As we approach this Table, we have to be careful. One the one hand, we are encouraged to come gladly, putting away all false scruples and morbid introspection. On the other hand, we know that coming to this Table is inconsistent with stark unrepented sin. How can we teach against one error without encouraging the …
Bitterness and Baptism
You are not here at the Table by yourself. Seated here with you are all the saints of God, throughout the world, and throughout history. We are called upon to discern the body, and not just the body here in this room. But this does not exclude those who are here in this room. And …
Symbolism Creates
The Word is prior to the world. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This means that everything about that Word was prior to everything in the world. The world does not constitute reality; rather, the world reflects reality. Unlike the materialistic scientist, we do …
Worship Tremors
If God in His grace allows this service of worship to be an earthquake, the tremors will be felt elsewhere. But this quake will not happen as the result of anything we might do or think up. Our service to Him is all of grace; if it is right, then He has done it. But …
Spare Us Temptation
Our Father in heaven, we hallow and reverence Your name as the Lord Jesus taught us to do. We ask that Your kingdom would continue to be manifested on the earth, as we glorify the name of Your Son in heaven. We ask for our daily bread, and thank You for what is before us …
What God Is Like
The way God reveals Himself in time and history is a revelation in some way of His eternal nature. As God created the world, He was not composing some sort of ultimate free verse. We look at the world, and unless we are suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, we see His eternal power and majesty. …
This Coming Week
Our Lord and God, we come before You now in the great name of Jesus Christ. Your provision for us this last week has been bountiful, and we glorify You for it. We look forward in faith and gratitude for what you will supply to us in this coming week, built on the foundation of …
Prayer for Reformation
Our Father and God, our idols have failed us. We have sacrificed our children to the demons of personal choice, and we now see that the Molech of modernity devours, just as his ancient father would do. The land is polluted with blood, with the blood of innocents. But You are the righteous one. Father, …
The Lord’s Supper and Priestcraft
As we develop a right approach to the Supper, which includes a weekly approach to the Supper, we have to be careful to avoid distractions. One such distraction is the charge that this “high view” of the Supper is somehow incipiently Roman Catholic. In considering a historical debate as we come to the Supper is …
On Earth, In Heaven
The Holy Spirit dwells in the Temple of the living God, and you, considered together, are that Temple. Individually, you have responsibilities, each of you, as a living stone, but in the public worship of God, when we are gathered together like this in the congregation, we are the Temple of God. This means you …