This morning’s service draws our attention to the relationship of joy, comfort, and affliction in the Christian life. We are invited into worship with a passage from 1 Thessalonians, which implores us to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” The opening two hymns both call us to “join in glad adoration” and “Rejoice in [our] King”—but…
Ephesians 4:1-7 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as…
G.K. Chesterton was once asked what was wrong with the world, and he responded, “Dear Sirs, I am.” Chesterton is in good company. In the gospel invitation this morning from 1 Timothy, Paul competes with Chesterton saying, “Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” Each of us could submit an application for the…
2 Corinthians 6:3-13 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7…
2 Corinthians 5:21-6:2 21 For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 6:1 Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and…
The very first promise of redemption comes immediately after the Fall of Adam and Even in the Garden. There, God declares that the “seed of the woman” would “bruise the head of the serpent” (Genesis 3:15). In the earliest churches, this great promise was artistically represented by mosaics of dragons on floors—upon which everyone in the congregation could step and…
2 Corinthians 5:16-20 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God,…
The palm tree and palm leaves appear again and again throughout the Bible as symbols of integrity, honor, righteousness, holiness, godly authority, and royal glory. The palm was used in the carved decorations of the temple, usually associated with the Cherubim, but also with the regal lion and the flower in full bloom. In addition though, throughout the entire ancient…
2 Corinthians 5:11-15 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast…
Psalms of imprecation, a subset of the larger category of lament, are psalms in which the speaker speaks a curse on the enemies of God. Pastor Sean McGowan in his book Psalms That Curse: A Brief Primer points out that these psalms often make the modern church uncomfortable—and none more than Psalm 137, which we’ve been singing these last five…