Doxologies: Christ Be Magnified
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2
Magnify [ mag-nuh-fahy ] verb (used with object):
- To increase the apparent size, especially by means of a lens, instrument, or device
- To increase the volume
- To make more intense or extreme
I remember having a microscope as a kid and placing various plates underneath to view things that I thought were hidden otherwise. To put a piece of cloth under the lens and be able to see the fibers, or see the intricate patterns woven through the wings of a butterfly, was fascinating. In the same way, our lives are to be the lens in which others are able to see a magnified image of Jesus.
Over my (almost) 40 years of life, one line of Scripture has pounded over and over again in my mind; “He [Jesus] must become greater, and I must become less” (John 3:30). These words were spoken by John the Baptist. It’s amazing to me that John the Baptist isn’t taught on as much as other Biblical characters like David, Noah, Abraham, or the twelve Disciples.
Apart from Jesus Christ, John the Baptist is likely the most theologically significant figure in the Gospels. John was the cousin of Christ. His birth was proclaimed by angels and miracles surrounded his life. Although his formative years were lived in obscurity in the desert, his public ministry ended nearly four hundred years of prophetic silence. He was born of the line of priests, coming, “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). He was not only the herald of the coming of Messiah but also had the privilege to baptize Jesus. John was no “crowd-pleaser” as he preached relentlessly to the people of their need for repentance. And despite all his fame, John realized that his life had only one purpose—to make known the Lord God and His Messiah.
In a world that revolves around self-expressions — “self-care,” “self-esteem,” “self-love,” and “self-help,” led by slogans like “Just Do It” (Nike), “Have It Your Way” (Burger King) and “Because You’re Worth It” (L’OREAL), it’s easy to understand why people struggle to find Christ. Our culture is built on the shifting sands of narcissism and pride.
But God has called us to a different life, one that is built on an altar of sacrifice.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2
As we lay our lives on the altar of sacrifice, we put into practice what John preached in becoming lesser so that He can become greater. Our hope is that this song becomes an anthem and rallying cry of our church body to lay ourselves aside so that Christ will be magnified through us.
CHRIST BE MAGNIFIED
Were creation suddenly articulate
With a thousand tongues to lift one cry
Then from North to South and East to West
We’d hear Christ be magnified
Were the whole Earth echoing His eminence
His name would burst from sea and sky
From rivers to the mountain tops
We’d hear Christ be magnified
Oh! Christ be magnified
Let His praise arise
Christ be magnified in me
Oh! Christ be magnified
From the altar of my life
Christ be magnified in me
When every creature finds its inmost melody
And every human heart its native cry
Oh then in one enraptured hymn of praise
We’ll sing Christ be magnified
Oh, be lifted high, Jesus
I won’t bow to idols, I’ll stand strong and worship You
And if it puts me in the fire, I’ll rejoice ’cause You’re there too
I won’t be formed by feelings, I hold fast to what is true
If the cross brings transformation then I’ll be crucified with You
‘Cause death is just the doorway into resurrection life
And if I join You in Your suffering, then I’ll join You when You rise
And when You return in glory with all the angels and the saints
My heart will still be singing, my song will be the same
Preparing for Sunday | July 10
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
I Stand Amazed | [listen]
Charles H. Gabriel
2 Corinthians 8:9
Christ Be Magnified | [listen]
Cody Carnes, Cory Asbury, Ethan Hulse
Revelation 5:13
Wonderful Merciful Savior | [listen]
Dawn Rodgers, Eric Wyse
Psalm 117
Lead Me to the Cross | [listen + lyrics]
Brooke Fraser
Luke 9:23
His Mercy Is More | [listen + lyrics]
Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
Romans 5:20
SERMON TEXT
John 10
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
“I am the good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15)
Preparing for Sunday | July 3
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
House of the Lord | [listen]
Jonathan Smith, Phil Wickham
Revelation 19:16
Living Hope | [listen]
Phil Wickham, Brian Johnson
1 Peter 1:3
Christ Be Magnified | [listen + lyrics]
Cody Carnes, Cory Asbury, Ethan Hulse
Revelation 5:13
Hallelujah What A Savior | [listen + lyrics]
Philip Paul Bliss
Titus 3:5-6
Man of Sorrows | [listen]
Matt Crocker, Brooke Ligertwood
Isaiah 53:3
SERMON TEXT
John 6
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.'” (John 6:35)
Preparing for Sunday | June 26
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
House of the Lord | [listen]
Jonathan Smith, Phil Wickham
Revelation 19:16
King of Kings | [listen + lyrics]
Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, and Scott Ligertwood
Revelation 19:16
Be Thou My Vision | [listen]
Eleanor Henrietta Hull, Mary Elizabeth Byrne (Arrangement: Ascend The Hill)
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Lord I Need You | [listen + lyrics]
Jesse Reeves, Matt Maher, Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson
Hebrews 4:16
SERMON TEXT
Matthew 14
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
“He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'” (Matthew 14:29-31)
Preparing for Sunday | June 19
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Great Things (Worth It All) | [listen]
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye.
Psalm 126:3
Goodness of God [listen + lyrics]
Jenn Johnson, Jason Ingram, Ben Fielding, Ed Cash, Brian Johnson
1 Chronicles 16:34
The Blessing [listen + lyrics]
Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown
Numbers 6:24-25
For Me And My House (We Belong To The Lord) | [listen]
Dustin Smith, Jordan Calle, and Krissy Nordhoff
Joshua 24:15
SERMON TEXT
Joshua 24
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
“Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15b)
Preparing for Sunday | June 12
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Great Are You Lord | [listen]
Leslie Jordan, David Leonard
2 Corinthians 4:6
In Christ Alone | [listen + lyrics]
Keith Getty, Stuart Townend
Galatians 2:20
Jesus Over Everything | [listen]
Andrew Holt, Ben Cantelon, Charles Starling
Philippians 2:9-10
Overcome [listen]
Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick
Psalm 46:1-3
SERMON TEXT
Haggai 1-2
Preparing for Sunday | June 5
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Great and Mighty King | [listen]
Chris Brown, Zachary Kale, Brett Younker
Psalm 145:3
Your Promises | [listen]
Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye
2 Peter 1:3-4a
Your Great Name | [listen + lyrics]
Michael Neale, Krissy Nordhoff
Philippians 2:10-11
This I Believe (The Creed) | [listen | lyrics]
Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker
Romans 1:16
SERMON TEXT
Jude 1
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.” (Jude 3)
Preparing for Sunday | May 29
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
The Lion and the Lamb | [listen + lyrics]
Leeland Mooring, Benton Brown, Brian Johnson
Deuteronomy 33:26
God So Loved | [listen]
Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Andrew Bergthold
John 3:16
How Great Thou Art | [listen]
Stuart K. Hine, Carl Boberg
Psalm 145:3
Great Is Thy Faithfulness | [listen + lyrics]
William Marion Runyan
Lamentations 3:22-23
Yes I Will | [listen + lyrics]
Eddie Hoagland, Jonathan Smith, and Mia Fieldes
Psalm 63:3-4
SERMON TEXT
Habakkuk 1-3
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4)
Preparing for Sunday | May 22
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Jesus Is Better | [listen | lyrics]
Aaron Ivey, Brett Land
Mark 9:24
Christ Be All Around Me | [listen + lyrics]
Jack Mooring, Leeland Mooring, David Leonard, Leslie Jordan
Ephesians 4:4-6
Build My Life | [listen + lyrics]
Brett Younker, Karl Martin, Kirby Kable, Matt Redman, Pat Barrett
Hebrews 12:28
Be Thou My Vision | [listen]
Eleanor Henrietta Hull, Mary Elizabeth Byrne (Arrangement: Ascend The Hill)
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
SERMON TEXT
2 John
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. (2 John 6)
Preparing for Sunday | May 15
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Last week, we introduced a new song called “Jesus Over Everything,” which we will sing again this Sunday. May our countenance be lifted as we cling to Jesus’ promise in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Catch the latest Doxologies video and read more about our heart for this song.
I Will Look Up | [listen]
Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye, Matt Redman
Psalm 121:1
Christ Our Hope in Life and Death | [listen + lyrics]
Jordan Kauflin, Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Matthew Merker
1 Corinthians 15:19-20
Revelation Song | [listen + lyrics]
Jennie Lee Riddle
Revelation 5:12
Jesus Over Everything | [listen]
Andrew Holt, Ben Cantelon, Charles Starling
Philippians 2:9-10
Wonderful Merciful Savior | [listen]
Dawn Rodgers, Eric Wyse
Psalm 117
SERMON TEXT
Acts 20
MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)