Jubilee World 15th General Assembly Awakens Members to Inherit Christ's Heart of Sacrifice
Monday, July 10, 2017, Jubilee World celebrated its 15th General Assembly. It has been a year of hard work and prayer; leaders and members gathered to give thanks and glory to God. Since early this morning, members have been exclaiming, "Today is the day the Lord has made!" Jubilee Worship team led members in extravagant worship, giving praise to the Lord. Jubilee World Executive Director, Aaron Reppert, gave intercessory prayer with gratitude.
The anniversary choir presented the song "Every Praise" with jubilance. The choir consisted of members from Nashville, New York, St. Louis, Des Moines, Bolivia, and El Salvador. The song signifies that all of our praise has been given only to God throughout these last fifteen years. God deserves all praise and glory for all He has done.
Pastor Miriam Chou delivered a compelling message, beginning with Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." She prayed that Jubilee members may be awakened, renewed, and reminded of God's dream. Everyone eagerly awaits for the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). It is a new chance. Jesus Christ has given us that freedom, and Jubilee World vows to sing continually from the true joy of salvation. Worldly music removes God from people's hearts, other religions may not have the actions of "praise", but, Christians praise the Lord. Christians praise not only to return the glory to God, but to also proclaim the salvation we have received.
The year of Jubilee comes, as recorded in the Bible, when the heavy burdens of debt are cut off. Jesus reminds us of the new, beautiful burden we now take on, the yoke of love. Modern praise songs focus on the sovereign, almighty God. But He is also the crucified God, who works through the past, present, and future for our salvation. Jubilee's praise songs must have this balance of messages. "The melodies we sing are like the jar, the lyrics are like the food," stated P. Miriam. "We must continuously develop techniques to create beautiful melodies that contain the pure Truth." God yearns to change the filthy popular culture through Jubilee members.
The message also alluded to the life of King David and the beginning of his kingdom from the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22). That community of love began because the soldiers understood the mutual wounds; they became wounded healers for one another. When do we lose unity and strength? When we forget how much love and sacrifice we are receiving from one another, following the sacrifices of Jesus Christ. May the heart of Jubilee World--the heart behind every song, lyric, and performance--inherit the heart of sacrifice. We celebrate because Jesus has sacrificed for us first. He loved us even when we were powerless.
Tremendous thanks to God for His abundant grace and mercy throughout the past year. Jubilee World dedicates its fifteenth year to our Heavenly Father and Creator. In the coming year, may Jubilee World remain in Christ's love and bear fruit a hundred-fold from the seeds of Truth. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
