Tag: Christianity
Worship
Above all else, worship is an encounter with the living, true, holy, sovereign, triune God of the universe. He chooses to meet with us by His Word and Spirit, and there is nothing as meaningful, rich, and glorious on earth as the church gathered together with its Lord and Savior in worship.
– Jason Helopoulos in Tabletalk (May 2016)
What Christianity Is…and Isn’t
We find here that Christianity is not about becoming religious. It is not about conforming to a list of rules. It is not about adopting a philosophy. It is not about financial prosperity. It is not about becoming a nice person. It is about becoming a new person. It is about going from death to life. It is about going from darkness to light.
– Tony Merida in Exalting Jesus in Ephesians
Ministry Collection
Here are some good posts on preaching:
5 Things Pastors Should Ask Themselves Before Sunday – Kent Hughes (Crossway)
Ten Key Questions for Sermon Preparation – Darryl Dash
21 Thoughts on Preaching – Jared Wilson
Prayer Quote of the Week
I commend to you the importance of perseverance in prayer. Once having begun the habit, never give it up….let no excuse make you give up prayer.
– J. C. Ryle
The Stones Cry Out
Jasper Knob in Ishpeming, MI
An entire hill made of layers of jasper and hematite
As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—
the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice
for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered,
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
– Luke 19:37-40
And the stones do cry out – proclaiming the glory and beauty of our Creator!
Classic Quote
The glorious excellencies and beauty of God will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast.
– Jonathan Edwards
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
7 Ways to Fight Distraction During Prayer – Gavin (Soliloquium)
Discontentment Says Something about You, Not Your Circumstances – Philip Graham Ryken (Crossway)
Beware the Busyness of Summer Break – Dave Zuleger (DG)
Why I Sit at the Front – Tim Chester
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!
Become Who You Are
Positionally, we are holy because we are united with Christ. Now we must live in a manner that is consistent with this position. Personal holiness is about becoming in practice what we are in position.
– Tony Merida in Exalting Jesus in Ephesians
Reflections on Deuteronomy 12-17
God chose the people of Israel, and he expected them to be committed to him, as well as just toward each other.
- Treasured Possession – God chose the people of Israel to be his treasured possession. In response they were to be holy before him (14:2). God has chosen us too, making us a people for his own possession, to walk in holiness before him (I Peter 2:9). Ponder what it means to be chosen by God, to be his treasured possession. Are you seeking to walk in holiness before him?
- No Idolatry – God again reminded the people to be faithful to him. Anything connected to foreign gods was to be destroyed. Prophet, family member, or friend who suggested following after another god, was to be stoned. God did not want anything or anyone to lead the people of Israel Have you allowed things into your life that are pulling you away from God?
- Rejoice before the Lord – It is possible for us to imagine life at the tabernacle to be a grim affair. And certainly the sin offerings were a grim affair. But many sacrifices – including the tithe, freewill offering, and vow offerings – were times to feast and celebrate and rejoice before the Lord. Notice the repetition that you should rejoice before the Lord your God (12:12, 18; 14:26). When do you come before the Lord to rejoice and celebrate?
- The Poor – God makes clear that he cares about the poor, and so must we. We are to freely give to those in need. Indeed if we do not, God will hold us guilty of sin. How are you helping the poor?
- Justice – God is a just God and he expects justice. Are you treating those around you justly? The poor? The weak? The outcast? How are you pursuing justice in your relationships? What might you do to encourage justice in our world?
Brian J. Mikul 