I’m taking a break from Q&A Friday to thank you for stopping by worshipmatters.com.
A free song is available as a download to the right. It’s from our most recent project, WorshipGod Live. It’s called “Receive the Glory,” and I wrote it for the “Milestone Weekend” (Sept. 18-19, 2004) when my former senior pastor, C.J. Mahaney, turned the leadership of Covenant Life Church over to Josh Harris, our present senior pastor. C.J. had started the church 27 years earlier, and had been eagerly awaiting the day he would hand the leadership of the church over to a younger man. At a time when CJ could have drawn attention to himself and all that he had built, he focused on expressing gratefulness for God’s grace and encouraging everyone around him. His example inspired me to write these words based on a verse CJ has often referenced, Psalm 115:1.
CHORUS
Not to us, but to Your name alone
Be all the glory, the glory forever
For your faithfulness and steadfast love
Receive the glory, the glory
Belongs to You.
VERSE 1
All that we’ve accomplished You have done for us
And any fruit we harvest is a gift from Your hand
We are only jars of clay
That hold a priceless treasure
And we exist to bring You pleasure, O God
VERSE 2
Only by Your mercy can we come to You
Though we deserved Your judgment
You have called us by name
So we glory in the cross of Christ
That made us Yours forever
That joined our lives together to sing
Copyright 2004 Sovereign Grace Praise. A division of Sovereign Grace Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
(If you’d be interested in seeing how we celebrated a 50 year old pastor joyfully and graciously turning over his church to a 29 year old pastor, you can purchase a video of the entire Milestone Weekend here.)
Bob,
So good to see you the other day at Cornerstone Church! Your teaching is not just informative–it’s transformative. Our service this weekend will be almost entirely a Cappella. It’s kind of a fast. It won’t be comfortable for me. It’s definitely not my preference; but that’s not the determining factor, is it? It will be good for us all to stretch our spiritual muscles, esp. when music can be such an idol. Thank you for the spiritual, theological development you are bringing to Christ’s church, esp. the worship leaders. May you always know his favor.
Bob,
Not sure if this is the right venue but since SG music is the theme here I thought I’d ask. Any launch date set for the SG music books yet? Last time I called they said 1st qtr. 2006. Is that date still feasible.
Rich,
Thanks for asking about the songbook. Lord willing, we’ll be publishing a two volume songbook by the end of April. It will contain most of the songs Sovereign Grace has produced over the past twenty years.
Bob,
We introduced “Receive the Glory” here at TFC about two months ago – and it has really clicked with our congregation. Obviously, every congregation is different, but I’d strongly recommend that people add this song to their church’s repertoire.
Jamie
Thanks for the free demo,
wasn’t quite my style, but it was good.
You guys obviously have some very talented musicians and vocalists; and the arrangement was fantastic! And for being a ‘live’ recording, it was mixed very well. Wish I could play with you some time. :O)
Bob,
So thankful to the Lord for you and your work, brother.
This whole album is God-glorifying, Christ-exalting and Spirit-empowered by my estimation. SGM has done so much to help us in our worship of the Lord.
And I know you’re not seeking praise, but the fact that you offer things like this song and the great lead sheets, etc for free is proof that this is all about Jesus – not you. Praise the Lord! You are leading by example that cross-centered life.
Thankful in Canada!
Paul