Gregg DeMey 0:07
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the word of God. It's Friday, July 22, and Sunday's coming. This is Gregg DeMey and I serve as Lead Pastor at ECRC, and one of this Sunday's songs is one of the great ones from the past 10 years - a song called Your Great Name.
Gregg DeMey 0:23
There's a version of the song linked in the show notes sung by Natalie Grant from Nashville, Tennessee. Here's what she had to say about the song. "Although I'm a songwriter", said Natalie, "this is a song that I didn't write personally, it's by a guy named Michael Neal out of The People's Church in Franklin, Tennessee. The first time I heard it, I was so moved by the song because one of the things that it did for me was remind me of the simplicity and power of saying the name of Jesus. It reminded me of Philippians chapter two. What's important for me to remember is that I can't get to God, except through his son Jesus, and it's so exciting to sing a song which proclaims the name of Jesus. God is great. But there aren't a lot of songs that simply proclaim the name of Jesus." I love that. Here's what Philippians two has to say about our Lord.
Gregg DeMey 1:14
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Gregg DeMey 2:00
At some point, friends, every human being will be a believer. Whether you believe in the name of Jesus right now or not, one day, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, every eye will see that Jesus is Lord. Let's pray, using some words from the song. Lord Jesus, we give thanks today that you are indeed our redeemer and healer. You are the almighty. You're my savior, defender, you are my king. Oh, Jesus, worthy are you the Lamb of God that was slain for us. Son of God and man, you are high and lifted up and all the world will praise your great name - me included. Amen.