Several years ago, we began observing the Lord’s Supper on a weekly basis. Quite a bit went into that discussion beforehand, but one of the striking things about our preparations for it was the warning I got from a wise minister. He said that when we went to weekly communion, we should expect a great …
Present or Absent?
For centuries, Christians have debated the “real presence” of the Lord Jesus in the Supper. Too often it is not noted that the alternative position is necessarily a belief in His real absence. This of course is silly, and so this should cause us to reflect. All orthodox Christians believe in the real presence—the debate …
Quarrels and Worship
Have you quarreled with anyone this week? If you did, was it for the cause of righteousness, or was it merely because you wanted your own way on something? If it was the latter, as it probably was, was the quarrel worth it? Did the quarrel bring you closer to God, establish you in His …
Take, and Grow
We feed our children so that they might grow up. God feeds us for the same reason—we are His children, and He is growing us up into maturity. This Table is therefore one of the central instruments to resist one of the great idols of our age—that of calculated immaturity. In fashion, in music, in …
The Plow of God
God plows his people. He deals with us, and He deals with us here in the Supper. He deals with sin in the Supper. This is very different from us trying to deal with sin on our own before we come, in order to make ourselves worthy. That misses the point, almost entirely. You do …
Contrasts and Parallels
The various turmoils in the wilderness which the Jews experienced were all recorded, and they were recorded, Paul says, as examples for the new covenant believers at Corinth. Because of this, the one who assumes that he stands, needs to take heed lest he fall. The modern evangelical world likes to draw contrasts between the …
Clothed With Christ in Worship
Never forget that God sees the heart. He knows every thought, every intention, every motive, every excuse, every rationalization, and every motion in your mind. This is the God you gather before in worship. Nothing is obscure to Him simply because you are surrounded by others. Nothing is hidden from Him simply because others are …
Because It Does
After the reign of Josiah, the Word says that God had compassion on His people and He sent them messengers. These messengers from God were mocked, the words of God were despised, and the prophets were misused. Therefore the wrath of God arose against the people, until, it says, there was no remedy. As a …
Generational Answered Prayer
Our Father and Lord in heaven, we assemble before You in order to rejoice, just as You have commanded us. We are glad that You have set apart this day for rejoicing, and we are grateful that You have brought us to the point where we have remembered that the joy of the Lord is …
Worship As A Shield
God has never done a work of reformation in the world where that work had no critics. One of the signs of thorough-going reformation is when those involved in the work of reformation respond in grace and wisdom. This is not the same as agreeing with the critics and joining them, but it is the …