The work of Christ on the cross was a work unlike any other in history. One powerful aspect of what He accomplished was the once for all nature of His atonement. He, unlike His shadows in the Old Testament, did not have to repeat His work over and over again. Even that which was a …
The Cornerstone of our Calendar
Gracious Father and Lord of heaven, we thank You for family, for our husbands and wives, for our children and grandchildren. We thank You that You brought us safely through another week, and that You have enabled us to stand now on the threshold of another week. We are so grateful for the Lord’s Day, …
All Over the Map
One of the problems that Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox share is the problem of ignorance of patristic literature. Because of this ignorance, the subject (which is theologically and theoretically important to RCs and EOs) can be used to cudgel (of course in a friendly way) those Protestants for whom the subject does not rise to …
Christ the Liturgist
We have already discussed the importance of defining the word covenant correctly. We must also define the adjective new in the phrase “new covenant” correctly. A host of errors have sprung from the fact that we have misdefined this simple word new. We are under the “new covenant.” What does that mean exactly? In the …
Worship As Unity
This morning the ministry of the Word will be brought by Pastor Steve Schlissel, of Messiah’s Congregation in Brooklyn, New York. We of course welcome him in the name of Jesus Christ, and declare grace and peace to him, and to his wife Jeannie, and his daughter Rebekah. But he is not here as a …
So Raise Your Hands to His Commands
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Forgive me now, oh Lord and God And let your mercies come. Descend from heaven and save me here, According to Your mercy now, According to Your kindly Word. Then I will have an answer for The one who brings rebuke. My …
Delighted in Gratitude
Our Father and gracious God, we thank You for the arrival of yet another Lord’s Day. The food before us illustrates one more time how much You love us, and one more time, we are delighted to show our gratitude. We pray that You would be honored in our fellowship, in our eating, and in …
No Sacrifice Remains
The author of Hebrews continues his comparison between the priestly order of Melchizedek and the priestly order of Levi. As we shall see, understanding the difference makes an immense practical difference. “Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest …
Ezra Nehemiah 13
Introduction: Laughter and mockery are inescapable. It is never a question of whether, but which. In a world where God has established the antithesis between righteousness and unrighteousness, it is never whether something is going to be ridiculous, but rather which thing is going to be ridiculous. The Text: And it came to pass in …
Ezra Nehemiah 12
Introduction: As God restores His people to the land, He does not put them on a fast track. The process has many blessed moments, and a number of setbacks. This book of Nehemiah begins in the middle of one such setback. The Text: The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to …