Here’s a wonderful hymn, written by Charles Wesley. I was surprised to find ten verses — I know four or five of them!
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
Words:Charles Wesley, 1739. Stanzas 8-10, author unknown, 14th Century; translated from Latin to English in Lyra Davidica. This exuberant song is one of the most popular Easter hymns in the English language.
Wesley’s
words were written for use at the first worship service at the
Wesleyan Chapel in London. The chapel, on the site of a former
iron foundry, became known as the Foundry Meeting House, and this
hymn was included in the Foundry Collection.
Last Sunday at the Town Meeting I shared the beginning of "My Dream for Lakeside." I mentioned that it is a work in progress, needing to be informed by time spent listening to you and your dreams, time spent seeking the Lord, and time working with our staff. Although this ‘vision’ will grow and adjust, I thought I’d share it with you here too. I dream that we will be:
A Contrast Community - A people that live courageously by faith, are known by our love for God, for each other, and for His world; and are a voice for hope everywhere we go. We live in tension with the world because as devoted followers of Jesus, we are participating in His life, death, and resurrection. The natural outcome of our community that is different from the world is the provision of a picture of Kingdom life; though imperfect, others gain a ‘taste’ of what God can do, is doing, and will do in the lives of those who love Him.
Our son Andrew, who you’ll remember is in Southern California studying at William Carey International University, wrote this recently about ‘missions:’
Many times, it’s easy to allow our culture and our misconceptions to define what we think of missions. Too often, we view missions as colonialism in disguise, or something for those extra holy (and extra nerdy) brothers and sisters. However, I think God has called us to not only be a part of missions, but to live missions. John Piper said:
"Missions is not a recruitment project for God’s labor force. It is a liberation project from the heavy burdens and hard yokes of other gods" (Piper 1993).
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says:
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Being in love with the lowly Jesus drives us to seek him out among fellow human beings where he is not recognized. Paradoxically, as we go and make disciples through this revelation, this ‘good news’, our own relationship with Jesus is grown exponentially. Through seeking and serving Jesus, we find the purpose for our lives. We have no other purpose in life than to know Jesus –and it is through this dynamic knowledge that we are hopelessly compelled by passionate love to go.
As lovers of Jesus, missions flows from our being. Missions is liberation from death for those are perishing. Missions is bread for the hungry. Missions is life into parched bones. Missions is the lifeblood that runs through out veins, and as such, vital that we participate in the global mission of our God.
Why should we do missions? Rather, why are we not doing missions? Our ardent love for Jesus naturally flows into communication – from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. What a blessed existence to know Jesus and make him known to all men.
