The Majesty and Glory of Your Name

Sometimes you think you know someone and then, at some instant in time, you realize that you didn't truly know them at all. Imagine with me how Peter must have felt that day.

Peter "knew" that Jesus was special; different shall we say. Peter knew that Jesus could heal the sick, blind, and lame - even raise the dead. Peter knew that Jesus could feed a vast multitude of people with just a few loaves and fish. Peter even knew that Jesus could walk on water and calm a storm with just a word. Why, Peter even "knew" that Jesus was the Messiah. But, on this day, Peter was challenged with the realization that he didn't really know Jesus at all.

Together, Jesus, Peter, James, and John climbed the mountain, then suddenly Jesus' appearance was changed - He was shining with a glory far beyond any earthly glow. And with Him appeared Moses and Elijah - the apostles were looking at a heavenly scene.

Peter, not knowing how to handle this new revelation, talked of building 3 tabernacles to honor the three. Then there was the Voice, the Voice that spoke out of the cloud - the cloud of glory with images of the dedication of Solomon's temple, where those who ministered could no longer stand - and said, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear Him."

Jesus was not only Peter's Master and Friend. "Messiah" and "Son of God" were no longer words of a Spirit revelation. Jesus was revealed positively to be God, the Creator, the Lord of life and death. This was so life changing that years later, Peter wrote of this startling revelation:

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:16-18)

This coming Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday on "the church calendar." The Adult Choir of First Baptist Church, Jefferson, Georgia is scheduled to sing the contemporary classic by Tom Fettke "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name."

With this anthem, we recognize and acknowledge the majesty, glory, and authority that Christ had from the Beginning. Christ is the Creator of heaven and earth, yet in all of His glory, He was mindful of man. He has shown His love for man by becoming lower than the angels, becoming a bond slave, giving Himself in death on a cross that you and I, mere humans in comparison with the great God of glory, might know Him and dwell with Him eternally.

What else can we say but "Alleluia! - Praise the Lord!"

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1-9

Blessings,
Richard

Schedules Galore

Dear People,

I thought it might be helpful to post some of the schedules that I am working from in planning our worship at First Baptist Church, Jefferson, GA. All are in .pdf format and therefore require that your computer have Adobe Reader which most computers have on them and which is available as a free download from Adobe.com.

I have included Pastor Cary's Sermon Themes (please note that all schedules posted are tentative and subject to change at any time). It would enhance your worship experience if you are able to read the posted scripture passages each week and prepare your hearts through prayer.

Also included are the First Quarter of 2008 Anthem Schedule and the Solo Schedule.

I hope that these schedules will aid you in your planning and in your worship experience.

Blessings,
Richard

Opening Statement

In this blog, I hope to post items relating to the music ministry at the church I currently serve, as well as tidbits and musings about the music that we will be singing and sharing.
Blessings,
Richard