For this “Music Monday” I thought I would bring you a song that we have not sung together. The song Resurrection Power by Chris Tomlin is fairly new. The song came out in January (2018) and is now fairly common on Christian radio stations.
So now you get a glimpse into my world (and mind)…
As Worship Pastor, so many factors go into choosing music, both for a specific Sunday, as well as for the rotation of music in general. But the first test any song must pass is the Bible. So below are the lyrics to Resurrection Power and beneath each line I will place my thoughts. These are my un-researched, off-the-top-of-my-head reactions to the lyrics. If the song passes the first test, I usually go back and dig a little deeper into specific Bible verses, Bible accounts, etc.
But you get my raw, first pass at this song:
You called me from the grave by name
(“Lazarus, come forth.” It is only the call of Christ that brings a man to life.)
You called me out of all my shame
(“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.” “The man and the woman were naked together and felt no shame.” Shameless living was the design of creation, not only between us and God, but also shame around one another…insert fig leaves…)
I see the old has passed away
(“I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live…” “Whoever loses his life gains it.”)
The new has come!
(“Behold, I am making all things new.” If you have been “born again” you are a new creation. New vs. old wineskins)
Now I have resurrection power living on the inside
(It was the words of Jesus that raised Lazarus. I have the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, “writing the law on my heart”. It is the Word of God dwelling richly in me that is the resurrection power of Christ.)
Jesus, You have given us freedom
(“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Because through Christ the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
No longer bound by sin and darkness
(“It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.”)
Living in the light of Your goodness
(Buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life. He has called us from darkness into his marvelous light.)
You have given us freedom
(It is by grace you have been saved through faith. It is the GIFT of God.
I’m dressed in Your royalty
(We are co-heirs with Christ. He has traded our filthy rags for pure white robes of righteousness.)
Your Holy Spirit lives in me
(Jesus goes to the Father to send a Helper to be with us and to live in us)
And I see my past has been redeemed
(Though our past contains rebellion and sin, through Christ and the work of the Spirit, God is working all things for the good of those called according to His purpose. He does not delight in sin, but can redeem it.)
The new has come!
(A redeemed past does not give license to go on sinning in order to allow God to show more mercy. A new life is born, as should new works.)
So there are my initial thoughts. On first glance, and after listening to the song a few times, my “heresy meter” isn’t going off. In light of what you just read, listen to the song and see if and how it may spark your spirit.
What do you think? Does the song accord with Scripture? Should we sing this song as a church?