Welcome to the Daily Blade. The word of God is described as the sword of the spirit, the primary spiritual weapon in the Christians' armor against the forces of evil. Your hosts are Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson, and they stand ready to equip men for the fight. Let's sharpen up.

Alright, welcome to a new week at the Daily Blade. So recently Joby did a sermon series at the Church of 1122 called Worship is War. So in this series, he looked at scriptural truths that can be found in the lyrics of some of the most famous hymns of all time. So it was actually pretty similar to what we did on the Daily Blade week 32 in early August of this year. That's episodes 154 through 158. And in doing the sermon series, Joby actually did a great job of helping to expand how people think about the act of worship. And so my goal with you here this week is to do the same thing, but in a different direction. So there are a lot of people that use the term worship music, and what most Christians automatically think of is actually contemporary Christian music. So this is the music that you would expect to hear in just about every mega church on the planet and on most Christian radio stations. But here's the issue with that contemporary Christian music or CCM is not worship music per se. It's actually a subcategory of worship music. It's it's just a genre of music that could be under that category of worship music. And many of you guys listening to this do like contemporary Christian music, and that's fine. It's actually rather convenient for you since it's ubiquitous in terms of worship music out there at churches and on radios, like we've already talked about. But what about the man that just doesn't like the sound of that genre of music? What are they to do? So I actually remember meeting with a worship leader here in Oklahoma City years ago, and this guy actually had the gall to say that he didn't think that I was saved, that I was a Christian because I didn't like contemporary Christian music, which is just asinine. But I don't want you guys to think that you can opt out of worshiping God through song just because you think CCM stinks, right? So this week I hope to expand everyone's definition of what constitutes worship music as I introduce you to some bands and songs from different genres of music. And we will dig into the lyrical content and you know, just as Joby and I have previously done to show you the biblical themes and truths for you guys to carry with you during the week. And most of y'all know this by now, but I am certainly a metal head. So we're going to be kicking off this run of episodes with the song Stigmata by the metal band Convictions. So sticking some bands into particular genres can be difficult, but if you ask the guys in Convictions, they actually categorize their music as aggressive worship, which I just absolutely love that. And they released their song Stigmata as a single in 2002. So let's actually dig into the lyrics here. Here's verse one. I walked across a desert of strife and despair, spent countless years afraid, choking on desperate prayers. I'm breathing doubt and depression, exhaling aggression. I'm starving for salvation for a faithless world. God, hear these words, guide me through the wasteland, clear the dust from these eyes, provide a path, give me the strength to survive. So, guys, if you don't hear the Psalms right here in verse one, then you need to wake up because Psalm 61, this is a psalm of David starting in verse one. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. And I also think of Isaiah 40, verse 31, I think that applies here. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint. Now let's actually get to the chorus of the song. Stigmata, his scars are the proof. No matter what you say, his words are the truth. Stigmata, push these nails through, I sing for the sun, you are nothing but traitors. So guys, I immediately thought of Isaiah 53 here, verse 5, but he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. And guys, we see this fulfilled when the Apostle Thomas expressed that he wouldn't believe unless he felt the nail marks for himself, right? So this is John 20, verses 27 and 28. Then he said to Thomas, this is Jesus, put your finger here and see my hands, and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe. Thomas answered him, My Lord, my God. And then we have the next part of the song here. You snakes will try to lock me up, mock these words, and feed the lies of corrupt. I won't deny my father's crown, so you can crucify me upside down. Crucify me upside down, I'll die for my father's crown. So obvious reference to the fact that the apostle Peter was crucified upside down because he didn't feel worthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. And all of us, guys, if our faith is real, we must reckon with the fact that we may be faced with the choice of martyrdom or apostasy at some point in the future. But now let's actually get to the end of the song of the song here. I lay my burdens at the tree. Only in death am I set free. I've been through hell, I lay my burdens down at the tree. Only in death am I set free. I'll face the storm as the clouds build and rain over my head, and the sands wash away into a sea of blood. Cleanse me, cleanse me through tribulation. Kingdom come, kingdom come, thy will be done. So first John 1 7, but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son, cleanses us from all sin. And obviously the song ends with a reference to the Lord's Prayer. And I mean, guys, this is just powerful, powerful stuff. And I'll just say for me, when I listen to S Stigmata by convictions, there is a whole lot of worship going on. So come back here tomorrow where we will highlight a worship song from a bluegrass band.

Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help equip other men for the fight, share this podcast around and leave us a five star rating and review. Stay sharp.