“Today our message comes to us from the book of Exodus,” said the pastor as he slowly wheeled two giant Gibson amplifiers down the aisle of the massive sanctuary.

“A guest has prepared our message. Prepare your hearts for the word of God.”

As the congregation bowed, the pastor pegged the amplifiers on 10 and they begin to blast the familiar power chords as the bible lesson began…

Slaves –Hebrews born to serve, to the pharaoh
Heed –To his every word, live in fear

Faith — of the unknown one, the deliverer
Wait — something must be done, four hundred years

So let it be written , so let it be done
I’m sent here by the chosen one
So let it be written, So let it be done
To kill the first born pharaoh son I’m creeping death

Now– let my people go, land of Goshen
Go– I will be with thee, bush of fire

Blood –Running red and strong, down the Nile
Plague –Darkness three days long, hail to fire

So let it be written, so let it be done
I’m sent here by the chosen one
So let it be written, So let it be done
To kill the first born pharaoh son
I’m creeping death
Die by my hand I creep across the land
Killing first born man

Die by my hand I creep across the land
Killing first born man

I– Rule the midnight air, the destroyer
Born –I shall soon be there, deadly mass

I –Creep the steps and floor, final darkness
Blood –Lamb’s blood painted door, I shall pass

So let it be written So let it be done
I’m sent here by the chosen one
So let it be written
So let it be done
To kill the first born pharaoh son
I’m creeping death

Farfetched idea?
Maybe

Potential best sermon ever?
Positively

It is of course Creeping Death, the pre-eminent metal song ever written about the gospel.

(sorry Stryper)

A song that originated with guitar virtuoso Kirk Hammett who originally wrote it for his band Exodus. The song however was never released. It was only after Kirk moved on to his next creative project– a fledgling band named Metallica—that it finally saw the light of day.

The song brings several interesting thoughts to mind.

First, I wonder for how many people this song serves as their first exposure to the Exodus story. I bet you’d be surprised. I suspect more than a few likely heard the message and started digging into its origins. While some holy rollers likely consider Metallica sacrilegious; I think the exact opposite is true.

In reality these guys could be saving more souls than the Gideons.

The second thought the song brings to mind is a reminder that everything is spiritual. God created the world, us, and everything in it. It reminds us that God is omnipresent and sometimes crops up in the least expected places.

Like at a Metallica concert.

But perhaps most interesting to ponder is the question of the songs origins. More pointedly, who reached Kirk Hammett? Who planted the seeds of faith, sharing the gospel that would one day bear fruit in this tremendous anthem?

Was it a Sunday school teacher?
Youth leader?
The 10 Commandments movie?
A televangelist?
Jehovah’s witness?

We likely will never know.

More pointedly, that person likely will never know. They have long since moved on from Kirk, and may have written off their foray into evangelism, convinced their efforts never moved the needle for Christ.

That’s the thing about evangelism, sometimes you never know.

Your impact may take years upon years to bear fruit. Or you could be one of multiple messengers playing a part, or it could never take. Many who try it likely have no idea of the outcomes their work wrought.

Regardless, the great commission is not a suggestion, or a nice to have. It is a mandate. A mandate delivered from a mountaintop in Galilee to all believers.

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

So let it be written , so let it be done.

***
What do you think?

• Are you making good on the great commission?

• Should Billy Graham invest in a massive set of blaupunkts?

• What other interesting ways is God’s word being shared?