By on February 26, 2010 in,I’ll never make any apologies for encouraging Christians to live cross-centered lives, or leaders to lead in gospel-centered ways. Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross which reconciled us to God will always be central to our faith.But while we are called (Gal. 6:14), the death of Christ isn’t meant to stand alone in our thinking or preaching.And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 15:17-19)Still, Thomas Schreiner makes this insightful comment:The central event in the gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus. These two actions belong closely together (Rom 4:25; 8:34; 1 Cor 15:3-5; 2 Cor. 5:15; Phil 3:10; 1Thess 4:14), but the weight lies on the former.”So as we gather in a little over a month to observe Holy Week, culminating in the celebration of Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, let’s not forget to remind people why the death that preceded the resurrection was so significant — Jesus fully endured the wrath of God as our substitute, and we no longer need fear God’s wrath or punishment (Rom. 5:1-8).Easter All Year RoundHaving made that clarification, the triumphant victory of the crucified Savior over the grave is something Christians should celebrate the whole year, not just at Easter. We worship a risen Savior!Because we tend to sing a high percentage of songs about the resurrection on Easter Sunday, I thought I’d take the opportunity to suggest some songs I’ve become aware of that highlight the resurrection, especially in view of the cross. I Cling To The Cross – Paul Baloche & Matt RedmanI cling to the cross and everything it meansI know it’s the only hope there is for saving meFor without Your great mercyI would be forever lostWith a thankful heart I comeAnd cling to the crossStanding at the empty tombPromises I have in You ariseI was made alive in YouEverything You said was trueYou suffered, died, and rose to bring us lifeThe world behind me, the cross before meThe world behind me, the cross before meThe world behind me, the cross before meNo turning back, no turning back.
Bob – thanks for this post as it will help us as we begin to prepare for celebrating. I’m a big fan of Maher’s Resurrection Day – a great song that’s fun to sing and easy for the congregation to sing and should joyfully.I’m also partial to a different version of My Redeemer Lives. Same scripture, lyrics are a bit different by Crystal Lewis.Also, any mention of Phil Madiera is great. I know that song and Phil is a great song writer.Looking forward to more discussion here as we plan to celebrate Easter together. Great topic – every Sunday is a little Easter!A few other songs:“Mighty to Save” – Hillsong: “you rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave”“Marvelous Light” – Charlie Hall: “Death has lost its sting – from the grave You’ve risen victoriously”“Christ is Risen” – Matt Maher (have not used this congregationally yet – but it’s a great song)“Let God Arise” – Chris Tomlin: “He holds the keys of life our Lord, death has no sting, no final word”“My Savior Lives” – New Life Church: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and now I stand on what He did – my Savior lives”. Hi Bob,Would you mind sharing more of Schreiner’s reasoning for emphasizing Christ’s death more than the resurrection? This is something I’ve seen a lot in SGM churches, and it’s never been something I’ve been fully comfortable with.
Songs of victory: a collection of hymns and solos for evangelistic meetings, Christian worship, conferences, and the home circle, with additional hymns and choruses, 801 pieces in all Compiled by Andrew W. His love has made a way, the grave is overcome Jesus is the Christ, the saving One Christ is Risen – Jeremy Riddle Anthemic song that celebrates Christ’s victory over the grave. May be better as a special.
Personally, I’ve always thought they should hold equal weight, because, while everyone dies, Christ resurrection is what makes his death unique, and is what proved the efficacy of his atonement for our sins. That’s not to say Christ’s death wasn’t critically important as the sacrifice itself, but I’d appreciate hearing more of the thought you posted above. Even better, if you know of any teaching that’s been done on this particular point, please share–I’m aware of lots of messages on the atonement as well as messages on the resurrection, but I’ve never heard a message that contrasts the importance of both.Thanks,Nick. Lara Marriott and I wrote this one as a modern hymn.Her father, worship leader Laurey Berteig did a really cool arrangement the song with a choir. I’ve included a video link below. Unfortunately, when they transcribed the song, they got a few of the words wrong.
My favorite Easter song is “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” by Charles Wesley set to the tune of “Easter Hymn.” Each phrase of the song ending with these great Alleluias.Another good hymn for a processional is “The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done” great opportunity to find some brass players in your church to play the opening Alleluias. Not sure who wrote the text but the English translation by Francis Pott is good and the music originally by Giovanni da Palestrina.Don’t think me too strange, but I also like Keith Green’s “Easter Song.” I even like Keith’s old version(a few times a year). On resurrrection/cross: Dr Schreiner is right that in the epistles, relatively more emphasis is put on the cross than on the resurrection (note that all his references are from epistles). But in Acts, the opposite is clearly true; in Revelation, the balance is closer, but that book still leans toward the resurrection.Most of us, I imagine, follow the pattern of the epistles. So I think we would do well to incorporate the resurrection theme more highly in our services – particularly if we think of ourselves as living out the next chapter of Acts! I was reading in Acts this morning where the Apostle Paul gives his defense before King Agrippa (Acts 26:22b-23):“I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”John Stott comments (in:And what did Moses and the prophets say would happen?
They predicted three events: first that the Christ would suffer, secondly that he would be the first to rise from the dead, and as such, thirdly, that he would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles (23). More simply still, Jesus the Christ was Isaiah’s ‘suffering servant’ of the Lord, who would suffer and die for our sins, be raised and highly exalted, and become a light to the Gentiles. Further, as the gospel centres on Christ’s atonement, resurrection and proclamation (through his witnesses), the resurrection is seen to be indispensable. Paul kept on referring to it during his trials, not in order to provoke the Pharisees and Sadducees into argument, nor only to show that he was faithful to the Jewish tradition, but because the resurrection of Jesus was the beginning and pledge of the new creation, and so at the very heart of the gospel.
A meaningful discussion about the relative importance of Christ’s death and resurrection is certainly beyond the scope of blog comments! But I’ll venture a few thoughts. Even after the resurrection, Paul refers to his message as “the word of the cross” (1 Cor. When we share the Lord’s supper we “proclaim the Lord’s death” until he comes (1 Cor. Even in heaven the focus is on the Lamb who was slain (Rev.
All that being said, both Christ’s death and resurrection are “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3-4) I think Coty has it right when he says that we would do well to be more mindful of Christ’s resurrection in our thinking and gatherings.Nick, I’m not sure what else Shreiner says as I just ran across the quote. I’d recommend CJ’s Living the Cross Centered Life, Stott’s The Cross of Christ (esp. 1), and Knox Chamblin’s Paul & the Self (esp.
3), all of which address the relative importance of the cross and resurrection. While the resurrection vindicates the efficacy of Christ’s death and is crucial to our salvation, it is Christ’s death as our substitute that paid our debt and reconciled us to God. All that to say, we worship a risen Savior! Coty, I think you may need to double-check your stats there.
In the epistles the death of Christ is used as a metonymy for the whole event which includes the resurrection, of course. But the resurrection is referenced more frequently (by far) than the death of Christ.I’ve just done a bit of study on this for an article I’m writing.
If I’ve missed something in my study, please let me know. But from the best I can tell, resurrection language is much more prevalent in the epistles than death language. Trackbacks/Pingbacks.February 27, 2010 helpful post by Bob Kauflin on songs celebrating the resurrection of.March 2, 2010 Bob Kauflin’s suggestions for Easter.March 4, 2010 Most of us will be starting to plan our Easter services now.
A great website that contains a list of songs that would be good for singing or playing at Easter time is.March 8, 2010 any Sundayor every Sunday Bob Kauflin at Worship Matters has compiled a list of songs which celebrate the resurrection. I’ve not heard of most of them, but perhaps.March 13, 2010 Easter Songs! Since Easter is right around the corner, Bob Kauflin (Director of Worship Development for Sovereign Grace Ministries) decided to release a list of songs that celebrate the Resurrection. If you’re a worship leader, or even if you just enjoy worshipping our Lord, you should check it out!.March 27, 2010 Songs that Celebrate the Resurrection in View of the Cross: a wonderful post by Bob Kauflin on songs celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.April 9, 2012 (which is a great resource for worship leaders and anyone interested in worship in any way) had a list of Easter song suggestions.
He described Christ is Risen as an anthem that might work better as a solo than a.May 22, 2017 Songs the Celebrate the Resurrection.April 2, 2019 Songs the Celebrate the Resurrection in View of the Cross – @Worship Matters.April 13, 2019 Songs that Celebrate the Resurrection in View of the Cross by Worship Matters.