The album begins with a new worship classic “To Our God” featuring Brian Johnson, and the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd is infectious. I knew when I started singing and worshipping God along with the live recording that I was in for a real treat. The next hour and all 13 songs kept me hooked with the incredible vocals, stellar guitar playing and the amazing audience participation including two tracks of spontaneous worship, “Everything To You” feat. Jenn Johnson and “I Really Love You” feat. Brian and Jenn Johnson. This is what a live recording is all about. The vertical worship and number of songs I could imagine singing in union with fellow believers in a corporate worship setting is another highlight of this very solid album. Some of the songs that would be great additions to church services are “Our Father” feat. Jenn Johnson, “This is Amazing Grace” feat. Jeremy Riddle, and “You Have Won Me” feat. Brian Johnson which has the expressive chorus, “Jesus You have won me…You are worthy of glory and praise.” 

Other highlights are “In Your Light” feat. Jeremy Riddle, “Freedom” feat. William Matthews and “Closer” feat. Steffany Frizzell-Gretzinger stops me in my tracks as Steffany slays me with her confessional and prayerful vocal style. Similar to “You Know Me” from The Loft Sessions, recently married Steffany offers her devotion directly to God with these gorgeous lyrics—“Your love has ravished my heart and taken me over, taken me over, and all I want is to be with You forever, with You forever / So pull me a little closer, take me a little deeper / I want to know Your heart, I want to know Your heart / Because Your love is so much sweeter than anything I’ve ever tasted, I want to know Your heart, I want to know Your heart.” There is great comfort in knowing Jesus and being known by Him in every detail of our lives. Amen to that!

Don’t miss the epic title track “For The Sake of the World” feat. Brian Johnson. It is an instant classic for the Church in the style of Hillsong worship anthems “Mighty To Save,” “The Stand” and “From The Inside Out.” He has also written and sung the current hit worship song “One Thing Remains” recorded by Passion Worship feat. Kristian Stanfill, Jesus Culture, and others. For The Sake Of The World is the heart cry, and a declaration, by the Bethel Music artists widely known for their passionate, intimate worship.“It’s for the world to see us burning for Him,” says Brian Johnson, sharing the purpose for the album. “There’s a culture that’s contagious within the songs and within the worship in the live moments that people can feel on the live CDs.  That’s really what we’re trying to capture. We’ve seen it throughout history – when there is a man or woman of God that burns for Him, it’s contagious.” Thank you Bethel Music for these incredible musical offerings to Jesus.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

If you like the recent worship classics “One Thing Remains,” “Forever Reign,” “Love Came Down” and “10,000 Reasons” you’ll love the album For The Sake Of The World. If you like Brit-Rock style praise and worship artists Hillsong UNITED, Matt Redman, Tim Hughes and Jesus Culture, then you can’t go wrong with the Bethel Live worship team. Every song on this album has quickly become a staple in my playlist of my favorite worship anthems. Every song is worshipful and catchy. My best description of this incredible album is to remember the first time you attended a worship event that caused you to lose yourself in the prayerful lyrics and you felt God’s presence. If you want to re-live that experience, then you need to get For The Sake Of The World.