Hebrews 3 concludes with a stern warning not to follow the example of the Israelites, who fell away into unbelief soon after the deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The author quotes extensively from Psalm 95, twice urging the listener, “do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion” (Psalm 95:8). Today’s Call to Worship and one of our hymns are also…
Perhaps it is providential that during a week when our property has seen quite a few construction vehicles come and go, and quite a bit of dirt moved, we would come to a service saturated with the language of building, and particularly building the house of the Lord. We are called into worship this morning by Psalm 118, where we…
There are several distinct passages in Scripture that are sometimes referred to as the “Song of Moses,” including Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 90, and Revelation 15. The earliest of these to appear is the Israelites’ song of triumph over the Egyptians in Exodus 15, also known in Hebrew poetry as the “Song at the Sea.” We’ll be learning a new setting…
Often, whenever I write worship notes, I feel the need to write something incredible, to make some new, impressive realization that will make me seem grand and wise. Obviously, I need to hear Hebrews 2:4-9. Our Savior, who is worthy of all glory, laud, and honor, humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. As we…
The author of Hebrews reminds his audience at the beginning of chapter 2 to “pay closer attention” to the Word they have heard preached. The elements of this morning’s service likewise call us to careful attention to the path God has laid for us. Hear Me, All You People—Psalm 49 urges that we “hear” and “listen” to the promise of…
The final portion of Hebrews 1 concludes a long discussion of the supremacy of God’s Son, which we’ve been walking through the past three weeks. The elements of this morning’s service were chosen to reflect this theme. The Scripture readings call Jesus the “head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18) and the “blessed and only sovereign” (1 Timothy 6:15).…
According to Phillipians 2:9, the Father has bestowed upon Jesus “the name that is above every name.” His name is “glorious,” adored within His temple and loved by strangers whose hearts are filled with its “blissful theme.” The Lord declares of Him in Psalm 2, “You are My Son; I have brought You forth this day.” He is called “Alpha…
This morning we will explore the central them of the book of Hebrews: as Pastor Jamie put it during devotions earlier this week, “Jesus is best.” Every Scripture, hymn, and psalm in the service points to some aspect of Jesus’ greatness. He is a great King above all gods (Psalm 95), and He reigns exalted over all creation (O Come…
I feel like I have to warn to all our visitors—the music this morning may be more unfamiliar than usual. We are coming to the end of a series on 2 Timothy, in which Paul reflects upon his own ministry and passes the torch to a new generation. To illustrate this principle of covenant succession (one generation in the faith…
The world often makes the distinction between “the truth” and “my truth.” The world today has “judgement free zones” and “safe spaces.” In Paul and Timothy’s day, there was also a desire to make “safe spaces” where people would turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myth. As Paul reminds Timothy, so we are reminded this…