Tag: Jesus

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 10:19-25

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

To God we have confident access
Through Christ our priest, His death made the way
So draw near, come into God’s presence
With true faith, fully cleansed, come today

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Hold fast your hope without wavering
God’s promises never throw away
Commit to the church’s gathering
Stir up to love and good works today
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Christ Our Head

On By BrianIn PASSION Reflections

For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ….  (Ephesians 5:23-24a)

Christ is the head of the church.  And the church must submit to Him, obey Him, follow His leading.

Christ is in charge of the church, not the pastor, not the leadership team, not you.  Christ alone is the head of church.

Follow the illustration.  My body follows the instructions of my head.  My head tells my neck to turn, my foot to rise, my hands to clap, my fingers to scratch my head.  If my body doesn’t listen to my head, then my body is sick.  And to whatever extent the church is not listening to Christ, to that extent the church is sick.  Christ is the head. 

So let us commit to Christ’s leading – as a church and as individual Christians.  We must be committed to the leading of Christ.  We must follow His instructions in His Word for the church and our lives.  We don’t go off and do our own thing.  We don’t make up the church or what we believe or how to live.  No, we must commit to follow Christ in all things.  Christ is our head.

Saturday Strands

On By BrianIn Saturday Strands

Here are some loose strands for continuing to think about the new year:

Old Advice for a New Year – Cassie Achermann (TGC)
Throughout the centuries, pastors and theologians have used the opportunity of the new year to encourage believers. Let’s listen to their advice for the year ahead.

New Year’s Goal-Setting for People with Actual Lives – Joe Carter (TGC)
What we need isn’t a better to-do list but a better grid for making wise decisions across every domain of life, whether we’re planning our fitness goals or our prayer habits. Such a grid should work for anyone, in any season, pursuing faithfulness in any calling.

5 Habits for Better Prayer in 2026 – Blake Glosson (TGC)
Consider five habits or mindsets that can enrich your extended times of prayer.

The Resolution We Rarely Make – Erik Raymond
As you look ahead to a new year—with fresh goals and good intentions—hear again the invitation of Jesus. He does not offer a program of self-improvement, but a path of self-denial. It’s the path of life.

Flashback: Everlasting Significance
Everyone is searching for significance….

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping God with your local church!

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 10:1-18

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Behold Jesus came to do God’s will
Offered Himself to pay for our sins
A single sacrifice once for all
Our sin forgotten and forgiven

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Old sacrifices could not make clean
Could not perfect though offered each day
Only His sacrifice makes us clean
Holy and perfect, sin washed away
(Repeat Chorus)

In His finished work now find your rest
Clean in His sight, come draw near to God
His new work in you now manifest
Follow Jesus – do the will of God
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Good News of Great Joy

On By BrianIn PASSION Reflections

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)

In the midst of all the bad news of shootings, strife, sorrow, struggles, and suffering, God offers us good news.

At this Christmas time, when everyone is searching for a great deals, great presents, great Christmas goodies, great decorations, great warm fuzzy feelings, and great family time, God offers us great joy.

In a world full of “haves” and and “have nots,” God offers this good news of great joy to all the people.

And what is this good news of great joy for all the people? It is the birth of a baby, who is called a Savior, King, and Lord.

He is a Savior from the penalty and power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin and all its miserable results.

He is a King, who will one day usher in a glorious eternal kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace.

He is the Lord – God become man. Immanuel – God with us.

This Christmas may you embrace this good news of great joy for all the people. Embrace Jesus, your Savior, King, and Lord.

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 9:15-28

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Celebrate our joyful circumstance
Forever we have full forgiveness
Promised eternal inheritance
With God now, forever, through Jesus

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Dying for our sins He did appear
In heaven now appears – so draw near!
Of death and judgment we need not fear
For with salvation He will appear
(Repeat Chorus)

Come with your sin and guilt, heed the call
Turn and believe before it’s too late
His promises, now enjoy them all
For His return, eagerly now wait
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 9:1-14

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Our God is holy, holy, holy
We are sinners in need of cleansing
We could not find inner purity
From the Old Covenant offerings

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Offering Himself, Jesus shed His blood
All of our sins and guilt washed away
Now we can draw near and serve our God
Once for all Jesus opened the way
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 8:1-13

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Jesus our better priest before God
Our punishment on the cross He takes
Reigns as King at the right hand of God
A better covenant Jesus makes

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

God changes us with a brand new heart
He is our God, to Him we belong
We know the Lord for a brand new start
Full forgiveness of our ev’ry wrong
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 7:23-8:5

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Behold Jesus saves us completely
The Son of God and the perfect man
Dying, He paid for our sins fully
Now intercedes for us in heaven

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

So come into God’s presence boldly
Gasp in wonder at full forgiveness
Gratefully pursue His purity
Hold fast to Jesus your confidence
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 7:11-22

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

The Law of Moses had a defect
Could not bring us into God’s presence
But Jesus our High Priest is perfect
Draws us to God with endless access

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah
Comes with an oath and by prophecy
Lives forever by God’s great power
Gives us hope now and eternally
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)