Friday, January 3, 2020

Rend the Heavens – Music Story


What was wrong with the nation?
According to Isaiah, ordinary citizens were what was wrong with the nation. They were embracing pagan customs: they practiced divination and bowed down to the work of their hands.[1] Isaiah prayed:
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down … The nations would tremble before you; then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame! … But we are not godly; we are constant sinners and have been all our lives. Therefore, your wrath is heavy on us.[2]

What is wrong with the church?
According to Jesus,[3] ordinary church goers like me are what is wrong with the church.
I am what’s wrong with the church when I practice loveless doctrine.
I am what’s wrong with the church when I expect to be rescued from the unjust or cruel use of power.
I am what’s wrong with the persecuted church when I excuse sexual immorality in the church or embrace pagan customs.
I am what’s wrong with the serving church when I think social justice requires the endorsement of sexual immorality or paganism.
I am what’s wrong with the church when my faith is dead.
I am what’s wrong with the church when I don’t walk through the door Jesus has opened for me.
I am what’s wrong with the church when my worship is lukewarm.

What’s wrong with the church?
Me! I am! I am what’s wrong with the church.
Jesus asks the church – me! – to repent.

From the album “Sing” this video is scrolling playback of the song.
Kathy
Click here to read how today’s social justice movement differs from the teachings of Jesus.

“Was Jesus just a spiritual leader like Buddha, Krishna, Confucius, and Muhammad? Or is he something more – something else entirely?” Ken Samples evaluates these religious leaders in God among Sages and shows that Jesus is more than a spiritual leader. He is God himself.

Print sheet music for wind quintet and piano is available for Rend the Heavens.
Rend the Heavens
Click here for PDF.

Do you play or teach a wind instrument or piano? Rend the Heavens is on SmartMusic, the comprehensive music practice app!
Rend the Heavens
Click here to practice the music. Click here for SmartMusic help.

You can change key and instrumentation with MusicXML – digital sheet music.
Rend the Heavens
Click here for MusicXML.
(MusicXML™ is the standard open format for sharing digital sheet music. Check the help files in your music notation app for directions on importing MusicXMLfiles.)







[1] Isaiah 2:6-8
[2] Isaiah Chapter 64
[3] Revelation Chapters 2 & 3