Worship Wednesday - Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

Listen to this song and meditate on the words...it is a powerful song about our hope in Christ!

The song was written by Matt Papa (with 3 others), our worship leader for the MBCollegiate Conference. 
I love the overarching question about the song (taken from his website.) . . .

“What is your only comfort in life and death?”

Seems like an easy answer for the follower of Jesus, right? Well, maybe so, at first glance. But then after the question sits for a few minutes, it becomes a bit more difficult to give an answer, doesn't it?

Followers of Jesus have been forcing themselves to ask and answer this question for centuries as a way to grow in their relationship with Christ. The words of this question (and the song above) are taken from an old confession of faith called the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563.

A catechism is a tool that disciple-makers have been using to help make disciples for many centuries. This particular catechism came out of the Protestant Reformation. A catechism is a kind of systematic theology, and confession of faith, and discipleship process all rolled into one place in Q & A format.

For example, the first question of the Heidelberg Catechism and the basis of this song is: 

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?

A: That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death,1 am not my own, 2 but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, 3 who with His precious blood 4 has fully satisfied for all my sins, 5 and redeemed me from all the power of the devil; 6 and so preserves me, 7 that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; 8 indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation. 9 Wherefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, 10 and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.11

(https://rscottclark.org/2012/09/heidelberg-catechism-1563/)
1. Rom 14:7,8.
2. 1 Cor 6:19.
3. 1 Cor 3:23.
4. 1 Pet 1:18,19.
5. 1 John 1:7. 1 John 2:2.
6. 1 John 3:8.
7. John 6:39.
8. Matt  10:29, 30. Luke 21:18.
9. Rom 8:28.
10. 2 Cor 1:21, 22. Eph 1:13,14. Rom 8:16.
11. Rom 8:1.

Check out a video of the song writers talking about how the song's origins. 

The guy on the far left (with the hat and sweet beard) is Matt Papa. You can meet him and be a part of the MBCollegiate Conference on February 25-27. We are looking forward to having a great time up there in Holts Summit and Jefferson City.

Check out a welcome video from Matt Papa to conference attendees.

Check out more info. about him on his website https://www.mattpapa.com/

No Comments