Wonderful Grace of Jesus - live at Willow Creek

On January 6th, 2012, we dusted off an old hymn from 1918 and sang it together at Willow Creek. It's quite ridiculous in many ways, but also really deep and rich in others. Plus, your grandma loves it.

[@lolamadamvillanueva7543]

This is one of my favorite songs. This may be. Hundred years old, but the message is still new to every believer who has just received Jesus and His wonderful grace!!! Hallelujah!!

[@janetturner5560]

This hymn is so anointed. Part of the greatness of these old hymns is that they were written in 4/4 tempo, medium vocal range, words easy to remember and tune easy to follow especially for people like me who cannot carry a tune in a bucket and don't have much sense of rhythm. The words and refrains of these hymns come to me in moments of Joy as well as times of sorrow, sadness etc. Tonight those words came floating to my through the Holy Spirit thus I turned to KZbin and searched Grace of Jesus and came to this rendition of this great hymn. Just think, meditate on the grace of Jesus as you read through the gospels. The grace Our Lord Jesus showered on those who came for physical healing or spiritual food as when He feed the 5,000 and the 7,000. The grace that He showed to the samaritan woman at the well and the widow whose son had died (Luke 6:12-16) Jesus said, Young man, I say to you, arise. This matchless grace of Jesus leaves me speechless. I can give thanks for this gift and aspire to receive it in my own life. The matchless grace of Jesus is part of the essence of Christmas. This hymn brings it home to me and others in a pure and simple way. Praise God. Thank you, Jesus.

[@lydiaevakise4888]

I learned this song following your teaching. Hallulujah😊

[@AbbaJoy1]

Well, at least he tried. As a child, I loved hearing the adults sing the different parts! I was a young girl and would try the bass parts, too. I haven't heard this song in years, but am still amazed by the matchless grace of Jesus that reaches the depth of human need!

[@nancykellymusicvox]

This song popped into my head this morning, out of the blue. We used to sing it in church when I was growing up. I haven't returned to it for years. So I thought to look up the chords but decided to see if a video exists so I could hear it first. I chose this video because it shows a worship band and I recognize the Willow Creek name. I love how the worship leader teaches the song, walking the men and women through their parts. I think it's great that someone so young would be interested in a hymn like this and bring his own creativity to it. I love how all 3 vocalists sing with clarity and happiness. The piano intro to the verses lends a surprise to the arrangement. I like that the lyric is included. It's obvious the band finds joy in this song and brought it forward in a new way. Their arrangement may not work for everyone but it sure brought a smile to my face and I'm glad it came to my mind today. I can picture it bringing a smile to the face of our Savior too. I wonder if He smiles alot more than some of us give him credit for? With such matchless grace and love, He can't be as uptight as some of the comments make Him out to be.

[@lindahawotte1514]

I can’t wait to sing it in Heavens choir!!!

[@p3rp3trat0r]

We sing this at our church often. We love singing hymns!

[@clarencecovers770]

It's wonderful! It's matchless! it's AMAZING! and sufficient for me and for you

[@mariellenrose6198]

I love the way you are teaching old wonderful songs to a new generation.

[@AmosPressley]

It would be nice if he was teaching them correctly. The musicians are clearly lost. Can't anyone just open a hymnbook and read the music? No? Why not?

[@bigkvanderhulst33]

Disturbing, ruining a great hymn. Sing it the way it was meant to be sung. The guitar player looks like a punk rocker and is high!!

[@lindahawotte1514]

I love this hymn and find myself belting out with joy

[@joannluna8363]

I loved when this hymn was sung. Pastor Kenneth Wilson sung the men's part perfectly! Beautiful memory of my tween/teen years. Indio Church of the Nazarene

[@cultusdeus]

An awesome job leading the worship. I'm filled with the Spirit.

[@AmosPressley]

If the young man in this video wants to recapture the holy excitement, joy and singing skill he experienced with his Grandma, he needs to recreate the CONDITIONS that caused the experience. ☺ Blow the dust off the hymnBOOKS and LOOK AT THEM. ☺ Look at the notes. ☺ Look at the words ☺ Sing what is written. ☺ Sing it several times until you can do it skilfully and right. ☺ When everybody knows it, bring in the instruments. Play AS WRITTEN. (If the drummer tries to turn it into yet another boom-boom BAP song, take his sticks away from him.) ☺ Stand on tiptoe and and sing it at the top of your lungs. Grandma will be pleased, and so will God.

[@bcpool417cp]

My favorite song and this is by far my favorite rendition. Heard it in church and could not stop crying.

[@AmosPressley]

A lot of us cry, too... but for a different reason. Is it too much to expect Musicians to know how to read music?

[@janellestoermer5479]

I love the hymns. I grew up in a traditional (but not legalistic) Baptist church that did a good mix of the old hymns and modern (for that time) praise songs. No power point, and not usually even transparencies (we had that as I got older). Just hymn books and praise books. I miss those days.

[@rosypuna275]

Yes it"s my favorite song. Rich..I am a lost sinner..

[@lorimiller2151]

Really enjoyed the video on the Wonderful Grace of Jesus song - it is a blessing. I have listened to it many times. Thanks - Jeff Miller

[@stephenlake885]

Grew up singing this hymn as well and have to say I love that beautiful woman's voice!

[@alicekera3360]

beautiful hymn n sang beautifully👍

[@EdGroover]

I love that you all sang this and shared with us!

[@troymilliken6792]

Need a choir singing. This guy doesn't do justice.

[@guitar1977man]

Nice PRS guitar work! Love this hymn and how you applied it to today’s worship team!

[@MadisonD941]

This is one of the greatest "praise songs" & they don't even realize it. Sad what they do to the church.

[@razorraph889]

Everybody who does not like this song pls keep your opinions to yourself to be honest you are defaming God by saying that this is a bad song this is still worship dont say this is bad, people can define songs in different ways he's just teaching his church his interpretation of it so pls just keep your comments to yourself I am only in my early teens and I dont like some famous musicians (a little bit of modern ones) but gospel music is gospel music it has its own special way

[@TesterBoy]

What an underrated song. Too bad there is too much entertainment in today's "worship" and not enough worship in truth and spirit. JESUS is the TRUTH, and the HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS OF HIM!

[@ay613]

Exactly

[@Toast4Toasty]

Amen!

[@martdb100]

That was great!

[@ralphkramden4816]

I think it was great. Keep on in His Strength

[@oig40203]

In the description he says "It's quite ridiculous in many ways". I beg to differ. This song, as many hymns were, was expertly crafted by a fine writer. I am a worship leader in a contemporary church and what I find ridiculous is 90% of the songs coming out these days that are not "singable" by a congregation and have nothing but repeated fluff in the lyrics. A song like "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" should set a standard for us, and not be used as a joke.

[@drummerman31]

Amen! What these people did is crude, rude, disrespectful, and borders the lines of blasphemy! Learn how to sing and play properly people!

[@joychristianradio]

+oig40203 So....what is "ridiculous" about this song? And, it is MY song.....I'm glad you sang it.....keep singing hymns, kiddo!

[@debraflores9076]

Shayne Mathena it's puzzling that this seems rude and disrespectful. This is a beautifully written song done in a different style, and praise the Lord for these differences

[@AnglicanXn]

The song leader's tone in teaching the song is one of "But we know better now," and we are just showing you a ridiculous old hymn. I don't mind the musical accompaniment to it; it isn't what would be done a century ago - but treating it as a museum piece is supercilious.

[@micheleh5269]

"Ridiculous" nowadays is often a compliment to mean incredible or unbelievable. My son will sometimes use it to compliment my cooking.

[@lionsden0371]

I am currently teaching this great song to my VERY SMALL choir. We won't be using this rendition for several reasons which I won't bother to get into here. ;) Having said that I appreciate the effort to introduce the great old hymns to a modern congregation but sadly this one just doesn't quite get across the same feel as doing it the way it was written! Ya just gotta do it in four part harmony! ;) Kudos for trying though!

[@LinaKing-o7r]

He was introducing this song to the congregation. I really don't think it was his intention to teach the congregation to sing a 4-part harmony. I totally enjoyed it. God doesn't require perfection, He desires what's in your heart!

[@dandehner1409]

@@LinaKing-o7r Yeah, I understand that. I'm in favor of dusting off the old hymns and presenting them to a new generation but my point was that this rendition won't work for my purposes - not that it wasn't good! I've been in the ministry for 40 years and am always looking for ways to bring meaningful songs to our congregation! ;)

[@AmosPressley]

Well, he ruined that one. What the HECK is so attractive about this incessant boom-boom BAP boom-boom BAP boom-boom BAP boom-boom BAP that seems to have to be the PRIMARY part of every song these days? He just finished talking about how exhilarating it was when he and his Grandma sang it, and then he slowed it waaaay down so he could turn that God-awful boom-boom BAP into the main component of the song!

[@AmosPressley]

That is for sure!

[@lewisnix]

It's even better if you read the music (all the chords) and sing on key!!!

[@vitaliyleshkevich5528]

its not even him playing the piano... the velocity is beyond perfect. any pianist will see that. and the way hes jumping around.... lol

[@Leon1949Green]

Hey, Oscar! The H. L. version is somewhat more involved, especially in the chorus. But I would not call it challenging. And even in this performance, he gets some of the chords wrong in the last two measures of the verse, just before the chorus. The actual copyright date of the H. L. version shows 1999 at the bottom of the first page. Also, it is not as syncopated as they make it, which probably both jives with the original, and when one knows it one may take some liberties.

[@harryfix2767]

Too bad so many churches no longer sing the hymns that teach Bible doctrine. This is a great hymn and this congregation just doesn’t begin to do it justice. They don’t know how to sing in parts. So sad.

[@Blackhawkhernandez2]

Pero que Genial!!

[@rm2399]

After he taught the different parts and played the intro to start the song, I started singing "thank you for being a friend..." as the chords sounded like the Golden Girls theme song. Maybe he did that in purpose since he thought it was an "old" song that his Grandma loved. He definitely ruined the verses of a wonderful hymn. Nothing wrong with singing hymns. Most have substance unlike modern worship songs. It's fine to have fun, but he over did it big time. That type of fake ness is what turns people off to church, not the "old hymns" itself.

[@erwingopez]

Modernizing hymns is great. The lyrics are still the original. The meaning has not changed but the accompaniment is more attractive to the younger crowd. They need to hear the gospel in songs they can relate to rather than hearing Rihanna or Beyonce.

[@troymilliken6792]

Matches Titus 2:11-12

[@ay613]

Thanks may I ask do u believe Faith alone saves. This btw is my favourite song

[@derdeolifant]

He could have gone to the trouble of getting the chords right

[@Leon1949Green]

Oscar: looking further, the author and composer was Haldor Lillenas. There are MIDI and score links at CyberHymnaldotorg, but my computer could not open the score download. At Hymnarydotorg there is much more information, and the pdf fine worked fine, or you could choose the Sibelius score. It is more challenging, has syncopations missing from the H. L.. The melody of the chorus is in the left hand! Enjoy!

[@oscarwshbrn]

Does anybody have the music to this? I have only found the chords in the key of C and really I would like to attempt this rendition...I am not familiar with this song but from what I can tell, this is the best version that is possible for the average church to attempt...the Cathedrals version requires a level of vocal talent that most church worship teams do not have...not to mention this does a great job of making the song fun and accessible to the younger crowds...I am 28...

[@jackieroberts9180]

It’s like a fight song.

[@oscarwshbrn]

Is it this actual version that is in your Hal Leonard book, or is it the old Hymn version? Our church worship leader informed me that apparently the original "old" version is a very challenging piano part, and that older folks actually get excited about hearing the old piano part because it is so technically difficult...I have personally never heard the old version...

[@Leon1949Green]

Hey, Oscar: I have it in the Hal Leonard "The Best Gospel Songs Ever" from 2006. And nieq, who is in this video, and where did you get the history of the song? Thanks!

[@normmadson5381]

Learn the notes please!!!!

[@micheleh5269]

You get really good at singing this song after the 50th time or so that you've sung it. Shouldn't the accompanying music be minimal for this particular song to let the different parts the congregation is singing come together? That's the exciting part. The words are incredible. There is something profound about people happily singing, "Greater far than all my sin and shame..." But this sounds like the band is center and is drowning out the congregation. I disagree with people who think you should only sing hymns, because back when they were written people felt they were ungodly because they often came from modern, secular songs. In fact one of our music leaders read a couple of letters written about how the worship songs sounded like they were right out of a saloon..but the letters had been written for "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and another hymn. Everyone laughed of course but it makes you think. Yes people WERE complaining about our dear beloved hymns.

[@Toast4Toasty]

There is no rock song in heaven. You have just made the classic heavenly song "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" into a rock version. That is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We believers should know that.

[@mspamela2008]

Who's Barry White?

[@larryshackley8074]

I'm glad the worship leader likes it, but why did you have to describe it here as "ridiculous"? That was the kind of attitude prevalent at WCCC when I was on staff. The only old hymns we could use were those which were personal favorites of the pastor. We raised a generation of Christians who were disconnected from the heritage of church music. The opening tempo is deadly dull here (until they start rocking it, and eventually sing it in the common tempo), and why sing it way down in G, which is about as far as you can get from the original key of D-flat? Very odd for me to see my old pal Greg singing bass!

[@hikersdiarysg4136]

Wonderful Grace of Jesus --------(耶穌奇妙的救恩) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXy7daammq96rck 耶 穌 奇 妙 的 救 恩， ye su qi miao de jiu en 超 過 我 眾 過 犯， chao guo wo zhong guo fan 我 口 舌 怎 能 述 說， wo kou she zen neng shu shuo 更 將 從 何 頌 讚， geng jiang cong he song zan 祂 除 我 罪 擔 憂 愁， ta chu wo zui dan you chou 使 我 心 靈 自 由， shi wo xin ling zi you 耶 穌 奇 妙 的 救 恩， ye su qi miao de jiu en 使 我 得 拯 救。 shi wo de zheng jiu ############ 副歌： 主耶穌奇妙無比 奇妙無比的救恩， 深過波浪滾滾的海洋； 奇妙救恩足夠我需用， 足夠我需用， 闊過我一生所行的過犯， 大過我一切罪污羞恥， 我要稱揚主聖名， 我要讚美主聖名！ ################ 耶穌奇妙的救恩，臨到失喪之人， 藉救恩我得赦免，並使我得完全， 主為我解脫捆綁，使我得著釋放， 耶穌奇妙的救恩使我得拯救。 耶穌奇妙的救恩，恩及最大罪人， 藉主感化的大能，使成為主子民， 蒙主賜平安滿足，得享天堂永福， 耶穌奇妙的救恩使我得拯救。 ################## 副歌： 主耶穌奇妙無比奇妙無比的救恩，深過波浪滾滾的海洋； 奇妙救恩足夠我需用，足夠我需用， 闊過我一生所行的過犯，大過我一切罪污羞恥， 我要稱揚主聖名，我要讚美主聖名！ ################ ################# Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin; How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free; For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me. Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost, By it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost, Chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty; For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me. Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled, By its transforming power, making him God's dear child, Purchasing peace and heaven, for all eternity; And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me. Refrain: Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, deeper than the mighty rolling sea; Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me. Broader than the scope of my transgressions, greater far than all my sin and shame, O magnify the precious Name of Jesus, praise His Name! ######################

[@CavazosDavid]

Does anybody know which key are they playing???

[@rubenfarmer3105]

This out of G. It should be in the key of B-flat or C if you can reach the high notes.

[@haroldmiller7618]

At least he is trying.. It says make a joyful noise.. Is it perfect no.. But is it worship yes.. God loves his children, think of context friends.. I'm sure people back when it was made were people complaining that it was too secular.. Not rightful praise.. Quit being damn (in the biblical sense) Pharisees

[@barbarawinters6844]

Why would you say, "It's ridiculous"? Did you read the words? Shame on you!

[@peterleepeterlee1631]

Ajaib Anugerah Yesus.

[@ljones436]

Love love love this hymn, but I HATE their arrangement of it.

[@AmosPressley]

This is one of the saddest videos on KZbin. This is what you get when you throw out the hymnbook, and run off the people that can read the notes in it.

[@AmosPressley]

This is what happens when a whole generation throws out the hymnbook and musical literacy. The young man (bless his heart) really wants to try to recreate the excitement he experienced with his Grandma, but he is doomed to fail. He is singing it too slowly. There are too many wrong notes. The original is FOUR-part harmony, not two. The rhythm is wrong. It is not even close. He is like someone trying to make a gourmet dish when all he has to work with is a Happy Meal.

[@jeanemelton7102]

Amos Pressley There are many arrangements of most songs. This is his interpretation. I feel that what matters is that he is singing to Jesus.

[@AmosPressley]

***** That is good to hear! It is hard to generalize about Fundamental Baptist churches, since each is Independent. I have been in some that sounded like a cross between the Grand Ole Opry and the beer joint... except they were "singing to Jesus." Give me a break.

[@AmosPressley]

Gramma Barb yes, they do a good job notewise, a capella is always wonderful, but the thing the young man is trying to recreate is his experience with his Grandma. You need a congregation to do that, and the arrangement in that good old hymnbook can't be beat. When everyone knows their part and sings out to the Lord, there is nothing like it! It is holy in the truest sense of the word, because it does not sound like ANYTHING the world does.

[@AmosPressley]

Jeane Melton Here is where some Bible knowledge is helpful. Do the scriptures teach that God is pleased with offerings that look and sound like the surrounding pagans, or does He desire that which is holy and separate?

[@GrammaBarb77]

Amos Pressley Agreed! Many happy and soulful memories of singing this great song - and others like it - as a young girl with my own Grandma and Grandpa and my folks in a good ol' Baptist church Sunday evening sing-along service! "Magnify[ing] that Precious Name of Jesus" is what ultimately counts! And any rendition of this wonderful piece of music is really for His ears only - and His acceptance alone! Even a single off-key note sung to Him in humility and in true praise is music to His ears, a sweet fragrance for Him to enjoy! The widow's two mites, the little child's tear of joy and happiness, are each a great treasure to Him. The Great Mystery of His Kingdom - that the first shall be last, and the last, first. All Praise to Him Who sits on the Throne - Forever and Ever. You alone are Worthy O Lord! Even so, come [back to us] quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen and Amen!

[@duke-swtmate4154]

Carnal music is unchristian and does not honor God!

[@michelleansw1557]

Keep the hymn in the right key! It sounds flat! Don’t forget ALL the powerful verses either. It was a try, but very underwhelming! Just play as intended “like Grandma” and the original composer!!! Sad you goofed it up!!!

[@alexberkman4809]

Taken some wonderful hymns and ruined them, mthis is pretty lame and annoying.

[@ButteWhat]

how did they ruin the hymn ,,,,,,because it annoys you?? I would say get over yourself...

[@AmosPressley]

I agree, Alex Berkman. Maybe it is a little strong to say he ruined it, but it is a tragedy, especially when you consider how much easier and better it would have been for him and for the musicians to simply follow the music that his Grandmother sang from. It is like going into a restaurant with your family. They bring out what they call an authentic gourmet pizza. The waiter puts it on the table, and your whole family takes a piece. At the first bite, you can tell it was made with velveeta and baloney! You know it is not authentic at all. You have had authentic. You know the difference. But your little kids don't know. They believe him, and they think it is great! That is where we are in the church today.

[@ButteWhat]

not sure how you compare a different version of this song to the condition of the church but we knew their would be apostasy and false teaching in the church during these days and we have to be discerning but remember there is the true church that hold fast Christ.

[@PalmerBlazers5]

Completely ruined this song.

[@stephenlake885]

I beg to differ and the powerful words made me emotional. The lovely singing and instruments simply added to it in my opinion. Just because maybe different from what a person likes or how they grew up singing does not make it wrong.

[@Soccernz007]

Dreadful!!!

[@guccimd25]

embarrassing... too bad

[@GoodWorksFarm]

another great hymn totally ruined by modern music

[@normmadson5381]

Well you butchered it😮

[@immctagg]

This is a tuneless joke.

[@leonidjr.bugriyev6907]

horrible!