2. Pierce my ear, O Lord, my God; Take me to your door this day. I will serve no o-ther god; Lord, I'm here to stay. 1 – Pierce My Ear Words & Music: Steve Croft / Arr. Barbie Jones Copyright © 1980 by Dayspring Music, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission. © 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

3. 1 – Pierce My Ear © 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

4. For You have paid the price for me; With Your blood You ransomed me. Now I will serve You eternally; A free man I'll never be. 2 – Pierce My Ear Words & Music: Steve Croft / Arr. Barbie Jones Copyright © 1980 by Dayspring Music, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission. © 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

5. 2 – Pierce My Ear © 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

6. So pierce my ear, O Lord, my God; Take me to Your door this day. I will serve no other god; Lord, I'm here to stay. 3 – Pierce My Ear Words & Music: Steve Croft / Arr. Barbie Jones Copyright © 1980 by Dayspring Music, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission. © 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

7. 3 – Pierce My Ear © 2003 The Paperless Hymnal™

8. Pierce My Ear Exodus 21:1-6

9. Introductory Thoughts Here is a song that is rooted deep in the Old Testament. Background information is scarce. We need to appreciate all types of songs. Some folks try to distinguish between a worship song and a devotional song. Music is emotion put in the form of sound.

10. Old Testament Roots This song may have a strange message to the ear who does not understand its meaning. Based upon Old Testament law found in Exodus 21:1-6 This passage dealing with laws concerning slaves. These laws concerning slavery were designed to act to protect both slave and slave owner so that each understood the agreement they were entering before it ever began.

11. Old Testament Roots When the slave’s six-year obligation had been fulfilled, he was left with two options. The slave was free to leave, without further obligation. The slave could determine to become the slave of his master for life. Let’s give some consideration to being a slave for life.

12. Modern Day Slavery Slavery continues even to this day. Many of us may think of slavery as something that ended in America with the Civil War…yet slavery continues still to this day…every person is a slave today. Romans 6:16 – 2 Peter 2:19

13. Slaves of Sin – John 8:31-34 We can become a slave to sin by giving in to sin and serving sin’s master – Satan. Like Ahab, we can “sell ourselves” to sin. When Simon sinned, notice how Peter described the situation - Acts 8:22-23. The danger of being a slave of sin is that many people are completely unaware that they are slaves of sin - 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

14. Slaves of Christ - Righteousness We often associate slavery as a bad thing – not always the case – it depends upon your master. Ironically, in a strange twist, slavery to Christ means freedom from sin – Romans 6:17-23. Just as a slave can be purchased, Jesus paid the price for our sins – 1 Peter 1:18-19. Once that price has been paid, we are no longer our own; therefore we ought to act accordingly – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

15. Concluding Thoughts We are either slaves of sin or slaves of Christ – Romans 6:19-20 Matthew 6:24 The Song “Pierce My Ear” needs to be sung with the understanding that we are making God our Master.