harvestoc.net blog, Monday, November 9, 2009
Text, "Harvest at Home" Study and Application Guide (week of 11/08)
[click here for text]
This study guide is for individuals, small groups, and families to use in continuing to think through and apply what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. This week's covers Hebrews 8:2, Mark 14:1-25, Genesis 26:24d, Psalm 148:11-13, Jeremiah 24, and Romans 11:1-6.
This study guide is for individuals, small groups, and families to use in continuing to think through and apply what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. This week's covers Hebrews 8:2, Mark 14:1-25, Genesis 26:24d, Psalm 148:11-13, Jeremiah 24, and Romans 11:1-6.
Labels: Harvest at Home, Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:17 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, November 2, 2009
Text, "Harvest at Home" Study and Application Guide (week of 11/01)
[click here for text]
This study guide is for individuals, small groups, and families to use in continuing to think through and apply what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. This week's covers Hebrews 8:1, Mark 13, Genesis 26:24c, Psalm 1148:7-10, Jeremiah 23:9-40, and Romans 10:18-21.
This study guide is for individuals, small groups, and families to use in continuing to think through and apply what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. This week's covers Hebrews 8:1, Mark 13, Genesis 26:24c, Psalm 1148:7-10, Jeremiah 23:9-40, and Romans 10:18-21.
Labels: Harvest at Home, Worship Follow-Up
¶ 10:54 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Text, "Harvest at Home" Study and Application Guide (week of 10/25)
[click to read/save/print]
This study guide is for individuals, small groups, and families to use in continuing to think through and apply what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. This week's covers Hebrews 7:26-29, Mark 12:28-13:2, Genesis 26:24b, Psalm 148:1-6, Jeremiah 23:1-8, and Romans 10:14-17.
This study guide is for individuals, small groups, and families to use in continuing to think through and apply what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. This week's covers Hebrews 7:26-29, Mark 12:28-13:2, Genesis 26:24b, Psalm 148:1-6, Jeremiah 23:1-8, and Romans 10:14-17.
Labels: Harvest at Home, Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:48 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Text, "Harvest at Home" Study and Application Guide (week of 10/18)
[click to read/save/print]
This study guide follows up what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. It covers Hebrews 7:22-25, Mark 11:27-12:27, Genesis 26:24, Psalm 147:15-20, Jeremiah 22:11-30, and Romans 10:4-13.
This study guide follows up what we heard in the calls to worship, readings, and sermons in the Lord's Day worship services this week. It covers Hebrews 7:22-25, Mark 11:27-12:27, Genesis 26:24, Psalm 147:15-20, Jeremiah 22:11-30, and Romans 10:4-13.
Labels: Harvest at Home, Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:29 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Understanding and Responding to Baptism
[click here to listen; right-click to download]
Since some found the exhortation at Maggie's baptism helpful, I've made it available here. Why do we baptize, and why do we do it the way we do? What is happening in baptism? Of what use is it to the person receiving it, to persons who have received it in the past, and to those who haven't? Hopefully this will help toward answering some of those questions.
Since some found the exhortation at Maggie's baptism helpful, I've made it available here. Why do we baptize, and why do we do it the way we do? What is happening in baptism? Of what use is it to the person receiving it, to persons who have received it in the past, and to those who haven't? Hopefully this will help toward answering some of those questions.
Labels: Baptism, Pastoral Counsel, Worship Follow-Up
¶ 2:03 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, August 21, 2009
Heely Hearts
Those who have been paying attention to the morning sermons the last couple weeks may have a feel for some of the background to "heely." As I was working through one of the more familiar passages in Jeremiah, I found a Hebrew surprise (no, that's not a lamb dish, but lamb does sound good right now...).
Jer 17:9 actually begins by saying that the heart is more heely than anything! Yep, there's the heel again. This particular instance seems to mean that it is completely tracked over with heel prints. And what an apt image that is for our hearts.
Most of us never even stop to think about our motives. Those of us who do find a terrible mess of trails going in different directions. It's just like being a tracker who tries to make sense out of a space completely marked up with heel prints!
The verse goes on to say that it is even worse than that, because our hearts are also incurable. This word is variously translated "desperately wicked" or "desperately sick." I like the basic meaning of 'incurable', and it goes well with the 'point' of the engraver's tool in v1. So even if we could know it, we're powerless to do anything about what we would then find! This makes VERY precious Heb 4:12 and Eze 11:19 and 36:26.
Heb 4:12 tells us that God's written Word is living and active and can actually make sense out of all the tracks--showing us the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. The other verses say that though our hearts be as hard as Jer 17:1 and incurable as Jer 17:9, yet God can perform a transplant and actually give us new ones.
Those are glorious truths, and I would like to make application to parenting (though we all ought to do this with our own hearts). Some in the congregation have observed how different from their prior experience has been this concept of speaking to our children's hearts and specifically doing so from Scripture in order to reveal thoughts and intentions. I'm glad that we've caught the vision for this, and I still hope to communicate this Scriptural vision to those who don't have it.
But knowing our hearts and their sickness/wickedness through Scripture isn't enough to solve the problem of Jer 17:9. It only solves the heely problem, not the incurable problem. If we say nothing about how a heart can be changed, our children will default to thinking that heart change comes through resolve and effort. How heartless we would be to let them think and try that way, without addressing it!
So, in our interaction with our children, and especially in correction and reproof, let us never leave out the gospel. Let us expose hearts, but let us go beyond diagnosis and complete the checkup with prognosis and treatment. Let us make sure that they know that their condition is humanly incurable (though they must try anyway), and that God is the giver of new hearts (so that they try in faith, resting upon Christ crucified and risen).
Jer 17:9 actually begins by saying that the heart is more heely than anything! Yep, there's the heel again. This particular instance seems to mean that it is completely tracked over with heel prints. And what an apt image that is for our hearts.
Most of us never even stop to think about our motives. Those of us who do find a terrible mess of trails going in different directions. It's just like being a tracker who tries to make sense out of a space completely marked up with heel prints!
The verse goes on to say that it is even worse than that, because our hearts are also incurable. This word is variously translated "desperately wicked" or "desperately sick." I like the basic meaning of 'incurable', and it goes well with the 'point' of the engraver's tool in v1. So even if we could know it, we're powerless to do anything about what we would then find! This makes VERY precious Heb 4:12 and Eze 11:19 and 36:26.
Heb 4:12 tells us that God's written Word is living and active and can actually make sense out of all the tracks--showing us the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. The other verses say that though our hearts be as hard as Jer 17:1 and incurable as Jer 17:9, yet God can perform a transplant and actually give us new ones.
Those are glorious truths, and I would like to make application to parenting (though we all ought to do this with our own hearts). Some in the congregation have observed how different from their prior experience has been this concept of speaking to our children's hearts and specifically doing so from Scripture in order to reveal thoughts and intentions. I'm glad that we've caught the vision for this, and I still hope to communicate this Scriptural vision to those who don't have it.
But knowing our hearts and their sickness/wickedness through Scripture isn't enough to solve the problem of Jer 17:9. It only solves the heely problem, not the incurable problem. If we say nothing about how a heart can be changed, our children will default to thinking that heart change comes through resolve and effort. How heartless we would be to let them think and try that way, without addressing it!
So, in our interaction with our children, and especially in correction and reproof, let us never leave out the gospel. Let us expose hearts, but let us go beyond diagnosis and complete the checkup with prognosis and treatment. Let us make sure that they know that their condition is humanly incurable (though they must try anyway), and that God is the giver of new hearts (so that they try in faith, resting upon Christ crucified and risen).
Labels: Parenting, Pastoral Counsel, Worship Follow-Up
¶ 1:06 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, May 28, 2009
READ AND HEED -- Jeremiah 4 'How the Church Wins the Culture War' (Friday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Reading)
I hope that with the dramatic headline I may have caught eyes that would otherwise just skip over the worship follow-up. Jeremiah is sharply relevant to today, because today's culture and today's church are so similar to the wider cultural context and the specific church context that Jeremiah was addressing. In Jeremiah 4, he is addressing a church that was trying to woo the culture by making itself pretty to the culture. Is this how to win the culture war? v2 actually answers that the only way to successfully win the culture is to be pretty toward God. Grab a Bible (or click the link), and do this quick study in Jeremiah 4:
Lesson:
In Yahweh alone can blessing be found; hoping in anything else is like throwing your garden seeds into thorn bushes (vv1,3). So, if Judah is to be a blessing to the nations, they must acknowledge Yahweh as the only God—not only with their lips, but in lives of integrity, justice, and righteousness (v2). This alone—dedication to Yahweh as the only God—is how God’s people are a genuine blessing to a dark world.
But this is not the knowledge and wisdom that Judah have had; rather, they seem to be experts at sin (v22). They thought the nations would love them, if they tried to be attractive to them (v30a), but this is just the way in which the nations lead to their destruction (v30b). Attempting to be attractive to the culture is exactly how to lose the culture war!!
Since they deny the Creator as the only God, their judgment is appropriately likened to the undoing of creation (vv22-26). There are judgments that come to cleanse, and winnow, but when they are ignored there are temporal judgments that come only to destroy (vv11-12). And this happens at the top, with the church officers: kings, priests, and prophets (v9). The solution, then, is Jesus as King, Jesus as Prophet, Jesus as Priest. He is the circumcision of our hearts (v4, 14 cf. Deut 10:12-16, Deut 30:6, Rom 2:28-29, Col 2:11-17). In Christ, therefore, let us worship and believe in God alone—in truth, in justice, and in righteousness! And let us pray that in this way the culture would be blessed in us!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Psalm 134 'Praise God in Evening Worship' (Thursday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Reading)
Reading – Psalm 134
Lesson:
What a delight the Lord's DAY is, the Christian Sabbath DAY. Who defines "day"? Why, God Himself defines it over and over again, right at the beginning of His book as evening AND morning. God Himself in the anticipatory worship of tabernacle and temple commanded services evening AND morning. Ought not we who DELIGHT in Him DELIGHT to worship morning AND evening on His DAY?
The songs of ascent crescendo to this final one, a joyfully sung prayer for the evening service. The journeying worshipers would be reveling in how delightful it has been finally to spend a day among the worshiping throng in the congregation of God. Is that not how we feel as well, as we come to the closing worship service on the Lord’s Day? Let us bless the Lord together, ascribing to Him the glory due His name!
The songs of ascent crescendo to this final one, a joyfully sung prayer for the evening service. The journeying worshipers would be reveling in how delightful it has been finally to spend a day among the worshiping throng in the congregation of God. Is that not how we feel as well, as we come to the closing worship service on the Lord’s Day? Let us bless the Lord together, ascribing to Him the glory due His name!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 6:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Gen 24:1-9 'The Significance of Marriage' (Wednesday Worship Follow-Up, Morning Sermon)
We had intended to cover from this text: first, that marriage is about glorifying God; second, that marriage is about reproducing believers; and, third, marriage is about enjoying God forever.
That's because as we traced through Scripture to discover why Abraham thought marriage was such a big deal, we concluded that Abraham knew that marriage was created by God as a special part of the way in which people image God. When the Pharisees challenged Him on divorce, Jesus said the importance of marriage was underscored in that "God created them from the beginning, male and female."
In other words, it's first of all the Genesis One consideration--how marriage relates to the image of God in man that makes divorce so wicked! Once we saw from our context (and with the help of Rom 4:17) that Abraham had both the glory of God and Genesis 1 continually in mind, we saw at least one reason--and the greatest reason--for the significance of marriage.
So, do you view glorifying God as the purpose of your marriage? Do you glorify Him by relating to your spouse in covenant love? (or by faithfully planning to do so and waiting for your spouse, if you're not married). Do you glorify Him for the provision of marriage by contentment with the spouse that you have? Do you view all attacks on marriage as He created it--whether through fornication, or coveting another spouse, or adultery, or homosexuality, or divorce--as on the level of murder or gossip or other sins whose guilt comes from attacking the image of God in man?
(You can [click here] to listen to the full audio of the sermon as preached)
Reading – Genesis 24:1-9
Lesson:We had intended to cover from this text: first, that marriage is about glorifying God; second, that marriage is about reproducing believers; and, third, marriage is about enjoying God forever.
That's because as we traced through Scripture to discover why Abraham thought marriage was such a big deal, we concluded that Abraham knew that marriage was created by God as a special part of the way in which people image God. When the Pharisees challenged Him on divorce, Jesus said the importance of marriage was underscored in that "God created them from the beginning, male and female."
In other words, it's first of all the Genesis One consideration--how marriage relates to the image of God in man that makes divorce so wicked! Once we saw from our context (and with the help of Rom 4:17) that Abraham had both the glory of God and Genesis 1 continually in mind, we saw at least one reason--and the greatest reason--for the significance of marriage.
So, do you view glorifying God as the purpose of your marriage? Do you glorify Him by relating to your spouse in covenant love? (or by faithfully planning to do so and waiting for your spouse, if you're not married). Do you glorify Him for the provision of marriage by contentment with the spouse that you have? Do you view all attacks on marriage as He created it--whether through fornication, or coveting another spouse, or adultery, or homosexuality, or divorce--as on the level of murder or gossip or other sins whose guilt comes from attacking the image of God in man?
(You can [click here] to listen to the full audio of the sermon as preached)
Song – A Christian Home
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:14 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, May 25, 2009
Revelation 18 'Pursuing Pleasure Ends Quickly in Pain' (Morning Reading, Worship Follow-Up)
Lesson:
Last week, with the beast of power in chapter 17, we saw how utterly stupid it is to spend ourselves in the pursuit of power and influence. This week in chapter 18, we find out that the babe of pleasure isn’t any wiser a pursuit.
Here is a great warning against giving our hearts to what looks good and feels good and smells good and tastes good. The judgment that comes so fast upon those whose lives are consumed with pursuing what pleases the senses, that in this chapter the salespeople are left mourning with no one left to whom to sell.
God’s warning to us in v4 is on two accounts: if we live for the same pleasures as the rest of the world, we will fall into the same sin as the rest of the world; if we live for the same pleasures as the rest of the world, we will endure the same plagues as the rest of the world. Oh how we the church need to hear this today! Is it not evident, when you look at what churches seem to value even in the activities they plan and the prosperity they promise, that we are indeed defining pleasure according to our senses, and just placing God Himself as one pleasure among many?
But this is God’s mercy to us in worship this morning: hearing about the end of those who define pleasure by their senses. When in Psalm 73 Asaph was jealous of the worldly pleasures that the wicked seemed to enjoy, and tempted to think that righteousness was useless, God had the same mercy upon him:
Psalm 73:16-20: But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. 18 Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. 19 How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! 20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
Oh that God would take our hearing the same truth from Revelation 18 and have the same result in the cry of our hearts:
Psalm 73:21-28 When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, 22 I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. 23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Let us be those who define goodness as nearness to God and define security as trusting in Him. God grant that our hearts’ cry would be: “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You!” And let our goal in this pleasure and peace be that we would tell of all His works!
Song – Be Thou My Vision
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 4:21 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Sunday, May 24, 2009
Heb 3:1-6 'Christian Worship's Priest, Prophet, and King' (Monday Worship Follow-Up, Morning Reading)
Reading – Hebrews 3:1-6
Lesson:
Last week, we heard how Jesus perfectly became our merciful and faithful High Priest in the worship of God. The text for this week’s call turns to how Jesus is also our perfect Prophet, the Apostle (sent one) who builds the church through His Word.
And Jesus is our perfect King, the Son who faithfully rules the house of God.
So, we come to Christian congregational worship with Jesus as our Priest, Jesus as our Prophet, Jesus as our King—a priest higher than Aaron, a prophet more glorious than Moses, a King who is God Himself. Is it not astounding, what we are about to do?!
No wonder, then, that the preacher of this sermon looked around the room and addressed the congregation as “holy brethren” involved in a “heavenly calling,” with a confidence to which they held fast and a hope in which they were full to bursting with joy.
The same is now our own confidence and joy in Jesus, our Priest, Prophet, and King!
Song – The Church’s One Foundation
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:15 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, May 23, 2009
Rom 8:28 'What We Surely Know' (Saturday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Sermon)
Reading - Romans 8:28
Lesson:
Lord's Day evening, we examined this verse especially in light of its grammar and context. Grammatically, we saw the emphasis upon (a) our certain knowledge, (b) our current loving, (c) God’s active involvement. Contextually, we saw that these are built upon the facts that (a) everything believers do, they do jointly with Christ, (b) everything God does in time, He does with a strong purpose to the end of glorifying us with Jesus, (c) the Holy Spirit, who completely desires our good, and exactly knows what must bring it about, perfectly prays for every necessary detail of it.
Song – I Know Whom I Have Believed
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:08 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, May 21, 2009
Jeremiah 3 'The Husband of Our Hearts' (Friday Worship Follow-Up, Evening Reading)
Lesson:
“The heart” is the heart of Jeremiah 3. If you’ve ever witnessed a marriage in which the wife has thrown herself at one man after another who is not her husband, you get the point the chapter makes about the situation at the beginning of the chapter: this marriage is broken beyond repair; there’s no way to undo the pollution done here. In fact, v10 tells us that although Judah has seen enough to be frightened, her repentance was only outward and not from the heart.
Are you in such a situation? Have you sinned against God over and over and over? Have you heard His warnings and seen examples of what can happen—but still, the best you can produce is an outward and temporary changing of ways? Then God comes to you with an invitation in Jeremiah 3, because He is the God who changes us from the heart.
God comes to Israel and to Judah and invites us to turn to Him. He will keep us from stubbornly following our own evil hearts (v17) by giving us shepherds after His own heart to help us (v15). He Himself will heal our faithlessness, because it is simply beyond us (v22).
Although Jeremiah will hint (23:3-5) at how God will do this, all his readers need to know is that God makes this invitation: Turn to Him even now, and He will heal your heart. We know who the Chief Shepherd is, the Lord Jesus. We know who the Righteous Branch is, the Lord Jesus. Jesus’ obedient life and substitutionary atoning death and powerful resurrection are the guarantee that even for someone as dirty and dead as you, God can and will transform your heart. Turn away from your sin and to this heart-changing God!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 4:34 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Psalm 133 'Good and Pleasant Worship' (Thursday Worship Follow-Up)
This week's evening call to worship was from Psalm 133. The goodness and pleasantness described in this Psalm is ultimately known in Christ!
Reading – Psalm 133
Lesson:
In the congregational gathering, we delight in our holiness to and acceptance by God through our High Priest—not now Aaron, who was a type, but Jesus Himself, who is the real thing. We delight in God’s showering us with His blessing, even as we come to serve Him through Christ!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:22 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Mat 28:18-20 'Making, Marking, and Molding Disciples' (Wednesday Worship Follow-Up)
On Wednesdays, many of us think back through the morning sermon. This week, it was invigorating to hear about Jesus' command to make and mold disciples.
Reading – Matthew 28:18-20
Lesson:
When we realize just how tall an order it is to seek sinners, warn them of the weight of God's wrath upon their sin, and invite them to exchange burdens with Christ.
And when we realize that the molding of disciples isn't complete until they keep from the heart every command of Christ.
Then, we especially need to remember both parts of the marking: that this mark obligates us as the special property of King Jesus in the world, but also that this mark also seals to us that the King of heaven and earth exercises His authority by being with His kingdom citizens in their kingdom work!
(the audio of the sermon will be online Wednesday morning)
Song – All Authority and Power (#453 in hymnal, unavailable online)
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:12 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, May 18, 2009
Revelation 17 'Pleasure and Power Are Pathetic Pursuits' (Tuesday Worship Follow-Up)
As we continue to digest what we fed upon in worship this week, we come to the morning reading. Jesus, the Lamb, is the only truly fulfilling, forever enduring pursuit. Though the seekers of pleasure and power may drink their fill of saints' blood now, those pursuits are utter folly. Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
Lesson:
This chapter features a prostitute, dressed in the trappings of worldly pleasure, and a beast dressed in the trappings of worldly power. These are the two great idols of this age: the pursuit of pleasure and the pursuit of power, and these pursuits are self defeating.
The pursuit of pleasure results in drunkenness and insanity and misery. When pleasure itself is a goal, it cannot bring lasting joy.
The same with the pursuit of power. The first readers would have easily recognized the city on seven hills as Rome, and 10 being a number of human completion, the horns probably represent not 10 specific kings but the whole of world rulers from the fall of Rome to the end. Their “one hour” rule reminds us how fleeting all earthly power is, though at the time it may seem severe and invincible.
The teaching of this chapter is also a fact of history—that kingdoms built upon a lust for power are destroyed by that same beast as it expresses itself in others who will overthrow them. And that in the idolatrous pursuit of power, earthly comfort and pleasure are eventually and inevitably destroyed. All idolatry is self-defeating.
To this, the chapter contrasts the only true life-pursuit: Jesus Himself. Though for a time idolatry will drink full of the blood of the saints, Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He must conquer in the end, and because their lot has been thrown in with His, believers will outlast all earthly power and all earthly pleasure.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:37 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Sunday, May 17, 2009
Heb 2:14-18 'Our Priest in the [Worship] Service of God' (Monday Worship Follow-Up)
Call to Worship – Hebrews 2:14-18 (Pew Bible, p1002)
God cannot die, and God cannot suffer. So God the Son, took a human nature for Himself that He might do both. His meritorious life earns for us to stand before God; His propitiatory death turns away God’s wrath so that as we stand before Him, we might enjoy His complete favor. Such is our merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God.
Jesus leads our worship services, presenting us in Himself, on His merits, through His blood. Let us worship God in Christ!
Song – #305, Arise, My Soul, Arise
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:28 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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 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
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
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
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 postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Rev 10 "Events Are God's" (Worship Followup, Morning Reading)
Text: Revelation 10. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: "Events Are God's." The full quote is that "duty is ours; events are God's." However, Revelation 10 is all about the events, and how God orchestrates all of history in promise-keeping faithfulness, perfectly planned purpose, and power. The audio from the reading in worship is [online here].
The rainbow in v1 tells us that whatever it is that this angel is about to do is part of God’s faithful covenant-keeping with His people. The scroll in v2 shows the certainty of God’s plan: it’s written down, etched, inscribed, engraved. History does not turn upon whims, but is exactly directed by the perfect, eternal purposes of God!
The rest of v1-v3 show forth the immense power that is about to be exerted upon all creation. The seven thunders are often overlooked in Revelation, because unlike the letters, seals, trumpets, and bowls, we don’t know what they are! vv4-7 tell us that they are for God to know and us to find out. The oath in v6 shows how absolutely certain is the timing of the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
In vv8-11 we see what a delicious thing it is to have the word of God! And yet what difficult things it often says. In this case, the scroll appears to contain the course of events that will culminate in the seven thunders. But what comfort there is in the order that the seven thunders be sealed up! We don’t need to know what is going to happen, since we know who has planned it and who will do it! Deut 29:29. Duty is ours, events are God’s!
Sample questions for more application. What do you need to know about the future in order to have confidence and comfort about it? How does the rainbow in this chapter give us comfort? How does the great power of the angel give us comfort? How does the fact that we don't get to read what the seven thunders say give us comfort?
Song: God Moves in a Mysterious Way. [tune]
Lesson: "Events Are God's." The full quote is that "duty is ours; events are God's." However, Revelation 10 is all about the events, and how God orchestrates all of history in promise-keeping faithfulness, perfectly planned purpose, and power. The audio from the reading in worship is [online here].
The rainbow in v1 tells us that whatever it is that this angel is about to do is part of God’s faithful covenant-keeping with His people. The scroll in v2 shows the certainty of God’s plan: it’s written down, etched, inscribed, engraved. History does not turn upon whims, but is exactly directed by the perfect, eternal purposes of God!
The rest of v1-v3 show forth the immense power that is about to be exerted upon all creation. The seven thunders are often overlooked in Revelation, because unlike the letters, seals, trumpets, and bowls, we don’t know what they are! vv4-7 tell us that they are for God to know and us to find out. The oath in v6 shows how absolutely certain is the timing of the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
In vv8-11 we see what a delicious thing it is to have the word of God! And yet what difficult things it often says. In this case, the scroll appears to contain the course of events that will culminate in the seven thunders. But what comfort there is in the order that the seven thunders be sealed up! We don’t need to know what is going to happen, since we know who has planned it and who will do it! Deut 29:29. Duty is ours, events are God’s!
Sample questions for more application. What do you need to know about the future in order to have confidence and comfort about it? How does the rainbow in this chapter give us comfort? How does the great power of the angel give us comfort? How does the fact that we don't get to read what the seven thunders say give us comfort?
Song: God Moves in a Mysterious Way. [tune]
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.
-
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will.
-
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head.
-
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
-
His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flow'r.
-
Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan his work in vain.
God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.
He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.
-
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will.
-
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head.
-
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
-
His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flow'r.
-
Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan his work in vain.
God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:58 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, March 30, 2009
Heb 1:10-14 'Our Eternal Worship Leader' (Worship Followup, Morning Call)
Text: Hebrews 1:10-14. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Our Eternal Worship Leader'. Earthly things seem so big to us, don't they? Even in worship, sadly. So, how helpful is this image of Jesus rolling up the Heavens, rolling up the entire creation, rolling up all of time like a piece of clothing for which He no longer has use and just tossing it away!
When we gather in congregational worship, we gather through the One who laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning and the One who remains forever after earth and the heavens perish.
What is time for, then? Our text answers that too. It is the space in which the Father has determined to put everything under Jesus' feet and to produce a group of human joint-heirs with Christ ("those who are to inherit salvation"). That's what time exists for. The glorification of Jesus and the people who belong to Him. And angels, in time, exist to serve both.
This is the reality. And while we are still in time God invites us to enter eternity, through the eternal Son, one day each week. When we come to worship, then, we are not coming to something that is "the best thing in this world." We are coming to something that is "out of this world." We are coming to something that belongs to a different world altogether. And then, when we leave, we remember that though we will be spending these other six days in this world, we ourselves belong to that other world, not this one (cf. 1Cor 7:29-31).
Examples of questions for more application. What is "time" for? This passage mentions all of humanity in two groups: "enemies" and "heirs"... to which group do you belong? Does it seem to you, throughout the week, as if this whole creation is about to disappear? How does the Lord's Day help us remember that this whole creation is about to vanish?
Song: You Holy Angels Bright [tune]
Lesson: 'Our Eternal Worship Leader'. Earthly things seem so big to us, don't they? Even in worship, sadly. So, how helpful is this image of Jesus rolling up the Heavens, rolling up the entire creation, rolling up all of time like a piece of clothing for which He no longer has use and just tossing it away!
When we gather in congregational worship, we gather through the One who laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning and the One who remains forever after earth and the heavens perish.
What is time for, then? Our text answers that too. It is the space in which the Father has determined to put everything under Jesus' feet and to produce a group of human joint-heirs with Christ ("those who are to inherit salvation"). That's what time exists for. The glorification of Jesus and the people who belong to Him. And angels, in time, exist to serve both.
This is the reality. And while we are still in time God invites us to enter eternity, through the eternal Son, one day each week. When we come to worship, then, we are not coming to something that is "the best thing in this world." We are coming to something that is "out of this world." We are coming to something that belongs to a different world altogether. And then, when we leave, we remember that though we will be spending these other six days in this world, we ourselves belong to that other world, not this one (cf. 1Cor 7:29-31).
Examples of questions for more application. What is "time" for? This passage mentions all of humanity in two groups: "enemies" and "heirs"... to which group do you belong? Does it seem to you, throughout the week, as if this whole creation is about to disappear? How does the Lord's Day help us remember that this whole creation is about to vanish?
Song: You Holy Angels Bright [tune]
You holy angels bright, Who wait at God's right hand,
Or through the realms of light Fly at your Lord's command,
Assist our song, For else the theme
Too high doth seem For mortal tongue.
-
You blessed souls at rest, Who ran this earthly race,
And now, from sin released, Behold the Saviour's face,
God's praises sound, As in his sight
With sweet delight you do abound.
-
All nations of the earth, Extol the world's great King;
With melody and mirth His glorious praises sing;
For he still reigns, And will bring low
The proudest foe That him disdains.
-
Sing forth Jehovah's praise, you saints, that on him call!
Him magnify always His holy churches all!
In him rejoice, And there proclaim
His holy name With sounding voice.
-
My soul, bear now your part, Triumph in God above;
With a well-tuned heart Sing thou the songs of love;
You art his own, Who precious blood
Shed for your good His love made known.
-
Away, distrustful care! I have Your promise, Lord:
To banish all despair, I have Your oath and word:
And therefore I Shall see thy face
And there thy grace Shall magnify.
-
With Your triumphant flock, Then I shall numbered be;
Built on th'eternal rock, His glory we shall see.
The heavens so high With praise shall ring
And all shall sing In harmony.
Or through the realms of light Fly at your Lord's command,
Assist our song, For else the theme
Too high doth seem For mortal tongue.
-
You blessed souls at rest, Who ran this earthly race,
And now, from sin released, Behold the Saviour's face,
God's praises sound, As in his sight
With sweet delight you do abound.
-
All nations of the earth, Extol the world's great King;
With melody and mirth His glorious praises sing;
For he still reigns, And will bring low
The proudest foe That him disdains.
-
Sing forth Jehovah's praise, you saints, that on him call!
Him magnify always His holy churches all!
In him rejoice, And there proclaim
His holy name With sounding voice.
-
My soul, bear now your part, Triumph in God above;
With a well-tuned heart Sing thou the songs of love;
You art his own, Who precious blood
Shed for your good His love made known.
-
Away, distrustful care! I have Your promise, Lord:
To banish all despair, I have Your oath and word:
And therefore I Shall see thy face
And there thy grace Shall magnify.
-
With Your triumphant flock, Then I shall numbered be;
Built on th'eternal rock, His glory we shall see.
The heavens so high With praise shall ring
And all shall sing In harmony.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 12:04 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, March 27, 2009
Isa 61 'The Best Preacher Ever' (Worship Followup, Evening Reading)
Text: Isaiah 61. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'The Best Preacher Ever'. God had but one Son, and He made Him a preacher! What is the effect of the preaching of the Lord Jesus? The restoration, healing, and righteousness of everyone who hears, believes, and belongs to Him. What a God, what a Savior, and what a salvation!
Jesus' words aren't just powerful. Jesus' words are eternal-life-giving. Jesus' words are nature-changing. Jesus' words are character-transforming. Jesus' words are resurrection-body-giving and all-your-diseases-healing. Jesus' words are heart-with-joy-filling.
And the good news is that in simple, Scriptural, Christian congregational worship, Jesus is our preacher. This is what we've been learning from Hebrews, particularly in Heb 12:25. We don't get excited because our earthly preacher is so smart and so dynamic and so eloquent. We get excited because our earthly preacher is faithful to the text, which means our real preacher is Jesus.
Questions for application. When we hear preaching in worship, who are we hearing? How should/do you feel about coming to worship on the Lord's Day? How should/do you feel about the sermon? What should be more important to you: how easy a sermon is to listen to, or how faithful it is to the text? Do you trust that Jesus uses His preaching to do all these things to you, in you, and for you? What should the response of your heart be to the Savior who does all these things?
Song: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing [tune]
Lesson: 'The Best Preacher Ever'. God had but one Son, and He made Him a preacher! What is the effect of the preaching of the Lord Jesus? The restoration, healing, and righteousness of everyone who hears, believes, and belongs to Him. What a God, what a Savior, and what a salvation!
Jesus' words aren't just powerful. Jesus' words are eternal-life-giving. Jesus' words are nature-changing. Jesus' words are character-transforming. Jesus' words are resurrection-body-giving and all-your-diseases-healing. Jesus' words are heart-with-joy-filling.
And the good news is that in simple, Scriptural, Christian congregational worship, Jesus is our preacher. This is what we've been learning from Hebrews, particularly in Heb 12:25. We don't get excited because our earthly preacher is so smart and so dynamic and so eloquent. We get excited because our earthly preacher is faithful to the text, which means our real preacher is Jesus.
Questions for application. When we hear preaching in worship, who are we hearing? How should/do you feel about coming to worship on the Lord's Day? How should/do you feel about the sermon? What should be more important to you: how easy a sermon is to listen to, or how faithful it is to the text? Do you trust that Jesus uses His preaching to do all these things to you, in you, and for you? What should the response of your heart be to the Savior who does all these things?
Song: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing [tune]
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace.
-
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad, The honors of thy Name.
-
Jesus, the Name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'Tis life, and health, and peace.
-
He breaks the power of reigning sin, He sets the pris'ner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
-
He speaks and, listening to his voice, New life the dead receive;
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice; The humble poor believe.
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace.
-
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad, The honors of thy Name.
-
Jesus, the Name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'Tis life, and health, and peace.
-
He breaks the power of reigning sin, He sets the pris'ner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
-
He speaks and, listening to his voice, New life the dead receive;
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice; The humble poor believe.
-
Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosen’d tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your Savior come; and leap, ye lame, for joy.
ye blind, behold your Savior come; and leap, ye lame, for joy.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:10 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, March 26, 2009
Ps 118:19-24 'Our Gate of Righteousness and Cornerstone' (Worship Followup, Evening Reading)
Text. Psalm 118:19-24. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Our Gate of Righteousness and Cornerstone'. We remember from last week that this Psalm began by calling for the praise of God's forever-enduring steadfast-love especially from those whom God has chosen (e.g. Israel), those whom God has set apart (e.g. house of Aaron), and those whom God has transformed (e.g. those who fear Yahweh).
How can such a group approach Him? Where? The picture of these verses is of the worshiper just arriving for the assembly of the redeemed. As we have been learning from Hebrews, what this means in Christian worship is the assembly in heaven in which congregational gatherings take part.
What is the way of true access? How does one come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, angels in festal gathering (Heb 12:22)? Our text has the answer: "Open the gates of righteousness!" and "This is the gate of Yahweh" are followed by "I thank YOU that You have answered me and have become my salvation" and "the Stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone."
The "how" is actually a "who." Jesus is the gate of righteousness, His obedience and sacrifice making our way into the heavenly assembly. Jesus is that cornerstone! Is it any wonder then that this gathering day, this worshiping day, this last thing that He 'made' in creation through His resting--has been wrested away from creation to put on display Christ's glorious act of redemption? On the LORD'S DAY, now, we sing THIS is the day the Lord has made!
Questions for more followup. Can we ever be good enough on earth to be part of the assembly in heaven? Can our worship ever be excellent enough to be worthy of participating in the worship in heaven? Who alone can be our goodness and our access to the heavenly assembly? Who alone is the excellence of our worship? Why do we call "Sunday" the "Lord's Day"?
Song: This Is the Day the Lord Has Made [tune]
Lesson: 'Our Gate of Righteousness and Cornerstone'. We remember from last week that this Psalm began by calling for the praise of God's forever-enduring steadfast-love especially from those whom God has chosen (e.g. Israel), those whom God has set apart (e.g. house of Aaron), and those whom God has transformed (e.g. those who fear Yahweh).
How can such a group approach Him? Where? The picture of these verses is of the worshiper just arriving for the assembly of the redeemed. As we have been learning from Hebrews, what this means in Christian worship is the assembly in heaven in which congregational gatherings take part.
What is the way of true access? How does one come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, angels in festal gathering (Heb 12:22)? Our text has the answer: "Open the gates of righteousness!" and "This is the gate of Yahweh" are followed by "I thank YOU that You have answered me and have become my salvation" and "the Stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone."
The "how" is actually a "who." Jesus is the gate of righteousness, His obedience and sacrifice making our way into the heavenly assembly. Jesus is that cornerstone! Is it any wonder then that this gathering day, this worshiping day, this last thing that He 'made' in creation through His resting--has been wrested away from creation to put on display Christ's glorious act of redemption? On the LORD'S DAY, now, we sing THIS is the day the Lord has made!
Questions for more followup. Can we ever be good enough on earth to be part of the assembly in heaven? Can our worship ever be excellent enough to be worthy of participating in the worship in heaven? Who alone can be our goodness and our access to the heavenly assembly? Who alone is the excellence of our worship? Why do we call "Sunday" the "Lord's Day"?
Song: This Is the Day the Lord Has Made [tune]
This is the day the Lord has made; He calls the hours his own;
Let heav'n rejoice, let earth be glad, And praise surround the throne.
-
Today he rose and left the dead, And Satan's empire fell;
Today the saints his triumphs spread, And all his wonders tell.
-
Hosanna to th'anointed King, To David's holy Son!
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring Salvation from the throne.
-
Blest be the Lord, who comes to men With messages of grace;
Who comes in God his Father's Name To save our sinful race.
-
Hosanna in the highest strains The church on earth can raise!
The highest heav'ns in which he reigns Shall give him nobler praise.
Let heav'n rejoice, let earth be glad, And praise surround the throne.
-
Today he rose and left the dead, And Satan's empire fell;
Today the saints his triumphs spread, And all his wonders tell.
-
Hosanna to th'anointed King, To David's holy Son!
Help us, O Lord; descend and bring Salvation from the throne.
-
Blest be the Lord, who comes to men With messages of grace;
Who comes in God his Father's Name To save our sinful race.
-
Hosanna in the highest strains The church on earth can raise!
The highest heav'ns in which he reigns Shall give him nobler praise.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 9:25 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Gen 21:8-21 'God of the Children' (Worship Followup, Morning Sermon)
Text: Genesis 21:8-21. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'God of the Children'. In the morning message this week, we heard how God is God of All Children. We saw how in the very language of the text, God emphasized that He is keenly interested in and active in the lives of the children, Isaac and Ishmael; we considered some of the vocabulary of the text to see how it was focusing on the entire period between babyhood and full adulthood.
We saw that God notices children's troubles--that whether Isaac had learned to pray yet or not, still God noticed his trouble and was acting for his good in his life.
We saw that God notices children's sins--that He took note of how Ishmael was treating his little brother.
We saw that God cares for children Himself--that whether it is through Abraham in Abraham's household or without Abraham and in the wilderness, truly it is God who cares for Ishmael.
We saw that God gives some children believing parents as a gift--that God decides who your father and mother will be, and that when He gives Ishmael a believing parent, He treats Ishmael differently for Abraham's sake.
We saw that God hears children's cries--noticing how unexpected it was for God to say, "I have heard the cry of the young man," when "I have heard your weeping, Hagar," would have been more natural... God hears the cries of children!
We saw that God is with children to grow them--that God being with Ishmael in his growing up shows both the cause of Ishmael's growing up and that this was the basic reality of Ishmael's life growing up; we saw also that this is implied for Isaac in the use of the same phrase ('He became great') for his growing up.
We saw that God has a special place for every child--that Ishmael's place was the wilderness of Paran, and that this did not mean that God was less with him than with Isaac; in fact, Ishmael needed to be in Paran for God to say to Abraham in 22:2, "Take your son Isaac, your only son, whom you love," looking forward to Christ.
We saw, finally, in the solidifying of the covenant line in Isaac, and the preparing of Isaac to be a foreshadowing of Christ, that God became a child to save children--that His taking notice of children's sins is real, and that the wrath that children deserve is real, but that He Himself has provided for them the way of salvation; God sent Jesus as a child, even from conception, so that every child who hides himself in Jesus, trusts in Jesus' life and Jesus' death to be all his goodness, will not go to Hell but will enjoy eternal life with God their Father.
Questions for more followup. Do you feel unnoticed sometimes, like you don't matter? Do you feel unnoticed sometimes, like your sins aren't as big a deal as others'? Is there anyone that God does not notice? What is your only hope, since you know that God notices your sin?
Song: Once in Royal David's City [tune]
Lesson: 'God of the Children'. In the morning message this week, we heard how God is God of All Children. We saw how in the very language of the text, God emphasized that He is keenly interested in and active in the lives of the children, Isaac and Ishmael; we considered some of the vocabulary of the text to see how it was focusing on the entire period between babyhood and full adulthood.
We saw that God notices children's troubles--that whether Isaac had learned to pray yet or not, still God noticed his trouble and was acting for his good in his life.
We saw that God notices children's sins--that He took note of how Ishmael was treating his little brother.
We saw that God cares for children Himself--that whether it is through Abraham in Abraham's household or without Abraham and in the wilderness, truly it is God who cares for Ishmael.
We saw that God gives some children believing parents as a gift--that God decides who your father and mother will be, and that when He gives Ishmael a believing parent, He treats Ishmael differently for Abraham's sake.
We saw that God hears children's cries--noticing how unexpected it was for God to say, "I have heard the cry of the young man," when "I have heard your weeping, Hagar," would have been more natural... God hears the cries of children!
We saw that God is with children to grow them--that God being with Ishmael in his growing up shows both the cause of Ishmael's growing up and that this was the basic reality of Ishmael's life growing up; we saw also that this is implied for Isaac in the use of the same phrase ('He became great') for his growing up.
We saw that God has a special place for every child--that Ishmael's place was the wilderness of Paran, and that this did not mean that God was less with him than with Isaac; in fact, Ishmael needed to be in Paran for God to say to Abraham in 22:2, "Take your son Isaac, your only son, whom you love," looking forward to Christ.
We saw, finally, in the solidifying of the covenant line in Isaac, and the preparing of Isaac to be a foreshadowing of Christ, that God became a child to save children--that His taking notice of children's sins is real, and that the wrath that children deserve is real, but that He Himself has provided for them the way of salvation; God sent Jesus as a child, even from conception, so that every child who hides himself in Jesus, trusts in Jesus' life and Jesus' death to be all his goodness, will not go to Hell but will enjoy eternal life with God their Father.
Questions for more followup. Do you feel unnoticed sometimes, like you don't matter? Do you feel unnoticed sometimes, like your sins aren't as big a deal as others'? Is there anyone that God does not notice? What is your only hope, since you know that God notices your sin?
Song: Once in Royal David's City [tune]
Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
-
He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all,
And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall:
With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
-
And, through all his wondrous childhood He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay:
Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he.
-
And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heav'n above,
And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.
-
Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by,
We shall see him, but in heaven, Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars his children crowned All in white shall wait around.
Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
-
He came down to earth from heaven Who is God and Lord of all,
And his shelter was a stable, And his cradle was a stall:
With the poor, and mean, and lowly, Lived on earth our Saviour holy.
-
And, through all his wondrous childhood He would honor and obey,
Love and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay:
Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he.
-
And our eyes at last shall see him, Through his own redeeming love;
For that Child so dear and gentle Is our Lord in heav'n above,
And he leads his children on To the place where he is gone.
-
Not in that poor lowly stable, With the oxen standing by,
We shall see him, but in heaven, Set at God's right hand on high;
When like stars his children crowned All in white shall wait around.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 5:45 AM 2 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Rev 9 'Real Wrath, Real Comfort' (Worship Followup, Morning Reading)
Text: Revelation 9. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: Real Wrath, Real Comfort. The wrath in the first four trumpets was more generally directed against the fallen world. Trumpets five and six now target those humans who have not found refuge from their sin and guilt in Christ. The focus of the fifth trumpet is upon how unbearable and undiminishing God's wrath is; it's the same idea as when Jesus says that in Hell the worm will not die and the fire will not be quenched. The sixth trumpet shows that even unimaginably intense wrath cannot turn the sinner toward repentance, which means of course that this will go on forever and ever. Wrath is real, and it is impossible to be "alarmist" about it, since we cannot even adequately describe how bad it is.
However, for those who are sealed in Christ, this is also a chapter of real comfort. One comfort is that we notice that the legions of demons and even Satan himself, though acting true to their wicked natures, function only to play their part in the plans of God and even the actions of angels (cf. v15 with v16). The enemies of our soul simply cannot do us true (eternal) damage if we are in Christ!
Even better, in Rev 9 we are now glimpsing that from which Jesus has saved us. We are seeing the intensity of that which He has taken in our place. Yes, dear Christian, our Savior has endured the pains of eternal Hell on the cross for us! With what a great salvation we have been saved--look at that from which we have escaped. And what power there is in Christ, who endured this, drinking every last drop, and now sits in glorious resurrection life and power at the right hand of God! And what love that He would be willing for this, and what love of the Father that He would give His Son up to this. How great beyond imagining is the power and love of God for His saints!
This is both real comfort and real motivation. As your heart enlarges with love to God in considering this, does it not also rise up in hostility toward the sin that cost our Savior so dearly?
Questions for more followup: If God's wrath is real and this severe, is it kindness not to tell people about it, or not to be urgent in our telling them? Considering what we learned from this chapter, what was the worst part of Jesus' crucifixion? Considering how our little study ended, if your heart seems to be lagging in love toward God, how does spending more time thinking about His wrath help? Is the wrath itself what is helpful--what does grasping the greatness of God's wrath do for our grasp of the greatness of the gospel?
Song: Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed [tune]
Lesson: Real Wrath, Real Comfort. The wrath in the first four trumpets was more generally directed against the fallen world. Trumpets five and six now target those humans who have not found refuge from their sin and guilt in Christ. The focus of the fifth trumpet is upon how unbearable and undiminishing God's wrath is; it's the same idea as when Jesus says that in Hell the worm will not die and the fire will not be quenched. The sixth trumpet shows that even unimaginably intense wrath cannot turn the sinner toward repentance, which means of course that this will go on forever and ever. Wrath is real, and it is impossible to be "alarmist" about it, since we cannot even adequately describe how bad it is.
However, for those who are sealed in Christ, this is also a chapter of real comfort. One comfort is that we notice that the legions of demons and even Satan himself, though acting true to their wicked natures, function only to play their part in the plans of God and even the actions of angels (cf. v15 with v16). The enemies of our soul simply cannot do us true (eternal) damage if we are in Christ!
Even better, in Rev 9 we are now glimpsing that from which Jesus has saved us. We are seeing the intensity of that which He has taken in our place. Yes, dear Christian, our Savior has endured the pains of eternal Hell on the cross for us! With what a great salvation we have been saved--look at that from which we have escaped. And what power there is in Christ, who endured this, drinking every last drop, and now sits in glorious resurrection life and power at the right hand of God! And what love that He would be willing for this, and what love of the Father that He would give His Son up to this. How great beyond imagining is the power and love of God for His saints!
This is both real comfort and real motivation. As your heart enlarges with love to God in considering this, does it not also rise up in hostility toward the sin that cost our Savior so dearly?
Questions for more followup: If God's wrath is real and this severe, is it kindness not to tell people about it, or not to be urgent in our telling them? Considering what we learned from this chapter, what was the worst part of Jesus' crucifixion? Considering how our little study ended, if your heart seems to be lagging in love toward God, how does spending more time thinking about His wrath help? Is the wrath itself what is helpful--what does grasping the greatness of God's wrath do for our grasp of the greatness of the gospel?
Song: Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed [tune]
Alas! and did my Saviour bleed, And did my Sovereign die!
Would he devote that sacred head For such a worm as I!
-
Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree!
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
-
Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died For man the creature's sin.
-
Thus might I hide my blushing face While his dear cross appears;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt mine eyes in tears.
-
But drops of grief can ne'er repay The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away, 'Tis all that I can do.
Would he devote that sacred head For such a worm as I!
-
Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree!
Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!
-
Well might the sun in darkness hide, And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died For man the creature's sin.
-
Thus might I hide my blushing face While his dear cross appears;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt mine eyes in tears.
-
But drops of grief can ne'er repay The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away, 'Tis all that I can do.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 11:23 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, March 23, 2009
Heb 1:7-9 'Worshiping Creator through Creator' (Worship Followup, Morning Call)
Text: Heb 1:7-9. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Worshiping Creator through Creator'. We've been hearing in our morning calls to worship of the high-exalted glory of Jesus Christ. It's part of the case that letter makes as a whole that it is impossible to improve Christian worship by adding to it things on earth. How exalted is Jesus Christ? Last week's call pointed out that even the angels are His worshipers.
This week, the Bible takes us a step further: the angels aren't just His worshipers; they're His creatures. v7 refers back to Psalm 104 and the creation of angels. We already heard in v2 that it was through Christ that everything was created which was created. Verse 8 goes on to proclaim that Jesus is the eternally enthroned God. And verse 9 reminds us that He is also our holy and anointed Priest-King.
Taken together, then, these three verses fill our hearts with this amazing truth about Christian congregational worship: when we come to worship through Jesus, we come through the enthroned God-man, a Priest whose righteousness is the very righteousness of God, a King whose throne is the very throne of God.
Hallelujah! It makes me wish it was the Lord's Day again already. The eternal Lord's Day is coming!
Questions for more followup: How impressive are angels as winds and flames of fire? Who created them? What did He do for us, and where is He now? When you come to worship with the congregation, can you physically see Jesus leading our worship? What is a more reliable indicator of how glorious our worship is--what we see and feel in it, or what God Himself tells us about it? If God says it's that glorious, what should we see and feel when we come?
Song: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today. (you may know it to [this tune] with which I personally am more familiar; we sang it to [this tune]).
Lesson: 'Worshiping Creator through Creator'. We've been hearing in our morning calls to worship of the high-exalted glory of Jesus Christ. It's part of the case that letter makes as a whole that it is impossible to improve Christian worship by adding to it things on earth. How exalted is Jesus Christ? Last week's call pointed out that even the angels are His worshipers.
This week, the Bible takes us a step further: the angels aren't just His worshipers; they're His creatures. v7 refers back to Psalm 104 and the creation of angels. We already heard in v2 that it was through Christ that everything was created which was created. Verse 8 goes on to proclaim that Jesus is the eternally enthroned God. And verse 9 reminds us that He is also our holy and anointed Priest-King.
Taken together, then, these three verses fill our hearts with this amazing truth about Christian congregational worship: when we come to worship through Jesus, we come through the enthroned God-man, a Priest whose righteousness is the very righteousness of God, a King whose throne is the very throne of God.
Hallelujah! It makes me wish it was the Lord's Day again already. The eternal Lord's Day is coming!
Questions for more followup: How impressive are angels as winds and flames of fire? Who created them? What did He do for us, and where is He now? When you come to worship with the congregation, can you physically see Jesus leading our worship? What is a more reliable indicator of how glorious our worship is--what we see and feel in it, or what God Himself tells us about it? If God says it's that glorious, what should we see and feel when we come?
Song: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today. (you may know it to [this tune] with which I personally am more familiar; we sang it to [this tune]).
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
-
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ our heav'nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
-
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he's King, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
-
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!
-
Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia! Unto Christ our heav'nly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia! Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
-
But the pains which he endured, Alleluia! Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he's King, Alleluia! Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!
-
Sing we to our God above, Alleluia! Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all ye heavenly host, Alleluia! Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 9:56 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, March 21, 2009
Rom 8:12-13 'Debtors to the Spirit' (Worship Followup, Evening Sermon)
Text: Romans 8:12-13. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Debtors to the Spirit'. Sometimes, you will hear people speak as if Christians have two natures. But we only have one. We used to have one nature. And now we have a different one. You can only have one nature at a time; that's the nature of the word 'nature'!
This isn't just theological precision. It's also an indispensable weapon in the war against the remaining sin from our old nature. Part of the shield of faith and the gospel of peace is the knowledge that we aren't debtors to sin anymore. That's just not who I am now. Satan loves to make you think that sin is still your nature, that you still are a debtor to the flesh, that it's hopeless.
But there is a second way in which the enemy would tempt us to be "debtors" to the flesh: by relying upon ourselves. How foolish it would be to begin by faith, to begin by the Spirit, then depend upon ourselves as we continue. But that is exactly what the deceiver would have us try.
So, whether fighting off despair at how hard it is to pursue perfect holiness, or to fight off the crippling arrogance of depending upon ourselves in that pursuit, we need to hear the wonderful news: we are not debtors to the flesh! We are commanded to put to death the deeds of the body. This is only done by the Spirit, and surely done by the Spirit.
Questions for more followup. Do you ever feel like it's hopeless to fight your sin? For whom would this actually be true? But if you are in Christ, and you have the Spirit, who is it that would have you believe fighting sin is hopeless? Once you're a Christian, are you then able to depend upon yourself? What must all Christians do? How can they do that?
Song: Gracious Spirit Dwell with Me.
Gracious Spirit, dwell with me! I myself would gracious be;
And with words that help and heal Would Thy life in mine reveal;
And with actions bold and meek Would for Christ my Savior speak.
And with words that help and heal Would Thy life in mine reveal;
And with actions bold and meek Would for Christ my Savior speak.
-
Truthful Spirit, dwell with me! I myself would truthful be;
And with wisdom kind and clear Let Thy life in mine appear;
And with actions brotherly Speak my Lord’s sincerity.
And with wisdom kind and clear Let Thy life in mine appear;
And with actions brotherly Speak my Lord’s sincerity.
-
Mighty Spirit, dwell with me! I myself would mighty be;
Mighty so as to prevail, Where unaided man must fail;
Ever, by a mighty hope, Pressing on and bearing up.
Mighty so as to prevail, Where unaided man must fail;
Ever, by a mighty hope, Pressing on and bearing up.
-
Holy Spirit, dwell with me! I myself would holy be;
Separate from sin, I would Choose and cherish all things good,
And whatever I can be Give to Him Who gave me Thee!
Separate from sin, I would Choose and cherish all things good,
And whatever I can be Give to Him Who gave me Thee!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 9:05 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Is 60 'The Light of the World Is Jesus' (Worship Followup, Evening Reading)
Text: Isaiah 60. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'The Light of the World Is Jesus'. This chapter teaches us that in a world of darkness, God puts the light of His own glory into the church, and so uses the church to draw to Himself His people from all the earth. We behold the radiance of His glory in Jesus (Jn 1:14, Heb 1:3) . Christ’s life is the light of men (Jn 1:4), and He shines it through us to add others to His praising people (Mt 5:16).
Indeed, Yahweh is speeding along the day when this ingathering will be complete, and the sun will be made obsolete as He Himself is the Light of an eternally and perfectly joyous and righteous people (vv19-22)!
Dear Christians, one of the great themes of this chapter is surprise. Surprise at whom God brings to Himself. Surprise at how quickly God restores the fortunes of His people. Surprise at how much better God's salvation blessings turn out to be even than we had expected.
And who is the light who brings such amazing surprises? Jesus!
Questions for more followup. What is the source of the light in this chapter? How does this compare with messages like "find the good within you" and "each of you has something that is valuable to God"? Who makes believers beautiful? Who is the light of heaven?
Song: The Light of the World Is Jesus
Lesson: 'The Light of the World Is Jesus'. This chapter teaches us that in a world of darkness, God puts the light of His own glory into the church, and so uses the church to draw to Himself His people from all the earth. We behold the radiance of His glory in Jesus (Jn 1:14, Heb 1:3) . Christ’s life is the light of men (Jn 1:4), and He shines it through us to add others to His praising people (Mt 5:16).
Indeed, Yahweh is speeding along the day when this ingathering will be complete, and the sun will be made obsolete as He Himself is the Light of an eternally and perfectly joyous and righteous people (vv19-22)!
Dear Christians, one of the great themes of this chapter is surprise. Surprise at whom God brings to Himself. Surprise at how quickly God restores the fortunes of His people. Surprise at how much better God's salvation blessings turn out to be even than we had expected.
And who is the light who brings such amazing surprises? Jesus!
Questions for more followup. What is the source of the light in this chapter? How does this compare with messages like "find the good within you" and "each of you has something that is valuable to God"? Who makes believers beautiful? Who is the light of heaven?
Song: The Light of the World Is Jesus
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin; The Light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday his glory shone in, The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide, The Light of the world is Jesus;
We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide, The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes, The Light of the world is Jesus;
Go, wash at his bidding, and light will arise, The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
No need of the sunlight in heaven, we're told, The Light of the world is Jesus;
The Lamb is the Light in the City of Gold, The Light of the world is Jesus.
Like sunshine at noonday his glory shone in, The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide, The Light of the world is Jesus;
We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide, The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes, The Light of the world is Jesus;
Go, wash at his bidding, and light will arise, The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
No need of the sunlight in heaven, we're told, The Light of the world is Jesus;
The Lamb is the Light in the City of Gold, The Light of the world is Jesus.
-
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see; The Light of the world is Jesus.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:30 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ps 118:1-4 'Who Like Me His Praise Should Sing?' (Worship Followup, Evening Call)
Text: Psalm 118:1-4. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Who Like Me His Praise Should Sing?'. That's actually a line from the first verse of the song with which we responded to the morning call, joining the worship of the angels. But it describes exactly the idea of Psalm 118:1-4, as flowing out of Psalm 117. Psalm 117 had said that all nations and all peoples should praise God for His covenant love and faithfulness.
But if that's the case, how about those whom God has chosen? That's Israel. And how about those whom He has made clean and set apart? That's the house of Aaron. And how about those whom He has transformed? That's those who fear Yahweh. How much more should such recipients of covenant love and recipients of God's gracious faithfulness praise Him!
So, that's exactly whom these four verses call upon to worship. Congregational worship is about ascribing to God the glory due His name, announcing and publishing and declaring and proclaiming the truth about Him. In the company of the redeemed, this public display is made. Dear Christian, this is your duty, but is it not your greatest delight--to participate in the assembly that He designed for this? Let Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear Yahweh say: "His steadfast love endures forever!"
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who like me His praise should sing?
Questions for more follow-up: Who should praise God for His love and faithfulness? If God is the one who chooses, cleanses, sets apart, and transforms, then what do we need to do before we come to Him? What is happening when the congregation of God's saved people gathers? Do we come to give or to receive? If we come to declare that God's steadfast love endures forever, and we are part of a gathering of others who are doing the same, do we end up only giving? What is something we can do, as individuals and families, every Lord's Day morning before worship, so that we come with this purpose to declare that the steadfast love of Yahweh endures forever?
Song: Loved with Everlasting Love (if you need the tune, listen [at nethymnal], or it's #703 in our hymnal)
Lesson: 'Who Like Me His Praise Should Sing?'. That's actually a line from the first verse of the song with which we responded to the morning call, joining the worship of the angels. But it describes exactly the idea of Psalm 118:1-4, as flowing out of Psalm 117. Psalm 117 had said that all nations and all peoples should praise God for His covenant love and faithfulness.
But if that's the case, how about those whom God has chosen? That's Israel. And how about those whom He has made clean and set apart? That's the house of Aaron. And how about those whom He has transformed? That's those who fear Yahweh. How much more should such recipients of covenant love and recipients of God's gracious faithfulness praise Him!
So, that's exactly whom these four verses call upon to worship. Congregational worship is about ascribing to God the glory due His name, announcing and publishing and declaring and proclaiming the truth about Him. In the company of the redeemed, this public display is made. Dear Christian, this is your duty, but is it not your greatest delight--to participate in the assembly that He designed for this? Let Israel, the house of Aaron, and those who fear Yahweh say: "His steadfast love endures forever!"
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who like me His praise should sing?
Questions for more follow-up: Who should praise God for His love and faithfulness? If God is the one who chooses, cleanses, sets apart, and transforms, then what do we need to do before we come to Him? What is happening when the congregation of God's saved people gathers? Do we come to give or to receive? If we come to declare that God's steadfast love endures forever, and we are part of a gathering of others who are doing the same, do we end up only giving? What is something we can do, as individuals and families, every Lord's Day morning before worship, so that we come with this purpose to declare that the steadfast love of Yahweh endures forever?
Song: Loved with Everlasting Love (if you need the tune, listen [at nethymnal], or it's #703 in our hymnal)
Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace that love to know;
Spirit sent from Christ above, Thou dost witness it is so.
O, this full and precious peace from His presence all divine;
In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine. (x2)
-
Heav’n above is deeper blue, earth around is sweeter green,
that which glows in ev’ry hue Christless eyes have never seen.
Birds in song His glories show, flow’rs with richer beauties shine-
Since I know, as now I know, I am His and He is mine. (x2)
-
Taste the goodness of the Lord: welcomed home to His embrace,
all His love as blood outpoured seals the pardon of His grace.
Can I doubt His love for me, when I trace that love’s design?
By the cross of Calvary I am His and He is mine. (x2)
-
His forever, only His – who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline,
But while God and I shall be, I am His and He is mine. (x2)
Spirit sent from Christ above, Thou dost witness it is so.
O, this full and precious peace from His presence all divine;
In a love which cannot cease, I am His and He is mine. (x2)
-
Heav’n above is deeper blue, earth around is sweeter green,
that which glows in ev’ry hue Christless eyes have never seen.
Birds in song His glories show, flow’rs with richer beauties shine-
Since I know, as now I know, I am His and He is mine. (x2)
-
Taste the goodness of the Lord: welcomed home to His embrace,
all His love as blood outpoured seals the pardon of His grace.
Can I doubt His love for me, when I trace that love’s design?
By the cross of Calvary I am His and He is mine. (x2)
-
His forever, only His – who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline,
But while God and I shall be, I am His and He is mine. (x2)
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 11:56 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Gen 21:1-7 'His Story, My Story' (Worship Followup, Morning Sermon)
Text: Genesis 21:1-7. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'His Story, My Story'. In the morning assembly this week, we heard from Genesis 21:1-7 the message of a 'Fulfilling Fulfillment.' We saw where this mountaintop passage fits in the story of the Bible, the story of the World, the story of God's bringing life out of death, always by His Word. And then we saw that in this grand story, God also sees to fulfilling Sarah personally, just as He does everyone who belongs to Him in His sovereign love, redeeming grace, and covenant faithfulness.
Your story is a sub-plot in God's great story, and so you and your life exist to glorify the One who brings life out of death! If you have death at work in you, you are "qualified"--it's the only prerequisite. But for believers, your story isn't just a sub-plot that glorifies Him, but a microcosm of the whole: He delights to weave into His fulfillments of His Word the fulfilling of each and every believer. And so we know that not only does everything work to His glory, but also to every believers' good. What a Savior! What a story!
Song: Amazing Grace (Newton's original six verses)
Lesson: 'His Story, My Story'. In the morning assembly this week, we heard from Genesis 21:1-7 the message of a 'Fulfilling Fulfillment.' We saw where this mountaintop passage fits in the story of the Bible, the story of the World, the story of God's bringing life out of death, always by His Word. And then we saw that in this grand story, God also sees to fulfilling Sarah personally, just as He does everyone who belongs to Him in His sovereign love, redeeming grace, and covenant faithfulness.
Your story is a sub-plot in God's great story, and so you and your life exist to glorify the One who brings life out of death! If you have death at work in you, you are "qualified"--it's the only prerequisite. But for believers, your story isn't just a sub-plot that glorifies Him, but a microcosm of the whole: He delights to weave into His fulfillments of His Word the fulfilling of each and every believer. And so we know that not only does everything work to His glory, but also to every believers' good. What a Savior! What a story!
Song: Amazing Grace (Newton's original six verses)
Amazing grace!—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
-
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
-
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
-
The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
-
And when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace
And when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace
-
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 1:30 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Rev 8 'Wreal Wrath' (Worship Followup, Morning Reading)
Text: Revelation 8. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Wreal Wrath'. Notice how the first three trumpets include some fiery, falling object to show that the trumpets are the effects on earth of the fire that is flung from the altar of heaven in the seventh seal. This chapter is about the reality of God's wrath.
And that reality is a big one. Can you imagine the suspense built by a half hour of silence after all the noise in the book to this point? And the devastation is catastrophic. And yet, the fact that so far it is only affecting things in thirds gives it a "slow-motion" effect. Finally, the point of v13 is that if you thought the first four trumpets were bad, you haven't seen anything yet!
So, this is a gracious warning to unbelievers before it's too late. God's wrath is real, and it's really big. But for believers, as we look back to from where the wrath comes, this chapter is a great comfort. Because there we see the prayers of God's people. All those prayers of pain, cries for justice, pleadings for vindication that it sometimes feels like no one hears? They are heard, and they are acted upon! In 6:9-10, the response had been to "wait a little while." The point of chapter 8 is that indeed the while IS "little," and the wait is worth it. Dear Christian, God hears your prayers!
Questions for more follow-up: How have you been sinned against this week? Have you told God about it, releasing it to Him so that you can do good to those who hurt you? -- How have you sinned this week? Have you considered that because God is righteous, He must have wrath upon those sins? How can you hope to be saved, since God must pour out His wrath? -- Do you sometimes feel like your prayers aren't heard? Which is more reliable: your feelings of whether or not a prayer is heard, or God's testimony about it?
Song: Lord of the Sabbath, Hear Us Pray(same tune as 'Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness')
Lesson: 'Wreal Wrath'. Notice how the first three trumpets include some fiery, falling object to show that the trumpets are the effects on earth of the fire that is flung from the altar of heaven in the seventh seal. This chapter is about the reality of God's wrath.
And that reality is a big one. Can you imagine the suspense built by a half hour of silence after all the noise in the book to this point? And the devastation is catastrophic. And yet, the fact that so far it is only affecting things in thirds gives it a "slow-motion" effect. Finally, the point of v13 is that if you thought the first four trumpets were bad, you haven't seen anything yet!
So, this is a gracious warning to unbelievers before it's too late. God's wrath is real, and it's really big. But for believers, as we look back to from where the wrath comes, this chapter is a great comfort. Because there we see the prayers of God's people. All those prayers of pain, cries for justice, pleadings for vindication that it sometimes feels like no one hears? They are heard, and they are acted upon! In 6:9-10, the response had been to "wait a little while." The point of chapter 8 is that indeed the while IS "little," and the wait is worth it. Dear Christian, God hears your prayers!
Questions for more follow-up: How have you been sinned against this week? Have you told God about it, releasing it to Him so that you can do good to those who hurt you? -- How have you sinned this week? Have you considered that because God is righteous, He must have wrath upon those sins? How can you hope to be saved, since God must pour out His wrath? -- Do you sometimes feel like your prayers aren't heard? Which is more reliable: your feelings of whether or not a prayer is heard, or God's testimony about it?
Song: Lord of the Sabbath, Hear Us Pray(same tune as 'Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness')
Lord of the Sabbath, hear us pray, In this thy house, on this thy day;
And own, as grateful sacrifice, The songs which from thy temple rise.
-
Now met to pray and bless thy Name, Whose mercies flow each day the same,
Whose kind compassions never cease, We seek instruction, pardon, peace.
-
Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love, But there's a nobler rest above;
To that our lab'ring souls aspire With ardent hope and strong desire.
-
In thy blest kingdom we shall be From ev'ry mortal trouble free;
No sighs shall mingle with the songs Resounding from immortal tongues;
-
No rude alarms of raging foes; No cares to break the long repose;
No midnight shade, no waning moon, But sacred, high, eternal noon.
-
O long-expected day, begin, Dawn on these realms of woe and sin!
Break, morn of God, upon our eyes; And let the world's true Sun arise!
And own, as grateful sacrifice, The songs which from thy temple rise.
-
Now met to pray and bless thy Name, Whose mercies flow each day the same,
Whose kind compassions never cease, We seek instruction, pardon, peace.
-
Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord, we love, But there's a nobler rest above;
To that our lab'ring souls aspire With ardent hope and strong desire.
-
In thy blest kingdom we shall be From ev'ry mortal trouble free;
No sighs shall mingle with the songs Resounding from immortal tongues;
-
No rude alarms of raging foes; No cares to break the long repose;
No midnight shade, no waning moon, But sacred, high, eternal noon.
-
O long-expected day, begin, Dawn on these realms of woe and sin!
Break, morn of God, upon our eyes; And let the world's true Sun arise!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:38 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, March 16, 2009
Heb 1:5-6 'Worship Good Enough for Angels' (Worship Followup, Morning Call)
Text: Hebrews 1:5-6. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Worship Good Enough for Angels'. As we've been hearing, the believers to whom Hebrews was written were being tempted to try to improve upon the simplicity of Christian worship. And one of these "improvements" was worship that focused more on angels. Today's verses answer this idea by declaring how much more glorious Jesus is than even the highest angel.
Jesus is the Son of God, of the nature of God, equal in power and glory too God. v6 is perhaps even more marvelous: when the Son of God comes into the world, God says, "let all God's angels worship Him." The highest of all God's creatures are to fall on their faces before Jesus Christ, the God-man.
You see the force of what God is saying here: why would you want more angelic worship, when the angels themselves bow down as part of Christian worship?! Why would my soul praise the slaves of heaven? Let us instead, as fellow-slaves, worship the KING of heaven! When we gather on the Lord's Day, we are entering into the worship of heaven itself.
Song: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Lesson: 'Worship Good Enough for Angels'. As we've been hearing, the believers to whom Hebrews was written were being tempted to try to improve upon the simplicity of Christian worship. And one of these "improvements" was worship that focused more on angels. Today's verses answer this idea by declaring how much more glorious Jesus is than even the highest angel.
Jesus is the Son of God, of the nature of God, equal in power and glory too God. v6 is perhaps even more marvelous: when the Son of God comes into the world, God says, "let all God's angels worship Him." The highest of all God's creatures are to fall on their faces before Jesus Christ, the God-man.
You see the force of what God is saying here: why would you want more angelic worship, when the angels themselves bow down as part of Christian worship?! Why would my soul praise the slaves of heaven? Let us instead, as fellow-slaves, worship the KING of heaven! When we gather on the Lord's Day, we are entering into the worship of heaven itself.
Song: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me, his praise should sing?
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Praise the everlasting King.
-
Praise him for his grace and favor To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same for ever, Slow to chide, and swift to bless;
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Glorious in his faithfulness.
-
Father-like, he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hands he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes;
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Widely as his mercy goes.
-
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me, his praise should sing?
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Praise the everlasting King.
-
Praise him for his grace and favor To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same for ever, Slow to chide, and swift to bless;
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Glorious in his faithfulness.
-
Father-like, he tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hands he gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes;
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Widely as his mercy goes.
-
Frail as summer's flow'r we flourish, blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish, God endures unchaging on.
Praise Him, praise Him; Praise Him, praise Him; Praise the High Eternal One.
-
Angels, help us to adore him; Ye behold him face to face;
Angels, help us to adore him; Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before him, Dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Praise with us the God of grace.
Praise him, praise him, Praise him, praise him, Praise with us the God of grace.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:51 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, March 13, 2009
Isaiah 59 'There Is a Redeemer' (Worship Followup, Evening Reading)
Text: Isaiah 59. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'There Is a Redeemer'. (vv1-8) Why does every effort from our side fail to reach to God? Why can’t we reach to God? Is it because His arm is too short to reach, or because He is hard of hearing? No! It is because of the greatness of our sin!
(vv9-15a) Well, maybe someone can help us. Let’s see. Gurus? Blind. Leaders? Crippled. Moral examples? Wicked. There is no help, no possible help for us!
(vv15b-19) And that’s just the situation into which God designs His salvation to come. His wisdom alone. His power alone. His righteousness alone. Our absolute helplessness means His absolute glory in our salvation. Our absolute wickedness means His absolute grace.
(vv20-21) And this glory and grace find their ultimate expression in Jesus the Redeemer, whose salvation is perfect, and sure, and everlasting!
Oh, God grant that we would see our sin as the source of all our guilt, all our troubles, all our separation from God. And God grant for us to see His mighty, powerful grace in which He saves us sinners precisely because there is absolutely no hope whatsoever except for Him. May He magnify Christ in our eyes and our hearts, filling us with confidence and joy in our sure, eternal Redeemer!
Song: Jesus Paid It All
Lesson: 'There Is a Redeemer'. (vv1-8) Why does every effort from our side fail to reach to God? Why can’t we reach to God? Is it because His arm is too short to reach, or because He is hard of hearing? No! It is because of the greatness of our sin!
(vv9-15a) Well, maybe someone can help us. Let’s see. Gurus? Blind. Leaders? Crippled. Moral examples? Wicked. There is no help, no possible help for us!
(vv15b-19) And that’s just the situation into which God designs His salvation to come. His wisdom alone. His power alone. His righteousness alone. Our absolute helplessness means His absolute glory in our salvation. Our absolute wickedness means His absolute grace.
(vv20-21) And this glory and grace find their ultimate expression in Jesus the Redeemer, whose salvation is perfect, and sure, and everlasting!
Oh, God grant that we would see our sin as the source of all our guilt, all our troubles, all our separation from God. And God grant for us to see His mighty, powerful grace in which He saves us sinners precisely because there is absolutely no hope whatsoever except for Him. May He magnify Christ in our eyes and our hearts, filling us with confidence and joy in our sure, eternal Redeemer!
Song: Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Saviour say, "Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all."
-
Chorus: Jesus paid it all, All to him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
-
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all."
-
Chorus: Jesus paid it all, All to him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
-
Lord, now indeed I find Thy power, and thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots, And melt the heart of stone.
Can change the leper's spots, And melt the heart of stone.
- Chorus -
For nothing good have I Whereby thy grace to claim—
I will wash my garments white In the blood of Calvary's lamb.
For nothing good have I Whereby thy grace to claim—
I will wash my garments white In the blood of Calvary's lamb.
- Chorus -
And when, before the throne, I stand in him complete,
"Jesus died my soul to save," My lips shall still repeat.
"Jesus died my soul to save," My lips shall still repeat.
Chorus
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:02 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, March 12, 2009
Ps 117 'If You Could Worship God for One Thing' (Worship Followup, Evening Call)
Text: Psalm 117. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'If You Could Worship God for One Thing'. The shortest Psalm in the Bible is universal in scope: praise Yahweh ALL nations, and extol Him ALL peoples. What characteristics or works of God are the reason for such worldwide worship? Is it His power? His creativity? His wisdom? His holiness? All of these are glorious beyond imagining, but when this Psalm makes its best argument for the whole world to worship God, it focuses on His covenanted love and faithfulness to His people.
God's praiseworthiness is most clearly seen in how He sets unthwartable love upon an undeserving people and remains immovably faithful to them. Oh the many and majestic glories of our God! And yet, here is the jewel of them all: steadfast love and faithfulness. As we think of these, and of Jesus Christ as their ultimate expression, let us indeed praise Yahweh!
Song: From All That Dwell Below the Skies
Lesson: 'If You Could Worship God for One Thing'. The shortest Psalm in the Bible is universal in scope: praise Yahweh ALL nations, and extol Him ALL peoples. What characteristics or works of God are the reason for such worldwide worship? Is it His power? His creativity? His wisdom? His holiness? All of these are glorious beyond imagining, but when this Psalm makes its best argument for the whole world to worship God, it focuses on His covenanted love and faithfulness to His people.
God's praiseworthiness is most clearly seen in how He sets unthwartable love upon an undeserving people and remains immovably faithful to them. Oh the many and majestic glories of our God! And yet, here is the jewel of them all: steadfast love and faithfulness. As we think of these, and of Jesus Christ as their ultimate expression, let us indeed praise Yahweh!
Song: From All That Dwell Below the Skies
From all that dwell below the skies Let the Creator's praise arise:
Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through every land, by every tongue.
-
Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends thy Word:
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through every land, by every tongue.
-
Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends thy Word:
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore Till suns shall rise and set no more.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 9:57 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Gen 20 'Undeserving of God' (Worship Followup, Morning Message)
Text: Genesis 20. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Undeserving of God'. As we heard in the morning sermon, the star of Genesis 20 is really God Himself, the great and gracious God of an undeserving people. Hopefully, the link to the outline and the audio will help bring most of the sermon back to you; but, I would like in the follow-up to return to the point of our 'undeservingness'.
Unbelievers need to hear that He is God of the undeserving, because Satan loves to tell them that they just need to do better in this or that area before they are presentable to God. In other words, one of the great lies from the pit of Hell to keep people away from Jesus is that God is really God of the deserving. Satan will even use believers' holy living to scare unbelievers away--he will take the true difference that Jesus makes in our lives, and say, "see, you have to be like that before you can come to Jesus." Since most of our unbelievers are children, we especially applied to how in our NW Iowa context, our children wrongly get the message that they can't really belong to or come to God through Jesus until they're older, or smarter, or better behaved. These are all different forms of Satan's lie.
Believers need to hear that He is the God of the undeserving, because we often fall into the lie as we seek to walk with Him. We begin to think or act as if the rate of our growth or our standing with God must be maintained by stuff that we do. It is freeing to remember that it is God Himself, His wisdom and grace, that determines the rate of our growth and our standing with Him. And so, we press on, not under the pressure of performance, but out of delight in our duty to our Savior, our Father, our Joy.
Finally, believers need to tell this to unbelievers. God is God of the undeserving. We are not waiting to attain to a level where we might become evangelists or intercessors. Simply by belonging to God through Jesus, we are called to be evangelists and intercessors. We are called to tell people about the God of the undeserving and to pray to Him on their behalf.
Song: Psalm 32. Tune, Vox Dilecti.
Lesson: 'Undeserving of God'. As we heard in the morning sermon, the star of Genesis 20 is really God Himself, the great and gracious God of an undeserving people. Hopefully, the link to the outline and the audio will help bring most of the sermon back to you; but, I would like in the follow-up to return to the point of our 'undeservingness'.
Unbelievers need to hear that He is God of the undeserving, because Satan loves to tell them that they just need to do better in this or that area before they are presentable to God. In other words, one of the great lies from the pit of Hell to keep people away from Jesus is that God is really God of the deserving. Satan will even use believers' holy living to scare unbelievers away--he will take the true difference that Jesus makes in our lives, and say, "see, you have to be like that before you can come to Jesus." Since most of our unbelievers are children, we especially applied to how in our NW Iowa context, our children wrongly get the message that they can't really belong to or come to God through Jesus until they're older, or smarter, or better behaved. These are all different forms of Satan's lie.
Believers need to hear that He is the God of the undeserving, because we often fall into the lie as we seek to walk with Him. We begin to think or act as if the rate of our growth or our standing with God must be maintained by stuff that we do. It is freeing to remember that it is God Himself, His wisdom and grace, that determines the rate of our growth and our standing with Him. And so, we press on, not under the pressure of performance, but out of delight in our duty to our Savior, our Father, our Joy.
Finally, believers need to tell this to unbelievers. God is God of the undeserving. We are not waiting to attain to a level where we might become evangelists or intercessors. Simply by belonging to God through Jesus, we are called to be evangelists and intercessors. We are called to tell people about the God of the undeserving and to pray to Him on their behalf.
Song: Psalm 32. Tune, Vox Dilecti.
What blessedness for him whose guilt has all forgiven been!
When his transgressions pardoned are, and covered is his sin.
O blessed the man ‘gainst whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is not deceit or treachery.
When his transgressions pardoned are, and covered is his sin.
O blessed the man ‘gainst whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is not deceit or treachery.
-
When I kept silent, my bones aged; my groaning filled each day.
Your hand oppressed me day and night; my moisture dried away.
Then I to You admitted sin, hid not my guiltiness;
I said, “I will before the Lord transgressions now confess.”
I said, “I will before the Lord transgressions now confess.”
-
Then You did all my sin forgive and take my guilt away.
Then You did all my sin forgive and take my guilt away.
For this when You are near at hand let all the godly pray.
The rising floods will harm him not. You are my hiding place.
And You will comfort me with songs of victory and grace
The rising floods will harm him not. You are my hiding place.
And You will comfort me with songs of victory and grace
-
Instruction I will give to you and teach you as you go.
My watchful eye will guide your steps; my counsel you will know.
My watchful eye will guide your steps; my counsel you will know.
Be not like senseless horse or mule which if you would subdue
you must with bit and bridle hold to bring him close to you.
you must with bit and bridle hold to bring him close to you.
-
The wicked many pangs endure, but steadfast cov’nant love
encircles ev’ry man whose trust is in the Lord above.
Be glad and shout, you righteous ones, and in the Lord rejoice!
encircles ev’ry man whose trust is in the Lord above.
Be glad and shout, you righteous ones, and in the Lord rejoice!
And all whose hearts are just and true sing out with joyful voice.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 12:07 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Rev 7 'Absolutely Certain to Be Absolutely Safe' (Worship Followup, Morning Reading)
Text: Revelation 7. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Absolutely Certain to Be Absolutely Safe'. The message of Revelation 7 is that every single one of those upon whom God has set His saving love will certainly reach the absolute joy of glory, no matter what trouble they find themselves in now.
So, if you're a believer, take a peek at the end of the story and rejoice that it is the power and purpose of your God that ensures that this is the end of your story. And if you're not, abandon living for or hoping in anything else, and trust only in the crucified, risen Jesus.
No one ever becomes a believer because he knows that he is elect; but, everyone who ever believes discovers that God's electing love has made him absolutely certain to be absolutely safe.
Song: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
Lesson: 'Absolutely Certain to Be Absolutely Safe'. The message of Revelation 7 is that every single one of those upon whom God has set His saving love will certainly reach the absolute joy of glory, no matter what trouble they find themselves in now.
So, if you're a believer, take a peek at the end of the story and rejoice that it is the power and purpose of your God that ensures that this is the end of your story. And if you're not, abandon living for or hoping in anything else, and trust only in the crucified, risen Jesus.
No one ever becomes a believer because he knows that he is elect; but, everyone who ever believes discovers that God's electing love has made him absolutely certain to be absolutely safe.
Song: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken formed thee for His own abode:
on the Rock of Ages founded what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded, thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
-
See, the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove:
who can faint, while such a river ever flows their thirst t'assuage?--
safe they feed upon the manna which he gives them when they pray.
-
Round each habitation hov'ring, see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a cov'ring, showing that the Lord is near:
thus deriving from their banner light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna which He gives them when they pray.
-
Savior, if of Zion's city I, through grace, a member am,
let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy name:
fading is the worldling's pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show:
solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion's children know.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:35 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Heb 1:1-4 'CHRISTian Worship' (Worship Followup, Morning Call)
Text: Hebrews 1:14. [click here] to read it online via the ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: CHRISTian Worship is all about Jesus. One of the main reasons Hebrews was written was because people wanted more than just Jesus in worship. They wanted interaction with angels, or the continuing of Old Testament rituals, or whatever new or secret spirituality was “inspiring” the Greco-Roman world. Simple, Christian worship was despised. But simple, Christian worship is all about Jesus.
That is why Hebrews begins with one of the most exalted descriptions of Jesus is the Bible. Who is Jesus? The heir of all things, the one for whose glory and pleasure everything exists. The one through whom all things were created. He is the radiance of God's glory. He is the exact imprint of God's nature. He upholds the universe by the word of His power.
Jesus is unimaginably glorious, and that is why we must reject any and every attempt to "improve" worship by our imagination. Morally, it's idolatry. Practically, there's nowhere to go from true Christian worship but down.
THIS glorious One is the One who became a man to live, suffer, bleed, and die for our sins. THIS glorious One is the One who now sits enthroned in glory. And THIS glorious One is the One through whom and in whom and to whom we now enter that glory in the congregational assembly!
Song: Worship Christ, the Risen King!
Lesson: CHRISTian Worship is all about Jesus. One of the main reasons Hebrews was written was because people wanted more than just Jesus in worship. They wanted interaction with angels, or the continuing of Old Testament rituals, or whatever new or secret spirituality was “inspiring” the Greco-Roman world. Simple, Christian worship was despised. But simple, Christian worship is all about Jesus.
That is why Hebrews begins with one of the most exalted descriptions of Jesus is the Bible. Who is Jesus? The heir of all things, the one for whose glory and pleasure everything exists. The one through whom all things were created. He is the radiance of God's glory. He is the exact imprint of God's nature. He upholds the universe by the word of His power.
Jesus is unimaginably glorious, and that is why we must reject any and every attempt to "improve" worship by our imagination. Morally, it's idolatry. Practically, there's nowhere to go from true Christian worship but down.
THIS glorious One is the One who became a man to live, suffer, bleed, and die for our sins. THIS glorious One is the One who now sits enthroned in glory. And THIS glorious One is the One through whom and in whom and to whom we now enter that glory in the congregational assembly!
Song: Worship Christ, the Risen King!
Rise, O church, and lift your voices, Christ has conquered death and hell.
Sing as all the earth rejoices; Resurrection anthems swell.
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the Risen King!
-
See the tomb where death had laid Him, Empty now, its mouth declares;
"Death and I could not contain Him, For the Throne of Life He shares."
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the Risen King!
-
Hear the earth protest and tremble, See the stone removed with pow'r;
All hell's minions may assemble But cannot withstand His hour.
He has conquered, He has conquered, Christ the Lord, the Risen King!
-
Doubt may lift its head to murmur, Scoffers mock and sinners jeer;
But the truth proclaims a wonder Thoughtful hearts receive with cheer.
He is risen, He is risen, Now receive the Risen King!
-
We acclaim Your life, O Jesus, Now we sing Your victory;
Sin or hell may seek to seize us But Your conquest keeps us free.
Stand in triumph, stand in triumph, Worship Christ, the Risen King!
Sing as all the earth rejoices; Resurrection anthems swell.
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the Risen King!
-
See the tomb where death had laid Him, Empty now, its mouth declares;
"Death and I could not contain Him, For the Throne of Life He shares."
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the Risen King!
-
Hear the earth protest and tremble, See the stone removed with pow'r;
All hell's minions may assemble But cannot withstand His hour.
He has conquered, He has conquered, Christ the Lord, the Risen King!
-
Doubt may lift its head to murmur, Scoffers mock and sinners jeer;
But the truth proclaims a wonder Thoughtful hearts receive with cheer.
He is risen, He is risen, Now receive the Risen King!
-
We acclaim Your life, O Jesus, Now we sing Your victory;
Sin or hell may seek to seize us But Your conquest keeps us free.
Stand in triumph, stand in triumph, Worship Christ, the Risen King!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 2:25 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, March 7, 2009
Gen 19 'Stubborn Grace' (Worship Followup, Evening Message)
Text: Genesis 19. [click here] to read it via the online ESV Study Bible.
Lesson: 'Stubborn Grace'. As we finished up Genesis 19 in the evening exhortation, we considered the sadness of Lot's worldliness--its effects upon himself and others, especially his own daughters and in the life and history of Israel. But then we went on to examine the heart of the passage, its reason for existence: to show us the amazing, stubborn grace of God.
We saw in the text how stubbornly God insisted upon being gracious with Lot, even as many of us have known Him to be in our own lives: warning us, urging us, dragging us, persisting with us, hearing us, and preserving us.
And then we asked the question: why? Our immediate passage's answer was "Abraham," and we saw in the very first verse of the New Testament why this mattered. The way in which Abraham was to be a blessing to all the families of the earth was in Jesus coming from him.
Jesus is why God's grace is so stubborn with us. No one in Christ can ever perish, because God absolutely refuses to let them. And so we concluded that ultimately, here is a passage that calls us to hope in Jesus, to thank Him for how stubbornly He has gone after us, and to be like Him in stubbornly urging others to know His grace in Christ.
Song: Amazing Grace
Lesson: 'Stubborn Grace'. As we finished up Genesis 19 in the evening exhortation, we considered the sadness of Lot's worldliness--its effects upon himself and others, especially his own daughters and in the life and history of Israel. But then we went on to examine the heart of the passage, its reason for existence: to show us the amazing, stubborn grace of God.
We saw in the text how stubbornly God insisted upon being gracious with Lot, even as many of us have known Him to be in our own lives: warning us, urging us, dragging us, persisting with us, hearing us, and preserving us.
And then we asked the question: why? Our immediate passage's answer was "Abraham," and we saw in the very first verse of the New Testament why this mattered. The way in which Abraham was to be a blessing to all the families of the earth was in Jesus coming from him.
Jesus is why God's grace is so stubborn with us. No one in Christ can ever perish, because God absolutely refuses to let them. And so we concluded that ultimately, here is a passage that calls us to hope in Jesus, to thank Him for how stubbornly He has gone after us, and to be like Him in stubbornly urging others to know His grace in Christ.
Song: Amazing Grace
Amazing grace—how sweet the sound— That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found—Was blind, but now I see.
-
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!
-
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
-
And when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil A life of joy and peace.
-
When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun.
I once was lost, but now am found—Was blind, but now I see.
-
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed!
-
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
-
And when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil A life of joy and peace.
-
When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 2:52 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, March 6, 2009
Isaiah 58 'Manipulating God or Serving Him?' (Worship Followup - Evening Reading)
Text: Isaiah 58 (ESV). [click here] to read it via the online ESVSB.
Lesson: Manipulating God or Serving Him? As we saw in this chapter, God is responding to worship that people thought was sincere and good. They loved drawing near to God, and they were very religious, and yet God rejected their religion as mere attempts to get stuff from Him.
How can we tell if He is truly our delight? If our worship is manipulation or service? The end of the chapter gives us one way: if we love the Sabbath because it's a day for things that are especially His as opposed to ours.
Oh, may our God give us hearts that treasure Him for Himself, that call Him a delight far above anything He ever does for us, that rejoice in the Sabbath because it is the day when He eclipses the joys with which He fills our other days.
Song: O Day of Rest and Gladness
O day of rest and gladness, O day of joy and light,
O balm of care and sadness, Most beautiful, most bright;
On thee the high and lowly, Through ages joined in tune,
Sing Holy, Holy, Holy, To the great God Triune,
-
On thee, at the creation, The light first had its birth;
On thee, for our salvation, Christ rose from depths of earth;
On thee our Lord, victorious, The Spirit sent from heav'n;
And thus on thee, most glorious, A triple light was giv'n.
-
Thou art a port protected From storms that round us rise;
A garden intersected With streams of Paradise;
Thou art a cooling fountain In life's dry, dreary sand;
From thee, like Pisgah's mountain, We view the promised land.
-
Today on weary nations The heav'nly manna falls;
To holy convocations The silver trumpet calls,
Where gospel light is glowing With pure and radiant beams,
And living water flowing With soul-refreshing streams.
-
New graces ever gaining From this our day of rest,
We reach the rest remaining To spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises, To Father and to Son;
The church her voice upraises To thee, blest Three in One.
O balm of care and sadness, Most beautiful, most bright;
On thee the high and lowly, Through ages joined in tune,
Sing Holy, Holy, Holy, To the great God Triune,
-
On thee, at the creation, The light first had its birth;
On thee, for our salvation, Christ rose from depths of earth;
On thee our Lord, victorious, The Spirit sent from heav'n;
And thus on thee, most glorious, A triple light was giv'n.
-
Thou art a port protected From storms that round us rise;
A garden intersected With streams of Paradise;
Thou art a cooling fountain In life's dry, dreary sand;
From thee, like Pisgah's mountain, We view the promised land.
-
Today on weary nations The heav'nly manna falls;
To holy convocations The silver trumpet calls,
Where gospel light is glowing With pure and radiant beams,
And living water flowing With soul-refreshing streams.
-
New graces ever gaining From this our day of rest,
We reach the rest remaining To spirits of the blest.
To Holy Ghost be praises, To Father and to Son;
The church her voice upraises To thee, blest Three in One.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:41 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, March 5, 2009
Ps 116:15-19 'The Praise of the Precious' (Evening Call, Worship Follow-Up)
Text: Psalm 116:15-19. Click here to read the text via the online ESVSB.
Lesson: The Praise of the Precious. That's what's going on when we gather Lord's Day morning and evening. In the assembly, the people of God are, in part, a visual feast to each other of His love and grace. As we gather with those whose death He has counted precious (v15), we declare ourselves to belong wholly to Him(v16). And what do people do when they are joyfully owned by God? They offer sacrifices of thanksgiving (v17), which belong specifically to congregational worship (v18-19). (note that this Psalm and Psalm 50 provide the OT background for this week's morning call to worship).
Song: What Shall I Render to My God? (Ps 116:12-19)
What shall I render to my God for all His kindness shown?
My feet shall visit Thine abode, my songs address Thy throne.
-
How much is mercy Thy delight, Thou ever-bless-ed God!
How dear Thy servants in Thy sight! How precious is their blood!
-
How happy all Thy servants are! How great Thy grace to me!
My life, which Thou hast made Thy care, Lord, I devote to Thee.
-
Now I am Thine, forever Thine, nor shall my purpose move;
Thy hand hath loosed my bonds of pain, and bound me with Thy love.
-
Here in Thy courts I leave my vow, and Thy rich grace record;
witness, ye saints who hear me now, if I forsake the Lord.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 4:40 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Gen 19 'Weapons against Worldliness' (Worship Follow-Up, Morning Message)
Text: Genesis 19 (ESV). Click here to read the text online via the ESVSB.
Lesson: Weapons against Worldliness. Since the audio and manuscript [are available online], I wanted to add a little more follow-up for how to combat the three types of worldliness that we identified Lord's Day morning. There is actually one, primary weapon, and that is the Word of God, wielded in three different ways.
The first kind of worldliness to combat is wickedness--those things that are wrong in themselves. This was the primary wickedness of Sodom itself. And God's Word fights this kind of worldliness with commands. God's moral law sets up freeing, invigorating boundaries to give us confidence against this kind of worldliness. So, we must desire to know, and seek out, and learn the commands of God so that we can obey them.
The second kind of worldliness to combat is foolishness--those things that are not by themselves transgressions of commands, but that are unwise depending upon circumstances, or because of our own weakness, etc. This was a large part of Lot's own worldliness--unwise disregard of consequences. And God's Word fights this kind of worldliness with instruction.
The Bible is full not only of commands but of the wisdom and examples and guidance that redeemed sinners need to live well before the face of God in a fallen world. So, we must be constantly in the word, constantly submitted to it. This latter occurs especially in being discipled by others vertically (elder, teacher, husband, mother, etc.) and horizontally (wife, friend, etc.).
The third kind of worldliness to combat is the most difficult. These things are not wrong. They are not even unwise. In fact, failing to enjoy them is wrong and unwise! The problem in this kind of worldliness is if our hearts rest their hope in these good things, or enjoy them as if they themselves, and not God Himself, are the true joy. To combat this kind of worldliness, God gives us worship according to and full of His word.
The 2nd and 4th commandments are not just laws to define boundaries against wickedness. They are also faith-and-joy-in-God-Himself boosters to keep us from finding hope and joy in God's good gifts instead of in God Himself. The second commandment requires that we worship God only as He has commanded. It keeps us from saying "now THIS is how I REALLY enjoy God"--a subtle way in which our hearts attempt to declare independence, while giving lipservice to enjoying God Himself.
And what the 2nd commandment does with a worship service, the 4th commandment does with an entire day. The 4th commandment is a weekly "hope-and-joy-check." By stripping away many of the other gifts, and presenting us with a day of activities in which God Himself is more nakedly the gift, our attitude on the Lord's Day presents a chance to learn whether it is really Him I am enjoying in all those other tasks and recreations Monday through Saturday. If I long to bring the other days' tasks and recreations into the Lord's Day, I should admit to myself that my zeal for and pleasure in them is not very much directed toward God after all.
God has made distinct, separate worship of His own definition to hold Himself before us as the ultimate blessing to whom all other blessings must be subordinate, or else they too are worldliness. Do you love Scriptural worship? Do you love the Lord's Day? Your response also answers this question: are you enjoying even God's good gifts in a godly manner? Or are you turning even them into a form of worldliness.
Song: As With Gladness Men of Old
As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold;
as with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright;
so, most gracious God, may we evermore be led to Thee.
-
As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly cradle-bed,
there to bend the knee before Him whom heav'n and earth adore;
so may we with willing feet ever seek Thy mercy seat.
-
As they offered gifts most rare at that cradle rude and bare;
so may we with holy joy, pre, and free from sin's alloy,
all our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to Thee, our heav'nly King.
-
Holy Jesus, ev'ry day keep us in the narrow way;
and when earthly things are past, bring our ransomed souls at last
where they need no star to guide, where no clouds Thy glory hide.
-
In the heav'nly country bright need they no created light;
Thou its light, its joy, its crown, Thou its sun which goes not down;
there forever may we sing alleluias to our King
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 2:48 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Rev 6 'Lord of History' (Worship Follow-up, Morning Reading)
Text: Revelation 6 (ESV). Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.
When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!"
When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
Lesson: God plans and rules history for the sake of His people. That's the primary lesson of Revelation 6 (you can read more about this in the worship booklet). Oppressive regimes, violence, famine, and plague are all under His sovereign rule. And He plans the time of the age of suffering according to the in-gathering of His people. When that is complete, He will make right everything that has ever been done against Him and them.
But He absolutely refuses to lose track of even one of His own. After all, He has planned history around them. Does that not comfort you who belong to Him through Christ? The Lord of the universe plans the course of history around you. Those painful things that you don't understand? They, like you, are in His able hands.
Song: Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken formed thee for His own abode:
on the Rock of Ages founded what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation's walls surrounded, thou may'st smile at all thy foes.
-
See, the streams of living waters, springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters, and all fear of want remove:
who can faint, while such a river ever flows their thirst t'assuage?--
safe they feed upon the manna which he gives them when they pray.
-
Round each habitation hov'ring, see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a cov'ring, showing that the Lord is near:
thus deriving from their banner light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna which He gives them when they pray.
-
Savior, if of Zion's city I, through grace, a member am,
let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy name:
fading is the worldling's pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show:
solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion's children know.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:46 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, March 2, 2009
Heb 13:12-15 'Is Jesus Enough?' (Worship Follow-Up)
Scripture - Hebrews 13:12-15 (ESV). "So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."
Lesson - In the morning call to worship, we heard that Christian worship is all about Jesus. The big problem that the sermon of Hebrews (it was a sermon first, cf. 13:22) was answering was that people were leaving Christianity to move on to other things. Greco-Roman worship was a lot more entertaining. Jewish worship was a lot more tangible. Angel-worship cults seemed a lot more spiritual or mystical.
The Bible's answer to these complaints is that Jesus Himself is the center of Christian worship--it doesn't need anything but Him! So Hebrews begins with a long, exalted description of who Jesus is (ch1).
It then teaches that Jesus Himself is the Priest who leads our worship (ch2), and that Jesus Himself is the Prophet who speaks His Word in our worship (ch3-4), and that Jesus Himself is the Sacrifice through whom our worship is accepted (ch5-6), and Jesus Himself is the Priest through whom we give in worship (ch 7).
And since in Christian worship, Jesus Himself replaces other things that humans usually want, we have better and surer promises (ch8); and, we worship in heaven itself (ch9); and, we have absolute confidence in the effectiveness of our worship (ch10).
So, we enjoy worship by faith more than by senses (ch11). And though it--like so much suffering in Christian life--may be difficult to trust more in what you cannot sense than what you can, when our worship is like this, our gatherings participate in the eternal, heavenly worship of all who truly worship by their senses in heaven, the humans of whom arrived there through faith (ch11-12).
Although chapter 12 climaxes the flow of Hebrews on worship, even in the additional applications of chapter 13, we get one more injection of the sufficiency of Jesus Christ--that no matter how despised a thing it is to have simple, heavenly worship through Jesus it is more worth it than all other earthly worship put together.
There is more that Hebrews teaches, of course, but that is the main outline. So, all of our worship questions come down to this: how does this relate to the sufficiency of Jesus? In the Old Testament, the Second Commandment and its applications (sometimes called the "Scripture Principle" or "Reformation Principle" or "Regulative Principle" of worship) was all about the character and sufficiency of God. God has been pleased to focus New Testament worship more [IN]visibly (and, more visibly, in the sacraments of chapter 10) upon the character and sufficiency of Jesus in particular.
And this is why we must not, cannot, dare not add anything to Scriptural, Christian worship. Word (read, preached, prayed, sung) and Sacrament are all the "stuff" of Christian worship, because Jesus is all the "stuff" of Christians' worship of the Triune God! This is why worship was as big a deal in the Reformation as the doctrine of salvation: because both are really issues of, "Is Jesus enough?"
That's a question that you can ask your two year old in family worship, even if they haven't understood much or any of the rest of this lesson. Is Jesus enough for salvation? Is Jesus enough for worship? IS JESUS ENOUGH?!
Song: What Shall I Render to My God? (Ps 116:12-19)
What shall I render to my God for all His kindness shown?
My feet shall visit Thine abode, my songs address Thy throne.
-
How much is mercy Thy delight, Thou ever-bless-ed God!
How dear Thy servants in Thy sight! How precious is their blood!
-
How happy all Thy servants are! How great Thy grace to me!
My life, which Thou hast made Thy care, Lord, I devote to Thee.
-
Now I am Thine, forever Thine, nor shall my purpose move;
Thy hand hath loosed my bonds of pain, and bound me with Thy love.
-
Here in Thy courts I leave my vow, and Thy rich grace record;
witness, ye saints who hear me now, if I forsake the Lord.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:57 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, February 28, 2009
Romans 8:5-8 - 'Spiritually Bent' (Worship Follow-Up)
Text: Romans 8:5-8 (ESV). For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Lesson: In the evening message, we heard about how the new life that God has given is shown by our new mindsets, our new alignment in life toward spiritual things instead of fleshly things.
We heard that this new mindset shows not only that God has made us alive, but that God has given us peace with Himself, entering a verdict of righteous about us in His great court.
Finally, we heard that this peace we have with God is exactly opposite our old, hostile nature to Him--the old nature couldn't care less about God's law, let alone what pleases God.
For more on what being aligned toward the Spirit looks like, consider the attitudes in Galatians 5:22-23 and actions in Romans 12:9-13. For more on what being aligned toward the flesh looks like, consider the attitudes and actions in Romans 1:29-31 and Galatians 5:19-21.
We concluded with an appeal to believers for assurance: this new "bent," this new "alignment," is proof that the cross of Jesus Christ worked! Hallelujah! And with an appeal to unbelievers that they might be saved: since the cross of Jesus Christ worked, won't you rest in Him and be saved both from your sin's guilt, and from your sin's power?
Song: Christ, of All My Hopes the Ground (the tune may be familiar to you as 'Take My Life and Let It Be')
Christ, of all my hopes the ground, Christ the spring of all my joy,
still in You may I be found, still for You my pow'rs employ,
still for You my pow'rs employ.
-
Let Your love my heart inflame; keep Your fear before my sight;
be Your praise my highest aim; be Your smile my chief delight,
be Your smile my chief delight.
-
Fountain of o'erflowing grace, freely from Your fulness give;
till I close my earthly race, may I prove it "Christ to live,"
may I prove it "Christ to live."
-
Firmly trusting in Your blood, nothing shall my heart confound;
safely I shall pass the flood, safely reach Immanuel's ground,
safely reach Immanuel's ground.
-
Thus, O thus, an entrance give to the land of cloudless sky;
having known it "Christ to live," let me know it "gain to die,"
let me know it "gain to die."
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 2:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, February 27, 2009
Isa 57 - 'Healing for Stubborn Sinners' (Worship Follow-Up)
Text: Isaiah 57 (ESV). The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. But you, draw near, sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer and the loose woman. Whom are you mocking? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit, you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they, are your lot; to them you have poured out a drink offering, you have brought a grain offering. Shall I relent for these things? On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifice. Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your memorial; for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a covenant for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness. You journeyed to the king with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol. You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, "It is hopeless"; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint.
Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me? I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not profit you. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.
And it shall be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way." For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made. Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry, I struck him; I hid my face and was angry, but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near," says the LORD, "and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
Lesson: In the evening serial reading this week, we heard about the only source of salvation and peace for stubborn sinners. v10 focuses on stubbornness in sin--isn't it amazing how persistent we can be in pursuit of religion that has pleasure as its goal? When what we seek are those things that do not give true joy, we are unstoppable. That's called idolatry. In v13, God points out how this is not just wicked but really, spiritually stupid! Oh, let us instead take refuge in Him! Only when we make Him Himself our chief hope and treasure does real joy come.
So, we can see the difference between those who have salvation and peace in what their hearts chase after. But how does this difference come about? v17 is surprising, because it's talking about the humble, repentant people of God from vv14-16. It turns out that it was not their efforts that produced humility or repentance. v17 shows them to be just as stubborn as the wicked who will perish! Instead, v18, even though God knows that we are stubborn in our sinfulness, He is the One who will heal us. He is the One who leads us, restores comfort, creates the fruit of our lips. Oh God, have mercy on us and our stubborn hearts! Heal us, lead us, restore us, comfort us, and create the fruit of our lips!
Song: God Be Merciful to Me (#486 in the hymnal, if you have one)
God, be merciful to me, on Thy grace I rest my plea;
plenteous in compassion Thou, blot out my transgressions now;
wash me, make me pure within, cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
-
My transgressions I confess, grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Thy grace and provoked Thee to Thy face;
I confess Thy judgment just, speechless, I Thy mercy trust.
-
I am evil, born in sin; Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art, teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
make me pure, Thy grace bestow, wash me whiter than the snow.
-
Broken, humbled to the dust by Thy wrath and judgment just,
let my contrite heart rejoice and in gladness hear Thy voice;
from my sins O hide Thy face, blot them out in boundless grace.
-
Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true;
cast me not away from Thee, let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation's joy impart, steadfast make my willing heart.
-
Sinners then shall learn from me and return, O God, to Thee;
Savior, all my guilt remove, and my tongue shall sing Thy love;
touch my silent lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall praise accord.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 11:48 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, February 26, 2009
Ps 116:12-14 In the Presence of All His People (Worship Follow-Up)
Text: Psalm 116:12-14 (ESV), What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
Lesson: In the evening call to worship this week, we heard the words of Christ about how saved people rightly respond to all the blessings of God. We worship in the presence of all His people. We have been learning from Hebrews that this is exactly what happens in congregational worship. When the body gathers "Today" (i.e. the Lord's Day, going back to Hebrews 3-4), the assembly is included with the angels in festal gathering and the souls of the righteous made perfect in glory.
Specifically, v13-14a says that in this worship we (a) put the salvation of God on victorious display, (b) call upon His name, recognizing by continued prayer that He alone is the giver of all our good gifts, and (c) pay our vows to Him, fulfilling the obligation of someone who belongs to Him.
Is private worship an appropriate response to God's blessing? Of course! But it must never be the entire response or even the primary response. The primary response to the blessings of God is gathering with His people to worship Him in the assembly!
So, how about you? Do you value the Lord's Day worship services like this? When on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday, etc., you enjoy more and more Christ-earned blessings like sunshine, and family, and recovery from illness, and insight into His word, and victory against some sin, and a smile from a friend--is your heart's response, "I can't wait for the Lord's Day gatherings when with all God's people I can give to God Scriptural worship in response to this!"
Song: What Shall I Render to My God? If you are unfamiliar with the psalm tune "downs" to which we sang this in evening worship, you may wish to sing it to the tune of "Amazing Grace." Even better, you may wish to practice the tune [audio - score], since we will be responding to the next portion of Psalm 116 with the same song.
What shall I render to my God for all His kindness shown?
My feet shall visit Thine abode, my songs address Thy throne.
-
How much is mercy Thy delight, Thou ever-bless-ed God!
How dear Thy servants in Thy sight! How precious is their blood!
-
How happy all Thy servants are! How great Thy grace to me!
My life, which Thou hast made Thy care, Lord, I devote to Thee.
-
Now I am Thine, forever Thine, nor shall my purpose move;
Thy hand hath loosed my bonds of pain, and bound me with Thy love.
-
Here in Thy courts I leave my vow, and Thy rich grace record;
witness, ye saints who hear me now, if I forsake the Lord.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 2:19 PM 1 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Gen 18:16-33 'Holy Boldness' (Worship Follow-Up)
Text: Genesis 18:16-33. Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him." Then the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know."
So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. Then Abraham drew near and said, "Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" And the LORD said, "If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake."
Abraham answered and said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" And he said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." Again he spoke to him and said, "Suppose forty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of forty I will not do it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there." He answered, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." He said, "Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there." He answered, "For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it." Then he said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
Lesson: It's Wednesday. Do you still remember the morning message? Well, that's what these little devotionals are for. In five minutes a day, we can refresh and recommit to what we heard from Jesus in His worship gatherings. Specifically, in the morning service this week, the main message from Gen 18:16-33 was how God moves us to holy boldness before Him in prayer. We learned how God's election (entering into loving relationship with us from eternity in Jesus), revelation (showing and telling us some things about Himself and His actions, again most perfectly in Jesus), and grace (good stuff for the undeserving and power for the helpless) all drive us to ask things boldly of Him in prayer. And we concluded by thinking about what is perhaps the boldest prayer in the Bible, commonly called "The Lord's Prayer."
This is a question you should ask yourself. Are you bold before God in prayer?--asking for impossible things, especially spiritually impossible ones like in the Lord's Prayer? Spend some time think about His electing love, about how He's chosen to tell us so much and invite us into conversation with Him, and how He's shown Himself to be the God of grace--exactly the God to whom undeserving and weak people can pray boldly! As you think about these things, take each one back to the cross, for we see His love, revelation, and grace most perfectly in Christ!
Song: Although the song was unfamiliar to some, many would know the tune to "Take My Life and Let it Be" (same tune). This song, Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare engages in psalmist-like self-talk, exactly applying most of the truths we heard from the Bible:
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
therefore will not say thee nay (x2)
-
Thou art coming to a King,
large petitions with Thee bring;
for His grace and pow'r are such,
none can ever ask too much (x2)
-
With my burden I begin:
"Lord, remove this load of sin;
let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
set my conscience free from guilt (x2)
-
"Lord, I come to Thee for rest,
take possession of my breast;
there Thy blood-bought right maintain,
and without a rival reign (x2)
-
While I am a pilgrim here,
let Thy love my spirit cheer;
as my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
lead me to my journey's end (x2)
-
Show me what I have to do,
ev'ry hour my strength renew;
let me live a life of faith,
let me die Thy people's death (x2)
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Rev 5 'The End of Redemption' (Worship Follow-up)
Text: Revelation 5 (ESV). Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Lesson: as we heard in the morning reading, as God has brought us in the calls to worship to those wonderful verses from Hebrews that describe how congregational worship enters into the very worship of Heaven, He has at the same time brought us to the clearest descriptions of that worship in the whole Bible: Revelation 4-5.
Specifically, dear children, the best part of congregational worship is hearing the words of God from Jesus Himself (Heb 12:18-29, cf. Rev 5:9). Look how John wept loudly (v4) for the word of God to be opened and read! Look how Jesus' redeeming us by His blood on the cross is the victory that purchases for us the hearing of God's word (vv9-10)! Look at how the worship of Heaven is the praise of Jesus for winning this great victory (vv11-14)!
Oh, may God grant that we would hunger for His Word like this so that we would appreciate and worship Jesus like this! His great victory has won for us worship in which Jesus proclaims to us God's word! What a wonderful Savior is Jesus!
Song: Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad His wonderful name;
the name, all victorious, of Jesus extol;
His kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
-
God ruleth on high, almighty to save;
and still He is nigh--His presence we have.
The great congregation His triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.
-
Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.
-
Then let us adore, and give Him His right,
all glory and pow'r, and wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing, with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing for infinite love.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:27 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, February 23, 2009
Heb 12:25-29, 'Him Who Speaks from Heaven' (Worship Follow-Up)
To make these entries more helpful for printing out and using in family or private worship, we'll now include the Scripture passage and the song that we sang as a congregation, making God's Word the cry of our hearts.
Text: Hebrews 12:25-29 (ESV) See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken- that is, things that have been made- in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Lesson: These verses were the call to worship for the morning gathering, reminding us again (as Hebrews has throughout) what makes Christian worship so... well... Christian. It seems like as we sing, it is we who teach and admonish each other in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Col 3:16b), but singing in worship is a means by which the word of Christ dwells in us richly. It seems like when the preacher is up front reading and speaking, he is addressing us from earth.
Well, that was true of Moses, who warned from earth. But in Christian worship, the prophet is not the preacher up front. It is Jesus Himself. These verses plainly teach that in Christian worship, we are addressed from Heaven, not earth. Jesus, Yahweh in flesh, addresses His people from Heaven in the congregation. There are two applications in the last verse:
First, we are to be grateful. There is a joyful wonder, a thankful amazement, that comes with participating in the worship of Heaven itself. For those who treasure God, treasure God's glory, treasure God's word, treasure God's Son, treasure God's gospel, treasure God's people, this is (literally, 12:22) the mountaintop. It simply cannot be improved upon.
Second, we are to offer worship that is acceptable with reverence and awe. There's a lot to unpack there, and it would take a book to do it fully. But we see that there is such a thing as unacceptable worship (and that the Christian readers of this letter were in danger of offering it), and we see that the joy and the confidence that we have in Christ doesn't translate to looseness or casualness. Looseness and casualness come not from appreciating the gospel, but from depreciating the God to whom the gospel freely brings us!
How would you sum this all up for a three year old? Because Jesus leads congregational worship from Heaven, we should be thankful for the worship services on the Lord's Day, and we should be respectful and amazed that when we come, we enter Heaven itself through Him. Isn't congregational worship wonderful?
Song: Now Unto Jehovah, Ye Sons of the Mighty
Now unto Jehovah, ye sons of the mighty,
all glory and strength and dominion accord;
ascribe to Him glory, and render Him honor,
in beauty of holiness worship the Lord (x2)
-
The voice of Jehovah comes down on the waters;
in thunder the God of the glory draws nigh.
Lo over the waves of the wide-flowing waters
Jehovah as King is enthron-ed on high (x2)
-
The voice of Jehovah is mighty, is mighty;
the voice of Jehovah in majesty speaks:
the voice of Jehovah the cedars is breaking;
Jehovah the cedars of Lebanon breaks (x2)
-
Each one in His temple His glory proclaimeth.
He sat on the flood; He is King on His throne.
Jehovah all strength to His people imparteth;
Jehovah with peace ever blesseth His own (x2)
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 4:42 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Saturday, February 21, 2009
Rom 8:1-4 'No Condemnation' (Worship Follow-Up)
In the evening sermon this week we heard one of the most wonderful messages of the Bible: No Condemnation. What good, glorious news. It's almost impossible to believe, but we know it's true, and one of the great evidences of it is the new heart that God has given us. The law was powerless to make us love God--weakened by the flesh, it could only tell us that we didn't and what we deserved for it.
But now God has done what the law couldn't do. God came Himself; Jesus came and destroyed the power of sin. He gives us love for God. And that in itself shows that we are counted righteous, that our sin was forgiven. If our sin wasn't forgiven, we wouldn't even deserve to love God.
But here we are--not sinless, and yet hating sin. Not perfectly law-keeping, and yet loving the law. And it all shows that one thing is gloriously true: the cross of Jesus Christ worked. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! What good news. What a Savior!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:37 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Friday, February 20, 2009
Isaiah 56 - 'The Dangerous Duty of Delighting in Deliverance on the Lord's Day' (Worship Follow-Up)
The evening serial reading this week was Isaiah 56. The message of that entire chapter was basically that if we delight in God's salvation, then we will delight in His day as the community day of His people, when and where we enjoy blessing far above and beyond any joy or sorrow of this life.
Feed your soul on this savory truth by opening your Bible to Isaiah 56 and seeing the following: For those who hope in God’s salvation (v1), the Sabbath is a joy(v2), because its assemblies show forth how God is assembling for Himself a redeemed people from the whole world.
In Sabbath assembly, those who wouldn’t have any hope of having earthly family find themselves rich in their covenant family(vv3b-5); in Sabbath assembly, those who had been ethnically separated from the people of God now find themselves eternally joined to that people(v3a,6); so, in Sabbath assembly all of God’s people rejoice to give worship to the God who gathers them to Himself in that assembly (vv7-8).
By contrast, the godless leaders (v9-11a) don’t care for community or for worship—they look out only for themselves (v11b), care only for worldly pleasure (v12a), and therefore have no delight in the Sabbath (v12b).
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 9:57 AM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Thursday, February 19, 2009
Ps 115:1-3, 12-18 'Blessed to Bless His Name' (Worship Follow-Up)
The evening call to worship this week was Psalm 115:1-3, 12-18. Those verses are for corporate worship, using "us" and "we" to show that they are the words of a congregation.
They announce that God has not blessed us so that our glory would be on display, but so that His glory would be on display. God has saved us in covenant love and faithfulness so that heaven and earth would be full of His glory.
Since He has given us life, we gather as a congregation to praise His name--that is our eternal purpose!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:50 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Remember Yourself, But Keep Your Eyes on God (Worship Follow-Up)
Wednesdays are the follow-ups to the morning sermon in the new plan we're trying for integrating the worship assemblies into our week. In the morning sermon this week, we heard how the Triune Yahweh visited Abraham in order to strengthen Sarah.
One big lesson that we heard for Sarah, and for us, is how even growing and mature believers have great weakness. We must always remember ourselves and our ongoing weakness. But that isn't what we should focus upon.
The whole point of reminding Sarah of her weakness was to get her focus off of herself and onto the God for whom nothing is too impossible, nothing too miraculous. We noted how tenderly and patiently God dealt with her weakness, gently and powerfully directing her to rest in His strength.
And that's what we must do as well: always remember our weakness, but keep the eyes of our faith fixed firmly on our penetratingly, powerfully, patiently strong God. Is that a message that you need to hear again already, even though it's only Wednesday? Go listen to it!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 8:47 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Rev 4 'The End of Creationism' (Worship Follow-Up)
On Tuesdays, we will be following up on the morning serial readings. In God's perfect timing, our two calls to worship from Hebrews 12 on the glories of worship in the Lord's Day church assemblies on earth are coordinating exactly with Revelation 4-5. Just when we got to the climax in Hebrews of how our worship enters into the very worship of Heaven, our serial readings land on the two chapters in the Bible that most explicitly detail the very worship into which we are entering!
Specifically, Revelation 4 focuses upon the worship in heaven of God for His creation, and Revelation 5 focuses upon the worship in heaven of God for His redemption. I've called this follow-up "The End of Creationism," because I want to use the word "end" two ways here.
The first way is for "end" to mean "ceasing." And the point is basically this: creationism will never cease. It is a central topic of the eternal worship in glory! So, the evolutionists can just wait for us to evolve and for creationism to die. It won't. Ever! For ever and ever and ever we will sing of an otherwise inexplicable creation as an exertion of God's will for the display of God's glory and honor and power!
The second thing I mean by "end" here is "purpose." What end does creationism serve? Is it a litmus test for someone's submission to the Bible? It certainly can and should be--you cannot separate someone's "position on" the Bible from their posture toward the Bible. But that is not the end, the telos, of creationism. It is useful for that, but it's goal, its purpose, is WORSHIP! Creationists should be giddy about their God more than they are crusty about their chronology.
Chronology is important. But if we seem to be more bent-out-of-shape than we are bowed-before-the-Creator's throne, then God help us! Don't get me wrong--chronology is very important, but its importance is subsidiary to, calculated as a function of, something far, far more important: doxology! Creationism is important because it is an essential part of something infinitely more important: Biblical worship.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 3:32 PM 0 Comments Links to this postharvestoc.net blog, Monday, February 16, 2009
Heb 12:18-24 'What in Heaven Is Going on Here?!' (Worship Follow-Up)
As we've moved through Hebrews in the morning calls to worship, we've noticed the extraordinary emphasis upon Christ in Christian worship. Christ presents us to the Father, Christ praises Him in our singing, Christ mediates the service as our perfect Priest, Christ makes our service acceptable through His once for all sacrifice, Christ makes our service effectual by His ministry in the real Holy of Holies in glory, and our services are full of Christ's sacraments, Christ's doctrine, and Christ's discipling. I'd say that as a sermonic polemic against reverting to Judaistic worship, Hebrews does a pretty good job!
Well, one of the things that we saw early on was the reference to Jesus in 1:6 as the 'firstborn' who is exalted above even the angels. This reminds us, of course, of Rom 8:29 and its calling Him the 'firstborn' among many brethren; and, of the description of Jesus presenting us in worship to the father in 2:13 saying, "behold I and the children God has given me."
This week's call to worship was Heb 12:18-24, which compared Christian worship to Sinai. In that one, they came with terror; in this one, we come with joy. In that one, the angels were ready to destroy; in this one, the angels are ready to celebrate. In that one, no righteous human participated; in this one, we join glorified Christians in heaven who are "righteous ones, made perfect." But none of those things are the primary difference.
The thing that makes Christian worship into Christian worship is that it is the "assembly of the firstborn" ... those who find their very identity in Jesus. What we do in the Iowa State Bank basement, and what we'll be doing in our new building, is something that participates in a greater assembly.
It's not just that our congregational gathering is bigger than each one of us. That's true, and it should stop us in our tracks when we are tempted to evaluate the worship based upon what I do or what I get as an individual in it. But it's bigger even, far bigger, than the joined worship of our congregation. We are joining in worship with the saints in glory, the church throughout the ages, and the church throughout the world. Isn't that thrilling?
When we gather for worship, Lord's Day by Lord's Day, we are participating already in God's end-game; we are taking part in that which we will do forever, and which glorified, perfected saints are already doing. Amazing. Can you just not wait for the Lord's Day all over again?!
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 7:13 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Worship Follow-Ups - A New Blog Feature
The message isn't the only place in the worship service where we hear God's word. It was never meant to be. The Bible refers to our singing as "speaking to one another in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs" (using the exact Greek language used in three different types of subtitles in the Greek Old Testament that the church used). Music is a vehicle through which God causes the word of Christ to dwell in us richly (Col 3:16, cf. Eph 5:19). 1Corinthians 14 describes all the parts of worship, including prayer, as functions of God's revealed words.
So, whether we're praying the Bible, singing the Bible, reading the Bible, or hearing the Bible preached or pronounced, Christian worship is full of the Bible. Following Scriptural patterns for the structure of the service, at Harvest we have three "main courses" in each Bible smorgasbord of a worship service, the call to worship, the serial reading, and the sermon. Each of the two worship assemblies includes three passages to consider and apply, each complete with a song by which we may admonish each other. This gives us not one, but six rich Scripture lessons to digest with our families each week.
One of the things I have been trying to do as a pastor since I got here is to get us to feed upon the word of God together throughout the week, particularly the word that we hear in the assembly. When you consider that, going back to Moses, roughly 90% of the church has been illiterate, a "Deuteronomy 6" type house would basically be feeding throughout the week upon what they heard in worship.
To the end of helping us do that as a congregation, I'd like whomever is willing to try incorporating something into your family worship--a regular schedule of followups to the worship services. I'll try to post an sample every day, either for your direct use, or as an example. These will replace the random "sermon follow-ups" that I have been doing up to this point. Although I intend to do one every day, it has been a reality that I just cannot. This way, however, if we've already planned what we will do every day, then if I don't have time, others will not be hindered. I'm thinking something along the following schedule:
Mon--Morning Call to Worship
Tue--Morning Serial Reading
Wed--Morning Message
Thu--Evening Call to Worship
Fri--Evening Serial Reading
Sat--Evening Message
Since we do each of these in order through the Bible in worship, I think we will find that doing this in our homes will especially help not only our children but also us ourselves to give ourselves more fully to and benefit even more from the worship assemblies. I see at least the following benefits:
- We will bring back to mind and reinforce the lessons that we heard in worship
- We will reinvigorate, mid-week, the commitments that we made in light of those lessons
- We will rekindle, mid-week, the comforts that we have drawn from those lessons
- We will be more quickly able to focus upon the texts in family worship, since we will have just recently considered them
- We will be more profitably able to explain and apply the texts in family worship, since we will have thought through them together as a congregation, under the ministry of those whom God has gifted for that purpose (and, having the worship booklets at our elbows for the same purpose)
- If we or our children have them, our elders will be more prepared to answer questions, having recently studied the texts
- We will increase fellowship as a congregation, knowing that we are thinking together through the Bible in our various homes (similar to people who "follow" the same t.v. show... except that this is attended by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in power, mediated by union with Christ, and involving things eternally profitable to our souls!)
- Since the texts are sequential, we will have minds, hearts, and wills attuned for the next week's texts, enabling us to give ourselves more to them
- We will be able to sing more thoughtfully, sincerely, and heartily, since the songs are carefully chosen according to the ideas and even words of each text
- When elders shepherd, they will share with the family a broad frame of reference from which to talk about their recent spiritual lives.
- People who miss a service or both on a Lord's Day will be able to "catch up" mid-week
Well, I hope that convinces many of you. Actually, I hope that convinces all of you. What a difference a few minutes a day could make in both our congregational worship and the spiritual lives of our families! God grant His blessing upon our efforts, giving them spiritual and eternal increase to our fruitfulness and His glory.
Labels: Worship Follow-Up
¶ 6:55 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
