, through endless days
Adored and magnified

Bill Born

March 24, 2010
7:41 AM

This week we finished a series of faith stories in our worship services themed around the “sharing the gospel” portion of our mission statement. (You can view these at the end of this post.) God has been glorified and many have been encouraged by this element of our worship service together. The faith story is truly a highlight of our corporate worship services. Whenever we have one, it leaves me not only edified and encouraged, but also wanting more and wishing that we did this more often.

I view our worship service as a give and receive interaction on both the vertical and horizontal plane. We come to give and we come to receive and only in both interactions is the fullness of God’s purpose for our worship gatherings experienced. Vertically we receive from God as we listen to his Word being taught, sung, and proclaimed both visually and verbally. We may also receive from him healing, encouragement, peace, exhortation, even rebuke, correction and forgiveness. On the other hand, we give God thanksgiving, praise, obedience, and repentance in response to what he has given us. We also come to obey the Scriptures command, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV) We confess his name in our songs, prayers and in our creeds. However, the practice of publicly proclaiming what God has done or is doing in our lives through Jesus is another way each one of us can fulfill this command. This Scripture reminds us that our faith story is first and foremost offered to God as a sacrifice of praise.

However, faith story is also offered to one another. On the horizontal level, we give and receive love, grace and mutual encouragement to and from each other. We ought to do this on a daily basis in our relationships, through a one-on-one conversation on the phone, or face-to-face at the coffee shop, in our small group gatherings, and even through our social networks and e-communications. I am reminded of Paul’s opening statement to the Roman congregations.

“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong– 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:11-13 NIV)

The underlying goal of a faith story is to spotlight the work of God in our lives. However it also spotlights the basis of our salvation, faith and in so doing it encourages greater faith. That’s why it is so important to have in the worship service setting. The Scriptures declare, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–”   (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).” In sharing the details of our journey of faith, we give a spiritual gift that makes others strong. We mutually encourage each other by our faith.

Do you see yourself as someone who should be sharing your faith story? What kind of faith does the Lord require and commend? Turning in the Scriptures to Hebrews 11, we see that all sorts of people are included in that list of living “by faith.” Sure Abraham, the father of Israel is on that list, but so is Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho. Jesus once rebuked his disciples for having “little faith.” He said that if you had the faith of a mustard seed, you can move mountains. So I’d say that mustard seed faith is the requirement for a faith story, and what mountain-moving potential it holds! That’s all it takes! It’s because we’re not displaying ourselves, but our God – that’s what faith does. The point of the faith story is not to present a polished you, or a perfectly resolved story. On the contrary, it’s to share your “in process” journey of faith, spotlighting the author and perfecter of your faith, Jesus Christ. So whether you are at the beginning, middle or toward the end of your earthly journey, if you are living by faith, you are invited to share.

What if at the end of 2010, what we at Trinity have deemed the “Year of the Gospel,” we publish a book of our stories declaring the wonderful work of the Lord as the gospel saves us and shapes us as his people? Our Senior Pastor, Gary Inrig, clearly took us through the mega-narrative of the gospel with the four words: Creation, Rebellion, Rescue and Restoration. (check out this incredible message here, The Story). Our story joins God’s story the moment we are rescued from our rebellion through faith in Christ. It continues throughout the restoration process. If you’ve been rescued and you are being restored, then you have a faith story (stories) and others need to hear it. Consider submitting it here by responding to this blog. Each faith story should include the rescue portion, that is, when and how you placed your faith in Christ. Then it continues to demonstrate how you are being restored. Share a significant event in your life. How is your faith growing now? The inclusion of faith stories in our worship service accomplishes the two-fold purpose of the corporate worship service – to glorify our triune God and to edify the church. Please consider “imparting a spiritual gift” to your church family.

Herrick Johson’s Faith Story

Mike Holyk’s Faith Story

Bill Born

March 17, 2010
8:57 AM

I had an interesting experience leading worship last week. I was invited to fill in due to a last minute cancellation to lead worship for a Christian high school chapel service. There were about 300 students. I was given 15 minutes at the beginning of a 45-minute service. I knew in accepting that I was going to have my work cut out for me if I was truly to “lead” this group of students to worship the Almighty God. Honestly, I don’t have to work very hard to lead my Trinity family to worship. Most of them come with eager hearts just like kids going to Disneyland or fans supporting their home team at a sporting event. I’ve got it good at Trinity and I know it! It was a good reminder of how important it is to consider whom I am leading before all else. My opinion is that if a worship leader fails to lead, he or she has failed. I fail sometimes. I didn’t want to fail this time. I prayed and prepared intentionally. So, how did it go? Well, I’m not sure. But I can tell you how I approached it.

Because corporate worship is primarily expressed through singing, I did begin there, with Glory to God Forever by Steve Fee. I do expect folks I lead to sing. I thought that kids might know and like this song that powerfully turns our focus toward our Creator God and yet expresses our role in using our voice to sing. The second verse declares, “Creator God you gave me breath so I could praise your great and matchless name all my days. So let my whole life be a blazing offering–a life that shouts and sings the greatness of our King!” So what was the response? It was almost inaudible – a few bold souls opening their mouths to allow their breath to vibrate their vocal chords. It almost felt like a mockery to God to have the words displayed, the accompaniment provided, the leader encouraging the people to “sing,” and yet very few singing. I was trying hard to connect with my congregation for the morning, but as I casually made eye contact with folks, I received glares back from some, apathy from most. Granted, I think this generation wants to know first who is leading them. Credentials don’t matter; even my status being first declared a friend of one of the respected teachers didn’t seem to matter. I wish I had time to establish a little more of my heart – hard to do in 15 minutes, but perhaps worth dropping a song to strive to establish some credibility first. That’s a take-away.

So after that first song, I did plan to sing a new song, probably unknown by most, that I think has the potential to take a hard or disconnected heart and draw it into worship. This is Our God by Hillsong is such a gentle song, packed with incredible truth and a very active pre-chorus declaring, “I will fall at your feet; I will fall at your feet and worship you here.” If anything, I was going to enter in and loose myself in this song. However, I did not dismiss folks, or ignore the fact that I was still a worship “leader” who did not want by any means to fail to, well…lead. I did give more of an action point to “experience God as we gently walk our way through this song that declares who he is and what he has done for us.” I sensed that this turned the tide a bit as my “tough” group softened and entered in. It was a tender moment and I don’t think I was alone in this experience. A few more voices were added as we gently sang, “I will fall at your feet…” More than that, the silence spoke volumes – kids weren’t talking to one another. The Spirit was present in the hush.

I closed with a prayer for these students, acknowledging the varied talents that God has given to those present–athletes, scholars, and artists and that the obvious response to God’s freely giving himself for us is for us to give ourselves back to him–fully! I brought the focus to God’s Word through Romans 12:1,2 and had folks stand to sing Take My Life and Let it Be by Chris Tomlin. Participation was by no means eager, but I think a few  more than at the beginning had chosen to join in this prayer to the Lord.

I’m used to this challenge from my former days as a math teacher. Teaching math to kids who don’t like math is quite a challenge – a challenge I enjoyed in moderation. It’s a shame however to think that a Christian heart isn’t more primed and ready and yearning to enter into worship whenever the opportunity is given. Just as a group of mathematicians can’t help but be eager to do math, Christ-followers should be chomping at the bit to worship Christ – that’s what we do for heaven’s sake! I expected this group to be more like my college bound math students who were for the most part eager to do math. I would only expect the type of challenge I faced when leading unbelievers to worship God.

In conclusion, I would like to see how this group of students follows a worship leader who they know and trust. I did not have that advantage. That could have been the main issue here. The teacher who spoke in the chapel following me certainly had an immediate connection with the students – they were eager and ready to listen to him, to follow. I encouraged him to take advantage of this position and speak more often. Another contributing issue may have been that many of the singers were away at a choir competition. Maybe the team was missing their captians.

I love the challenge of leading anyone to worship the Triune God–Father, Son and Spirit. I think this group of students would benefit from gentle but persistent instruction on how to become better worshipers – perhaps many of them have forgotten, or have never been taught in the first place. That’s the benefit of having the same worship leader week in and week out leading the same group of believers to worship the Lord. Churches as well as Christian schools and colleges need worship leaders like this. Lord help me always to be full of your Spirit and intentional as I lead but also teach people to worship you! Amen.

Bill Born

March 1, 2010
8:56 AM

With a Mission focus in March, we are going to sing the song, Take My Life and Let it Be. There are three versions that I have for you:

Take My Life – Tomlin’s arrangement (new melody, reflective, with powerful additional chorus)

Take My Life – Jadon Lavik’s arrangement (same melody as Tomlin’s, different chorus, joyful!)

Take My Life and Let Be – Kari Jobe’s arrangement (traditional melody, sensitive and wonderful!)

Here’s the story:

Frances R. Havergal came to faith and committed her life to Christ at the age of 14. She had begun reading and memorizing the Bible at the age of four (eventually memorizing the Psalms, Isaiah and most of the New Testament). At seven she wrote her first poems. Several of her mature verses became hymns. As a student, she loved to learn languages and became an accomplished musician. Her life’s mission was to sing and work for Jesus. She had both a great taste for music and a good knowledge of harmony, a natural and inherited turn for melody, a ringing touch on the piano, and a beautiful and well-trained voice. These gifts she now entirely devoted to Christ; whether at home or in mixed society she always “sang for Jesus.”

Her hymn of consecration, “Take My Life and Let It Be” was written by Miss Havergal in 1874. She had been at a retreat with some folks and was praying for their salvation. She gives the following account:

“The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, & then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced; it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with ‘ever only, ALL FOR THEE!'”

Her prayer, “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold,” in the same hymn was not lightly stated. In August, 1878, Miss Havergal wrote to a friend, “The Lord has shown me another little step, and, of course, I have taken it with extreme delight. ‘Take my silver and my gold’ now means shipping off all my ornaments to the church Missionary House, including a jewel cabinet that is really fit for a countess, where all will be accepted and disposed of for me … Nearly fifty articles are being packed up. I don’t think I ever packed a box with such pleasure.”

Frail in health all of her life, Miss Havergal one day caught a severe cold which caused inflammation of the lungs. When told that her life was in danger, she exclaimed, “If I am really going, it is too good to be true!” At another time she responded, “Splendid! To be so near the gates of heaven.” At the very end, it is reported that she sang clearly, but faintly, another of her hymns, “Jesus, I Will Trust Thee, Trust Thee with My Soul.”

Frances Ridley Havergal died at Caswall Bay, Swansea, Wales, June 3, 1879, at the age of forty-two. She never married. On her tombstone at Astley, Worcestershire, is engraved her favorite text, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

Take My Life and Let it Be
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee

Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee

Take my silver, and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose

Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine Own
It shall be Thy royal throne

Take my love my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee

Bill Born

February 24, 2010
7:36 AM

JOY – I would say that the marks of a Christian are captured best in the list of nine qualities found in the Scriptures called the Fruit of the Spirit. Joy is the second fruit listed. The basic premise is that when a person hears the message of the gospel, that is the good news about Jesus Christ, upon believing, they become a new creation and are given the Holy Spirit as the indwelling presence of God. The role of the Holy Spirit is varied–helping, convicting, comforting, and giving assurance that we belong to God. But we are told that the Spirit also produces all that is good in us–the fruit that flows out of our experience of abiding in him and him abiding in us.

Let’s turn our attention to the worship service. Joy is the overwhelming experience and expression of praise that results when we are in the presence of God together. The Psalms probably mention the word joy more than any other.

“You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalms 16:11 NIV)

And so as I make a plan for leading a “Service of Joy” for an upcoming conference, where shall I begin? What brings me most joy in the corporate worship service?

Answer: Rallying around the gospel! When the spotlight is on Christ, my joy is two fold. First of all, there is the reality of who I am in Christ – the object of his love and delight. Second, there is the unparalleled experience of God with other believers – worship within the community of faith, and it is the gospel of Christ Jesus that brings us together. Both experiences cause my heart to fill and overflow with joy – with resounding joy, I sing. The experience of worshiping the Lord together with the body of Christ parallels and surpasses that of any sporting event or musical concert–at least it should. I live for Sundays!

The truth of the depth of the Father’s love for me produces joy. When I delight in my wife or my kids, I can see the joy on their faces. In the same way, we are told that our Father delights in us.

“The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)

There is something about the Father’s Love that makes my heart rejoice. It is the realization that I am his adopted child–the object of his love and affection. Two songs come to mind: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us and How He Loves. The first song lays out the deep theology of the Father’s love and it is wonderful to sing of this truth. But the second, while not theologically deep and a bit quirky, lets me soak in the simplicity of my Father’s love. In other words, I find myself just resting in his loving embrace. Our experience of joy as we realize and rest in the Father’s love for us is in itself a beautiful expression of worship! However, words are appropriate too, “Your Love O Lord” not only declares God’s love for us, but responds with words of worship. “I will lift my voice to worship you my King. And I will find my strength in the shadow of your wings.”

Another theme in the gospel that brings joy is the beauty of grace displayed in our redemption – the prisoner has been set free. Our God is Mighty to Save! Is there any greater thing than that? “I once was blind but now I see…my chains are gone! I’ve been set free!” Our freedom as declared in such great songs as I Am Free, Happy Day, Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone), Your Grace Still Amazes Me, Hallelujah What A Savior, Mighty to Save, and In Christ Alone, to name a few songs. The second part of our service will focus in on the redemption and grace of God, shown to us through Christ our Savior.

Joy is also captured in declaring the works of the Lord on our behalf and aligning ourselves with his mission. This all happens within the context of fellowship – the unity of believers in heart, mind and purpose! The third and final component of our Service of Joy will focus on our corporate experience. While we’ve been experiencing it all along, now we turn the lights up and look around and realize that the icing on the cake, so to speak, is the people in front of us, beside us and behind us. Our experience of joy is incomplete if it is not experienced within the context of the unity of believers who are joined together in Christ, loving one another like Christ, and carrying on his work together.

“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love,
being one in spirit and purpose.” (Philippians 2:2 NIV)

This Scripture is laid out in the context of Christ’s attitude of humility with the charge that we are to follow in the same manner. Beneath the Cross will be our theme song for the week and it captures joy in the 3rd verse, declaring, “How great the joy before us to be his perfect bride. Beneath the cross of Jesus we will gladly live our lives.” This song brings it all together!

I would like to include some media, corporate readings, Scripture reading, and songs in our celebration of Joy. Father, help me to put this together in a cohesive way that leads us into the fullness of joy that comes from you. And may both our experience of joy and our expression of joy bring you great glory. And may you be blessed as you watch your children delight in you! Amen.

Bill Born

February 3, 2010
8:25 AM

We have the privilege of having a “Hymn of the Month” focus for 2010. Many hymns reflect a personal relationship with the Lord. Such is the case with our February focus: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robert Robinson.

During his early teen years, Robinson ran with a notorious gang of thugs and led a depraved life. At age 17, he decided to attend a revival where the noted evangelist George Whitefield was preaching. Robinson’s motive was to make fun of the people and their religious delusions. Instead, God “began a good work” in him and three years later, he accepted Christ as his Savior.

Not long after his conversion, he responded to a call on his life to preach and became pastor of a rather large church in England. He also wrote a number of theological books as well as several hymns. His most well-known song, written at age 22, is also his spiritual autobiography. Phrases from two of the verses become especially poignant, considering Robinson’s spiritual journey.

“Jesus sought me when a stranger, wand’ring from the fold of God; He to rescue me from danger interposed His precious blood.”

“O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be! Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wand’ring heart to Thee. Prone to wander-Lord I feel it-prone to leave the God I love; here’s my heart-O take and seal it; seal it for Thy courts above.”

In the USA, the hymn is usually set to an American folk tune known as Nettleton, by attribution to the evangelist Asahel Nettleton who composed it early in the nineteenth century. Robinson penned the words in the year 175. In the UK, the hymn is also often set to the tune Normandy by C Bost. The words of the hymn are in the public domain.

The song has gained a degree of popularity in recent years, in large part due to an arrangement by Mack Wilberg, which appears at the end of the BYU Choirs concert “A Thanksgiving of American Folk Hymns,” recorded in April 1994, which is rebroadcast annually by hundreds of PBS affiliates. It has also been covered by David Crowder Band on their 1999 album All I Can Say, and on their live recording Our Love is Loud. Jars of Clay has also covered the song. Matthew Smith has also recorded a popular version on his album All I Owe. Sufjan Stevens recorded a version for his Hark! Songs for Christmas album, which reached 122 in the US charts. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square perform the Mack Wilberg arrangement of this hymn in their concerts, and occasionally on their weekly broadcast Music and the Spoken Word. It is featured on two of their albums, The Sound of Glory, and America’s Choir and is the title song on the album “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” released in March 2009. This song is also sung by Clark Davis in the film Love Comes Softly based on the book of the same title by Janette Oke and is a recurring background music in the film. The Nettleton tune is used extensively in partial or full quotation by the American composer Charles Ives, in such works as the First String Quartet and the piano quintet and song “The Innate.”

Most of us will never pen a book or write a song, but our lives can be a “melodious sonnet” sung in “loudest praise.”

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come Thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebeneezer
Hither by Thy help I’ve come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Bought me with His precious blood

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

Bill Born

January 27, 2010
7:26 AM

I’ve been given another assignment, to give a one-hour session on the topic of, “the significance at a ongregational and personal level of being adopted by God.” This is for the upcoming Former Adventist
Fellowship weekend in February and I’m excited to prepare the session and then to spend time with these wonderful people.

The Bible uses adoption language to help us understand who God is, who we are and what we have been given through faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding these three things on a personal level is crucial to the believer’s ability to experience God’s personal love and to “continue to live in him” (Colossians 2:6 NIV), as Paul commands all of us who have received Christ Jesus as Lord. Understanding these things on a corporate level leads us to experience the true community of the faith, the church as the family of God where our faith is nurtured, where we grow to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:13 NIV), and where we contribute to that growth in others. There is no greater emphasis on adoption in the Bible than the opening to the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I’d like to spend the bulk of our time uncovering and rejoicing in the wonderful truths that are there.

As we move through this hour together, I’d to encourage you to think from two perspectives. First, put yourselves in the shoes of the one who is adopted – if you are in Christ, you are! I’d like to think about the formerly and the but now aspects of being adopted. Second, put yourselves into the context of a huge family of adopted kids – the corporate setting. As we grow understand the Father’s love and purposes, while always a recipient, we develop our Father’s heart and join him in his passion to adopt. We also realize the intense value that our Father places on having a family that is healthy, where love and humility is the operating principle.

Here is a basic outline of what I’d like to present. First of all, I’d like to pause here, and show the Us Forever video. This demonstrates the heart of the issue of adoption and I think will soften our hearts to understand and receive the truth of what God has revealed in the Scriptures.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will– 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV)

[Before proceeding, I will pray using some of the very words that come next. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for these precious people you have gathered here this weekend – for their faith, for their desires to seek you through this weekend. I keep asking that you, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, our glorious Father, may give each one here the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know you better. I pray also that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which you have called us, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the saints, and your incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of your mighty strength, which you exerted in Christ when you raised him from the dead and seated him at your right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (from Ephesians 1:16-23 NIV) May our focus be on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and may we experience more of that fullness as a result of our time together. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.]

Let’s uncover some of the powerful phrasing in the Ephesians passage above. The rest of the Scripture contained in Ephesians is spoken by God to us within the context of our identity as a child, dearly loved and adopted by God the Father, through Jesus the Son. This is so important to grasp! I love the truth that God the Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. I love it that he chose us in him before the creation of the world! I love it that he predestined us to be adopted according to his pleasure and will. I love the purpose of our adoption: to the praise of his glorious grace in Christ. And then what follows is a beautiful telling of the gospel, namely:

• Redemption through his blood
• The forgiveness of sins (through grace that he lavished on us!)
• We were chosen, predestined according to the purpose of his will
• Having believed, we were marked in him with a seal, the Holy Spirit
• We are guaranteed an inheritance
• We are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory!

Wow! It doesn’t get any better than that! And that is only the first chapter! Next, having stated these phrases, I need to do a little uncovering. But for now, I must head into the office. Stay tuned for more…

Bill Born

January 22, 2010
5:08 PM

We have the privilege of having a “Hymn of the Month” focus for 2010. It has always been my goal in corporate worship to include both “new” songs and proven songs that have endured the ages. In both cases, our musical presentation will strive for beauty that complements the lyrics and a sound that reflects the current times; namely, it will sound and feel like it’s 2010.

I would define hymns as songs of worship that are written specifically for congregational worship. To that end, they are usually musically simple, lyrically deep and poetic, memorable, and powerful when sung in the corporate setting. There are many great hymns that have endured the ages, connecting generation upon generation of people to worship the Lord and thus building up the Church. Some of these hymns are deeply theological and written for the purpose of conveying and teaching the great truths of the Scriptures. Thus was the case with our featured January hymn, How Firm a Foundation.

Others are heartfelt prayers of devotion and longing to the Lord. Some characterize a personal relationship with the Lord while others exalt the name of Jesus and rejoice in the gospel. It has been tough to choose only 12 from the wealth that exists, but I’m looking forward to allowing the content of these proven songs of the faith to corporately and personally inspire praise to God and lead us to become better worshipers.

Bill Born

January 20, 2010
8:52 AM

2010 includes a year-of-the gospel focus at Trinity. After the first few services, I have a notion that this focus is going to change us, making us into better worshipers. An encounter with and understanding of the gospel increases humility, gratitude and our desire for others to hear and believe. I can feel it happening in me as I plan and even rehearse with my teams, let alone worship together with my congregation on Sunday mornings. Our rehearsal on Monday night left us speechless for a moment after we played In Christ Alone, This is Our God, and I Cling to the Cross. We were only a 4-piece–keys, drums, bass and acoustic guitar–yet when 4- pieces pour all their heart and soul into worshiping the Lord it is a beautiful result. I was reminded that worship transcends the “style” and production – it is above all else a heart response. Corporate worship involves two or more believers united in their expression of praise to the Lord…and God is there in their midst! As we focus the spotlight in on Christ and the gospel this year, I know that it is going to build our faith and build our church. I’m almost giddy with excitement about our worship set for Sunday. Part of that comes from our experience last week. There was the undeniable fact that we all experienced the Lord during our corporate worship time last Sunday, characterized by tears, abundant joy, loud songs of praise, and moments of silence. I chose two new songs to surround taking the communion elements together. We sang, This is Our God, by Hillsong before hand – such a gentle song, yet one that climaxes in the middle with a powerful declaration of the gospel.

Freely You gave it all for us
Surrendered Your life upon that cross
Great is the love poured out for all
This is our God
Lifted on high from death to life
Forever our God is glorified
Servant and King rescued the world
This is our God

Then following communion we sang an extended version of the Revelation Song by Gateway Church. I was of the opinion that this corporate worship song couldn’t get any better than it was, but it did. Gateway Church released a live version where they paused in the middle and created some space to meditate after singing the phrase, “Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of Your name.” Such a pause caught me off guard and brought tears to my eyes as the beautiful yet simple and gentle instrumentation accompanies Kari Jobe’s vocal meditation on the name of Jesus. And then we go back, sing it again and then, convinced more than ever, move on to sing, “Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water; such a marvelous mystery!” At this moment, the worship song explodes into a literal “shout to the Lord” as the instrumental is repeated this time turned up to 11 backed by shouts of praise from the congregation! I find myself longing for heaven as I then sing the last chorus wishing I had more ability to sing it louder and better and more perfectly. I realize that as good as this moment of worship is on earth, heaven holds so much more – this is just a rehearsal for that glorious day when all nations, tribes and tongues will gather around the throne of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and declare these very same words.

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, 
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength 
and honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
The four living creatures said, “Amen,”
and the elders fell down and
worshiped.” (Revelation 5:11-14 NIV)

These songs of praise, along with some tough news of our Senior Pastor’s recent diagnosis of prostate cancer, our prayers and concerns for Haiti, a glorious child dedication of a 9-year-old recently adopted into a loving family, and a sermon on the book of Philemon all converged as a wonderful corporate experience with the Lord on Sunday. Here’s to next week…and the next…

Bill Born

January 6, 2010
10:37 AM

“How Firm a Foundation” was first published in 1787 in A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, which was edited by London pastor John Rippon. The melody is an early American tune, and the author of the text in Rippon’s volume is only marked as “K.” There are a number of potential authors, including John Keene, who was the music director at Rippon’s church.

Much of the hymn is taken almost directly from scripture. Verse one sets the stage, encouraging believers to find refuge and a firm foundation in God’s word. Verse two comes from Isaiah 41:10; verses three and four come from Isaiah 43:2 and 2 Corinthians 12:9; and verse five points to Hebrews 13:5. God’s word is the only sure, solid foundation for our lives.

How Firm a Foundation
How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word
What more can He say than to you He hath said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled

Fear not, I am with thee O be not dismayed
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand

When through the deep waters I call thee to go
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow
For I will be with thee, thy trouble to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be thy supply
The flames shall not hurt thee I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes
That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake

Bill Born