After a few fruitless searches by both myself and a friend, I’ve finally found a solid copy of the sheet music and chords to “Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin.

“Jesus Messiah” Chords and Sheet Music

Are we not missing the point when we praise the author more than we praise the Object of worship music?

For example, one of the most moving songs that I have heard in recent memory was released a week or two ago by Chris Tomlin — Jesus Messiah.  EMI, of course, put out a press release to go along with Tomlin’s latest hit.  However, reading over it today, the above thought struck me while reading the following quotes:

“Chris Tomlin strikes gold again in his beautiful ballad ‘Jesus Messiah.’ Chris seems unable to pen a bad or even mediocre song. It is simply always spectacular.” –Jon Rivers, music director KLOVE Radio Network

“Chris never disappoints. ‘Jesus Messiah’ is another example of his deep songs that are easy to sing and still keep the focus on the One who deserves the glory.” –Jim Beeler, music director, KSBJ-FM

“I knew Chris Tomlin’s new song, ‘Jesus Messiah’ was going to be an ‘add,’ but I’ve run out of superlatives. It surpassed all our expectations; wow!” –Scott Valentine, program director, KCMS-FM

“Tomlin does it again! It’s honest. It’s sincere. It connects. It’s worship not just for Sundays, but for life lived every day. It’s here, and will be for years to come!” –Chris Lemke, GM/PD WCSG-FM

“I am not sure how Chris keeps doing it, but once again we have a song that is going to be huge! This one is easily on the short list for song of the year already.” –Jeff Cruz, assistant program director, WPOZ-FM

I’m not sure that we “get it” with Tomlin’s work.  Reading the quotes above, it’s one for Chris and one for Christ and so-on.  To me, it’s almost like those who praised and followed Paul or Peter (or follow Driscoll or Piper to be more up-to-date) for their words instead of the true Author of those words.  Knowing that Tomlin is just an instrument and his work is merely the work of the Almighty could help keep us from creation worship and more focused on Creator worship.

My wonderful wife, she had to remind a bunch of teenagers of the same sort of thing when they were awe-struck by Louie Giglio’s appearance at Big Stuf Camp this week.  Her response to them?  “He’s just a pot of clay…“  The same goes for Tomlin and I’m convinced that both of them would tell you that with a strong affirmation.  So let us worship the Object of worship music (or amazing sermons, stories, etc.) and not the author(s).

May it be so it my life first and foremost.

I can’t add a lot to this, other than to say that I, along with many other people who listen and follow Piper’s teachings, really need to meditate on Marcus‘ take on John Piper.

Excerpt:

I think the best thing about John Piper’s teaching is not that I learn a great deal about God from it (although I do), but it makes me want to spend my life for God’s glory among the nations, and it makes me want to be able to put Jesus Christ before people’s eyes in more clear and powerful ways than I am currently capable of. The value of great teachers is seen by the next generation whom they train and help, even more than it is seen in the content of the teaching itself.

(via Digital H₂O)

As I attempt to make a slow return to regular blogging again, I wanted to start with this. Justin Taylor is on vacation and his guest blogger shared with us a wonderful prayer for those who will be entering into a place of worship tomorrow, Lord willing.

A Sabbath-Eve Gospel Prayer
from Between Two Worlds by Tullian Tchividjian

As all of us prepare our hearts and minds for worship tomorrow, my prayer is that we go expecting to encounter the glory of God, his powerful presence, first and foremost. I pray that, as we sleep, God would expand our want to sing of who he is and hear of what he’s done. I pray that we go ready and willing to feel the grief of our sin so that we can feel the glory of his salvation. I pray that we go, in other words, to see God on display, not preachers or musicians. A worship service is not the place to showcase human talent. It’s the place for God to showcase his Divine treasure. A worship service that contains the power to change us (even us preachers) is a worship service that leaves us with grand impressions of Divine personality, not grand impressions of human personality. Isaiah did not leave the temple in Isaiah 6 thinking, “What great music, what a great building, what a great preacher.” He left thinking, “What a great God.”

Perhaps John Stott’s words will be used to grow our love for the the great Gospel we will encounter tomorrow: “The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices himself for man and puts himself where only man deserves to be.” Amen!

Remember: we gather for worship not to escape the real world, but to be reminded that this world is not there is. For the Christian, the best is yet to come. So worship humbly and hard tomorrow. You need it!

Amen.