Behold, the God Whom We Worship
What time do we have to be to church today? What are we having for breakfast? What time is it? Did your day start with these questions?
A question is powerful. A string of words ends with a punctuation marks that briefly arrests our forward progress of reading and thinking. We are forced, though quite subtlety to consider something about our reality. But the power of a question is not merely in its’ mind-slowing quality but is its’ content direction. A question may lead you to dip your toe into the puddle of triviality – Rice Crispies or oatmeal? Or it may pull you into the quarry of wonder.
Whose has held the oceans in His hands?
Who has numbered every grain of sand?
Who can teach the One who knows all things?
Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds?
Who will reign, forever?
Don’t answer too quickly. First, think about how many gallons are contained in Baltimore’s harbor. How many particles of sand can get stuck in between your toes. How many facts are contained in your local library. How many minutes there are in 10 years.
Now, who is it that we worship today? Is this the God you come to behold?
No longer running the race of death, but lacing up those cursed shoes
In “All I have is Christ” we are reminded that we, now as Christians, used to run a hell-bound ran, indifferent to the cost. Our state was helpless, and our blindness though that sin would deliver on its’ promise of joy and life. And though we have rescued from the penalty of these sins and have been transferred to a new direction, of following His commands, we are prone to lace up our old shoes.
How has your attitude this week offended the Lord? Complaining, worry, anxiety, or pride?
How has your actions displeased your Father in heaven? Gossip, sexual immorality, drunkenness, hateful words, theft?
How has your inaction dishonored Christ? Laziness, fear, lack of love, prayer, evangelism, and meditation on God’s word?
Confess your sins to one another and to the Lord that you may receive the forgiveness He has for you.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree.
In the stead of ruined sinners
hangs the Lamb in victory.
See the price of our redemption;
see the Father’s plan unfold.
Bringing many sons to glory
grace unmeasured, love untold.
Encouraging One Another of our Faith’s Home
As the family of God, we need one another. We represent the individual stories that God is writing of His immeasurable grace, to glorify Himself and encourage each other. As we sing in response to the gospel, as those who also walked in weakness, sin, and strife this week, we remind one another of the grace to be found in Christ. When we walk in holiness, and desire through prayer to be more holy, we benefit each other to run harder after Christ.
Read these words with the intent to share and pray them over another believer today in our gathering:
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name,
Salvation through His blood.
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life