Episode 13 - When you don't feel worthy

The HYMNS are theologically rich, and singing them is a beautiful form of worship.

 

We are starting a new series in April called: The Gospel in Hymns. If you are in Sojo Academy, we are doing a full study of 20 different hymns, taking a journey through history to learn about the hymn writers, the circumstances surrounding the songs, and then digging into the passages in Word of God that inspired them.

 

On the podcast this month, we will focus on one hymn a week and explore the Biblical truths expressed in them!

 

As we look to the Word of God through the lens of these songs, we will see nuggets of encouragement and powerful lessons. 

 

Come take this journey with us!

 

In this first episode, we are looking at a well-known hymn called Rock of Ages, written by Augustus M. Toplady in 1776.

 

In the Old Testament, God is the rock (1 Corinthians 10: 1-4), but then in the New Testament, it refers back to the story of Moses in the Old Testament and identifies the rock as Christ!

 

That’s such a cool connection showing that Jesus is the point of the WHOLE Bible, from Genesis to Revelation… and it’s a beautiful image of where our strength comes from.

 

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.”

 

The cross is sufficient. When Jesus died on that cross, he said it was finished. Period. The end. And we see that in Titus 3:4-7, when Paul reminds Titus (and us) that Christ saved us, not because of works done by us in our own pitiful righteousness, but according to his own mercy.

 

Merit-based thinking has no place in our relationship with God. His grace is not based on anything that we do or don't do. His grace is not based on our performance. (Can I get an AMEN for that?)

 

We bring nothing in our hands.  And he is all we need.

 

"While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee."

 

We are promised that Christ will be with us until the end, and the grace that gave us life will never end. 

 

What's sufficient for us in life is sufficient for us in death. And that's pretty awesome!

 

Because of that, we are sheltered in the cleft of the rock, now and forevermore.

 

Challenge!

Our challenge to you as a listener is to take one of these Hymns and find Scripture that correlates to what these hymn writers were writing. What a lovely way to get the Word into our hearts. 

 

If you want to take a look at the Rock of Ages written by August Toplady, you can check it here: Rock of Ages

 

Extra tip!

Sometimes we can wonder, how do we see Christ in the Old Testament? Because a lot of times, it's not super clear, but when we see passages in the New Testament, like the ones we mentioned today, that refer to the Old Testament as a picture of Christ, then it makes it more real. 

 

We do ourselves a favor when we take the entirety of scripture into consideration, not just the old Testament, not just the new Testament.  

 

But looking at them together, we can start making a lot of connections that otherwise we don't see the first time we read through a passage.

 

RESOURCES

 

  • Study on The Story of Salvation Woven Through Music in more depth with a 4-week Bible Study Bundle with a full Bible Study, a printable Bible journaling kit, Scripture reading and writing plan, and BONUS videos. 

FIND IT HERE

 

CHECK IT OUT HERE

 

  • We invite you to download these FREE printables that are beautiful reminders of some of these hymns. They would be a perfect addition to your office or any wall. Click the link below to download the digital files. Enjoy!
sojo_april22_hymns_wallart_mock4logo

NOTABLE QUOTES

“ The hymn writer is saying that at the end of everything, we can still hold onto Christ. We are promised this despite the fact that we bring nothing to the table and are owed nothing.  His mercy, his grace bestowed upon us life and freedom from our own sin. Freedom even from the wrath of God. And because of that, I will be sheltered in the cleft of the rock. Forever and ever.” - Jen Evangelista.

 

“I love how he basically says what's sufficient for us in life is sufficient for us in death. And that's pretty powerful that you… that we… have a cross, a savior and the blood that was shed for us that takes us through life, through death, into eternity and for all of eternity.” - Arabah Joy.

 

“The blood of Christ is stronger than our sin and that's the whole point of the gospel. So that's just something that we can with full trust, continue to preach to our hearts” - Arabah Joy.

 

Bible verses mentioned:

1 Corinthians 10: 1-4

Deuteronomy 32:4

Titus 3: 4-7

John 10:28

Ephesians 2:8-9

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LISTENER QUESTION OF THE WEEK

For our listener questions of the week, AJ and Jen answered a question pretty relatable for this month's series: “What is your favorite HYMN?” 

 

We would love to know which HYMN is your favorite as well!

 

Thank you for sending in questions for us! If you have a question you’d love to have us answer, just email us at hello@thesojoacademy.com.

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Also, If you have a question for us, it could be super silly, it can be a little bit deeper. It doesn’t matter, email us at hello@sojoacademy.com... you may just hear the answer on an upcoming podcast episode!