You Say!

Dear Pastors

In June and July last year two songs were released with almost identical titles and both captured the hearts and minds of millions of people around the English speaking world, mostly young people and mostly Christian’s but certainly not all. Each song shot up the Christian Billboards. Each song communicated essentially the same very important truth. Each have had millions and millions of views, downloads and sales especially Lauren Daigle’s ‘You Say’ which went on to win a Grammy this year.

Pastors, I reckon there is a sermon or two here for all age groups but particularly for the teenage and Young Adults age groups. The world we live in make most young people feel pretty crap especially teenage girls. The ‘body beautiful’ obsession in modern culture is hurting so many kids. I don’t think that we can talk enough about the biblical messaging as to how God sees us as His children, how He really loves us as we are (indeed we are His Masterpiece) and how He wants to have a personal relationship with every teenager He ever created. These two songs are a very good place to start.

‘You Say’ by Lauren Daigle 127 million views.

I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low?
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know (ooh oh)

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don't belong, oh You say that I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe

The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity, (ooh oh)……………………….

‘Who You Say I Am’ by Hillsong Worship 94 million views

Who am I that the highest King
Would welcome me?
I was lost but He brought me in
Oh His love for me
Oh His love for me

Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I'm a child of God
Yes I am

Free at last, He has ransomed me
His grace runs deep
While I was a slave to sin
Jesus died for me
Yes He died for me

Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I'm a child of God
Yes I am
In my Father's house
There's a place for me
I'm a child of God
Yes I am…………………………………

Blessings

Alan

Christmas Inspiration

Quote: “The Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.” -J.I. Packer

Song Suggestion: ‘Feliz Navidad’ Michael Buble with Thalia.

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.