“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17
Today, as we begin meeting in our new location, we also conclude “New Song September.” Last week, we learned a new song of Keith and Kristyn Getty along with Stuart Townend. Today, we sing this song and learn another new song by this great modern hymnwriting trio. This gospel-centered song is not merely a declaration of the truth of the gospel, but it is also a call to action, a call to live out the compassion of Christ in our lives. In a combined small group meeting several weeks ago, we came to the conclusion that it is extremely important to have sound biblical doctrine, but our work does not end here. The question was raised, “We have clearly identified our doctrine, so now what?” In other words, how do our lives live out all we believe? I encourage you to read the small excerpt below from the Getty’s about their song and the lyrics to the song in preparation for corporate worship this morning.
- Brennan
“This song is a call to action as we determine to live lives that mirror the compassion of Christ. The words we sing should energize our feet to action as we go from our streets to all nations bringing the transforming light of the Gospel into the dark places of the world.”- Keith & Kristyn Getty
There is an everlasting kindness You lavished on us When the Radiance of heaven Came to rescue the lost; You called the sheep without a shepherd To leave their distress For your streams of forgiveness And the shade of Your rest.
And with compassion for the hurting, You reached out Your hand As the lame ran to meet You And the dead breathed again; You saw behind the eyes of sorrow And shared in our tears, Heard the sigh of the weary, Let the children draw near. What boundless love, What fathomless grace You have shown us, O God of compassion! Each day we live An offering of praise As we show to the world Your compassion.
We stood beneath the cross of Calvary And gazed on Your face At the thorns of oppression And the wounds of disgrace, For surely You have borne our suffering And carried our grief As You pardoned the scoffer And showed grace to the thief. What boundless love, What fathomless grace You have shown us, O God of compassion! Each day we live An offering of praise As we show to the world Your compassion.
How beautiful the feet that carry This gospel of peace To the fields of injustice And the valleys of need—To be a voice of hope and healing, To answer the cries Of the hungry and helpless With the mercy of Christ. What boundless love, What fathomless grace You have shown us, O God of compassion! Each day we live An offering of praise As we show to the world Your compassion.
"Compassion Hymn" by Keith & Kristy Getty and Stuart Townend ©2008 Thankyou Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission. CCLI License #2864657. This song is from the Getty’s newest album, “Awaken the Dawn.”
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
