Sunday Recap 3-24-13

Morning: The sermon, "Authentic Worship," focused on Luke 19:37-40. Luke reminds his reader that the right response to Jesus is worship.

1. Those who know Jesus, worship. The disciples were joyful. They praised God. They did so loudly. Their praises were rooted in the work of God.

2. Worship is possible because Jesus came. Jesus was favored by God and did the Father's will. His coming to die and be raised to life brought peace between God and man. His coming caused him to be exalted to the highest place.

3. Genuine worship will always face opposition. The Pharisees opposed Jesus' disciples because they did not want Jesus as their Messiah.

4. If humanity fails to see and proclaim Christ's glory--the rest of creation will not.

Evening: Movie night.

A Time to Sing

Psalm 100 is a short, but powerful psalm. It is a call for all to sing joyful songs of praise to the Lord. In the span of 5 verses, the author gives us the commands of worship and the reasons for worship. This psalm reminds us of the importance of music to worship.

The commands of worship are simple. He calls us to "shout for joy to the LORD." We are to worship the Lord with gladness. We are to come before his with joyful songs. We are to know that the Lord is God. Finally, we are to give thanks and sing praises.

He gives us the reasons we should sing to God. We are to sing because he made us. We are his, and he cares for us like a shepherd with his sheep. The Lord is good, his love endures forever, and his faithfulness continues from generation to generation.

Music is an important part of worship. Here are some thoughts concerning music.

• Music is to be part of worship (Eph. 5:19-20).
• Music has a long history. Adam's first recorded words were a poem, possibly a song. In Genesis 4:21, we are told Jubal was the "father" of all those play the harp or flute. From early in human history, music has been a part.
• Music is nearly universal. Music has been part of every culture.
• Music can have a powerful affect on people.
• Music aids in memory.
• Music can be medicinal.

Hymns: Worthy Is the Lamb

I find Revelation 4-5 fascinating. The images of heavenly worship stir my imagination. I feel captivated by John's testimony. I long to see the Lamb and the One seated on the throne. I want to see the splendor of God's glory. I long to sing the "new song" in heaven:

You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slaughtered,

and You redeemed people

for God by Your blood

from every tribe and language

and people and nation.

You made them a kingdom

and priests to our God,

and they will reign on earth (Rev. 5:9-10).

And again to sing, "The Lamb who was slaughtered is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12). This song, "Worthy Is the Lamb," makes me think about Revelation 5. It's a really good song. I hope you enjoy the video.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Bad news never takes a holiday. Illness and loss never celebrate Christmas by taking a break.  Darkness doesn't just lift because we are celebrating the entrance of the Light into our world.  Somewhere out there among the flashing lights, brightly decorated Christmas trees, and holiday yard decorations, cancer is ravaging a child.  Somewhere a family is exchanging gifts while mourning a loved one who has passed away.  Depravity hasn't settled in for a long winter's nap.  It's thriving in the human heart and let loose in the world.

One of the reasons that Christmas still has such a grip on our culture, even as many within the culture are abandoning orthodox Christianity, is that Christmas celebrates the hope that this cursed life will soon be put right.  Christmas celebrates the coming of the one Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ our Lord.  The birth of Christ signals God's willingness to rescue this fallen creation.  He was not only willing to rescue his creation, he did so with a tremendous price.

The message of Christmas calls us to hope.  It comforts us with the reality that our Redeemer has walked a mile (and more) in our shoes.  It encourages us to cling to him for mercy, because he understands the demands of human existence and the power of temptation, although he never sinned.  He is there waiting for us, scanning the horizon for the first sign of our return.  He is ready to embrace us, if we will only come to him.  Our coming is a march of victory, a victory won by Christ Jesus himself.

This brings me to the Christmas hymn I want to share, "O Come, All Ye Faithful."  I love this hymn, because it expresses such joyous worship of the Christ-child.  As we remember the birth of our Savior, we must also remember that his life, death, resurrection, and ascension are all inseparable from the story.  He was not just a baby born in a stable, and placed in a manger.  He was, and remains, Immanuel.  He was, and remains, the Lord of Glory.  The hymn, "O Come, All Ye Faithful," expresses the proper response to the birth of Christ.  Our response should be one of humble submission and joyful adoration.  Here are the words:

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold him,
Born the King of angels.

Chorus
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sin, all ye bright hosts of heav'n above!
Glory to God,
All glory in the highest! (Chorus)

Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to thee be all glory giv'n;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing! (Chorus)

Let us approach the celebration of Christ's birth with a renewed adoration for the Lord and a renewed desire to serve him. Come, let us adore him, for he is worthy of all our devotion.  No matter how dark our situation seems, we must always remember, but especially at Christmas, that the Light of the world has dawned on us.  Christ has come into the world and is working all things to the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes. He first coming guarantees that he will come again, and when he does he will make all things new.

I Miss Church

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:25, NIV).

I am really missing church. We have not found anywhere to attend while we are here. Although we are doing our daily devotions and family time, it still feels like something is missing. For the last thirteen years, church has been a central part of my week. I (usually) go twice on Sundays and once on Wednesdays. I (usually) get to spend time with God's people through out the week, but I specifically love coming together with the congregation for the purpose of worshipping our Great Redeemer and studying his Word. The old hymn, Wonderful Words of Life, sums it up well, "Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life; offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever." Through the wonderful words of life we are set free from sin and bondage, we are ushered into God's presence where we are transformed from wretched sinners into glorious saints, and through that Word we are made aware of our glorious inheritance in Christ Jesus Our Lord. I miss the hymns. I miss the fellowship. I miss preaching. I miss it all. I miss you all. Please, continue to pray for our safe and swift return, and Lord willing, we will be worshipping with you come next Sunday.

A Lesson From Nature

Sunday night, as I was walking to church, I noticed a stalk of grass growing out of the pavement. Although it was not a new sight for me it did make me think. A few questions came to mind that I am still trying to answer. How did this tiny plant make it? Why hadn't other plants made it as well?

Looking down at the this botanical Houdini it was apparent that this little plant had overcome great obstacles. Its blades protruded from a gash in the pavement which was swollen like an infected cut. Some how this little plant had snaked up through dirt, gravel, and asphalt. It pushed past all opposition flinging its arms to the heavens in worship.

Another question occurred to me. Why do some people come through difficulty stronger for it and others never break through? This little plant made me wonder why this seed had overcome, when others had obviously failed. Why was I on a road, when the grass had demonstrated its ability to break up pavement?

There are so many lessons we can learn if we will just apply ourselves; if we will let our minds turn the thoughts over and over. I was encouraged to persevere. I was reminded that man can never truly tame nature, but must always seek to diligently subdue it with gentleness and care. I was inspired to allow God's glory motivate me to new heights.