harvestoc.net blog, Thursday, April 30, 2009
Marriage Mini-Series from Genesis 24
Though I originally planned to take all 67 verses of Genesis 24 Lord's Day evening, I've decided to take it in four sermons instead. The reason is that Genesis 24 speaks to a large extent on marriage, an issue on which current events remind us that our culture is hostile to the Bible, many in the church are sadly confused, and cannot be thought about too often or too Biblically.
The schedule for upcoming morning sermons looks like this:
May 3 -- Gen 24:1-9 'Marriage: What's it all about?'
May 10 -- Russ Herman filling the pulpit
May 17 -- Mat 28:18-20 'Baptism: a mark made in heaven' (baptism of Levi Van Essendelft)
May 24 -- Gen 24:10-28 'Marriage: Whom should I marry?'
May 31 -- Gen 24:29-58 'Marriage: How should we begin?'
Jun 7 -- Gen 24:59-67 'Marriage: What is a blessed one?'
Labels: Announcements, Sermons
¶ 4:36 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Congregational Meeting Postponed
Due to the lack of a quorum, no congregational business could be transacted last night. The elders need to reschedule the meeting and remind you of your vow to support the worship and work of the church to the best of your ability. Please let an elder know when would be a more convenient time for us to schedule the next meeting. Thank you!
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:24 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:26-27 'Perfect Spiritual Intercession' (26-Apr Evening Sermon)
In the evening service this week, we heard from Rom 8:26-27 about the Holy Spirit's intercession for us because we don't know what to pray for as we ought. Russ Herman preached the message, of which [the audio is online].
Labels: Sermons
¶ 3:08 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Reformation Society Meeting Tomorrow Evening (Thursday)
I've missed y'all and will be missing you again soon. Hope to see many of you at tonight's congregational meeting. I also hope to see many of you at tomorrow's Reformation Society meeting. Here's the info, just-in from Dr. Janssen:
Dear Friends of the Reformation,
We meet tomorrow night for study and fellowship. Please look over the text from Matthew, and ready to be refreshed in the Word.
Brian Janssen
| | Rev. G.I. Williamson (15) Rev. Jay Wesseling (10) Rev. Gene Vis (5) | Matthew 6:24-34 |
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, April 20, 2009
Congregational Celebration
Harvest Church will celebrate God's gift of our new building on Saturday, May 23, at 5:30 p.m. here. We will begin with a meal, and around 6:15, have a time of thanks. Each family is requested to come with verses(s) of Scripture expressing thanks to God and also a favorite hymn. There will be a few musical numbers, including a choir singing "What Wondrous Love Is This." This coming Lord's Day, April 26, after the morning service, we invite as many as would like to rehearse around the piano as part of this choir. We hope for at least two sopranos, tow altos, two tenors, and two basses.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 8:47 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:23-25 'The Audacity of Hope' (19-Apr Evening Sermon)
In evening worship this week, we heard from Rom 8:23-25 that our inward groaning isn't a sourness toward God's many blessings now, but a longing and straining forward to what we will receive at the resurrection; that, our eager hoping is a hunger for and love of the resurrection; and, that our patient waiting is the ability to live intentionally and well in the moment, not anxious over the resurrection because its certainty and timing are sure in Christ. [click here for the audio]
Labels: Sermons
¶ 8:41 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 23 'Better than a Lifetime Together' (19-Apr Morning Sermon)
In the morning sermon this week, we heard from Genesis 23 about how deeply Abraham valued and grieved the loss of a lifetime with his wife; but, how by faith he considered resurrection with her to be better than a lifetime together with here. [click here for the audio].
Labels: Sermons
¶ 8:21 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Found
Size 7/8 girls' jean jacket with pretty embroidery; it's in the office/cry-room.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 10:41 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Let's Celebrate!
I woke up this morning thinking that we need to add a group-sing to the weekly Lord's Day after-party at my house. Come with your favorites picked out! Also, children who are taking instruments, bring it (we have a piano) and help us celebrate our having enjoyed this foretaste of glory! And if you're not a child but happen to be our handy neighbor to the north, we expect some lovely accordion music out of you. You've heard of neighbors calling to ask if you could turn down the stereo--let's have ours ask if we can turn down our voices ... or better yet if they might come join us ;-)
I won't be here on the 26th, but you're all invited on May 3rd (since I will be Heatherless, bring vittles).
I won't be here on the 26th, but you're all invited on May 3rd (since I will be Heatherless, bring vittles).
Labels: Announcements
¶ 10:27 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, April 17, 2009
19-Apr Worship Booklet Online
It's [available here]. Don't forget to pray for your elders, who will leave for Presbytery at 5a and return around 10p tomorrow. But don't follow our example--be rested for the Lord's Day!
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 3:50 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, April 16, 2009
Catechism Review Class During the Bible Class Hour
In addition to the Bible Study on church officers, beginning April 19, we are also offering a catechism review class. It will review--and, if there is time, cover in more depth--questions 1-11, beginning with question 1 this week. We do not wish to discourage families who wish to keep their children in the Bible study on church officers. We encourage all families to discuss what they learn from the Bible, whatever classes you attend.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 1:18 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:18-23 'What Suffering Christians Need to Hear' (12-Apr Evening Sermon)
It may have never crossed your mind that what suffering Christians need to hear is that evolution is a stinking, steaming pile of philosophical, theological, and scientific refuse. It should have. This is exactly the point of Rom 8:18-23. The audio of the message is [online here].
Labels: Sermons
¶ 1:09 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 22 'God Provides the Sacrifice' (12-Apr Morning Sermon)
What a blessing this text was to prepare and preach. From it we heard that we must be willing to lose everything else for God, that nothing we can give God is ever good enough to make up for our sin, that there must yet be a sacrifice for sin, and that this sacrifice is Jesus. You can get the audio [online here].
Labels: Sermons
¶ 1:05 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Psalm 35:17-28 'Praise as the Purpose of Prayer' (15-Apr-09 Prayer Meeting Devotional)
Helplessness is a beautiful thing. As we considered at the supper Lord's Day evening, it is HIS body, HIS blood, HIS righteousness, HIS sacrifice that avail for us. The very reason we can be so sure of HIS salvation is that we are totally helpless. It is all HIS and none ours.
And those who believe this pray. With God's help, we will do so tonight, and the devotional that will lead into it is [online here].
And those who believe this pray. With God's help, we will do so tonight, and the devotional that will lead into it is [online here].
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 5:08 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, April 11, 2009
No Fellowship Meal Tomorrow
In the copying and pasting for the worship booklet last week, I forgot to delete the Fellowship Meal from the schedule for April 12. And, somehow, posting the correction slipped off my todo list without being done. So sorry!
Labels: Announcements
¶ 3:01 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
12-Apr Worship Booklet
is [online here].
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 2:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, April 10, 2009
Please Pray for Paxton De Haan
Paxton cut his leg very deeply this afternoon and is in surgery at the time of this post. They will be reconnecting tissue at the various layers of his leg as they work out toward the surface. When asked, Craig and Sandi can't really think of other ways that you can serve them at this time, but you should of course pray. Paxton himself, and indeed the whole family, seem quite content and at peace in God's providence. Praise the Lord.
Labels: Announcements, Prayer Requests
¶ 5:13 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
John 19:28-30 'Quenched'
I've been asked to preach a "Good Friday sermon" at the community service this afternoon. I've only got about 13 minutes to do so, which means that I will have to summarize most of the sermon in the pulpit. So, I'm making available here [a recording of the full audio] and [a manuscript of the full text] of the sermon.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 12:42 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, April 9, 2009
8-Apr-09 Elders' Meeting Roundup
- We are still working on a lease document for Bethesda and Family Solutions
- Offerings are about $870/month behind expenses (or, roughly, $30 per family per month). Without large, one-time gifts, they are $1320/month behind ($50/fam/mo). We have cash reserves for quite a long time, but this obviously is not sustainable.
- Bible class plans are for the Bible study on church officers to continue through June 7, and then for the summer, beginning June 14 an inter-generational Bible study on godly communication using the War of Words DVD and discussion series by Paul Tripp.
- Bob Hilbelink and Mark Fedders are Harvest's ruling elder delegates to the April 18 Presbytery meeting.
- Because of where we are at in officer training, the congregational vote to recognize those whom God has called for us here will take place at the June annual meeting, not at the April 29 meeting. Candidates must be examined by the elders and certified 30 days before the vote.
- We observed with joy God's work in several members and families, and we signed letters of thanks to and for several of them
- We prayed for Christ's work here and for the congregation
Labels: Announcements, Elders' Meetings
¶ 2:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
1Cor 10:1-22 'Not by Membership, Nor by Sacraments' (8-Apr Session Devotional)
Last night, Pastor James led devotions on 1 Cor. 10:1-22. Though “all were baptized into Moses”, though “all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink”, nevertheless with most of them God was not well pleased, because they were idolaters (7), immoral (8), testing God (9), and grumbling (10). In vv6, 11 Paul tells us that this record from the Old Testament church is an example, a warning, for members of the visible church in the New Testament. The church today has the same problem: we have people who were baptized into Christ, who take of the spiritual food and drink at the Lord’s Supper, but who worship material things, or make idols out of sports heroes or other people, who presume upon God’s grace, testing him with disobedient lives, seeking their own pleasure more than God, grumbling about God’s provisions. Of both OT and NT baptized Paul says “He who thinks he stands, beware lest he fall.” (12) v. 14-22 are very sobering, for eating meat sacrificed to idols (which are no gods) may really be sacrificing to demons (20); if we partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons, we provoke the Lord (21,22). The main point then: having membership in the company of the redeemed(v1), baptism(v2), and the Lord’s Supper(v3-4) shouldn't make anyone think he is saved if he lives for pleasure(v7), is ok with immorality(v8), doesn't care about God's rules(v9), or is discontent with God's providence(v10). When Jesus transforms someone, He changes these things in him. This is a vital truth for our church to know and live.
Labels: Session Devotionals
¶ 1:55 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:17 'Joint Experiences with Christ' (5-Apr Evening Sermon)
In evening worship this week, we heard Rom 8:17 preached. We heard that we are heirs of God, meaning not only that all which belongs to God belongs to us, but that God Himself is our portion and inheritance! Then we heard that the only way for this to be true is if we do our inheriting jointly, in unison, with Christ; for, the inheritance that we are to receive rightly belongs to Him alone. From the rest of the verse, we heard that this is also the nature of our suffering and our being glorified. Christ suffers jointly with us: Jesus does all our suffering with us, and we can only suffer those pangs that are needful for His work of building His church. We are glorified jointly with Jesus: on this point, we compared to John 17 and found the great mystery that it is not just a glory like His but enjoyment of His glory with Him, in unison with Him, as a "joint effort"--exactly as Rom 8:17 seems to say. This idea is too wonderful for us now, and we cannot say more about the details of it, because the Bible doesn't, but we look forward to it with eager hope. The audio of the message is [online].
Labels: Sermons
¶ 1:47 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 21:28-34 'Surprises for Immigrants' (5-Apr Morning Sermon)
In morning worship this week we heard from Genesis 21:28-34 how Christians have a God who delights to surprise with gifts over and above what one would expect, and how God Himself is country and family and security to us such that this world cannot be our home. In light of these truths, we respond with grateful wonder and worship toward God, and we imitate Him before others by being surprisingly generous and steadily content. The audio of the message is now [online].
Labels: Sermons
¶ 10:36 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Psa 35:1-16 'What a Rom 12:14-21 Soul Sounds Like at Prayer' (8-Apr-09 Prayer Meeting)
The handout is [online here].
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 6:21 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
March Elders' Meetings Roundup
As we have our first (hopefully last?) elders' meeting for April tonight, you might be interested in the following work that was completed on last month's agenda. We remind you that session meetings are public meetings and include Bible study and prayer in addition to such "business," items.
- We received from the assistant clerk nominations for the offices of elder and deacon, and approved men for each office. (We'll wait to publish the lists at large until we hear from Bob that he's closed the loop with them all)
- We decided to endorse the 40 Days for Life campaign in the congregation's announcements
- We decided to endorse the request from the Iowa City church plant for more disaster recovery help, and to advertise in the announcements that we would like a volunteer to organize and/or lead a trip for rebuilding/construction in Iowa City.
- We decided to make formal lease agreements with our tenants, including the addition of gas utility sharing to their (very low) rent, in order to encourage responsible consumption
- We received a report from the treasurer that giving is behind what it will need to have averaged at the end of the year; we decided to pass this information along to the congregation for those who would find it useful as they allocate their charitable giving
- We decided that for the time being, Bob Hilbelink will be our delegate to the western branch of the Presbytery's care of churches committee.
- We decided to call a congregational meeting for April 29, 2009, at 7:30p.m. to present to the congregation the following issues: (a) household voting, (b) wine in the supper, (c) the election of deacons and additional elders [note: this item may be postponed to another meeting, if the session feels that we have not had adequate time to consider the eldership and diaconate as a congregation], (d) organizing our "Women in the Church," (e) getting organized as far as making visitors feel welcome and enabling them to participate in and follow the worship as well as possible, (f) the church body--i.e. corporation--bylaws.
- We decided to seek pulpit supply for April 26, May 10, and Jun 20--weeks in which elder Hakim will either be gone or have been gone most of the week.
- We decided to have some kind of celebration on Saturday, May 23, to thank God for our new building and nominated a planning committee of Gary Vander Hart, Brian Vander Plaats, Maggie Laverman, Alethea Fedders, and JoAnn Vander Plaats
- We decided to proceed with the first step of discipline, providing instruction, in several cases of public or scandalous sin
Labels: Announcements, Elders' Meetings
¶ 5:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Draft Bylaws Online
The elders have called for a congregational meeting on April 29, 2009, at 7:30p.m. (in place of prayer meeting). One of the things to be presented at this meeting is the proposed bylaws. We would like all members to look over the draft of our bylaws, which have been placed [online]. The main idea is for this document to restate those things to which we have already committed ourselves under the authority of Scripture and by approving of the BCO as a PCA congregation. Hard copies are available on the resource table on the Lord's Day.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 4:41 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 21:28-34 'Surprises for Immigrants' (Worship Followup, Morning Sermon)
Text: Genesis 21:28-34. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Surprises for Immigrants'. In the morning sermon this week, we heard about Abraham's surprise generosity with the seven ewe lambs, and how he had learned such surprise blessing from God.
For application, we thought about whether we receive God's blessings with indifferent sense of entitlement, or do we continue to receive each new one with wonder at the Lord Jesus, who has earned them all for us; and, we thought about whether we like Abraham are surprisingly generous with the undeserving in a way that shows others how God continues to be generous with us.
Then, we heard about how Abraham was content to live in the land as an immigrant, and how he even thrived in that condition, because God and His promises were more to Abraham than any earthly security or pleasure. And the application there was obvious to us: do we live in the same way, or do our hopes and joys reflect that our roots are as permanently here as those who belong to this world?
Sample questions for more application. Name ten ways in which you were blessed today. How many of these did you deserve? Considering that if you belong to Jesus, eternal joy and glory are already guaranteed to you, how many of today's blessings did you really need to have in addition to that? Why would God give such blessings to you? When was the last time you were so generous with someone that you puzzled them? Think of a way to be puzzlingly generous with someone this week, and do it. Are you so sure of and satisfied with God that if you never received another good thing in this life, you would rejoice in Him?
Song: All the Way, My Savior Leads Me. [tune]
Lesson: 'Surprises for Immigrants'. In the morning sermon this week, we heard about Abraham's surprise generosity with the seven ewe lambs, and how he had learned such surprise blessing from God.
For application, we thought about whether we receive God's blessings with indifferent sense of entitlement, or do we continue to receive each new one with wonder at the Lord Jesus, who has earned them all for us; and, we thought about whether we like Abraham are surprisingly generous with the undeserving in a way that shows others how God continues to be generous with us.
Then, we heard about how Abraham was content to live in the land as an immigrant, and how he even thrived in that condition, because God and His promises were more to Abraham than any earthly security or pleasure. And the application there was obvious to us: do we live in the same way, or do our hopes and joys reflect that our roots are as permanently here as those who belong to this world?
Sample questions for more application. Name ten ways in which you were blessed today. How many of these did you deserve? Considering that if you belong to Jesus, eternal joy and glory are already guaranteed to you, how many of today's blessings did you really need to have in addition to that? Why would God give such blessings to you? When was the last time you were so generous with someone that you puzzled them? Think of a way to be puzzlingly generous with someone this week, and do it. Are you so sure of and satisfied with God that if you never received another good thing in this life, you would rejoice in Him?
Song: All the Way, My Savior Leads Me. [tune]
All the way my Saviour leads me— What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in him to dwell—
For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
-
All the way my Saviour leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev'ry trial, Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me, Lo, a spring of joy I see!
-
All the way my Saviour leads me— O the fullness of his love!
Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father's house above:
When my spirit, clothed, immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way!
Can I doubt his tender mercy Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in him to dwell—
For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
-
All the way my Saviour leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev'ry trial, Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the rock before me, Lo, a spring of joy I see!
-
All the way my Saviour leads me— O the fullness of his love!
Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father's house above:
When my spirit, clothed, immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 4:34 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Rev 11 'Immortal until Our Work Is Done' (Worship Followup, Morning Reading)
Text: Revelation 11. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Immortal until Our Work Is Done'. In this chapter, we see the prophecy that the scroll contained--how God's word on His people's lips is unstoppable, even though they witness in sackcloth, showing the grief and suffering they endure in this life. And yet, it is only when their testimony is finished that the enemy is permitted to kill them--something over which the enemy is quite pleased, but which ends in the ultimate victory of resurrection for believers and universal glory for God.
Remember, beloved, whose Word controls history, so that you may be sure that you cannot die until His work for you is finished (cf. Eph 2:10). Though you grieve and suffer much, yet your witness cannot fail, so endure patiently and live zealously! Don't forget that the half-seven years reminds that your suffering is brief (Rom 8:18, 2Co 4:17-18), and the half-seven days reminds that your wait for resurrection will seem even more so! Don't forget that only in this life can you witness before unbelievers, and that for all eternity we will be praising Jesus for His complete victory!
Questions for more application. Who has decided how long you will live? Who has decided what will happen to you? If you belong to God through Jesus, on what basis has He made these decisions about you? What is our ultimate purpose in this world, as long as we are here? How long is this life in comparison to eternity? What happens at death and soon after (half-seven!) to show that death is not a defeat but a victory? What will be our business forever?
Song: Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today [tune]
Lesson: 'Immortal until Our Work Is Done'. In this chapter, we see the prophecy that the scroll contained--how God's word on His people's lips is unstoppable, even though they witness in sackcloth, showing the grief and suffering they endure in this life. And yet, it is only when their testimony is finished that the enemy is permitted to kill them--something over which the enemy is quite pleased, but which ends in the ultimate victory of resurrection for believers and universal glory for God.
Remember, beloved, whose Word controls history, so that you may be sure that you cannot die until His work for you is finished (cf. Eph 2:10). Though you grieve and suffer much, yet your witness cannot fail, so endure patiently and live zealously! Don't forget that the half-seven years reminds that your suffering is brief (Rom 8:18, 2Co 4:17-18), and the half-seven days reminds that your wait for resurrection will seem even more so! Don't forget that only in this life can you witness before unbelievers, and that for all eternity we will be praising Jesus for His complete victory!
Questions for more application. Who has decided how long you will live? Who has decided what will happen to you? If you belong to God through Jesus, on what basis has He made these decisions about you? What is our ultimate purpose in this world, as long as we are here? How long is this life in comparison to eternity? What happens at death and soon after (half-seven!) to show that death is not a defeat but a victory? What will be our business forever?
Song: Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today [tune]
"Christ the Lord is risen today," Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say; Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia! Sing ye heav'ns, and earth, reply: Alleluia!
-
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia! Christ has burst the gates of hell: Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids his rise; Alleluia! Christ hath opened Paradise. Alleluia!
-
Raise your joys and triumphs high; Alleluia! Sing ye heav'ns, and earth, reply: Alleluia!
-
Vain the stone, the watch, the seal; Alleluia! Christ has burst the gates of hell: Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids his rise; Alleluia! Christ hath opened Paradise. Alleluia!
-
Lives again our glorious King; Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died, our souls to save; Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
-
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head; Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise: Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia!
-
Hail, the Lord of earth and heav'n! Alleluia! Praise to thee by both be giv'n; Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now; Alleluia! Hail, the Resurrection Thou! Alleluia!
Once he died, our souls to save; Alleluia! Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
-
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head; Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise: Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia!
-
Hail, the Lord of earth and heav'n! Alleluia! Praise to thee by both be giv'n; Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now; Alleluia! Hail, the Resurrection Thou! Alleluia!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 2:06 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
7-Apr-09 Best of the Web
- Justin Taylor today linked to the most helpful resource I've ever seen on the internet. If you've never had any Hebrew or Greek, it might not be so to you. But for those who have had any at all, this site is fantastic. I suppose for those whose knowledge of the languages is exhaustive it wouldn't be as helpful.
- Someone forgot to tell Silas Told that it's not very good church-growth technique only to evangelize those guaranteed to be dead the next day.
- GREAT DEALS ON GREAT BOOKS. Monergism Books has Bookends of the Christian Life (which promises to be a Bridges classic) on a great sale. If you're an officer (or candidate, or any Christian who wants to help people who are hurting), you may also want to pick up the book I've recommended as a reference for helping the hurting from Scripture. Monergism has the lowest price on the net for Searle and Short's Pocket Manual on Pastoral Visitation. Those who, in our recent studies on being led by the Spirit, have begun to be freed from the tyranny of always trying to "figure out God's will," may also wish to pick up Kevin DeYoung's new book Just Do Something, for themselves or a friend. I haven't read it, but I'm already loving the quotes on the product page.
- Though my conscience wouldn't actually allow me to do this on a Lord's Day, it might be a good discipline to accomplish the same thing by watching a video of a mainline church service once a year or so. It brought back for me the application from the morning sermon about testing our heart-responses to see if we really do still respond to God's wonderful blessings with wonder. What do you feel when you read the account of that service? Heart-break for the people there, indignation at the half-truths that enslave their souls, and befuddled wonder at the grace of God that He has sent you messengers with the truth of His Bible and given you His Spirit to wake up your own dead soul? Or do you feel something deadly, like contempt for others that betrays the secret idea in your heart the difference between you and them is how good a job you've done of figuring things out? Or do you feel something that's just plain dead: the indifference of "oh well"--never mind that those souls will perish for lack of knowledge if they do not hear and believe the true gospel--or the disinterest of "does it really matter if their doctrine is off?"... a disinterest that reveals your heart to be in that church's pews, even if your posterior is in our nice, mauve chairs.
Labels: Best of the Web
¶ 10:57 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, April 6, 2009
Heb 2:1-4 'Great Preacher, Great Message' (Worship Followup, Morning Call)
Text: Hebrews 2:1-4. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Great Preacher, Great Message'. Right from the get-go, Hebrews introduced Jesus as the preacher in Christian worship. We're about to hear in this chapter that He is even the preacher in our prayers and songs (cf. Heb 2:11-13 with Col 3:16)!
In the text that called us to worship this week, God reminds us that no matter how He gives us His word, it will most certainly stand! And then He makes the argument that this is most so in Christian worship, because it is Jesus Himself who speaks.
But it's not just the preacher in our worship whose greatness is beyond measure--but His message as well. It is a message of salvation. Interestingly, he describes this message as something that can be transgressed or disobeyed if we neglect it. And that's just the truth about the gospel.
There is a required response to the good news about Jesus: faith. This is what we have seen Romans call "the obedience of faith." Neglecting the gospel is an act of transgression or disobedience. The message of salvation comes with this implied command: "Believe!"
Questions for more application. How can it be that Jesus is our preacher when one of the elders is talking or praying, or even when we are all singing? Where is Jesus? What is He doing there? If Jesus tells you good news, what are you obligated to do?
Song: Blessed Jesus, at Your Word [tune]
Lesson: 'Great Preacher, Great Message'. Right from the get-go, Hebrews introduced Jesus as the preacher in Christian worship. We're about to hear in this chapter that He is even the preacher in our prayers and songs (cf. Heb 2:11-13 with Col 3:16)!
In the text that called us to worship this week, God reminds us that no matter how He gives us His word, it will most certainly stand! And then He makes the argument that this is most so in Christian worship, because it is Jesus Himself who speaks.
But it's not just the preacher in our worship whose greatness is beyond measure--but His message as well. It is a message of salvation. Interestingly, he describes this message as something that can be transgressed or disobeyed if we neglect it. And that's just the truth about the gospel.
There is a required response to the good news about Jesus: faith. This is what we have seen Romans call "the obedience of faith." Neglecting the gospel is an act of transgression or disobedience. The message of salvation comes with this implied command: "Believe!"
Questions for more application. How can it be that Jesus is our preacher when one of the elders is talking or praying, or even when we are all singing? Where is Jesus? What is He doing there? If Jesus tells you good news, what are you obligated to do?
Song: Blessed Jesus, at Your Word [tune]
Blessed Jesus, at Your word We are gathered all to hear You;
Let our hearts and souls be stirred Now to seek and love and fear You,
By Your teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love You solely.
-
By Your teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love You solely.
-
All our knowledge, sense, and sight Lie in deepest darkness shrouded
Till Your Spirit breaks our night With the beams of truth unclouded.
You alone to God canst win us; You must work all good within us.
-
Glorious Lord, Yourself impart, Light of Light, from God proceeding;
Open thou our ears and heart, Help us by thy Spirit's pleading;
Hear the cry Your people raises, Hear and bless our prayers and praises.
-
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Praise to You and adoration!
Grant that we Your Word may trust And obtain true consolation
While we here below must wander, Till we sing Your praises yonder.
Till Your Spirit breaks our night With the beams of truth unclouded.
You alone to God canst win us; You must work all good within us.
-
Glorious Lord, Yourself impart, Light of Light, from God proceeding;
Open thou our ears and heart, Help us by thy Spirit's pleading;
Hear the cry Your people raises, Hear and bless our prayers and praises.
-
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Praise to You and adoration!
Grant that we Your Word may trust And obtain true consolation
While we here below must wander, Till we sing Your praises yonder.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, April 4, 2009
WORSHIP SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR APRIL 5TH
The elders have canceled the Bible classes and changed the schedule to the following:
11:30a.m. Morning Worship
1:00p.m. Fellowship Meal
2:30p.m. Evening Worship
So that as many of us can sup together at the Lord's Table as possible, we are postponing the April celebration of the Lord's Supper to the evening service on the 12th.
If roads tomorrow are impassible, and you live in another community, we counsel you to worship nearby, wherever Scripture, the Word of Christ, is likely to be most central.
If roads tomorrow are impassible, and you do not live near any community, we counsel for heads of households to lead their houses in worship. In addition to singing, praying, and reading Scripture, we recommend that you read some excellent sermon. For instance, this sermon in the morning, and this sermon in the evening.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 8:19 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:16 'Spirit Speech' (Worship Followup, Evening Sermon)
Text: Romans 8:16. [click here] to read online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Spirit Speech'. In the evening service this week, we heard from all over the New Testament about the Spirit's wonderful ministry to believers. We heard about how the Spirit has given us every word of the Bible, making it more sure than if we heard God's own audible voice at the top of a mountain! We heard about how the Spirit also gives heart-understanding of those words, an understanding that no human intelligence can ever give. And we followed the ministry of the Spirit through Romans to see how everything He does in the life of a believer is the applying of the blessings of Jesus.
What an amazing ministry the Holy Spirit has to us! And yet, in our days, this astonishing ministry is treated as nothing, and well-meaning believers think of the Spirit primarily in terms of earthly displays to our senses and of figuring out the secret plans of God. And so, with a focus having little to do with Christianity and more in common with paganism, we have lost the wonder, the joy, the confidence, the fellowship of the Spirit in His truly heavenly ministering to us of Christ through the Word.
But in our verse, Romans 8:16, we came to a ministry that is not to us, but with us--and directed toward God. He doesn't just apply Jesus to us, giving rise to the cry in our hearts, "Abba! Father!" He also joins our very cry, appealing our sonship to God, pleading our union with Jesus in all of His perfect requests for us. Praise God for the wonderful gift of His Spirit! Praise the Spirit for His wonderful ministries of Spirit speech!
Sample questions for more application. What is more certain: words of God heard out loud, or words of God on the pages of the Bible? Are God's secret plans for us to know? What of God's is for us to know? Who tells it to us and how? If heart-understanding only comes from the Holy Spirit, does that mean we don't use our brains? What does it mean we trust in for applying Jesus' benefits to us? What does it mean about who we credit for our spiritual growth? How does this stop you from looking down your nose at people who don't understand?
Song: 'Come, Holy Spirit, Come' [tune]
Lesson: 'Spirit Speech'. In the evening service this week, we heard from all over the New Testament about the Spirit's wonderful ministry to believers. We heard about how the Spirit has given us every word of the Bible, making it more sure than if we heard God's own audible voice at the top of a mountain! We heard about how the Spirit also gives heart-understanding of those words, an understanding that no human intelligence can ever give. And we followed the ministry of the Spirit through Romans to see how everything He does in the life of a believer is the applying of the blessings of Jesus.
What an amazing ministry the Holy Spirit has to us! And yet, in our days, this astonishing ministry is treated as nothing, and well-meaning believers think of the Spirit primarily in terms of earthly displays to our senses and of figuring out the secret plans of God. And so, with a focus having little to do with Christianity and more in common with paganism, we have lost the wonder, the joy, the confidence, the fellowship of the Spirit in His truly heavenly ministering to us of Christ through the Word.
But in our verse, Romans 8:16, we came to a ministry that is not to us, but with us--and directed toward God. He doesn't just apply Jesus to us, giving rise to the cry in our hearts, "Abba! Father!" He also joins our very cry, appealing our sonship to God, pleading our union with Jesus in all of His perfect requests for us. Praise God for the wonderful gift of His Spirit! Praise the Spirit for His wonderful ministries of Spirit speech!
Sample questions for more application. What is more certain: words of God heard out loud, or words of God on the pages of the Bible? Are God's secret plans for us to know? What of God's is for us to know? Who tells it to us and how? If heart-understanding only comes from the Holy Spirit, does that mean we don't use our brains? What does it mean we trust in for applying Jesus' benefits to us? What does it mean about who we credit for our spiritual growth? How does this stop you from looking down your nose at people who don't understand?
Song: 'Come, Holy Spirit, Come' [tune]
Come, Holy Spirit, come; Let thy bright beams arise;
Dispel the darkness from our minds, And open all our eyes.
-
Cheer our desponding hearts, Thou heav'nly Paraclete;
Give us to lie with humble hope At our Redeemer's feet.
-
Revive our drooping faith; Our doubts and fears remove;
And kindle in our breasts the flames Of never-dying love.
-
Convince us of our sin; Then lead to Jesus' blood,
And to our wond'ring view, reveal The secret love of God.
-
'Tis thine to cleanse the heart, To sanctify the soul,
To pour fresh life in ev'ry part, And new create the whole.
-
Dwell, therefore, in our hearts; Our minds from bondage free;
Then we shall know and praise and love The Father, Son, and Thee.
Dispel the darkness from our minds, And open all our eyes.
-
Cheer our desponding hearts, Thou heav'nly Paraclete;
Give us to lie with humble hope At our Redeemer's feet.
-
Revive our drooping faith; Our doubts and fears remove;
And kindle in our breasts the flames Of never-dying love.
-
Convince us of our sin; Then lead to Jesus' blood,
And to our wond'ring view, reveal The secret love of God.
-
'Tis thine to cleanse the heart, To sanctify the soul,
To pour fresh life in ev'ry part, And new create the whole.
-
Dwell, therefore, in our hearts; Our minds from bondage free;
Then we shall know and praise and love The Father, Son, and Thee.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 12:12 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, April 3, 2009
5-Apr-09 Worship Booklet Now Online
[here]
Labels: Worship Booklet
¶ 8:16 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Cleanup/Moving Day, Fellowship Meal, Lord's Supper
1. Tomorrow is cleanup/moving day. Even if you haven't been specifically asked to do something, come on down to the building any time after 9a.m., and there will be plenty for you to do!
2. We are planning to have a fellowship meal after morning worship
3. We are planning to take the Lord's Supper together in the evening service. Let us prepare—The Lord has become a man and died for our sins, has risen from the dead and ascended and sits upon the throne of heaven, and is coming again as Judge. He has a body in glory and a body on earth, and we are to live under His rule and as members of His body who reflect that by loving and serving each other for His sake. 1Cor 11 says that to take in the manner of which the supper is worthy, we must have examined whether we are living in light of these things.
2. We are planning to have a fellowship meal after morning worship
3. We are planning to take the Lord's Supper together in the evening service. Let us prepare—The Lord has become a man and died for our sins, has risen from the dead and ascended and sits upon the throne of heaven, and is coming again as Judge. He has a body in glory and a body on earth, and we are to live under His rule and as members of His body who reflect that by loving and serving each other for His sake. 1Cor 11 says that to take in the manner of which the supper is worthy, we must have examined whether we are living in light of these things.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 8:11 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Isaiah 62 'So Shall Your God Rejoice over You' (Worship Followup, Evening Reading)
Text: Isaiah 62. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'So Shall Your God Rejoice over You'. As Gary's lesson showed, Lord's Day evening, this is such a rich chapter! For tonight's follow-up, I'd just like to focus on vv2-5, with God giving His church a new name, holding it in His hand as a precious jewel, declaring His delight in it, and rejoicing over it as a groom over His bride.
Is this not astonishing? Do you remember who this people is upon whom God showers this affection and in whom God takes this deep pleasure? Those whose sins were like scarlet. Those whose unfaithfulness defied blessing after blessing and chastisement after chastisement.
And what has God done? He has made His wrath to fall on His Anointed One, Jesus Christ, instead of upon us. And He has promised to change our very natures. And He has promised to include among us people from every nation to the ends of the earth. And He has declared His intent to bury us in an avalanche of blessings and fill us full with good things from His own table and clothe us in His own garments. And much more... and that's just a sampling.
But this may be the best of all. We who have nothing but filth to call our own and yet are fully cleansed in Christ... we are the objects of God's own husband-love? We are the ones in whom He takes delight? We are the ones over whom He rejoices?
This is grace beyond imagining. And that's just the point. Nothing we could imagine could ever match the truth of what God actually planned, has actually done, and has told us about Himself.
Sample questions for more application. What can you bring to God for your salvation? What punishment could you endure that would make up for your sins against God? Is there anyone who is good enough to earn eternal life (note: the answer is JESUS!)? Is there any punishment that can fully make up for your sins against God (note: the answer is NOT Hell, since that will go forever without finishing; but, the answer is JESUS' CROSS!)? What are some of the blessings that people who trust in Jesus get? What is the greatest blessing God gives us (ans: Himself)? How does this chapter say God feels about the wretched sinners He has saved? If GOD feels like THIS about the church, how should we feel about and act toward her?
Song: I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord [tune]
Lesson: 'So Shall Your God Rejoice over You'. As Gary's lesson showed, Lord's Day evening, this is such a rich chapter! For tonight's follow-up, I'd just like to focus on vv2-5, with God giving His church a new name, holding it in His hand as a precious jewel, declaring His delight in it, and rejoicing over it as a groom over His bride.
Is this not astonishing? Do you remember who this people is upon whom God showers this affection and in whom God takes this deep pleasure? Those whose sins were like scarlet. Those whose unfaithfulness defied blessing after blessing and chastisement after chastisement.
And what has God done? He has made His wrath to fall on His Anointed One, Jesus Christ, instead of upon us. And He has promised to change our very natures. And He has promised to include among us people from every nation to the ends of the earth. And He has declared His intent to bury us in an avalanche of blessings and fill us full with good things from His own table and clothe us in His own garments. And much more... and that's just a sampling.
But this may be the best of all. We who have nothing but filth to call our own and yet are fully cleansed in Christ... we are the objects of God's own husband-love? We are the ones in whom He takes delight? We are the ones over whom He rejoices?
This is grace beyond imagining. And that's just the point. Nothing we could imagine could ever match the truth of what God actually planned, has actually done, and has told us about Himself.
Sample questions for more application. What can you bring to God for your salvation? What punishment could you endure that would make up for your sins against God? Is there anyone who is good enough to earn eternal life (note: the answer is JESUS!)? Is there any punishment that can fully make up for your sins against God (note: the answer is NOT Hell, since that will go forever without finishing; but, the answer is JESUS' CROSS!)? What are some of the blessings that people who trust in Jesus get? What is the greatest blessing God gives us (ans: Himself)? How does this chapter say God feels about the wretched sinners He has saved? If GOD feels like THIS about the church, how should we feel about and act toward her?
Song: I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord [tune]
I love thy Kingdom, Lord, The house of thine abode,
The church our blest Redeemer saved With his own precious blood.
-
I love thy church, O God: Her walls before thee stand,
Dear as the apple of thine eye, And graven on thy hand.
-
For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend;
To her my cares and toils be giv'n, Till toils and cares shall end.
-
Beyond my highest joy I prize her heav'nly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.
-
Jesus, thou Friend Divine, Our Saviour and our King,
Thy hand from ev'ry snare and foe Shall great deliv'rance bring.
-
Sure as thy truth shall last, To Zion shall be giv'n
The brightest glories earth can yield, And brighter bliss of heav'n.
The church our blest Redeemer saved With his own precious blood.
-
I love thy church, O God: Her walls before thee stand,
Dear as the apple of thine eye, And graven on thy hand.
-
For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend;
To her my cares and toils be giv'n, Till toils and cares shall end.
-
Beyond my highest joy I prize her heav'nly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise.
-
Jesus, thou Friend Divine, Our Saviour and our King,
Thy hand from ev'ry snare and foe Shall great deliv'rance bring.
-
Sure as thy truth shall last, To Zion shall be giv'n
The brightest glories earth can yield, And brighter bliss of heav'n.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:26 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, April 2, 2009
Ps 118:25-27 'The GLORIOUS Gate of Righteousness' (Worship Followup, Evening Call)
Text: Psalm 118:25-27. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'The GLORIOUS Gate of Righteousness'. These wonderful verses show the joy of those who have recognized, from last week's reading, that the true gate of access to God is Jesus Himself. Once we have done with the legalism of thinking that it is how well we do--our skills or our emotions or our sincerity--that makes worship "glorious," we are ready to see worship not just as glorious but as GLORIOUS. For the glory of Scriptural Christian worship is only (and always!) the glory of Jesus Himself!
That's what gives rise from last week's text to the exultant delight in the words of this week's text. Oh, may God sear into our hearts this view of Christ as the all of worship, and therefore this exulting in each and every time the congregation comes through Him! And may this conviction and this joy be what drives us to give our all in worship.
Jesus is He who comes in the name of Lord! Jesus is His light who shines upon us! Jesus is our once-for-all sacrifice through whom we come. As we come to worship, through Jesus we ask, “save us, O Lord! Give us success!”
Sample questions for more application. What do you think makes a glorious worship service? How would you feel about entering Heaven itself through Jesus Himself and gathering with all the righteous angels and all the true believers throughout the ages? Do you ever think about how that's exactly what we're doing when we worship biblically through Jesus? If we design our own worship--is that worship through Jesus or is it legalism (Col 2:23)?
Song: 'The Glorious Gates of Righteousness' [tune]
Lesson: 'The GLORIOUS Gate of Righteousness'. These wonderful verses show the joy of those who have recognized, from last week's reading, that the true gate of access to God is Jesus Himself. Once we have done with the legalism of thinking that it is how well we do--our skills or our emotions or our sincerity--that makes worship "glorious," we are ready to see worship not just as glorious but as GLORIOUS. For the glory of Scriptural Christian worship is only (and always!) the glory of Jesus Himself!
That's what gives rise from last week's text to the exultant delight in the words of this week's text. Oh, may God sear into our hearts this view of Christ as the all of worship, and therefore this exulting in each and every time the congregation comes through Him! And may this conviction and this joy be what drives us to give our all in worship.
Jesus is He who comes in the name of Lord! Jesus is His light who shines upon us! Jesus is our once-for-all sacrifice through whom we come. As we come to worship, through Jesus we ask, “save us, O Lord! Give us success!”
Sample questions for more application. What do you think makes a glorious worship service? How would you feel about entering Heaven itself through Jesus Himself and gathering with all the righteous angels and all the true believers throughout the ages? Do you ever think about how that's exactly what we're doing when we worship biblically through Jesus? If we design our own worship--is that worship through Jesus or is it legalism (Col 2:23)?
Song: 'The Glorious Gates of Righteousness' [tune]
The glorious gates of righteousness Throw open unto me,
And I will enter them with praise, O Lord, my God, to Thee,
And I will enter them with praise, O Lord, my God, to Thee.
And I will enter them with praise, O Lord, my God, to Thee,
And I will enter them with praise, O Lord, my God, to Thee.
-
This is Thy temple gate, O Lord, The just shall enter there;
My Savior, I will give Thee thanks, O Thou, that hearest prayer,
My Savior, I will give Thee thanks, O Thou, that hearest prayer.
My Savior, I will give Thee thanks, O Thou, that hearest prayer,
My Savior, I will give Thee thanks, O Thou, that hearest prayer.
-
The stone rejected and despised Is now the cornerstone;
How wondrous are the ways of God, Unfathomed and unknown!
How wondrous are the ways of God, Unfathomed and unknown!
How wondrous are the ways of God, Unfathomed and unknown!
How wondrous are the ways of God, Unfathomed and unknown!
-
In this the day that Thou hast made Triumphantly we sing;
Send now prosperity, O Lord, O Lord, salvation bring,
Send now prosperity, O Lord, O Lord, salvation bring.
Send now prosperity, O Lord, O Lord, salvation bring,
Send now prosperity, O Lord, O Lord, salvation bring.
-
Hosanna! Ever blest be he That cometh in God’s Name;
The blessing of Jehovah’s house Upon you we proclaim;
The blessing of Jehovah’s house Upon you we proclaim.
The blessing of Jehovah’s house Upon you we proclaim;
The blessing of Jehovah’s house Upon you we proclaim.
-
The light of joy to shine on us The Lord our God has made;
Now be the precious sacrifice Upon His altar laid;
Now be the precious sacrifice Upon His altar laid.
Now be the precious sacrifice Upon His altar laid;
Now be the precious sacrifice Upon His altar laid.
-
O Lord, my God, I praise Thy Name, All others names above;
O give Him thanks, for He is good And boundless is His love;
O give Him thanks, for He is good And boundless is His love.
O give Him thanks, for He is good And boundless is His love;
O give Him thanks, for He is good And boundless is His love.
-
O praise the Lord, for He is good; Let all in Heav’n above
And all His saints on earth proclaim His everlasting love;
And all His saints on earth proclaim His everlasting love.
And all His saints on earth proclaim His everlasting love;
And all His saints on earth proclaim His everlasting love.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:17 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Correction: Lord's Supper in the EVENING Service
Thank you to those who noticed that the back of the worship booklet indicated that we would be celebrating the Lord's Supper together in the morning. As April is an even month, we are actually scheduled to come to the table together in the evening on the 5th.
Labels: Announcements
¶ 3:33 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Psalm 34:11-22 'The Good Life' (1-Apr Prayer Meeting Lesson)
Do you want to live the good life? That's the provocative question that David asks in the Psalm for [tonight's prayer meeting lesson]. Come pray!
Labels: Prayer Meetings
¶ 3:22 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 21:22-27 'Grace Greater than All My...' (Worship Followup, Morning Reading)
Text: Genesis 21:22-27. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Grace Greater than All My Goodness, Doubt, and Sin'. How wonderful is God's covenant grace! In the Lord's Day morning sermon, we hear how grace is greater than all our goodness. "God with you" was more than all of Abimelech's resources. "God with you" was the one thing of all that Abraham had that Abimelech truly needed. God Himself is all of the resources of covenant grace. There is no goodness in us to which we would look hopefully; only in God-with-us can we place our hope. And Jesus is God-with-us.
Grace is also greater than all of our doubt. The sound of covenant grace was the sound of promises being made. And Abraham, by being the recipient of so many wonderful promises of God, knew to make his promise emphatically. For, Abraham knew the security of resting upon promises that outlast any doubt; he knew the sound of covenant grace. Grace grater than all our doubt. And Jesus is the One in whom all of the promises of God are yes and amen.
Finally, we heard that grace is greater than all our sin. The strength of covenant grace is the bond in blood made through sacrifice. Abimelech has committed deadly serious and wickedly perpetrated injury against Abraham with the violent robbing of life-critical water. And just as God is about to do in chapter 22, Abraham here provides all of the sacrifice himself. The sacrifice shows how deadly serious the sin was, how deadly serious Abraham is about maintaining the relationship despite it, and how deadly serious he is in demanding future covenant faithfulness. And Christ's sacrifice does that all the more with our sin! How wonderful the news that, holding to Christ's blood as the strength of covenant grace, we know that we cannot out-sin that grace!
Sample questions for more application. How much of your salvation comes from you? Which is more sure: your doubts and fears, or the promises of God? What does Jesus' sacrifice say about how big our sin is? What does Jesus' sacrifice say about how much God loves us? What does Jesus' sacrifice say about what God requires of us?
Song: Not All the Blood of Beasts [tune]
Lesson: 'Grace Greater than All My Goodness, Doubt, and Sin'. How wonderful is God's covenant grace! In the Lord's Day morning sermon, we hear how grace is greater than all our goodness. "God with you" was more than all of Abimelech's resources. "God with you" was the one thing of all that Abraham had that Abimelech truly needed. God Himself is all of the resources of covenant grace. There is no goodness in us to which we would look hopefully; only in God-with-us can we place our hope. And Jesus is God-with-us.
Grace is also greater than all of our doubt. The sound of covenant grace was the sound of promises being made. And Abraham, by being the recipient of so many wonderful promises of God, knew to make his promise emphatically. For, Abraham knew the security of resting upon promises that outlast any doubt; he knew the sound of covenant grace. Grace grater than all our doubt. And Jesus is the One in whom all of the promises of God are yes and amen.
Finally, we heard that grace is greater than all our sin. The strength of covenant grace is the bond in blood made through sacrifice. Abimelech has committed deadly serious and wickedly perpetrated injury against Abraham with the violent robbing of life-critical water. And just as God is about to do in chapter 22, Abraham here provides all of the sacrifice himself. The sacrifice shows how deadly serious the sin was, how deadly serious Abraham is about maintaining the relationship despite it, and how deadly serious he is in demanding future covenant faithfulness. And Christ's sacrifice does that all the more with our sin! How wonderful the news that, holding to Christ's blood as the strength of covenant grace, we know that we cannot out-sin that grace!
Sample questions for more application. How much of your salvation comes from you? Which is more sure: your doubts and fears, or the promises of God? What does Jesus' sacrifice say about how big our sin is? What does Jesus' sacrifice say about how much God loves us? What does Jesus' sacrifice say about what God requires of us?
Song: Not All the Blood of Beasts [tune]
Not all the blood of beasts On Jewish altars slain,
Could give the guilty conscience peace, Or wash away the stain:
-
But Christ, the heavenly Lamb Takes all our sins away,
A sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they.
-
My faith would lay her hand On that dear head of thine,
While like a penitent I stand, And there confess my sin.
-
My soul looks back to see The burdens thou didst bear,
When hanging on the cursed tree, And knows her guilt was there.
-
Believing, we rejoice To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice, And sing his bleeding love.
Could give the guilty conscience peace, Or wash away the stain:
-
But Christ, the heavenly Lamb Takes all our sins away,
A sacrifice of nobler name And richer blood than they.
-
My faith would lay her hand On that dear head of thine,
While like a penitent I stand, And there confess my sin.
-
My soul looks back to see The burdens thou didst bear,
When hanging on the cursed tree, And knows her guilt was there.
-
Believing, we rejoice To see the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice, And sing his bleeding love.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 10:39 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Rom 8:16 'The Holy Spirit' (29-Mar Evening Sermon)
In evening worship this week, we heard from the broader New Testament of the great ministry of the Holy Spirit to believers in inspiring Scripture and illumining Scripture, and we heard specifically from Romans about the Holy Spirit's ministry in the transformation of believers. Finally, we considered the wonderful truth that as our spirits testify that we are children of God in crying 'Abba' to Him, He also testifies with us to God. The [audio] and a [manuscript] are available.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 10:04 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Gen 21:22-27 'Source, Sound, and Strength of Covenant Grace' (Morning Sermon)
In the morning sermon, we heard from Gen 21:22-27 that the source of covenant grace is God alone, the sound of covenant grace is the sound of promises, and the strength of covenant grace is blood-sacrifice for sin. Specifically, we considered the ultimate covenant grace, God's covenant of grace, in which Jesus is God-with-us, in Jesus all of the promises of God are yes and amen, and Jesus' once for all sacrifice is the infinitely and eternally powerful strength of God's covenant. The [audio] and an extensive [outline] are available.
Labels: Sermons
¶ 9:53 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
