Category Archives: Songs for Sunday

Songs for Sunday, June 4, 2023 @ Christ Community Church

What is the gospel?

This has been the question of the week for me. I have had the privilege to be one of the chaperones for a phenomenal group of kiddos from Christ Community Church, and part of this mission included random encounters with strangers coming to the sights and attractions at the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, AR. It is tempting to think that this attraction would be primarily for Christians, but as our pastor, John Goldwater, reminded us, we need to be ready and seeking to share Christ with EVERYONE. If we find they are in Christ already, great! If not, then we get to share Christ with them – that’s good news!

As I talked to various people and/or groups of people, the question kept coming up: what is the gospel?

Sometimes it was with people who professed church membership rather than being saved by grace through faith in Jesus. Other times it was people of other religions or religions that have some belief about Jesus only as a prophet or teacher or good, moral man. The question – for clarity and evangelism – remained: what is the gospel?

This was not seeking opportunity for debate or semantics. In fact, there was no argument involved. And wanting to be clear and gospel-centered, I sought to keep conversations directed in the way the Bible presents the gospel in passages like 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the Romans Road (Romans 1:16-17, 3:10, 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-13), and 2 Corinthians 5:21.

2 Corinthians 5:21 was kind of my go-to because the phrases God used when writing it through Paul are so beautifully concise and invite conversation when breaking it down: “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

So, if the humpteen times I’ve mentioned the question – what is the gospel? – have you wondering if you know (or if you don’t), here’s a quick break down using 2 Corinthians 5:21.

“For our sake….”

The hallmark of the gospel (literal meaning – good news) is in how Jesus came to save people from the the wrath of God due for their sin. Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again for “our sake”. The Bible is clear that none of us is righteous on our own (“no, not one” – Romans 3:10) and that all people have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). If we deny that we have sinned, the Bible teaches that we are liars and are deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8).

Our sin has separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and brought us death (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-2), and there is no hope for dead people because they are…well, dead. There is nothing dead people can do.

BUT GOD “shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) and offers us the “free gift” of salvation through “Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)! That’s good news!

“…He made Him to be sin who knew no sin…..”

The way that God demonstrated His love for us in Jesus should humble us. Rather than giving us the punishment we deserve because of sin we have committed and are guilty of, He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place – to take our penalty (John 3:16). That’s called mercy: withholding the bad that we deserve and giving favor (or grace) we don’t deserve. Jesus willingly sacrificed His life – “like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19) – and “bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).

My heart aches as I type these words…. God loved me and gave His Son for me. I can barely fathom the depth of that love. I am humbled by the grace and mercy. But I am thankful to have received it!

In the Bible, the clear things are important and the important things are clear, and God makes sure that HOW to be saved is clear! He makes sure we know that salvation comes “by grace through faith” in Jesus so that no one can boast that they did – or even could – save themselves (Ephesians 2:4-8)! He tells us in Romans 10:9 that

“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”!

Now, this is more than just mouthing some words and having some knowledge. To confess Him as Lord is to submit yourself to Him as Master and King – to give yourself to Him to lead and do with as He pleases. To believe that God raised Jesus from the dead is to understand more than the historical facts and events; it is to put your hope in what Jesus did in His life, death, and resurrection, knowing that there is no way for people dead in their sins to find life except through Him (John 3:16, 14:6)!

“…so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

This is the part that really throws people. What can we DO to get into heaven? How can we clean ourselves up to come to Him?

If this is you, re-read the sections above and dig into the verses in parenthesis: YOU CAN’T! When you have faith in Christ, believe in Him, and confess Him as Lord – HE CLEANSES YOU and TRADES HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR OUR CONDEMNATION (1 John 1:9-2:2)! What a beautiful exchange! For those who have faith in Christ, God no longer sees our unrighteousness but the righteousness of Jesus that covers His people!

That’s good news!

And that’s what we are going to sing about tomorrow! All of the songs in tomorrow’s list not only answer the question further – what is the gospel? – but they are songs these mission trip kiddos have REQUESTED to sing in our worship times throughout the week!

So, if you join us tomorrow, we would love to talk to you, pray for you, and point you to Jesus!

If you have questions and want to talk some other time, we would love that, too!

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

  • Scripture | 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 —

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

  • Scripture | 2 Corinthians 5:21 —

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Songs for Sunday, May 28, 2023 @ Christ Community Church

Here are our Scriptures & songs:

  • Song | At the Cross (Love Ran Red) —
    Scripture References / Inspiration for the Song: John 4:14, Romans 5:21, 1 Timothy 1:16, Galatians 2:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:1
  • Scripture | Colossians 2:13-15 —
  • Song | Jesus Paid It All (O Praise the One) —
    Scripture References / Inspiration for the Song: Matthew 11:28-30, John 19:30, Colossians 2:13-14, 2 Corinthians 4:15, Hebrews 12:28-29, Isaiah 1:18, Jeremiah 13:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 11:19, Revelation 4:10-11, Romans 6:4, Revelation 5:9-10
  • Song | Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) —
    Scripture References / Inspiration for the Song: Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 51:3-5, Isaiah 7:14, John 1:14, Romans 15:1-3, John 1:4-5, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, John 10:11, Romans 6:6-7, Psalm 103:12, Romans 3:21-26, Revelation 22:20, Luke 23:33-34, Colossians 2:13-14, Psalm 22:16, Isaiah 53:3-4, Isaiah 53:12, John 20:1, Matthew 28:7, 1 Corinthians 15:16-20, Acts 1:9-11, Acts 2:24, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 11:15-19, Matthew 24:27, Revelation 1:7
  • Invitation | Just As I Am (I Come Broken) —
    Scripture References / Inspiration for the Song: John 6:37, Romans 10:13, Romans 3:23, Luke 22:20, Matthew 11:28, John 1:29, Psalm 51:2, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 51:17, 1 Peter 2:24, Psalm 22:8, 2 Timothy 4:18, Romans 15:13, Galatians 4:4-5, Ephesians 2:13, Jeremiah 33:8, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Luke 15:20, Luke 19:10, Ephesians 2:4-5, Galatians 6:14

Songs for Sunday, May 14, 2023 @ Christ Community Church

Here are our Scriptures & songs:

  • Scripture | Ephesians 1:15-22 —

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

  • Scripture | Psalm 23 —

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Refresh & Restore Bible Study — May 18, 2023: When the Loving Kindness of God Our Savior Appears – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

This is the May 18, 2023 episode of the Refresh & Restore Bible Study, provided by JustKeithHarris.com. You can find the written version of this, along with Scripture references and footnotes, at: https://justkeithharris.com/2023/05/17/refresh-restore-bible-study-may-18-2023/
  1. Refresh & Restore Bible Study — May 18, 2023: When the Loving Kindness of God Our Savior Appears
  2. Refresh & Restore Bible Study — May 11, 2023: Sufficient Grace
  3. Refresh & Restore — December 29, 2022 (Behold the King)
  4. Advent 2022 — The Story of Christmas
  5. Advent 2022 — December 24 (Christmas Eve Reading for Our Kiddos)

Songs for Sunday, May 7, 2023

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

  • Scripture | 1 John 1:5-10 —

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

  • Scripture | 1 John 2:1-2 —

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Songs for Sunday, April 30, 2023

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

  • Scripture | Psalm 30 —

1  I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” 7 By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

  • Scripture | Philippians 2:5-11 —

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Songs for Sunday, April 16, 2023

Here are our Scriptures and songs for Sunday:

  • Scripture | Romans 5:1-5 —

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

  • Scripture | Romans 5:6-8 —

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

  • Scripture | Romans 5:9-11 —

9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Songs for Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

We look forward to celebrating Resurrection Sunday @ Christ Community Church!

Small Group Bible Study @ 10:00am

Worship @ 11:00am

2950 Carrollton Road
Grenada, MS 38901

Here are our Scriptures and songs for Sunday:

  • Scripture | 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 —

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

  • Scripture | 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 —

50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Songs for Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday – the anniversary of what is known as Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We get the opportunity to remember how His last week on earth began with people shouting “Hosanna!” and praising and celebrating Him. The streets were packed with crowds awaiting His arrival.

“Hosanna” is a Hebrew/Aramaic cry or shout of praise. It originally meant “Help, I pray!” or “Save, I pray!” (Psalm 118:25), but somewhere over the years, that cry for help or salvation became a cry that meant “praise be to God!” Think about it: God’s people cried out to Him for help and salvation, He helped/saved them time and again, and they praised Him out of a spirit of thanksgiving. This happened enough in their culture that their cries for help transformed into cries of praise.

That is what we need today!

Hosanna!

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

  • Scripture | Matthew 21:1-10 —

1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5 “Say to the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your king is coming to you,
humble, and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

  • Scripture | Psalm 118:25 —

Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!

Songs for Sunday, March 19, 2023

Grace.

It is the unmerited — undeserved — favor of God. It represents the salvation He gives to all who believe.

Without it, we would have only what we deserve.

Praise God for His grace!

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

  • Scripture | Titus 3:4-7 —

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

  • Scripture | 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 —

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

  • Scripture | Hebrews 4:15-16 —

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Songs for Sunday, January 8, 2023

Join us tomorrow at Christ Community Church as we worship Jesus! Here are our Scriptures and songs:

  • Scripture | Psalm 96 —

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.

  • Scripture | 1 Peter 1:17-21 —

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.