Welcome to the Jazz Dungeon

THE JAZZ DUNGEON (Jesus or Nothing!) [Spoken Intro — Dry, theatrical announcer] This song is inspired by a Sermon Gem from Charles Haddon Spurgeon. The sine qua non. Sermon Nine Twenty Six. Spurgeon Gems dot org. Go there to find Gems galore! Now listen to the Word. [Spoken Banter — Crooner, smoky and amused] Ladies and gentlemen, sinners and saints, Welcome to the Jazz Dungeon! Tonight's special is self-improvement. The house specialty is pride. And if you think you can save yourself, Well, sir, the management has a bridge to sell you. Take it away, boys! [Verse 1 — Crooner] I met a man in a velvet suit, With polished shoes and a spotless boot. He said, "That Jesus fellow's quite the thing, A first-rate teacher, a moral king! "I like His style, I admire His grace, I even like that beard on His face! But wash my soul? Oh, don't be absurd. I've got my own soap and a self-help word!" [Spoken Aside — Trumpet player, deadpan] Your soap has failed inspection. [Verse 2 — Crooner] The doctor walked through the smoky door, Said, "I've seen your kind a thousand times before. You praise the cure, you praise the art, But you won't admit you've got a sick heart!" You can praise the sunrise all night long, But praise won't make a blind man see. You can sing about the healing hand, But you must let the Healer set you free! [Chorus — Crooner with sly backing vocals] Jesus or nothing, that's the deal! No borrowed righteousness can make you real. You can't scrub the darkness from your soul, Only Christ can make the broken whole! Jesus or nothing, hear the call! The proud man stands, but the sinner falls. He came to save, He bled, He died— Come to the Savior; leave your pride! [Spoken Banter — Crooner] Now, I know what you're thinking. "Me? I can change. I'll turn over a new leaf. I'll polish my halo, straighten my tie, And become the finest sinner money can buy!" [Band Break — Spoken Over the Groove] Ladies and gentlemen, the self-salvation department has officially closed for lack of customers. [Verse 3 — Crooner] I tried to conquer every vice, I made a list, I checked it twice. I flexed my will, I clenched my jaw, Then fell right back to the sins I saw. I scrubbed the outside, dressed it fine, And called my dirty heart divine. But all my effort, all my plans, Could never wash these guilty hands! [Pre-Chorus — Voice Turns Sincere] Then from the Cross, I heard Him say, "I came to take your guilt away." Not just to teach me how to climb, But save this wreck one soul at a time. [Chorus — Bigger, More Urgent] Jesus or nothing, that's the deal! No borrowed righteousness can make you real. You can't scrub the darkness from your soul, Only Christ can make the broken whole! Jesus or nothing, hear the call! The proud man stands, but the sinner falls. He came to save, He bled, He died— Come to the Savior; leave your pride! [Bridge — Spoken Testimony, Music Drops Low] I was down in the Dungeon, Where the smoke hides the ceiling And the laughter hides the pain. I had opinions about Jesus. I had compliments for Jesus. I had a whole routine about Jesus. But I had never surrendered the one thing He came to rescue— Me. [Verse 4 — Warm, Soulful Crooner] Then grace came walking through the haze, And turned my night to brighter days. No perfect record, no spotless past, Just Christ who loved me to the last. He bore my sin upon the tree, And gave His wounded life for me. I came with nothing I could claim— He washed my soul and changed my name! [Final Chorus — Full Ensemble, Joyful and Defiant] JESUS OR NOTHING! Now I know! His saving mercy made me whole! No pride, no boast, no self-made crown— I lay my broken weapons down! JESUS MY SAVIOR! Christ my King! Now all my heart has cause to sing! He came to save, He bled, He died— I found my life at the Crucified! [Outro — Crooner, Intimate] So if you find yourself in the Dungeon tonight, All dressed up, talking big, and avoiding the Light… Don't just admire the Doctor. Let Him heal you. Don't just applaud the Savior. Come to Him. Because the question was never, "Do you think Jesus was a remarkable man?" The question is— Will you receive Him as your Savior? [Spoken Outro — After Music Fades Completely] Inspired by a Sermon Gem from Charles Haddon Spurgeon. The Sine Qua Non. Sermon Nine Twenty Six. Spurgeon Gems dot org. Go there to find Gems galore!