GAITHER VOCAL GROUP It Is Finished (Australian Homecoming) Reaction

[@msmith5121]

This is the song I just happened across about 25 years ago and first heard David sing. I was stunned when he did this song and have been a fan ever since, seeing him perform live 11 times now. Best male vocalist in the world...

[@happyolddude]

Let us discuss that please. i was at this concert at the Sydney Opera House in 2003. Russ Taff and Guy Penrod were magnificent as were Jeff and Sheri Easter and Charlotte Ritchie.

[@sarahmassinger9689]

This is another beautiful song Guy and David sing this the best. You just want to get up and shout AMEN. Just beautiful.

[@jerrydalley3756]

It Is Finished
The Story Behind the Song
by Gloria Gaither Bill and I love to hear great orators as much as we love great literature. It has been our privilege to hear, in person or through the media, many great speakers. ­We’ll never forget the milestone moment in our nation’s history, for example, when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the now famous “I Have a Dream” speech. To teach English students the principle of communication, we used the eulogy delivered by Senator Mike Mansfield, of Montana, after Kennedy was assassinated, “And she took a ring and placed it on his finger. . . .” And who could forget ten thousand voices at the Praise Gathering for Believers in Indianapolis affirming in one great voice the truth Tony Campolo had drilled into our very souls: “It’s Friday . . . but Sunday’s coming!” Because we had learned to recognize and appreciate such moments, Bill and I knew that it was a timeless honor to sing at the same service in which nationally known radio orator B. R. Lakin was to deliver a sermon on Jesus’ last words from the cross: “It is finished!” It was hard to forget the way Dr. Lakin ended his message. And the drops of blood from His precious hands seeped into the sand below the old rugged cross and said to the sand, “It is finished.” The grains of sand whispered their message to the blades of grass, “It is finished!” A little bird swooped down and plucked a blade of grass and flew to the top of the pine tree and carried the message to the uppermost branch, “It is finished!” The pine standing like a sentinel raised its branches to the sky and repeated to the forests around and the clouds above, “It is finished!” The heavens echoed the wondrous liberating news, “It is finished!” until the winds blew across the sea and the waves lapping on the shore repeated the message to the farthest oceans, “It is finished!” Bill and I were overwhelmed with the beauty and grandeur of this picture. Afterward, I ­wasn’t surprised that Bill said, ­“We’ve got to write a song about that, honey. ‘It Is Finished’-what a great title!” Even then my mind was exploding, stretching, asking, searching. What was finished? I ­couldn’t escape the question. How could I ever hope to comprehend the scope of redemption and capture it in a song? For a year I struggled. Bill kept saying, “Honey, we need to write that song.” I said, “Yes, we must. But I’m not ready. I ­can’t distill this truth into four verses and a chorus. Let me live with it a while longer.” I read and reread the crucifixion story. Insight by insight I made the truths my own. The drink from the Messiah’s cup on the Passover night in the Upper Room; the prayer Jesus prayed for His friends there and for us here. The betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter. The inquisition, trial, and execution. The amazing last words of Jesus. I considered the implications of the troubling of the forces of nature: the earthquakes, the unnatural darkness, the strange storm. And I worked to comprehend how these chaotic eruptions in the natural realm were used to issue new proclamations in the spiritual realm: a torn barrier to the Holy of Holies, an opening of access to the mercy seat and the awesome presence of God, a redefining of the terms royalty, priesthood, sacrifice, intermediary. At that time our nation was involved in the long and seemingly pointless Vietnam War. When “the conflict” was finally ended, a generation of America’s young had been riddled. This was the only war I had known well. I was born after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and I barely remembered the Korean War. Vietnam was my generation’s war-the first war to pull the nation apart rather than unite it. It left both those who served in it and those who refused to serve confused and bewildered and at odds with one another. It was an ambiguous war. I well remember the night Bill and I sat and wept in our living room as we watched on television the return home of prisoners of war from Vietnam. Some fell to the ground and kissed American soil. Others threw themselves into the arms of waiting parents, wives, and sweethearts who had lived in the fear that these soldiers would never come back. Some hugged their two-, three-, and four-year-old children whom they had never seen. The relief on the faces-the tears, the joy, the hope, the pain-was almost too much to bear. About that same time Bill and I picked up a major news magazine that carried the story of another American soldier. This man had wandered out of the forest on some secluded island in the South Pacific. He was carrying a rusty weapon and was dressed in what remained of a tattered American uniform. He was suspicious and frightened as authorities took him into custody. The article explained that this was a World War II soldier who had been lost from his company and left behind. No one had ever told him that the Allies had won the war, that he was free to go home, that victory had been declared long ago. All those years he had remained at war in his mind, fighting a battle that had already been won. The song Bill wanted us to write was falling into place for me. War-the cross of Jesus was about war, a war of cosmic proportions, the war of the ages. This was a war with a clear objective: freedom for every soul since Eden. It was a war fought on earth where mankind could see it, and a war fought in the unseen world, from the heavens to the very pit of hell. What was finished? I’d asked the question for a year. Bill had the music; now the words would come. I saw the crack in the earth-caused by the quake that shook Golgotha-as a cosmic split in the universe, a line that divided all history and all time into bc and ad. I began to write: There’s a line that’s been drawn through the ages; On that line stands an old rugged cross. On that cross a battle is raging For the gain of man’s soul or its loss. The sides and powers of the conflict were clearly defined. If there ever was a holy war, a righteous cause, this was it. And each of us had major stakes in this war’s outcome. On one side march the forces of evil, All the demons and devils of hell; On the other the angels of glory, And they meet on Golgotha’s hill. There were disturbances of nature-much more than a simple storm or earthquake. This earthquake shook the very foundations of the firmament and reverberated into eternity. The earth shakes with the force of the conflict; The sun refuses to shine, For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, And then through the darkness He cries- It is finished!The battle is over. It is finished!There’ll be no more war. It is finished!The end of the conflict. It is finished!And Jesus is Lord. A defeated enemy is impotent. Every battle-weary soldier must be told: the war is over! I thought of that poor, bedraggled man peering suspiciously out from the dark forest, afraid to come out into the sunlight, guarding his little island. I saw myself, and I suddenly realized that this is a picture of us all. Because of Jesus, Satan has no power over us unless he can keep us from hearing the news of the victory, unless he can convince us that the war has never been won. Of all the declarations of freedom-the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights-none has been written so eloquently or at such great cost in bloodshed as the one spoken in three words from an old rugged cross: It is finished! Every isolated soldier of life’s battle must hear it. Yet in my heart the battle was raging; Not all prisoners of war have come home. These were battlefields of my own making; I ­didn’t know that the war had been won. Then I heard that the King of the Ages Had fought all my battles for me. And the victory was mine for the claiming, And now, praise His name, I am free! It is finished! Bill sat down at the piano, played his tune, and sang through the words on the yellow tablet in front of him. Tears ran down our faces as we embraced anew the truth that had set us free. We were coming to know at a sweeter, deeper level what was meant by the words the blade of grass whispered to the bird that day on Golgotha: It is finished!

[@terrimorrison3164]

David has such a kind face. The best tenor ever.

[@justlinsu]

What a powerful song. The passion and love that they all give to their performances is exceptional. David is just a Superstar.

[@brendarobinson2154]

We absolutely LOVED your Easter Special Reaction and yes, Russ Taff is an excellent singer! IMO though, David is incomparable to any of them. Best tenor I've EVER heard and I've listened to gospel music for over 60 years! Heard some fabulous singers during those years but David is the BEST!

[@suzare6070]

The GVB brought straight to you by Patrol Gaming -- a theatre full of Aussies and one stellar one in the booth! ❤❤❤😊🤗🥰

[@zaccat693]

My Late wife was there after travelling from Melbourne with two friends to hear the Gaithers.

[@suzare6070]

@@zaccat693 How lucky for her. I'm sure she and her friends had a wonderful time. It's one of my favorite GVB concerts.

[@gloriaurban2223]

Your Easter Special was suburb!! I appreciate all you do to bring us these videos with your reactions. It is like hearing David sing them for the first time through your eyes and ears. Bill has on more than one occasion referred to David as the clean up hitter. I totally agree!

[@jag03ljg]

I have a picture of my son at 2 years old sitting in front of the tv imitating David in this song, David signed the picture years later at the Barn Bash and we gave David a copy of the picture.

[@karenbarrett312]

Have met David several times. Always a class act...very kind and humble. Wicked sense of humor.

[@jag03ljg]

@@karenbarrett312 yes, he's exceptionally kind to our autistic son, they have a fabulous relationship and truly enjoy seeing and talking with each other. And yes, David has a great sense of humor, dry, and sarcastic, I have that humor as well.

[@GretheJonker]

He is so fantastic! I wish the whole world can know David Phelps👏❤️

[@kathyross5705]

I have been so thrilled watching David Phelps and the Gaither vocal band on your channel. I hope you are going to do more. Thank you

[@steviehines6229]

One of the very first DP songs I heard. I was caught. Been a huge fan ever since. I sure hope you get to experience him in concert someday, Lyle.

[@hellokittyx7]

Love me some GVB! I went to their reunion concert in Greenville SC in 2019, and it was amazing!

[@denisepope4478]

Our choir director at the church I grew up in sang this song with our church. It was spectacular and our choir won a competition that year with this song being the main song.

[@stephnfuz]

Can’t wait for your reaction! Always so honest and genuine

[@marydearing1628]

Love this song... David knocks it out of the park... love the David Phelps and GVB Reaction videos... the Easter Special was awesome... Thanks Lyle... look forward to these!!!!😊💕

[@paulloftis3995]

Love this song!! "These are they" is another great one!

[@aliciaharris386]

YES, YES, YES!! WAITING patiently for this one too! Please, Lyle!

[@loiskane4144]

David Phelps is an amazing tenor (ten’er) and I’ve listened to him since he joins the GVB! But this isn’t about him. But about you. So many who review , pause over and over, but I like you listening to the entire song before you to the messages in these songs!

[@donnaryan3223]

And Russ is such a cheerleader for his fellow singers!

[@71742s]

This song is one of the most awesome songs ever written and the Gaither Vocal Band nails it. Thank you Patrol Gaming for your wonderful and honest review. I agree with you about that one line has a powerful effect on the entire song.

[@Stretch54449]

This is the song that got me into the GVB and David Phelps. Saw it on a Billy Graham Crusade on TV circa 2003ish. Love watching you react to DP and GVB. One I'd like to see you react to is called "You Can Dream" There isn't a video for it that I know, but the audio is available on KZbin.

[@StacyRee]

One of my faves! 🥰 Stunningly beautiful! 🙏🏻 Thank you for reacting to it! ❤

[@leadojosie7517]

Great. Reaction to this songs just changes us in a good way; I mean the crying. My Sunday School days are here. I had to watch Easter Sermon this year. Thank you@Patrol gaming. Well, from here in Kenya I suggest "It is well featuring David Phelps"

[@alidevereux9209]

Wonderful reaction! I've just watched David's latest video, "Fly Again" (excerpt from Stories & Songs Vol. 1) and tears are pouring down my cheeks. I hope you'll react to this exceptional, beautiful song. Thanks so much, Lyle!

[@donaldriddle230]

Great song, Great Message, Great Reaction. I have loved the Gaither Vocal Band since the earliest versions. My favorites will always be Bill, Michael English, Mark Lowry, and Terry Franklin, and also Bill, Mark, Guy and David. Also Bill, Mark, Michael, Wes and David. But honestly all versions are superb. Now, for suggestions, Check out Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps, and Guy Penrod, House Of Gold, David, Bill, Guy and Russ Taff, Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road. Michael, Mark , Terry, and Bill live from the Praise Gathering, I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy. That song is Michael English's signature song. You really should check it out.

[@lindaslater7782]

A beautiful song and a beautiful performance. You can never go wrong with David nor the GVB. Suggestions: "Heaven's Shore" and "When We All Get Together With The Lord" ("Freedom" dvd), "He Lives" and "As The Deer" ("Hymnal" dvd), and an older one, "My Child Is Coming Home". I love your reactions and the sincerity, the tears, and the spiritual joy you seem to feel when you react to the GVB and David. Thank you!!

[@Gormster8]

There is a group called 'Newsong' that hosts a Cont Christian Concert Series in the USA called 'Winter Jam' each year that brings together 10-12 artists, usually an Evangelist and sometimes a comedia. Many years ago in my town (Terre Haute, Indiana) Russ Taff was one of the featured artists in that tour, had to be in early 1990s. Russ Taff has such a unique and wonderful voice as a vocalist. When David Phelps and and Guy Penrod are in your vocal group, he falls back into the baritone role. His voice is splendid as well...Bill and Gloria only bring the best into GVB!

[@Gracie-SavedByGrace]

I so wish we had a time machine and could all join Lyle in person at this concert together. 😃

[@rebeccaphillips4824]

My husband & I with 2 friends used to sing It is finished. I’m high sap ra I my husband was bass.

[@aliciaharris386]

Awesome as usual! Love watching your reactions to DP and GVB. Thank you so much for doing these! ❤️🙏🏻

[@michaelfrazier1971]

I hope you react to other great songs from this concert! You should also check out David's song, Fly Again, one that he wrote!

[@rebeccalitchfield6698]

It's beautiful

[@carolkopp6505]

HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH Victory .

[@rebeccalitchfield6698]

Beautiful song. Now do him singing That's What Love Is and love Goes On. The one with him playing the piano. So many more. Ain't No Grave.

[@dmsavag3]

Four of my favorite men!!! Thank you for the reactions to gospel and older gospel music also!

[@scoobysue80]

At last = thank you. The GVB are great but David is the bomb! Please do These are they from same dvd and Sinner Saved by Grace. Love that you love David. x

[@dekkadoll]

So Happy you're doing this song!!! T y

[@pilgrim5217]

Amen!!

[@K.Lovelace1968]

This is such a powerful song and David Phelps really brings it to the forefront...

[@debbiesmith9415]

Austin Brown gives you a shout out on his new release.."Ain't no Sunshine" released yesterday....

[@rebeccalitchfield6698]

Bill always called David the clean up guy

[@sandylfgrubb]

Great reaction video! Thank you!!!

[@SusanLilian100]

Beautiful Jesus

[@listeningeyes9990]

This song reminds me of a song by the group We The Kingdom “Don’t Tread On Me”.

[@silviaisaola2977]

David es increíble....!!!!

[@Lakota790]

NewSong “Arise My Love”(audio version), a beautiful Easter song.

[@taramatheis1451]

David is like a Rock God in this performance! Halleluja!!🙏

[@sharonray6715]

I was wondering if you have decided to do a song by Ernie Haase, Then came the morning. It is such an amazing song and I've not heard anyone sing it as they do. You will be blessed

[@dougfore870]

If you haven't heard it, check out "End of the Beginning". Really fantastic.

[@uploadingjoy9120]

Been hoping for a long time that you'd react to this song!

[@yeshuabride-sherry3025]

I knew you'd love it!

[@charleswolford3491]

You should listen to some bluegrass gospel, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, James King, Russell Moore & iii Tyne Out, etc.

[@cindiegrimm5983]

This is amazing.

[@taramatheis1451]

Wonderful as always!! Please react to 'Sinner saved by Grace' live at Bon Secour 2018- if you haven't done it already- totally uplifting and powerful especially Guy and David at the end...🙏

[@KevonnotKevin]

Hello there. You should take a listen to Larnelle Harris sing “But God” it shows you an unique voicing power.

[@michellehorn1711]

Canon in D kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnW9i2Nje5p4gc0 This one shows a little softer side of David Phelps but the control is astounding!

[@laurelwoodward2700]

This is another great David Phelps song. "You'll Never Walk Alone". From the old Roger's and Hammerstein movie "Carousel". It has always been a favorite of mine. facebook.com/watch/?v=294574581751040

[@jonsmith1710]

If you haven't already, please check out Victory in Jesus with him and his daughters.

[@PatrolNation]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6vIqH2firRsf6M

[@By_Esther]

please react to more gaither vocal band: glorious freedom do you wanna be well end of the beginning (david Phelps) he is here you are my all in all/canon D the love of god one voice/where no one stands alone journey to the sky alpha and omega low down the chariot i hope you see this. try not to cry.

[@rebeccalitchfield6698]

He reacted to it already. Lol

[@beckybishop8985]

Absolutely beautiful. These two can really sing and I love them.

[@1256jw]

Please react to Fly Again

[@listeningeyes9990]

Have you ever heard “Arise My Love” by Newsong?

[@derronwilson11]

here's my advice. pick ANY phelpsy song. He is a transcendent talent. once in a lifetime. embrace it.

[@mkj6736]

One thousand pigs will never save one thousand calves. Your video game channel will never be the same. Open this door, and with it all the gifts it will bring to the many. Return to mother swan. It will sav you.