Logan's Worship Blog: Easter Sunday 2010

I write to you from a hotel room in Dayton, Ohio - where we will be leading worship tonight for the Ohio Youth Evangelism Conference. I can't wait to lead thousands of young students in a Good Friday celebration of the cross.

But the cross is not our hope. The empty tomb is our hope. Without the resurrection, there is no justification. And so the real celebration takes place this Sunday morning, when we remember the significance of Mark 16:6 "And he said to them, 'Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him.'"

1. Let God Arise (Tomlin) - We'll play this song as you guys are making your way into the building for the 10:50 SERVICE. Remember, there is no such thing as an "11 o clock service" at the heights. We start at 10:50, and we always lead one song at about 10:45, five minutes before the service starts, as the countdown clock is running. So get out of bed five minutes sooner, tell your Adult Bible Fellowship leaders to let you out on time, get the kids to K-Dog a bit early, do whatever you have to do to make it to worship by 10:45!

This week we'll be singing "Let God Arise" as the countdown video shows the tomb being slowly rolled away from the grave. Don't miss this moment! And let's be honest... it's Easter. You'll have to get there early to get a seat anyway.

"Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before Him." Psalm 68:1

2. Mighty to Save (Fielding & Morgan) - God works in mysterious ways. He holds time in His hands and sees all of history laid out before Him. He knew that when Australia's coasts were utilized a place of banishment for British criminals in the 18th century, eventually this nation would develop into a hotbed of passionate worshippers who would be writing and singing songs to proclaim God's infinite glory. "Mighty to Save" is one of the many songs we borrow from a church in Sydney called Hillsong. Here's just glimpse of what worship looks like for them: Mighty to Save Video

17 The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17

3. When Heaven Came Down (Walter) - We introduced this one at Christmas time as a song about the incarnation. But the song doesn't stop there. The first verse is about God becoming man, but the second verse says:

You were nailed to the Tree of Life

And all creation was justified

When heaven came down and kissed the earth

Son of Man, Redeemer God

The Holy Spirit was sent to us

When heaven came down and kissed the earth

So this Sunday we sing "When Heaven Came Down" as an Easter song, celebrating our Redeemer God, the justifications He gives to us, and the Spirit that he left with us. We remember that if God hadn't sent His Son to stand in the gap for us, there would be nothing standing between us and God's wrath. Ezekiel tells us that we would be consumed!

30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD." Ezekiel 22:30-31

4. Our God (Tomlin & Redman) - These past few weeks, you've been singing this song with all your heart, mind, soul, and VOLUME. I love backing away from the microphone and letting you guys sing this chorus on your own. Don't be afraid to sing out! Let the Spirit lead you! If a visitor, who doesn't know this song, is standing beside you - your passion and willingness to shout praises to God will encourage them to do the same. Sing! Sing! Sing!

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

5. How Great is Our God (Tomlin) - "Our English language only goes so far into saying How Great God is," Chris Tomlin says in this HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD VIDEO INTERVIEW. Watch it.

Shout for joy, O heavens;
rejoice, O earth;
burst into song, O mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13

And don't forget to invite everyone you know to church this Sunday. This is one of a few Sundays throughout the year that you may get more "Yes's" than "No's" when you extend an invite!