Jesus In My Place

So I wanted to take a quick minute and share with you my thoughts on the new worship album from the Summit Church released on iTunes today.  Of course I am biased toward this record because I am on staff with the Summit and I get to serve alongside the folks who crafted this album.  However, I am writing this review on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ my savior, and the glory He deserves.  There are 13 tracks on this album, 11 of which are full-length songs.  The other two tracks are musical interludes that even though they are not full-length songs are super worshipful.  Every song on this album from beginning to end stays true to the title of this album, "Jesus In My Place."  Every song displays what it really means that Jesus took our place and reconciled us to the one true God through his precious blood.  I liked what a friend of mine Liz Nicholson did on her review of this album so I will take the same structure by reviewing each track individually.

1) We Welcome You With Praise(feat. Sam Fisher)

You may have heard this tune before from the passion album a few years ago but the version that is on this album is so tasteful and change of pace.  This song is an opening prayer for the rest of the album, simply that "we welcome you with praise, almighty God of love be welcome in this place."  This place being, in our churches, in our lives, in our hearts.  Lord Jesus receive the praise you deserve through this album.

2) You Are(feat. Hank Murphy)

I will start by saying that Hank is the man and has one of the best voices I think I have ever heard.  The dude can flat out sing!  This is a more upbeat song, but still stays faithful to the message of Jesus In My Place.  It is an awesome anthem that Jesus in the great "I AM," and there is none like him who can do all that he does for us.  It's a foot-tapper and head-bobber for sure.

3) How Rich a Treasure We Possess(feat. Kelby Dover)

We have been singing this song at our church for a few months now so everyone gets jacked up when they hear it on the cd.  This song, I would say can be place in the category of a hymn with a modern rhythm and instrumentation, which I love.  Those theologically rich hymns put to modern instrumentation is so awesome and I fully expect this song to function exactly the same.  Also, Kelby has such a unique and distinct voice that I think is a perfect fit for this song.  

4) Interlude 1

Just listen to this interlude and tell me what I said earlier isn't true...you won't!  And my voice is mixed in there somewhere so I like listening and trying to find my voice..ha...I had to be honest with you.

5) Jesus In My Place(feat. Matt Papa)

When Matt Papa and Jonathan Welch wrote this song, I wonder if they knew what it would become.  This song is literally an anthem of the Summit Church.  The people at our church absolutely love this song and connect with it every time we sing it during our services.  The thing is, anyone anywhere can and should connect with this song like that if they have found faith in Christ.  It simply puts words to what Jesus has done for us, for all of us.  Not just for us on on worst days, but for us on our best days.  We need Christ to experience real life, real freedom, real love.  Once you hear this song, there is no way you won't buy this album.

6) You Are Our King(feat. Jennifer Brown)

This song was written during a sermon series our pastor was teaching through called "the search for a king."  The series focused on the life of King David and how he was simply a foreshadowing of the true king that would come and give up his life for us.  The chorus says "...you're all we need, you're all we need, only you only you Jesus."  This lyric speaks to something our pastor says a lot and something that is included in his recent publication Gospel: Recovering the power that made Christianity revolutionary, the fact that Jesus is all we need for everlasting joy.  Having everything in the world is nothing without Jesus.  Having Jesus and nothing else in the world is everything.  In Jesus you have all you will ever need, because in Jesus you are a child of God.  Also Jennifer's voice is unbelievable.  She kills it!  If it tells you anything, I'm pretty sure we started doing this song in a female key because of her.

7) Revive Us Again(feat. Matt Papa)

Okay we're halfway there.  This song is a plea for God to come and make the truth of the Gospel alive in our hearts.  That's what a revival is.  The truth of the gospel awakening people's hearts to be on mission for Christ.  This is a prayer of mine every day, that the gospel would become more sweet and irresistible to me and change the way I live.  The dynamics of the song are awesome.  The way the bridge builds up only to drop back down for a more mellow half of a verse, then jumps back up into the chorus is super creative and appealing to the ears.  Every time I lead worship at our church, I love leading this song!

8) This Is The Gospel(feat. Sam Fisher)

I was pleasantly surprised when I heard this song on the album.  It adds a very catchy groove to the cd.  This song just makes want to roll down the windows and belt out the end of the chorus "and I am not ashamed, no I am not ashamed, This is is the gospel."  Then when they add the acapella and drum bridge at the end I just want it to keep going!  

9) Interlude 2

This interlude will have you on your knees is awe of the creator who came to the earth and willingly received the wrath of God on your behalf.  Even without words, I am so in tune with the cross of Christ when I listen to this.

10) Savior of The World(feat. Hank Murphy)

This is a little different arrangement of the original written by Ben Cantelon.  And no offense to Ben, but because I'm such a Hank Murphy fan and because he's my friend, I like it better when Hank sings it.  

11) We Bring Our Highest Praise(feat. Kelby Dover)

If you're looking for a new congregational worship song to introduce to your congregation or to learn, it should be this one.  It might just be my favorite song on this album.  First because it's so easy to learn and because when that chorus hits, the hands go up and people worship.  Sometimes I sit at home and just play this song by myself and worship Jesus.  The bridge is so awesome because it helps up realize that everything our hearts long for  and search for in other things, has always been there in Christ and his cross.  You will love this song.  That's a guarantee.

12) Thank You My Lord(feat. Haven Sink and Matt Papa)

First of all, Haven has one of the most pure and beautiful voices you will ever hear.  It is a blessing to have her at our church.  Okay now that I have my love for Haven's voice our there for the world to read I'll move on.  When you hear thing song you will want to just close your eyes and think about how much the song is relevant to you.  How it shows you how much you have that you aren't thankful for and most of all how we don't fully understand or grasp what we have in Christ.  This is the posture we should have and song we should sing every morning when we wake up.

13) Forever We Will Sing(feat. Kaimy Masse and Hank Murphy)

When you get a whole congregation singing this song, there is a 100% chance you will get jacked up!  I know this is a picture of what heaven will sound like.  It's so simple with not many words, but man those words are heavy and life-changing.  It's all we will desire to sing when we get to heaven "Worthy is the Lamb, Jesus Son of God. Risen from the dead, forever we will sing!"  Then when Kaimy starts belting, it's over.  Her voice makes people worship Jesus I'm telling you.  There is no way you can listen to this song and not lift your hands, scream, sing louder, clap, get goosebumps, bang on something or some combination.  I couldn't picture a better track to end the album on.  

So if you haven't figured it out by now, the next webpage you should go to is itunes to buy this album.  And I've conveniently included it here. So, buy the album, be blessed, be encouraged, worship Jesus and live a life that declares the message of JESUS IN MY PLACE!!!!