This morning the exhortation is for a particular (and very important) part of our congregation—the little ones. I want to begin by asking all the children who are eight-years-old and younger to pay close attention. Step out in the aisle if you need to, or stand on your chair, or have your mom or dad …
The Glory of Matter
We are created and shaped in the image of God, and we are the crowning glory of matter. Our first father Adam was fashioned out of the earth, and when we die, we return to that earth. For a time, matter is organized in such a way as to love, think, sing praises to God, …
Yet Another Sabbath
Our Father and God, we thank You now for all the kindness You have shown to us in bringing us to yet another Sabbath day. The food before us is wonderful, the hands that prepared it are blessed, the wine is rich. We are so grateful that You have brought us into the salvation that …
Marriage as Manifest Glory XXI
INTRODUCTION: The central command given to husbands as husbands in the New Testament is the command to love. The central command given to wives as wives is the command to honor and respect. We will consider the first in detail this week, and the second next week. THE TEXTS: For the husband is the head …
Worship With Anticipation
Gracious Lord and God, we thank You now for yet another Lord’s Day. We look forward to worship with anticipation, and we are grateful to be able to show that anticipation through eating and drinking in Your presence. You are a holy God, and we are grateful that You receive us in the holiness of …
Pentecost in Public
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Our Father and God, we praise You now in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. You are the one who poured out the Holy Spirit on the great day of Pentecost, and there empowered Your Church to be Your people forever and …
Music for Jericho
We rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit of God, who was poured out upon us so that we could be the true Israel of God in a pagan and dark world. As the true Israel of God, we are summoned and equipped to confront and overcome the paganism of the unbelieving world. In …
God of Surprises
We serve and worship the God of surprises. Before Christ came, the Jewish people were expecting God to send His Messiah, and He would deliver His people from the Romans, overcome their enemies, and bring in the resurrection. But God is the God of surprises. He did all this, but not in the way expected. …
THE PROBLEM OF WINESKINS/PENTECOST 2005
Introduction: Pentecost is not only an important event in the history of the Church, but is also one of the key events in the history of the world. Pentecost celebrates something that has happened to the world, and the Scriptures teach that nothing can be done to reverse this. THE TEXTS: “Then came to him …
Flogged to the Bone
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Our great God, Father of Jesus Christ, and the God who bestows the Holy Spirit, we come to You now in the name of this Jesus, in the power of the Spirit You have given, in order to worship You as You …