When I was a young boy I remember saying goodnight to my mom and dad. I would kiss my mom and shake my dad’s hand with our own unique handshake. Then I would say, “I love you both with all my heart”. Every night, kiss mom, shake dad’s hand and say, “I love you both with all my heart”. I was reminded of that phrase as we practiced this week’s foundation Hymn, “How Deep the Father’s Love”. Most of you have probably never heard this hymn. That is because it’s a “Modern Hymn. Stuart Townend wrote it in 1995. He wanted to tell the story of what it cost the Father to redeem us. The cost for our redemption is something we should be aware of. The words to this hymn have stirred my heart this week.

Verse 1 speaks of the Father’s cost and pain. “How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns His face away”.

Verse 1: How deep the Father’s love for us; How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son; To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss; The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One; Bring many sons to glory

Verse 2 puts us there in the crowd when Jesus was crucified. Would I have cried out, “Crucify Him!” along with the others? My sin put Him on the cross. His love for me held Him to the cross.

Verse 2: Behold the Man upon a cross; My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice; Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there; Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished

Verse 3, “This I know with all my heart” Jesus paid it all and now I am free! His wounds have paid my ransom.

Verse 3: I will not boast in anything; No gifts no power no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward; I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart; His wounds have paid my ransom

We will start the morning off by singing a medley of hymns. Standing on the Promises of God, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms and Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb. One of my favorite hymns written in 18th Century, Come Thou Fount, will turn our hearts and minds toward the fact that we are lost and helpless without Him. I am “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart O take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above”.
Our final song will be Jesus Paid it All. We are all stained by sin. It is a stain that we cannot remove ourselves. It is only by the blood of Jesus that we can be washed clean.

Jesus paid it all; All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow

What do you know “With all your heart”? I hope you know the Father loves you so much that He allowed His son to be brutally sacrificed for you. I hope you know it was because of your sin that Jesus hung on that terrible wonderful cross. I hope you know that John 3:16 is meant for you!

Let’s Worship with All Our Heart!