EC Week 41-Making Disciples-Justice

Ever Closer Episode 241: Set Free

This week we begin our final course of the five Ever Closer courses. We have journeyed together through “All for God,” “Believing in Jesus,” “Giving Your Life to Jesus,” and “Letting Jesus Live in You.” Now we will explore the last course: “Making Disciples.” A disciple is a learner or follower. As you draw ever closer to Jesus he calls you to make disciples just like he did while on earth. In our last unit we looked at Jesus as a suffering servant. Throughout this week’s unit, we will touch on Jesus as King, as we look at royal virtues which we are to model in order to reach people of all nations with God’s salvation and to prepare to reign with him when he returns. These characteristics include compassion, justice, mercy, forgiveness, and faithfulness.

The featured songs inspire you to embrace Christ’s Great Commission by actively making disciples across all nations and cultures. Reflect on how Jesus’ compassionate kingship compels you to reach the unreached with the gospel message, trusting that He remains with you throughout this mission. Consider how God’s grace can set all people free, as it set you free. Ask him to open your eyes to see hearts as He does, to speak truth in love and to stand for what’s right even when it means going against cultural currents.

Here is today’s song:

Set Free
Praise God for his loving grace and power. All who trust in Jesus can be saved and set free to truly live now and forever.

(Verse 1)
I was lost, no hope in sight,
Enslaved to my own selfish plight.
Destined for death, no way to be saved,
But then Jesus came and took my burden away.

(Chorus)
Praise God! His love enabled what could not be,
In Jesus I now have true victory.
To God be all glory, I’ve been set free
I am free, I am free, I am free!

(Verse 2)
Death has no sting, sin has no chain,
Fear has no grip, Satan’s claims are in vain.
I’m no longer a dead man walking,
I’m a free man running, my soul now soaring!

(Bridge)
At the cross Jesus triumphed over sin and death,
He died to save me from my wrong and rose again,
I am forgiven, my life is found in Him.

(Chorus)
Praise God! His love enabled what could not be,
In Jesus I now have true victory.
To God be all glory, I’ve been set free
I am free, I am free, I am free!

(Verse 3)
Though battles still arise, and foes assail
By God’s grace and power, I prevail.
I stand firm, unshaken, my life is secure,
He trains and sustains me. His love endures.

(Verse 4)
Jesus is returning, to end evil and pain,
To establish righteousness, His kingdom to reign.
For those who trust in Him, joy will ever be,
Peacefully living with him, part of his family.

(Chorus)
Praise God! His love enabled what could not be,
In Jesus I now have true victory.
To God be all glory, I’ve been set free
I am free, I am free, I am free!

Ever Closer Episode 242: See Clearly

People look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. By faith allow God to open your eyes to know the truth, to love the needy, and to give grace to the fallen.

(Verse 1)
People see the outward show,
But God looks deep within.
He sees the heart, the truth, the soul,
Beyond the masks of sin.

(Verse 2)
The world may judge by what they find,
But you, O Lord, see all.
You know the future and the past
Even our thoughts, our ways, our faults.

(Bridge)
You see past what we are today,
To what we’re meant to be:
Your children, royal in your sight,
Redeemed to live for thee.

(Chorus)
God, teach me to see as you see,
With truth and love and grace.
Help me serve and care like you,
Learning from Jesus by faith.

(Verse 3)
Each person is a precious soul,
Created to be with you.
Forgive our sin, draw us to you,
That we, your love may show.

(Verse 4)
My role is to see as you see,
And help people find your way:
To turn from sin, to follow you,
And joyfully grow each day.

(Chorus)
God, teach me to see as you see,
With truth and love and grace.
Help me serve and care like you,
Learning from Jesus by faith.

Ever Closer Episode 243 Under God

Individuals, nations, and the world are only united, strong, free, and just if they humbly come under God—joyfully trusting and obeying him.

(Verse 1)
Beneath divided skies we stand,
Our banners torn by prideful hands.
United only when we kneel,
Before God’s throne where hearts can heal.

(Verse 2)
A nation’s strength lies not in might,
But in the souls that seek the light.
When “under God” is more than words,
Then justice flows to all concerned.

(Chorus)
Not “bless me, Lord” our selfish cry,
But “use me, Lord” our soul’s reply.
Kneeling first, then rising tall,
God’s glory shining through us all.
United, strong, and truly free,
When under God we choose to be.

(Verse 3)
What mortal hands could never mend,
His tender grace heals within.
The broken vessels, cracked with sin,
Restored by thePotter’s loving hands.

(Verse 4)
The humble heart that bows in awe,
Finds freedom in divine law.
For chains of self cannot fulfill
Like the joy in yielding to God’s will.

(Bridge)
Come Spirit, cleanse with holy fire,
Fill us with your living water.
Turn hearts of stone to hearts of flesh,
Your kingdom come, our souls refresh.

(Verse 5)
The oak that stands against the storm,
Has roots that reach where faith was born.
So nations flourish, bloom, and thrive,
When we cling to God to grant us life.

(Chorus)
Not “bless me, Lord” our selfish cry,
But “use me, Lord” our soul’s reply.
Kneeling first, then rising tall,
God’s glory shining through us all.
United, strong, and truly free,
When under God we choose to be.

Ever Closer Episode 244: Against the Current

Speaking the truth in love may be difficult, but it is worth it, because through it God saves people and sets them free.

(Verse 1)
In this age of endless choice,
Each carves their own false path,
But God’s unwavering voice
Calls us back from certain wrath.

(Verse 2)
Against the current we must swim,
Resisting culture’s siren call,
To shine a light in darkness dim
And be salt preserving all.

(Chorus)
So humbly live God’s love displayed,
Remembering grace that made you whole,
That others too may find God’s way
For he alone can make them whole.

(Verse 3)
Draw close to God, heed his Word,
Embrace the truth that sets us free,
Then speak with courage, be not deterred,
This is how we help others see.

(Verse 4)
Expect the world to mock and scorn,
For they rejected Christ before,
But through our witness, souls are born
To life abundant evermore.

(Bridge)
Silence conveys a lack of love,
For truth withheld denies their need,
Without God’s light for how to live,
The lost have no hope to succeed.

(Verse 5)
Rely on God to guide your way,
For only he can change a heart,
Your humble witness plants the seed,
He makes it grow and bear good fruit.

(Chorus)
So humbly live God’s love displayed,
Remembering grace that made you whole,
That others too may find God’s way
For he alone can make them whole.

Ever Closer Episode 245: Desert Star

A Christian soldier finds hope at Christmas as he fights for peace and justice. Yet his deeper calling is to fight a spiritual battle for people to come to know God, the source of enduring salvation.

(Verse 1)
In desert sands where shadows fall,
He stands alone by crumbling wall.
His fingers trace the photo’s edge—
A family’s smile, a silent pledge.

(Verse 2)
Beneath a sky of distant stars,
His Bible marked with battle scars,
Falls open to the manger scene
Where heaven touched what’s yet unseen.

(Chorus)
Two battles rage, two hopes remain,
Two kingdoms call through joy and pain.
One born in flesh, one born in grace,
Both fighting for all to see Christ’s face.

(Verse 3)
The rifle cold against his chest
Reminds him of our world’s unrest.
He doesn’t trust in might or sword.
His calling and pow’r are from the Lord.

(Verse 4)
Christ came once in humility,
A child wrapped so tenderly.
But he’ll return with glory bright
To end all wars, make darkness light.

(Bridge)
Between the manger and the throne,
We fight these battles not alone.
For grace sustains through darkest night,
Till faith gives way to glorious sight.

(Verse 5)
The photo and the Scripture page—
Twin anchors in a world of rage.
Two kingdoms claim his faithful heart:
One bound by land, one set apart.

(Verse 6)
As Christmas dawn breaks o’er the sand,
He stands, weapon in one hand,
The other raised in silent prayer
For peace to reign both here and there.

(Chorus)
Two battles rage, two hopes remain,
Two kingdoms call through joy and pain.
One born in flesh, one born in grace,
Both fighting for all to see Christ’s face.

Ever Closer Episode 246: Reflection for Week 41

Our scripture focus this week is from Matthew 28:19-20 where Jesus, the compassionate King, commissions His disciples to carry on his salvation. “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Here are three questions to consider:

1. Jesus promises to be with you always as you make disciples—so what fear, hesitation, or comfort zone is holding you back from speaking truth in love, even when it means going “against the current” of popular opinion?

2. How does understanding Jesus as your Compassionate King—who has set you free through His grace—inspire you to reach others who are still trapped in spiritual bondage or defeat? What specific steps can you take this week to love someone others might overlook or judge?

3. Reflecting on the image of a soldier fighting both for peace and for souls, what “battle” is God calling you to engage in to help people find true salvation in Him?