Grace Abounding

The song “Thy Mercy My God” is a favorite hymn often sung at our local church in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s an old hymn by John Stocker (1776) put to new music by Sandra McCracken (2001). It’s the hymn of the month at Grace Church.

Why do we love this hymn? Because it preaches the gospel to us every time we sing it! The first verse revels with wonder at the transforming grace God has given believers. Verse 2 reminds us that our sin nature and willful sin disqualify us from knowing God and tasting real joy, but God has reversed our sinful condition out of his generous kindness. Verse 3 celebrates that God’s “mercy is more than a match for my heart which wonders to feel its own hardness depart,” a recognition that though we are great sinners, we have a Savior greater than our sin. The final verse thanks the Holy Spirit for applying the work of redemption in the believer’s life.

Get to know this hymn by downloading the sheet music here for free or by watching it worshipfully played on this YouTube video:

Thy Mercy My God
1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.

4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

©2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP).

Previous songs of the month at Grace Church of Alexandria are listed here.

I am feeling very foolish tonight. It has just dawned on me how utterly foolish is all my ungratefulness and complaining.

While reading John MacArthur’s book Slave, it was made clear to me from Scripture the depth of my helpless condition when the Lord found me. I was a slave to sin. I was his enemy by choice. My sin nature was leading me to eternal destruction. As Charles Wesley puts it in a hymn, I was “fast bound in sin and nature’s night.” And yet, Christ died in my place. There’s not a drop of wrath left for me (which I deserve). He rescued me from the dominion of darkness, and placed me in the kingdom of light. And the God of all grace adopted me and loves me as his own son! This means he is committed to my everlasting happiness and good.

Why, oh why do I complain when I was rescued from a dreadful condition and now own more spirituals blessings than I can count?! I don’t think I’ll be able to look at my situation the same any more. Though I once was a slave, I’m now a privileged son in God’s kingdom. What do I have to complain about?

Holy Father, I confess that I think I deserve far more than I really do. And I miss the fact that you are blessing me far more than I ever can understand. Thank you, Lord God, for your mercy to me. I have it so much better than I deserve.

Worldwide, over 143 million children are orphans. That is more than twice the total population of the country of Mexico!

So, as a church, what can we do about the global plight of orphans? This Sunday, October 16, if you come to Grace Church of Alexandria, you’ll hear about God’s heart for the fatherless and what we can do about it. Our worship gathering will be focused on Orphan Sunday. Join us for:

• testimonies from orphan care and adoption advocates;
• Scripture readings and prayers about God’s love for the fatherless;
• a video about the global orphan crisis;
• a handout with resources on orphan care;
• and a practical sermon with steps you can take to minister mercy.

Churches traditionally observe Orphan Sunday on November 6. Since a guest speaker was already scheduled at our church for that day, we’re dedicating this Sunday to consider how the gospel motivates us to care for those who have no voice to speak up for them. Join us, 10:30 am, Sunday, October 16.

Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Don’t miss “Live From Kansas City,” a live webcast on November 6 of guided prayer and global worship for the fatherless. You can also learn more about Orphan Sunday at the web site of its sponsor, the Christian Alliance for Orphans.

In addition, here are three resources about orphan care:

• 2010 Orphan Sunday sermon – “Adoption and The Glory of God;
• past blog post with adoption and foster care resources.

10/19/11 UPDATE: I should also recommend Safe Families, an emergency foster care organization that operates nationwide. They pair families up with at-risk children from homes in crisis who need a temporary place to stay for days or weeks while their family stabilizes. A worthy organization to get involved with.

Are you wondering how to become a Christian? Do you have questions you’ve been wanting to ask about the credibility or the reliability of the Christian faith? I invite you to contact our church, for we’d be glad to share the core message about Jesus Christ in a short series of discussions called Christianity Explained.

Christianity Explained
I (Pastor Jonathan Matías) or one of our church members would be delighted to introduce you to the message of Jesus in six brief discussion studies in the Gospel of Mark, a biography of Jesus in the Bible. The booklet show below, Christianity Explained, will be your guide. You are welcome to ask any questions that you have, and no question is too threatening, or off-the wall. Jesus made staggering truth claims and issued incredible promises to his followers. We’d like to show you what he said, and give you a comfortable atmosphere to think through those claims and promises for yourself.

Interested in going through Christianity Explained? Contact me at 703.639.4077 (press 4 to reach the pastoral staff) or email the church here.

The Story
In addition, here is a visual explanation of the gospel, the good news of the person and work of Jesus Christ, that has changed our lives. It’s called “The Story” and it tells how you can find peace with God and enter into an everlasting relationship with him!

Last Sunday we gave away copies of Gospel Meditations for Men to every man who attended our church, as a gift for Father’s Day. And on Mother’s Day we gave a copy of Gospel Meditations For Women to every woman who attended Grace Church of Alexandria. We gave them away because these two devotional guides clearly make the connection between the gospel and everyday life.

How can the person of Jesus Christ and his work on the cross relate to my marriage, handling work relationships, making decisions, dating, raising kids, and managing the ups and downs of life? These gospel-driven booklets show you how. They’ll train you how to relate the gospel to your day, through 31 brief meditations on Christ and his cross.

Gospel Meditations For Men/Women by ChurchworksMedia.com

Grace Church of Alexandria is committing to showing you how to get the most out of your relationship with Jesus Christ as a Christian. I heartily recommend Gospel Meditations For Women and Gospel Meditations For Men, to help you unleash God’s redeeming power in your life. They’re available on Sundays at Grace Church at our GraceBooks Table by donation. You can also purchase them for $2.50 from the publisher. These booklets, written by two pastors with a heart for their congregation to know and apply God’s grace, are effective guides to living out the gospel.

When you’re facing temptation, discouragement or defeat, where do you turn for help? How are Christians supposed to battle these experiences and emotions that can so easily bring us low? We must run to the one place–the cross– and the one Person–Christ– who defeats our fiercest foes.

In the month of May, we’re singing “I Run to Christ,” a modern hymn that shows us how to run to Christ and find in him our refuge. In their song, the hymnwriters have given us words to pray, to sing, to cry out to Jesus to guide our hearts to him. For me, this song helps me appropriate 1 Corinthians 1:18 in my life: “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Thanks to our friends at ChurchWorksMedia.com for this hymn that points us to Christ.

I run to Christ when chased by fear and find a refuge sure.
“Believe in me,” His voice I hear; His words and wounds secure.
I run to Christ when torn by grief and find abundant peace.
“I too had tears,” He gently speaks; Thus joy and sorrow meet.

I run to Christ when worn by life and find my soul refreshed.
“Come unto Me,” He calls through strife; fatigue gives way to rest.
I run to Christ when vexed by hell and find a mighty arm.
“The Devil flees,” the Scriptures tell; He roars, but cannot harm.

I run to Christ when stalked by sin and find a sure escape.
“Deliver me,” I cry to Him; temptation yields to grace.
I run to Christ when plagued by shame and find my one defense.
“I bore God’s wrath,” He pleads my case—my Advocate and Friend.

Words by Chris Anderson; Music by Greg Habegger. ChurchWorksMedia (2010). Used by permission. CCLI #2928610.

Want to listen or download the music? The piano score & guitar chords are available in a .pdf here. Here’s an insert for a church’s order of worship. Also, listen to the congregation sing it at the church where Chuck Swindoll pastors, or hear it played on piano here.

Modern hymnwriters Stuart Townend and Keith Getty have composed a marvelous Christmas hymn. On Sundays this December, Grace Church of Alexandria is singing their new hymn,”Joy Has Dawned,” to commemorate the nativity when the Lord of history made himself vulnerable and helpless for our salvation.

Myxer: Privacy Policy | Terms – More from Stuart Townend

Joy Has Dawned
Joy has dawned upon the world, promised from creation—
God’s salvation now unfurled, hope for ev’ry nation.
Not with fanfares from above, not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love—Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky with the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place, shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast, vuln’rable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb, gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands prophesy the story.
Gold—a King is born today, incense—God is with us,
Myrrh—His death will make a way, and by His blood He’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven, given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man, Christ, our mighty champion!
What a Savior! What a Friend! What a glorious myst’ry!
Once a babe in Bethlehem, Now the Lord of hist’ry.

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, copyright Thankyou Music (2004).

Recently our church observed Orphan Sunday to draw attention to the plight of the 163 million orphans worldwide and to put God’s adopting love on display. Our church is blessed to have several families in the process of adopting, and several members who serve in Christian orphan care organizations. It’s our prayer that the believers of Grace Church of Alexandria will be on the front lines of orphan care for God’s glory. Here are several recommended resources to take the next step in learning about and caring for orphans:

The Orphan Crisis
Christian Alliance For Orphans – www.christianalliancefororphans.org
Together For Adoption – www.togetherforadoption.org

The Alliance represents dozens of orphan care organizations as they work together for orphans. The Alliance is hosting Summit VII on May 12-13, 2011, to equip Christians to be carrying out orphan care. Together For Adoption, started by a former pastor of the church helping us as a church plant, holds an annual conference that celebrates adoption as a picture of the gospel.

Adoption & the Gospel
Adopted For Life by Russell Moore
America World Adoption – www.awaa.org
Bethany Christian Services – www.bethany.org
Abba Fund – www.abbafund.org
Lifesong For Orphans – www.lifesongfororphans.org

Russell Moore’s book Adopted For Life is the best starting point for orphan care and adoption. In a compelling way, Dr. Moore points to every Christian’s adoption into God’s family as the impetus for adopting needy children into your family. America World Adoption and Bethany Christian Services are gospel-centered adoption agencies we highly recommend and trust. I’ve personally gotten to know the folks from Abba Fund and Lifesong For Orphans, two excellent organizations that provide grants and funds for Christian families to adopt.

Foster Care & Emergency Foster Care
Children’s Services of Virginia – www.childrensservicesofva.com
Safe Familes – www.safe-families.org

I’ve recently been learning about the opportunity of permanent and temporary foster care for children from broken or impoverished homes. Though I don’t know much about these two organizations, I think they are a good starting point to exploring foster care.

Orphan Sunday
Orphan Sunday – www.orphansunday.org

If your  family or church would like to participate Orphan Sunday in 2011, this is the place to go. This is the official site explaining the rationale for Orphan Sunday and providing a plethora of resources for taking part in that day.

If you know of other organizations that should be included here, please share in the comments below.

The driving focus of everything we do at Grace Church is to help our congregation know and love God supremely. To do that, we’re convinced that magnifying the glory of Christ is a far better motivator for serving Him, believing in Him, and obeying Him, than merely telling people what God expects of them.

I found the following statement which captures our intent of directing the flock’s hearts to behold Christ. In it, church historian Michael Reeves summarizes the ministry philosophy of the Puritan pastor Richard Sibbes:

“Instead of simply laying moral burdens on young and struggling Christians, Sibbes showed them Christ’s attractiveness so that they might love him from the heart.”

Reeves goes on to say,

“From then, the Christian’s first task is ‘to warm ourselves at this fire of his love and mercy in giving himself for us.’ Only when Christians do that do they truly stop sinning from the heart (whereas when they merely alter their behavior it does nothing for the sin of the heart). In other words, Sibbes believed that the solution to sin is not the attempt to live without sin, but the gospel of God’s free grace.”

Michael Reeves, The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation, p. 165)

The desire to help our members and attenders find Christ compelling, joy-giving, and worthy of their worship shapes our preaching, prayers, discipleship, fellowship, and leadership. I pray constantly that those who come to Grace Church of Alexandria will find Jesus lifted up in such a way that Christ and his goodness outshine all other competing desires and leads us to live for Him.

Few acts of love portray God’s gospel love for sinners as vividly as when couples adopt a needy child into their family. Adoption brings into focus that God the Father has “adopted us as his sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5). My wife Christy and I are in the early stages of considering adoption. Our journey into adoption began with a helpful seminar called Adopted By Design hosted by America World Adoption, where one of our church’s members serves on staff. I’m pleased to announce that this seminar is being offered again in Chantilly, Virginia, on November 6.

This free adoption seminar is for you if you’re:

• open to adopting a child into your family;
• burdened for the plight of orphans around the world; or
• wondering how to involve your church in orphan care.

The seminar will be at Chantilly Bible Church on Saturday, November 6, 2010, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. More info is here, and you can register here.

Can you imagine? God is pursuing rebels, adding them to his own family, and loving them as he loves Christ! Come learn how your family and your church can put the gospel on display through adoption. Also, join us at Grace Church of Alexandria as we celebrate and observe Orphan Sunday on Sunday, November 7, 2010, during worship at 10:30 am.