Paul Baloche is one of the most acclaimed worship artists and songwriters of our time. Best known for such modern classics as "Open the Eyes of My Heart," "Above All," "Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)," and "Your Name," Baloche's songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Lincoln Brewster, Michael W. Smith, Matt Redman, Kari Jobe, All Sons & Daughters and Phillips, Craig & Dean.

Integrity Music presents Live, an all-new recording of songs that reflect Baloche's heart, and his passion for the Church, available in all formats since April 1. I really like how the songs are recorded live and have audience participation, which is how these songs are meant to be experienced, as corporate worship with other believers. Paul's songwriting ability is really displayed in the familiar songs on the album, "Our God Saves," "Hosanna (Praise is Rising)" and "Today is the Day." I had the great opportunity to interview Paul about his new song, "He is Risen." You can listen to our entire conversation here.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

I was at a Missions Conference in the South of England last year. Graham Kendrick and I have been friends for several years and have tried to write together when we have the chance. He drove down and we spent the day purposely trying to write a resurrection song with the intent of taking the Gospels, and reading through the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection and they are all similar but worded slightly different. We wrote down some of the key phrases and wanted the verses to re-tell the story.

The singer, the worshiper, the person in the congregation when they look up at the screen is reminded and it's almost like reading Scripture. Verse one begins painting the picture, "early morning, break of dawn, stumbling to the tomb, standing awestruck, wondering who rolled away the stone, and as they looked they saw an angel clothed in white who said don't be afraid, He is alive." Our response as the congregation is to this reality to not be afraid, He is alive is "He is risen, Hallelujah, let the whole world sing, Christ is Risen." Verse two is intentionally is about from that point on, how does this affect us now? How is the resurrection of Christ relevant to us? The invitation is "sing, with all creation sing, of a world made new, in His life we too may live, bursting from the tomb."

Using that metaphor that the reason He was raised from the dead, it was not just a historical event that happened, it has a relevant, and present day effect on our lives. It has the potential if we choose to put our faith in Christ, and in His finished work and go. After the Gospels, Paul unpacks our new life, our new creation, an opportunity, all things are passed away and the life I lead is the hope of glory. That's really verse two is the relevance to us in the year 2014.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song? 

Mark 16:6 (NKJV): But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

Matthew 28:6 (NKJV): He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Luke 24:6 (The Voice): He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Don't you remember what He told you way back in Galilee?

1 Corinthians 15:12 (The Voice): Now if we have told you about the Anointed One (how He has risen from the dead and appeared to us fully alive), then how can you stand there and say there is no such thing as resurrection from death?

1 Corinthians 15:13-14 (NKJV): But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

What is the takeaway message?

Some of us that may be wrestling with our circumstances, financially, or maybe depression, or illness of some kind, to say God's power, God's life, the life of Christ, His resurrection life was intended for us to break out and to break through our circumstances and to experience His life. The final line of the song is looking to the day when He will burst the skies, the return and second coming of Christ.

It is not a song that was flippantly put together, or trying to be clever. It was intentionally, not teaching or preaching, but in some ways we wanted the song to inform. There's no doubt that quite often, like it or not, we as believers form our theology and our image of who God is based on the songs that we sing.

More and more over the years, as a songwriter I want to think as a Pastor in a sense. It's a fine line, because if you get too preachy, a song can become dull and sure you've taught a lesson but nothing was inspiring about it. It's a fine line of how do you take these truths, these concepts, found in the Word, found in the Gospels, and how do we put them in a 3 ½ minute format, so to speak, so that the listener has the essence of that story in their heart? It is linked to a melody hopefully that is inspiring and locked in there.

Lyrics:
Early morning break of dawn
Stumbling to the tomb
Standing awestruck wondering who
Rolled away the stone
And as the sun came up
Amazed they looked inside
A voice, an angel clothed in light
Don't be afraid, He is alive!

He is risen 
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Christ is risen
Let the whole world sing
Christ is risen 
Christ is risen from the dead

Sing, with all creation sing
Of a world made new
In His life we too may live
Bursting from the tomb
And looking up we see
Our King enthroned on high
His wounds of love now glorified
Rejoice, for soon He'll burst the skies

If you've enjoyed singing Paul Baloche penned songs for the church including "Open the Eyes of My Heart", "Hosanna (Praise is Rising)" and "Your Name", then you'll really enjoy Live. Praise and worship is a heart condition, and an emotional connection to the words that we lift up to God. Our worship is an "Offering," but God is the One who made the way for us to be with Him.

When you sing along with this album, make sure you are in prayer and submit all of yourself to God. For me, the standout songs are "Our God Saves," "God My Rock," "The Same Love," "My Hope," "He is Risen" and "Glorious." I'm looking forward to singing more new songs by Paul Baloche with fellow believers.

The album is filled with catchy and inspirational songs for the Church. Although traditionally worship songs are written in first person thanking God about what He has done for us, in Old Testament Psalmist style, Baloche has intentionally written and recorded a set of songs based on New Testament Scripture references and theology. 

This song celebrates God's resurrection power in us, and urges followers of Jesus to be Holy Spirit filled believers demonstrating a supernatural ability to deal with this world in the same way He overcame death and sin and one day will come again. That's reason to celebrate and also a challenge to the believer to think about how you're allowing God's Resurrection power to overcome whatever you are dealing with.

There's something about these great songs that immediately ushers in a Spirit-filled and anointed offering and response to Jesus from these vertical lyrics, such as with this wonderful telling of the Easter story. It is song which the worldwide church can sing along with loudly proclaiming to each other, and to Jesus, celebrating "He is Risen, Hallelujah, Christ is Risen, let the whole world sing, Christ is Risen, from the dead!" Amen to that!

(Watch Paul lead the song here.)