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In this month's edition of the Word Made Music newsletter, we are talking about the song "More than Able" by Maverick City Music. Click here to listen to the song.

Overall

Ranking System

Lyric Type: 1 Bible: Reflective - 2 Bibles: Inspirational 3 Bibles: Poetic - 4 Bibles: Spiritual - 5 Bibles: Doctrinal

Biblical Accuracy: 1 Bible: Dangerous - 2 Bibles: Questionable - 3 Bibles: Ambiguous - 4 Bibles: Biblically Sound - 5 Bibles: Word for Word Scripture

Musicality: 1 Bible: Beginner - 2 Bibles: Moderate - 3 Bibles: Advanced - 4 Bibles: Expert - 5 Bibles: Legend

Our analysis includes:

- Pros and cons of the songs lyrics and their alignment with the Bible.

- The theological theme found in the song.

- The musicality behind the song and what it takes to play it well.

- Insights from the artist about the inspiration behind "I Speak Jesus."

Lyric Type

Cons:

• The lyrics are more on the simple side and don’t offer a lot of theological substance about the character of God apart from His ability to perform miracles.

• It is self-focused which could make it more difficult for some to sing truthfully.

• The lyrics in the bridge are the most troublesome.

Pros:

• The lyrics do say a lot about God’s ability to perform miracles and rightly describe God as miraculous.

• There are a lot of questioning statements that get the listener thinking about how they view God in terms of the supernatural and His power to perform miracles.

Biblical Accuracy

When did I start to forget
All of the great things You did?
When did I throw away faith for the impossible?
How did I start to believe
You weren't sufficient for me?
Why do I talk myself out of seeing miracles?

• This thought-provoking statement demands the attention of every Christian. It poses a fundamental question that we must confront head-on: “Are we truly open to embracing God as He truly is, or are we merely seeking solace in ideas that align with our own comfort and preconceived notions?”

• • If Jesus displayed such profound compassion towards them in that particular moment, it is undeniable that His compassion extends to those who are currently afflicted, aligning with the poignant lyrics of the opening verse.

• There are individuals who constantly strive to rationalize any extraordinary event attributed to God in someone's life, thereby depriving them of the profound connection with God through personal experiences. As believers, it is imperative that we exercise caution to steer clear of this detrimental mindset. A prime illustration of this can be observed in the account of Pharaoh's magicians, who attempted to dismiss the divine plagues unleashed by God upon Egypt. (Exodus 7:1-13)

You are more than able
You are more than able
(You are, You are) You are more than able (yeah)
(We've seen it) You are more than able
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?
It's easy for You, oh

• God is absolutely able to move outside of our understanding (Romans 9:20). This verse powerfully emphasizes the absolute dominion of God over our character and destiny. It vividly portrays our humble position before the Almighty, as malleable clay eagerly awaiting His transformative touch or potential annihilation. There are indeed moments in our lives when it is crucial to acknowledge our position as God's children, rather than assuming the role of God Himself. It is important to recognize that we do not dictate God's actions; on the contrary, we humbly accompany Him on this journey, eagerly anticipating the opportunities He will grant us to witness His magnificent power in action.

• There is nothing too difficult for the Lord (Jeremiah 32:27).

And now I see all that I have
Oh, I've got my confidence back
I put my trust in the One who still does miracles
You do miracles (come on, sing)

• When God works miracles in our lives, our faith should soar, solidifying our unwavering belief in His absolute sovereignty over all things. This empowering realization emboldens us to stride forward with unwavering confidence, recognizing the unmistakable hand of God at work not only in our own lives but also in the lives of those who surround us. With each step we take, we ascend from one glorious triumph to another, propelled by the awe-inspiring presence of the divine.

And can you imagine
With all of the faith in the room
What the Lord can do?
What the Lord can do?
And it's gonna happen
Just let the Waymaker through
He's gonna move (He's gonna move)
He’s gonna move

• The lyrics of this song encounter a solitary obstacle that demands our attention. It is imperative to address the perilous notion that miracles are exclusively attainable IF and only IF one possesses an abundance of faith. This misconception often stems from verses such as Matthew 17:19-20 and Matthew 13:58. However, if these are read in light of other verses, one will see that it’s not about the quantity of their faith, but the object of their faith.

• In Matthew 17:14-20, Jesus did not merely suggest that great faith can move mountains; He deliberately chose to illustrate His point using a mustard seed, the tiniest and most comprehensible object. By doing so, Jesus demonstrated that placing your unwavering faith in the right source can yield remarkable results. However, He also emphasized that receiving what you desire hinges on asking with the correct intentions; therefore, He was declaring that they were asking with the wrong intent. We see this same theme echoed in James 4:2-3.

• The fallacy of attributing the lack of a miracle to our supposed lack of faith is a grave error. It unjustly burdens the most vulnerable individual in need of a miracle with the entire responsibility for its occurrence. Such a statement lacks grace and contradicts the very essence of Christ's teachings. These kinds of statements are a clear indication of religious legalism.

• In Matthew 13:53-58, Jesus did not perform miracles, not due to any deficiency in their faith, but rather because their faith was utterly nonexistent. Although Jesus had the power to perform miracles, but He deliberately refrained from doing so because there was not a single soul willing to embrace and receive them. The irony lies in the fact that the individuals mentioned in these verses were engaging in precisely the behavior that this song vehemently warns against – dismissing and rationalizing away truths that challenge our preconceived notions and biases.

• There is an unwavering truth that transcends our ability to comprehend: the power of God remains constant, unaffected by our capacity to believe. His omnipotence knows no bounds, for He is eternally capable and mighty. Our faith, while significant, does not dictate His abilities; rather, it simply acknowledges the undeniable truth that He is God, and we are mere mortals in His presence.

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Steven Furtick / Ben Fielding / Chandler Moore / Naomi Raine

More Than Able lyrics © Be Essential Songs

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Theological Themes

The main theme in this song is God’s Power, specifically His power to perform miracles. This song would go well in a setlist about God’s attributes or faithfulness.

Musicality

The piano line at the beginning of this song showcases an unexpectedly intricate arrangement, akin to the record's rendition. This aspect adds a delightful layer of complexity for the keys player, making it an engaging and enjoyable piece. Moreover, there is a captivating chord progression that concludes some of the choruses and bridges, posing a slight challenge for beginners. Hence, we assign this song a moderate rating.

The dynamics of this composition present an additional level of difficulty, as each element is gradually introduced throughout the duration. While not inherently arduous, it can be challenging for musicians to patiently await their cues, potentially leading to overplaying.

Vocally, it is not uncommon for Maverick City to explore a wide range, and this song is no exception. They skillfully elevate the melody as the song progresses, aiming to convey a declarative and powerful message.

Furthermore, the timing on the bridge introduces a subtle complexity, particularly for those unaccustomed to unconventional chord progressions in conjunction with the vocals. This aspect may pose a challenge for some musicians.

Are you having trouble learning the parts to this song? Worship Online is an incredible tool for those that want to learn the more difficult parts of a song. It’s also a great resource for worship teams that need to learn their parts quickly and efficiently. You know what’s even better? When you can get access to these resources with a 10% discount! Just click the link below and enter promo code 10FORMYFRIENDS to get your discount today!

Behind the Song

The song exudes a resolute perspective, capturing the essence of cherishing the awe-inspiring journey of embracing God as a newfound believer. Chris Brown passionately recounts the profound experience of salvation, evoking the vivid imagery of a world brimming with novelty and possibility.

(2023, May 19). Faith Behind The Song: "More Than Able" Elevation Worship. Scott Savage. https://www.air1.com/music/blog/behind-the-music/faith-behind-the-song-more-than-able-elevation-worship-5489

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