Features

• In-depth development of a biblical text; not a mere pretext
• Excellent for use after a sermon or Bible study on the same text
• The truth of God's Word applied personally
• Traditional tunes, yet modern words, rhymes, and phrasing
• Inclusive language
• Permission is granted to use these hymns in worship, as long as the text is not changed and the credit line is included.

The High Priest's Gentle Sword

Text: Hebrews 4:12-16
Tune: Olivet, "My Faith Looks Up to Thee"

1. To God's all-seeing eye,
bare, open is my life,
all sin exposed.
Can my account be paid?
Who can my judgment stay?
Far have I gone astray,
God's will opposed.

2. Before the Christ had come,
Jews did for sin atone
through poor beasts slain.
The high priest raised the knife,
laid bare the sacrifice.
Blood poured out for one's life
as God ordained.

3. A great High Priest we have
whose sacrifice now saves.
Hold fast to Him.
He into heaven passed,
offered His blood--the best.
Through faith, from first to last,
He frees from sin.

4. Yet like the priests of old,
Christ wields a weapon bold,
His living Word.
Spirit and soul divide.
Thoughts and intents can't hide.
The Savior sanctifies
with two-edged sword.

5. High Priest, may I not fear
when Your sweet blade draws near
to purify.
Tempted You were like me,
yet from all sin stayed free.
Your slash shall gentle be.
You sympathize.

6. So may I boldly come
to Your most gracious throne
in time of need
You shall my foul heart cleanse.
All wounds shall healthy mend.
Your mercy without end
is great indeed!

By Philip M. Bickel. © 1996 Roller Coaster Press. Used by permission.

Wake Up, Sleeper

Text: Romans 13:11-14
Tune: Jesu, meines Lebens Leben, "Christ the Life of All the Living"

1. Wake up, sleeper, from your slumber!
Deeds of darkness cast aside.
Have you laid aside your armor?
Have you let your watching slide?
Don't let your alarm clock ring on.
Rise up now before God's new dawn!
Clothe yourself with Jesus Christ,
for He is your Arm'r of Light.

2. Satan, false and sly, entices
me to walk in deeds of dark,
Urges me to vilest vices,
though he claims "They're just a lark."
These sins would prove to be quicksand
but for God's grace on which I stand.
Spirit, arm me with the Light
of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

3. Father, as You raised Your Son up
from the dead to set me free,
Raise my soul from sin's death slumber.
From its numbing help me flee.
Then I will not be found yawning
when Your Final Day comes dawning.
Christ will my sole Armor be.
His strength gives me victory.

By Philip M. Bickel. © 1996 Roller Coaster Press. Used by permission.

God's There and Is Not Silent

In honor of Francis A. Schaeffer
Text: Hebrews 1:1-4
Tune: Ewing, "Jerusalem the Golden"

1. In words and dreams and visions, in miracles and songs,
The true God spoke through prophets who faithfully and long
Proclaimed the Spirit's message to those who'd closed their minds
To God's pure truth and wisdom and love toward humankind.

2. And now once more our Father has spoken in our world
Through His own Son whose power the universe unfurled.
In Christ I see the Father, His glory and His love.
Christ is the perfect likeness of Him who rules above.

3. The Father's love He showed me by cleansing me from sin,
When I my own forgiveness could never earn or win.
He now is 'throned in glory, the Father's right hand Man,
His name's indeed the greatest in all the heavenly land.

4. God's there and is not silent. He's spoken to us all
In actions and in wo-rds that sound His gracious call.
I know God as my Father through Jesus Christ, His Son.
Now, through His death and rising, my new life is begun.

By Philip M. Bickel. © 1996 Roller Coaster Press. Used by permission.

Sinai and Zion

Text: Hebrews 12:18-24
Tune: Great White Host, "Behold, A Host Arrayed in White"

1. On Sinai God's Law was revealed,
on Sinai, never to be repealed.
God flexed His might.
Hearts quaked with fright,
as rumbling thunder pealed.

God's perfect Law was there made known.
His finger carved it on the stone.
No life it gave.
It cannot save,
but seeks to makes sins known.

We at Sinai need not remain
where, sin revealed,
we cringe in shame.
Instead we stand in a new land
whose book contains our names.

2. With joy we've come to Mount Zion,
the heavenly Jerusalem.
Myriad angels
in festival
rejoice as we march in.

Also to God have we drawn near,
the Judge to whom all must appear.
See those Christ saved,
now perfect made.
No guilt! No death! No fear!

Foremost dear Jesus Lord we greet,
whose sprinkled blood
has brought us peace,
The Savior-sent new covenant,
which from guilt brings release.

By Philip M. Bickel. © 1996 Roller Coaster Press. Used by permission.

Promised Land and Promised Rest

Text: Hebrews 3:7-4:11
Tune: Hanover, "Oh, Worship the King"

1. The seventh day born, the world full adorned,
God rested from all His art great and small.
To humans was given the prominent place
In God's Eden kingdom of beauty and grace.

2. Rebellion was born, relation was torn,
When yielding to pride, we cast God aside.
By sin we are exiled from our Sabbath home
The Promised Land forfeit till God's kingdom comes.

3. Now hope is reborn, for on Easter morn
Death lost its dread sting. The new life Christ brings.
For all who believe, now a new rest remains,
A Sabbath eternal, freed from Satan's chains.

4. When Israel's clans were offered this land,
They turned down God's rest. The Lord they did test.
With murmuring fears they would not learn God's ways,
And there in the desert they ended their days.

5. Today when you hear His voice calling near,
Don't harden your heart. Don't give doubt a start.
Make ev'ry wise effort to enter that rest
Through faith in the Savior who died all to bless.

By Philip M. Bickel. © 1996 Roller Coaster Press. Used by permission.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.