We sing before the Lord a new song. As we will sing in the ninety-eighth psalm later today, we do this because He has done great wonders. One of the wonders is the fact we can bring forth deep gratitude for those songs which we used to sing. We cannot want to grow up into …
When Someone Else Is Petty
We are living in times of polarization and conflict. We see this in families, we see it in the Church at large, and we see it in our nation. The bonds of fellowship are strained or broken, and open turmoil can break out with the slightest provocation. Our time is not unique in this respect; …
Deliver Me As You Have Said
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Why do You not stoop to my cry? Come near, oh Lord, and hear Grant me the wisdom of Your Word, And let my supplication come, Deliver me as You have said. My lips will utter all Your praise, When You have …
For the Week Past
Father in heaven, we thank You now in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, and we ask that Your Holy Spirit would be with us here as we celebrate the arrival of yet another Lord’s Day. We thank You for the week past, and how it was built on the last Lord’s …
Flipping Through the Doctor’s Magazines
We do many things in this service through rote repetition – we follow the drill. Contrary to the views of many in the contemporary church, there is no necessary spiritual death in this. But contrary to the view of certain diehard traditionalists, there is no automatic life in it either. We serve God through faith. …
The Oxymoron of Unholy Saints
An unholy church is an oxymoron. God has called us to holiness. He has called us first to a perfect holiness, that which is imputed to us for the sake of Jesus His Son. In this sense, our baptism cannot be improved, and we stand before God as His redeemed people, and we shall sing …
A Worldview Wheel 2
Introduction: We have seen that a worldview consists of four basic elements—catechesis, lifestyle, symbol/liturgy, and narrative. We need to consider each of these in turn, and see the necessity of the right connection of each to the grace of God. The Text: “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, …
The Baals In Your Own Village
We continue to be horrified by the recent events which have befallen our nation. But whether we have been mortified by a godly repentance will only be seen in the long run. After the initial shock has worn off, will we, along with the rest who seek superficial healings, spend all our time trying to …
You Know My Every Word and Step
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Venom from the princes comes, Without a cause they press. Before Your Word I stand in awe, I see, my heart is filled with joy, As though I found great battle spoil. I loathe all lies, and those who speak With and …
The Silent Refutation of Every Lie
Those who stir up strife in towns, churches, cities, or nations are trying to create a situation when everyone will get to a point of desperation, and then try to resolve the problem with some kind of dramatic action. That dramatic action is sudden, forceful, fascinating, and its effects are very potent . . . …