The metaphor we use of head and heart is not really a scriptural metaphor, but we are referring to a profound scriptural truth when we use it. James points to the truth that this metaphor of ours is highlighting when he talks about hearing the word and doing the word. But there are certain lessons …
A Form of Battle
Our gracious God, we glory in You, and in what You have given to us. We know that what we are doing here — resting in You — is actually a form of battle. We thank You for overcoming our enemies while we sit at table. We thank You for the means You have selected …
Peace to You
The various aspects of our worship service were shown forth in a type in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. We come before God confessing our sins, which is the guilt offering, and we offer up the name of Jesus Christ, which cleanses all our guilt. Then our service corresponds to the ascension offering, …
Making the World New
A central feature of proper Christian worship is a right understanding of the promised presence of God. But too often we assent to such phrases with a superficial and glib understanding — of course God is present with us in worship because He is omnipresent, and this leads us to think nothing unique happens here …
Marriage As Manifest Glory XXXV
INTRODUCTION: As we begin to wrap up this series on marriage, the topic today (for husbands) is love, sacrifice and authority. Next week we will consider (for wives) respect, submission and authority. The element the two have in common is obviously that word authority, and once we refresh ourselves with the principle, we need to …
Clouds and Thick Darkness
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! The Lord reigns! You our Lord, our only God Reign over all things! Let the earth rejoice, Let millions of islands rejoice in the sea! Clouds and thick darkness surround You, Righteousness and judgment establish Your throne; The two together are darkness …
Straight Line Power
When Jesus came as the long awaited Messiah, He did not play it out according to the anticipated script. Of course, He fulfilled the prophecies that had been given about Him, but over the centuries those prophecies had been gradually turned into something consistent with something that the religious heart of man dearly loves—straight-line power …
Soli Deo Gloria!
During His earthly ministry Jesus scandalized the proper by sitting down and eating with sinners. Two thousand years later, He is still doing it. That is why He is here with us today, and why He is seated at this Table. I mean, look around you. Look at your own heart, and your own history. …
No Little People
As they walked along the road, one of the two disciples, named Cleopas, asked the Lord if He was a stranger. Do you not know what has gone on these past few days? What an ironic question – do you not know? The other disciple is unnamed, but was probably the wife of Cleopas, who …
Can Faith Be Bronzed?
Every word which men speak or hear in worship must either renew that word or cheapen it. God has determined to sanctify us through His Word, and therefore, because of our sinful inclinations, we tend to invent various shifts and devices in a vain attempt to keep this sanctification from happening. Of course, overt denial …