As Good Friday approaches, this song caught my attention as a great one to sing together as we focus on the Christ’s work on the cross. We will be singing it together this Sunday (April 13th) and also at our Good Friday service.
Please take a look at the lyrics and embedded video below to get to know the song and an idea of the melody:
The Power of the Cross by Keith & Kristyn Getty
Oh to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men torn and beaten then
Nailed to a cross of wood
This the pow’r of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross
Oh to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Ev’ry bitter thought ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow
Now the daylight flees now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head
Curtain torn in two dead are raised to life
Finished the vict’ry cry
Oh to see my name written in the wounds
For through Your suff’ring I am free
Death is crushed to death life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love
This the pow’r of the cross
Son of God slain for us
What a love what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, ESV).
Doctrinal Standard WSC #12:
Q. What did God’s providence specifically do for man whom He created?
A. After the creation God made a covenant with man to give him life, if he perfectly obeyed; God told him not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or he would die.
This coming Sunday (March 23rd) we will be singing a new song called “Not in Me.” Before we sing it together on Sunday, I wanted to share the song with you so that you could get a jump start on learning it and know why I have chosen to add it to the list of songs we sing at Emmaus.
If you’ve been keeping up with Emmaus Essentials, you’ll notice how closely this song coincides with Chapter 11 of the LBC (Lesson 19 from the week of March 9th). This song is all about the fact that there is nothing that we can possibly do to earn forgiveness – our justification – but that only in Christ is our righteousness found. It is a beautiful declaration of the Gospel. Read the lyrics below and listen to the song:
No list of sins I have not done,
No list of virtues I pursue,
No list of those I am not like,
Can earn myself a place with You.
O God! Be merciful to me—
I am a sinner through and through!
My only hope of righteousness
Is not in me, but only You.
No humble dress, no fervent prayer,
No lifted hands, no tearful song,
No recitation of the truth
Can justify a single wrong.
My righteousness is Jesus’ life,
My debt was paid by Jesus’ death,
My weary load was borne by Him
And he alone can give me rest.
No separation from the world,
No work I do, no gift I give,
Can cleanse my conscience, cleanse my hands;
I cannot cause my soul to live.
But Jesus died and rose again—
The pow’r of death is overthrown!
My God is merciful to me
And merciful in Christ alone.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).
Doctrinal Standards WSC #8 & 9:
Q. How does God carry out His decrees?
A. God carries out His decrees in creation and providence.
Q. What is creation?
A. Creation is God’s making everything out of nothing by His powerful word in six days – and all very good.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (Ephesians 1:3-4, ESV).
Doctrinal Standard WSC #7: Q. What are the decrees of God? A. The decrees of God are His eternal plan based on the purpose of His will, by which, for His own glory, He has foreordained everything that happens.
MEMORY VERSE:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30, ESV) Doctrinal Standards WSC #6: Q. How many persons are there in the one God? A. Three persons are in the one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory.
MEMORY VERSE:
“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority” – Colossians 2:9-10, ESV
Doctrinal Standard – WSC #6: Q. How many persons are there in the one God? A. Three persons are in the one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory.
MEMORY VERSE:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV).
Doctrinal Standards WSC #5 & 6: Q. Are there more Gods than one? A. There is but one only, the Living and True God.
Q. How many persons are there in the one God? A. Three persons are in the one God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance and equal in power and glory.
