Prepare
for Worship

By: Ryan Brasington

Hey Church!

We will have the joy of celebrating communion this Sunday! While you take the elements that represent Jesus’ body and blood, which have been broken and poured out for your salvation, the worship team will sing the song “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me.” The lyrics are below, along with some brief meditations, as well as a link to hear the song on YouTube. 

Your brother, 

Ryan

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

 (Verse 1)
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
Everything required to restore us to God’s favor has been satisfied 100% by Jesus! Purely an unconditional gift of grace, He has covered our infinite debt with His infinite worth. 

He is my joy my righteousness and freedom

My steadfast love my deep and boundless peace
Let those words search your own heart for a minute. Is Jesus really your joy? Do you find freedom and peace in Him? How might you stoke the fires of steadfast love toward Him this weekend? 

 To this I hold: my hope is only Jesus
My hope is in Christ alone

For my life is wholly bound to his
Oh how strange and divine I can sing all is mine
Yet not I but through Christ in me
We are co-heirs of the Kingdom of God! And this not due to any work of our own but only because of His unrelenting kindness. 

(Verse 2)
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
If you are currently walking through a dark night, will you proclaim this truth with us this Sunday? Let us affirm, with you, that you are not forsaken. 

For by my side the Saviour he will stay
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need his power is displayed
I love this phrase! In weakness and rejoicing… as Paul said, “I will not boast, except of my weakness.” And God’s reply, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When I am weak, He proves His strength. 

To this I hold my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley he will lead
Oh the night has been won and I shall overcome
Yet not I but through Christ in me
It is so important to speak words of victory like these in our prayers! Especially so if you are presently in that valley. Hold to that hope! Cling with all your might! 

(Verse 3)
No fate I dread I know I am forgiven
The future sure the price it has been paid
If God is for us, who can be against us? What should we fear? Persecution? Famine? Nakedness? War? Poverty? What can any evil take from us that will not be utterly forgotten as trash in comparison to the glory that will be revealed in us soon, in the blink of an eye, like a flash of lightning, for our days are like grass that withers and fades. But the Word of the Lord will endure forever.

For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And he was raised to overthrow the grave
We will see, hear, smell, taste, and touch the truth of our pardon in communion.

To this I hold my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released I can sing I am free
Yet not I but through Christ in me
The penalty of sin has been paid, though we must contend with its corruption as long as we occupy this body of flesh. When the enemy accuses you, let Jesus’ name be your plea. If He does not condemn you, neither should anyone else be allowed to charge you to wallow in guilt or shame. 

(Verse 4)
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For he has said that he will bring me home
Oh, Praise God for that promise! Take a moment to think about that heavenly home. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has fathomed the riches and joys that await us there. 

And day by day I know he will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
To this I hold: my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to him
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:7-8)

(Ending)
When the race is complete still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I but through Christ in me
Yet not I but through Christ in me

Jonny Robinson | Michael Farren | Rich Thompson
© 2018 CityAlight Music; Farren Love And War Publishing; Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (all above Admin. by Integrity Music) CCLI License # 69296