Music for Resurrection Sunday

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

If your church is like ours, attendance in the worship service is always higher at Easter (which, by the way, I prefer to call "Resurrection Sunday"). Many people will come to church this one time during the year because of family tradition, or perhaps because a church-going relative invites them. This is a great opportunity to witness the love of Christ to those who have never heard it before.

Our entire belief in the concepts of salvation and eternal life as taught in the Scriptures hinges on the fact of the resurrection. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then neither will we. And if that is true, we are "of all men most miserable."

"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Our music should be joyful, powerful and life-changing in order to effectively communicate the joyful, powerful and life-changing event of the resurrection. Find some great music, such as "My Hope Is Still Alive" by Ron Hamilton, or "Forgiven Forever" by Glenn Christianson and perform it with passion. Maybe even an Easter cantata would be appropriate, as long as the Gospel is clearly and powerfully presented. Choose music that will move people to make a decision for Jesus Christ.

It was the Apostle Paul's desire to know Christ and the "power of his resurrection" (Phil. 3:10), and it was this desire that motivated him to become such a powerful testimony to a lost world of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Let's allow the "power of his resurrection" to be reflected in our songs. Sing with excellence and passion. Stir the hearts of your audience to desire to experience the resurrection for themselves. Thank the Lord from the depths of your soul for conquering death and hell. Praise the Lord!

NEW BLOGS POSTED EVERY MONDAY

The BLOG is now a BOOK!
Notes for the Children of Asaph: The Book

Download the E-Book

Curtis Hollembeak

Curtis holds a bachelor's degree in Bible with a music minor, as well as a master's degree in Sacred Music, having studied under Dr. Frank Garlock, president of Majesty Music, and Ray and Ann Gibbs, well-known Christian singers. He has served as music director and jr. high/high school supervisor at Grace Baptist Church of Mankato, Minnesota; school music director at the Franklin Road Christian School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; media engineer for the Sword of the Lord in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and, full-time music director at Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy in Festus, Missouri. He is currently self-employed and serves in the music ministry of the Berean Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. Curtis is co-founder and President of the Asaph Music Co. He regularly sings bass with the Bible Truth Chorale on recordings produced by Bible Truth Music at Faith Music Missions.