Prepare for Worship (weekend of October 8)

Date
October 8, 2021
Author
Mark Lautenschlager
Category
Personal Worship, Prepare for Worship

Hey Church!

We learned a new song back in July called “Amen (Simple Gospel)” by Kari Jobe and I thought a brief review of the meaning of the word “amen” might be helpful in preparing our minds to sing it together on Sunday.

The meaning of the Hebrew word, אָמֵן֙ (Pronounced ah-mayn), carries a sense of truth, certainty, and agreement. The same root is found within words like “faith,” “faithfulness,” “steadfastness,” “indeed,” “correct,” “for sure,” and other derivations. But in most scriptures, and in the new song we will sing this Sunday, it is used as an affirmation such as, “we agree, it is true.”

Here are a few examples from the Old Testament:

And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” with the uplifting of their hands, and they bent their heads and prostrated themselves to the Lord on their faces to the ground. (Neh. 8:6)

Blessed is the Lord forever. Amen and Amen. (Ps. 89:53)

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from world to world, and all the people shall say, “Amen.” Hallelujah! (Ps. 106:43)

The word is also found in the New Testament…

As a concluding affirmation of what has been said: to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Eph. 3:21)

As a way of saying, “I’m telling you the truth”: Jesus answered, Verily (amen), verily (amen), I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

And as a collective “we agree” from the congregation: And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 7:11-12)

It seems to me that the real power behind the word lies in its communal aspect. Here, in Revelation 7, is this diverse crowd of worshipers–a throng of angels, elders, and mysterious creatures–all pouring out their highest praise to the one who sits upon the throne. They introduce their praise with “amen,” as if to say “we authoritatively attest this truth,” speak a unified word of blessing to God, and then ratify all that has been said with one final “amen.” In this way, their worship is bookended with “we agree, He is Truth.”

This weekend, as you prepare your hearts and minds for worship, watch the video and read through the lyrics below to familiarize yourself with “Amen (Simple Gospel),” meditate on what it means to sing “we agree” along with all the saints of earth and heaven, and then come to church ready to give Him your all!

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday!
Ryan

Amen (Simple Gospel)

I believe that Christ is my Savior
All for love
He plundered my heart from the grave
This is the simple gospel

I believe that Christ is Redeemer
All for love
He settled the payment of sin
This is the simple gospel
It will never ever change

(Chorus)

Let the church say amen
Let the church say amen
Death is defeated
Jesus is risen
This is our faith
The good news of grace
Oh let the church say amen (amen!)

I believe that Christ is returning
Evermore His Spirit is living in me
This is the simple gospel
It will never ever change

The lost will come home
The bound will go free
The weak will be strong
The broken redeemed
The sick will be well
The hungry will feast
The mourning will dance
The blinded will see

The church will arise
With power and love
Our cities will know
The glory of God
The future is bright
There’s nothing to fear
Revival is now
The Kingdom is here

Songwriters: Josh Silverberg / Cody Carnes / Mitchell Daniel Wong. Amen (Simple Gospel) lyrics © Integrity's Praise Music, Capitol Cmg Paragon, Writers Roof Publishing

Hey Church!

Songs for Sunday