The inspiration for this song was to honor Dr. Howard Edington, a Presbyterian minister, teacher, and friend, on the occasion of his two-thousandth sermon.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Edington has remained committed to “preaching the Gospel” in its purest form, continually pointing his congregation back to the authority and power of Scripture. The pulpit was never intended to elevate the preacher, but to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ.
One of his statements, heard in the song, captures that conviction: “…we must not preach ourselves but preach Jesus Christ our Lord…”
Two thousand sermons represent far more than a remarkable number. They represent a lifetime spent studying Scripture, preparing messages, teaching the faith, encouraging congregations, and faithfully proclaiming the Gospel.
Dr. Edington’s sermons and writings have been preserved through The Word Made Fresh (thewordmadefresh.org) making decades of his teaching available to the public via the Internet and allowing the message he devoted his ministry to sharing to continue reaching others.
"2000 Sermons Later" celebrates a milestone, but more importantly, it honors a lifetime devoted to preaching Jesus Christ.
LYRICS
Give me Jesus…
Give me Jesus…
You can have all the rest…
Just give me Jesus…
Two thousand sermons, years gone by
Through every written word and every try
Some things changed, I’ve held the faith
But gospel truth stands firm, it won’t be replaced
Jesus came and Jesus preached
Life and truth within His reach
From Pentecost the fire fell
Three thousand souls were saved that day
From the first time I stood to preach
To this day, still strong in me
Not empty words or shallow sound
But truth that shakes the solid ground
We must preach not ourselves
But Jesus Christ as Lord
Not our voice, not our name
But the living Word
We must preach not ourselves
Let every heart be stirred
All glory to God
We preach Christ the Lord
Preaching set the church ablaze
Through every land and every age
Not built on men or fleeting things
But on the power His Spirit brings
Not what we’ve done, but what He’s done
Not who we are, but God’s own Son
A fire within, a truth proclaimed
The Spirit moves, we speak His name
We must preach not ourselves
But Jesus Christ as Lord
Not our plans, not our ways
But the risen Lord
We must preach not ourselves
Let every heart be stirred
All glory to God
We preach Christ the Lord
Not ourselves…
But Jesus Christ…
As Lord…
Not ourselves…
But Jesus Christ…
As Lord…
Jesus…
Christ…
Lord…
Jesus…
Christ…
Lord…
We must preach not ourselves
But Jesus Christ as Lord
King of kings, Lord of all
Forever adored
We must preach not ourselves
Let every heart be stirred
Make Him your Savior
Make Him your Lord
Soli Deo gloria.
To God alone be the glory.
Amen…
and Amen…