Clear the Stage – Jimmy Needham

The most subtle form of idolatry is the pride that secretly worships self. This song attacks the roots of pride with heartfelt worship.

[benjaminmoss]

This guy is in one of my seminary classes with me. He is by far one of the smartest and most humble individuals I have ever met. Great guy and great artist (Obvi).

[shawnfenton]

LYRICS:

below are the lyrics taken from Desiring God. They speak of such great repentance for Christ...beautiful.

Clear the Stage

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze,
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.
Jerk the pews and all the decorations too, Until the congregation’s few, then have revival.

Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social.
Then seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store,
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful.

’Cause you can sing all you want to.
Yes, you can sing all you want to.
You can sing all you want to,
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song.

Take a break from all the plans that you have made, And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper. Beg him please to open up his mouth and speak, And pray for real upon your knees until they blister.

Shine the light on every corner of your life Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open. Then read the word and put to test the things you’ve heard Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken.

’Cause you can sing all you want to.
Yes, you can sing all you want to.
You can sing all you want to,
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song.

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it. Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it.

Anything I put before my God is an idol.
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol.
Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol.
Anything that I give all my love is an idol.

’Cause I can sing all I want to.
Yes, I can sing all I want to.
And we can sing all we want to.
And we can sing all we want to.

We can sing all we want to,
And still get it wrong.
Worship is more than a song.

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze,
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.

[gracevillafania]

One of the most lowkey rebuking songs I've ever heard. Thanks for this reminder

[GoldenWolf]

Every Christian should listen to this song.
Matthew 10:37-
"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

[jesydiera]

This song breaks me each time and lead me to fall on my knees and seek the heart of God

[Paisley_Isabella]

Wow! This is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard! How humbling! Thank you Lord!

[jojohnson]

I wish I could give this song an extra thumbs up every time I watch the video.

[make_way]

Years later (from this song’s inception) I’m watching with a breaking heart. Truth is? I believe Jesus’ romance is for everyone.

[cl_iicckkkit]

Anything that I put before my God, is an idol.
Anything that I give all my love, is an idol.
Anything that I can't stop thinking about, is an idol.
Those phrases makes me realized the real thing that I am going through. The real present I am into. These words breaks my perspective and desires for something that I really wanted, something I'd really love to be with, something that I can't get over through.
Words cannot define how much love I received when I first heard the whole song, and on how I phrasely analyzed each stanza that it's telling me for.

I love my God more than this idols.
I love singing worships that will pierces my heart and lift up my spirit.
I love the love He is giving to me, so defying, so unpredictable. His' timings, His' worthiness and His' whisper that crashes all of my arguments.

I found myself crying, and it was so painful.
It was, but it is also tears for a new beginning. A hope that it's never too late to stand up and move forward with Him. His glory and might withstand any struggle in any circumstances.

Even the deceitful heart are nothing against His will.

[depuli]

A song God used to break me down and thus restore my joy in Christ and our marriage. THankful for Ross KIng and Jimmy Needham who made it popular.

[jenniferpageler]

What a prophetic song for our times. How we desperately need "spirit and truth" worship and living.

[BisratTekle]

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols
Jerk the pews and all the decorations, too
Until the congregation's few, then have revival
Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you're broken for your sins, you can't be social
Then seek the Lord and wait for what he has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

'Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper
Beg him please to open up his mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister
Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open
Then read the word and put to test the things you've heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

'Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

We must not worship something that's not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the one who deserves it

Anything I put before my God is an idol
Anything I want with all my heart is an idol
Anything I can't stop thinking of is an idol
Anything that I give all my love is an idol

'Cause I can sing all I want to
Yes, I can sing all I want to

And we can sing all we want to
And we can sing all we want to
We can sing all we want to
And still get it wrong
Worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols

[rhoda]

This song convicted me soooo much when I first heard it, I almost hated it. But now I see that God is the only thing worthy of that place, and He IS worthy. He is genuinely good and righteous and worthy of eternal worship. This song really helps to put things into perspective, I really enjoyed listening to it here.

[MalumbaBono]

Dear Jimmy,
You have given Christendom a gem of a song which we need to hear (and sing and act upon) over and over again. So true and so beautiful, and so beautifully sung and performed. THANK YOU!

[patrickestwick]

One of the most beautiful songs ever written- Thanks Jimmy

[ramonagayle]

Causes me to cry out for more and more of HIS PRESENCE!!!

[karistamaloney]

These lyrics came straight from the throne room to my ears, cut through my soul like a knife and will delicately heal as I apply what I have heard. Thank you.

[Herecomesthedreamerr]

God has been convicting me about the idols of my heart. Great song

[davideacampora]

Ho conosciuto questo cantico tramite un piano della Bibbia su You Version: "Ascoltare la voce di Dio" di Amy Groeschel.. Lo consigliava in un devozionale.

Davvero bello! Dio ti benedica Jimmy!❤

[reginaleann]

Shine a light on every corner of your life until the pride and lust and lies are in the open!!🙏🙏