Song Lyrics
Graves Into Gardens
[Verse 1] I searched the world but it couldn't fill me. Man’s empty praise and treasures that fade, Are never enough. Then You came along and put me back together. And every desire is now satisfied here in Your love.
[Chorus] Oh there's nothing better than You. There’s nothing better than You. Lord there's nothing. Nothing is better than You.
[Verse 2] I’m not afraid to show You my weakness. My failures and flaws, Lord You've seen them all, And You still call me friend. ’Cause the God of the mountain, Is the God of the valley. And there's not a place, Your mercy and grace won't find me again.
[Bridge] You turn mourning to dancing. You give beauty for ashes. You turn shame into glory. You’re the only one who can.
[Bridge] You turn graves into gardens. You turn bones into armies. You turn seas into highways. You’re the only one who can.
Love of God
[Verse] It’s so good I almost can’t believe it. Far beyond what hearts could ever dream. The God who set the galaxies in motion, Would descend to give His life for me. For what could make perfection bleed for sinners? What leads a King to pay so great a cost? All my life my heart will sing the answer. Only the love of God.
[Chorus] Singing oh how great is the love of God. He paid our debt on that rugged cross. For all our days we will sing our Saviour's praise. How great is the love of God.
[Verse] It’s so kind it leads us to repentance. It’s so bright the darkness has to flee. Hallelujah it cleared my guilty sentence. For I was bound but now I stand redeemed. For what could break the chains of any prison? What force could rob the power from the grave? What would trade my rags for heaven's riches? Only the love of God.
[Verse] Though I try my mind can’t comprehend it. It’s so high too marvellous for words. I could sing a million songs about it, And barely scratch the surface of Your worth. This all my life the banner I’ll be waving. My anthem cry no matter what may come. And when I rise to walk the streets of heaven, I’ll still be singing this song. For everything that You’ve done. How great the love of God.
Final Days: Cliff Hanger
Mark 16:1-8
1 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.
[The most ancient manuscripts of Mark conclude with verse 16:8. Later manuscripts add one or both of the following endings.]
Why did Mark end his story here?
Faith
John 20:19–20, 24-25
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!
24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),[c] was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
2. Fear
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Closing Prayer
Loving Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way.
Help me to give myself to others, being kind and generous to everyone I meet.
Help me to love those who don’t know you, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.