it’s in there! the theology in christian hip-hop rev. christopher j. respass vbs 2013: hip hop...

It’s In There!The Theology in Christian Hip-Hop

Rev. Christopher J. RespassVBS 2013: Hip Hop Hope

Antioch Christian Fellowship

Glad to Worship

All of the people shouted with praise to the LORD because of the foundation of the LORD’s house had been laid.

Ezra 3:11b


In Ezra 3:10-13, the people expressed their joy in the Lord when the foundation for the temple was laid. There are some who would join in the praise, but they do not actually know the Lord.


A. The Apostle Paul said, “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” (1 Cor. 9:19-22)


1. Winning the lost is a motivation for all ministry effort.2. This evangelistic effort also reaches to include the type of music used to appeal to different people3. Song: My Clothes, My Hair4. This is where Christian Hip Hop enters the evangelistic scene.


B. Negative Perceptions of Hip Hop1. For obvious reasons, rap and hip hop have many negative perceptions.

Q: What are some of the negative perceptions of hip-hop and the hip-hop culture?

Q: What are some of the positive perceptions?


Christian rap artists have sought to redeem the art form by using it to reach a specific, cultural segment for Jesus Christ. In that sense, Christian Hip Hop has a missiological focus (i.e., it is mission-oriented, evangelistic).

Song: Song for you

Goal for VBS This Week

Over this week we are going to analyze one Christian hip-hop song to assess its theology. We will also start each class listening to a Christian hip-hop track. Hopefully by the end of this VBS course, you will see that Christian hip-hop is not just about the beat, but about ministry and as it relates to theology………

It’s In There!

Glad to Give Thanks

Give Thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Focal Song: “Crown Him”(Verse 1)

Part I. The story's over 6,000 years so it's pretty old….In light of the Lord of the Harvest.

A. The historicity of the Bible Story (6000 yrs)

B. Love of Many grows cold (Matt. 24:12)

1. Chicago

2. Murders, Abortions

3. Domestic Violence


4. He’s shouting because it’s an endtime prophecy and now we see the evidence

of it’s coming to pass.

C. God is the “Lord of the Harvest” and Jesus has identified that the harvest is ripe, but there are few laborers (Luke 10:2).


Part II. Any life given to Christ does get affected…One god—but persons are three like a trilogy.

A. The person who comes to Christ does not stay the same because of the effect of His resurrection power (2 Cor. 5:17, Eph. 4:20-24).

B. All things, including music, must acknowledge him, the God of men who is the best of the best (1 Cor. 15:27, 2 Sam 6:12-15, 1 Kings 10:1-29, Matt. 12:42)


C. The throne of God and Christ is majestic and eternal, and yet Jesus is a humble, suffering servant (Heb. 1:5-8, Isa. 53:1-7).

D. God is one, yet he is exists in three persons—Father, Son, Spirit (i.e., the trinity, triunity)(Deut. 6:4, Gen. 1:27, Matt. 3:13-17)


Part III. I’m trying to monitor….and crown him Lord of….A. The proper response to Jesus Christ is Worship. We must surrender everything that makes us “somebody” to bow to worship the only true god and king (Phil. 2:5-11, Rev. 4:1-11).


All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed from the fall, hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all. Hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all.

Glad Teachings

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12


Part I. “All things everything past, present and future. Broad things I’m talking the vast and the minutia.”

A. Jesus Christ is Lord over all things (Col. 1:15-20).

B. All of creation—great and small—will bow down and worship Jesus (Phil. 2:9-11)


“He’s better that you in whatever you think you’re better in….”

A. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Corinthians 1:25).

B. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).


Part II. “These are the things I’m feedin…either leave or believe Him.”

The truth concerning the existence of God is shown in creation, but it is incumbent upon men and women to believe and accept him or disbelieve and reject him (Rom 1:18-32).


Part III. “Your career He’s controllin’ it…boat couldn’t hold them.”

Jesus shows that his power is providential, as well as miraculous, and it is effective at any time, with any person and can include any thing (e.g., career paths)(Luke 5:1-7, John 21:1-8).


Part IV. “Even the winds and the waves are known to stop for Him.”Jesus Christ has power over nature (Luke 8:22-24).

When You hit the block…the Rock is in!”A. Deut. 32:1-4B. Deut 32:18C. 2 Sam 23:1-4


When you see all that God has done to reach you, you should be glad to give God thanks.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Glad For Salvation

For the Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost.

Luke 19:10 (NRSV)


Part I. “Your neighborhood or your block….Lord of your watches, Lord of your rings.”

A. To follow Christ, you must truly put him first in your life. If he’s Lord, he’s lord over family (Luke 9:59-62).

B. Jesus Christ is lord over your possessions and your dreams (Mark 10:17-22).


Part II. “Deserving worship—His word is perfect law and it brings grace to the world universal, He’s Lord of the kings.”

A. Jesus is the word and God’s word is perfect (John 1:1-3, 14).

B. God gave his word and especially his Son as an act of divine Grace (John 3:16, Eph. 2:1-9).


C. God is the Supreme Potentate, ruler and monarch. The highest earthly king and

ruler is still God’s servant (Deut. 10:17-18, Rev. 19:11-16).


Part III. “Hip Hop, I’m trying to get you in your Bibles…out of babes he’s established praise….”

A. The lost need to be challenged to prepare a place for God in their hearts just as Jesus prepares a place for his disciples (John 14:1-6).


B. It is imperative that humanity have an advocate and mediator before God. Jesus Christ is the aid for the helpless (Dan.

5:18-28, 1 John 2:1-3).

C. Satan and the wickedness of our own hearts work against our acceptance of the truth about God and Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:4, Jer. 17:9, Mark 7:21-23, Isa. 5:20-21).


D. The proper response to God is worship. All things have been created for his glory. Song: “Everything you Touch is a Song” (The Winans).

We are no different (Psalm 8:1-2, Luke 19:37-40)

Always Glad

Be glad in the Lord always, again I say be glad!

Philippians 4:4

Hip Hop Testimonies

You up NEXT, Homie!!!

Discussion Questions

1. How has this study helped you?2. How has your perspective of Christian hip hop changed?3. How can you use Christian hip hop to impact your evangelistic ministry?4. What unique gift, talent or skill can you use to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Open Discussion

it’s in there! the theology in christian hip-hop rev. christopher j. respass vbs 2013: hip hop...

Documents

christian hiphop song

christian hip hop

b slide

law of christ

hiphop culture

law of god

focal song

domestic violence slide