Continuing our short series on the “Royal Psalms,” this week we come to Psalm 2, the great warning to the nations of men that they must yield to Christ’s kingship: “Kiss the Son lest he be angry” and “break them with a rod of iron” (Psalm 2:9, 12). The service begins with the hymn Crown Him With Many Crowns, acknowledging…
Letsie III is king of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Every orphaned child in Lesotho is given his last name. Consider that: the king gives his name to those who are the most vulnerable and weak in his country. The current sermon series is a study in the royal psalms. Each psalm highlights a different aspect of God’s rule and reign…
In his letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians, the Apostle Paul discusses the role of singing in worship, instructing his readers to sing not only to the Lord but also to “one another” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Well this morning, in several of the hymns we sing, we are actually singing to each other. In O Put Your Trust…
In today’s sermon text, Paul writes to the Thessalonians so that they might not grieve “as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). He details the glorious “coming of the Lord” (vs.15), in which Christ returns with the sound of the trumpet (vs. 16), and all His people, living and dead, “will always be with the Lord” (vs.…
The pairing of the three-fold “Holy, Holy, Holy” from Isaiah 6 with “Hosanna in the highest” from Matthew 21 is one of the oldest liturgical formulae in the history of the church. The Sanctus & Benedictus (or just Sanctus), a name derived from the first words of the text in Latin, has been used as part of the communion liturgy…
Towards the end of 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul makes a short diversion from the narrative of his ministry in Thessalonica to deliver some shockingly harsh words for the unbelieving Jews of his day (2:14-16). They “oppose all mankind” specifically by attempting to prevent him from taking the message of salvation to the Gentiles (2:16). With that in mind, notice all…
In his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul is relentlessly positive. He has no words of correction for them, and again and again expresses care and encouragement: “We give thanks to God always for all of you” (1:2), “you had become very dear to us” (2:8), “Encourage one another” (4:18, 5:11). The Thessalonians had proven to be stalwarts…
One of the first things mentioned in any discussion of Esther is the lack of any mention of God. But after walking through it this summer, I think we would all agree that God is the primary mover of this whole elaborate drama, not Esther, Mordecai, Haman, or the King. So it is appropriate that as we conclude this series,…
As you peruse the bulletin before the service this morning, some of you must be thinking, “Two Advent hymns? On September 1?” Hear me out. We’ve nearly reached the end of our study of the Book of Esther, one long narrative of God working behind the scenes to rescue His people from their enemies. But Queen Esther’s brave deeds could…
Though years and years roll on His covenant shall endure, Though clouds and darkness hide His path, the promised grace is sure. This morning’s Gospel Invitation from Psalm 111 sets forth God’s promise to bring redemption to His covenant people. The whole rest of the service really flows from this one point. We declare that His love is steadfast, both…