Graces Liturgy Recap Sunday Feb 10, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Grace Baptist Church of Paragould’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. Here you will find a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy.

OPENING SONG

1. 10,000 Reasons
written by: Matt Redman

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP:

Welcome and Good Morning! We sing to God for so many different reasons. We sing because God is our Savior. We sing because he is holy and worthy. We just sang a song called 10,000 reasons, and that doesn’t even come close to numbering how many reasons we should worship God. But today I want to invite you to worship God because of His great love for us. Before we continue let’s begin by hearing from His word.

– Psalm 63:2-5 NIV
“I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.”

Let’s stand and sing together to our Great God

2. Your Love O Lord
written by: Third Day

“Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky”

CONFESSION:

As great as God’s love is for us, we must also remember that we received His love at a great cost.

-Ephesians 5:1–2,
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Let’s pray silently and confess to God that we are not a perfect imitators of Him.
Confess that we need him to make us more like Christ.
Now repent and believe that Christ gave himself up as a sacrifice to make us right before God.
Amen.

3. Man of Sorrows (What A Savior)
rewritten by: Sovereign Grace Music

“Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!”

4. The Love of God
written by: Frederick Lehman

“The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.”

SCRIPTURE READING

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.-”
-Titus 3:4-5.

Jesus was and is the very embodiment of the kindness, love, and mercy of God. As we sing In Christ Alone, remember that it is Jesus alone who saves us, not by our merit, but by his grace.

5. In Christ Alone
rewritten by: Keith Getty

“And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ”

SERMON:

Then Pastor Gerald shared from 1 John 4 on the God of Love.

REFLECTION & COMMUNION

6. Here Is Love
written by: Brian Johnson

“Here is love, vast as the ocean
Loving kindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood

Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout Heaven’s eternal days”

If you have any further questions regarding worship at Grace Baptist please feel free to contact me. I would also like to thank the worship pastors at Sojourn Church in, Louisville, KY for all the help and encouragement I receive from their website. My idea for this part of the blog is borrowed from them. Thank you guys. – Jared

Getting Ready for Sunday: Preparing our hearts 2-10-13

This Sunday, February 10, 2013 is an important day at Grace Baptist of Paragould. It is important because any time we gather together in the name of Christ, we should recognize it as a reverent, important time. After all, one of the great gifts we received in the death and resurrection of Christ was the ability to commune with God in worship. So let’s take a look at what’s ahead, and prepare our hearts for this Sunday’s gathering.

We will gather at our normal meeting times of 9:00am for Sunday school and 10:00am for worship and study of God’s word. Pastor Gerald will be teaching from 1 John 4 on the God of love.

1 John 4 (NIV)
On Denying the Incarnation
“1 Dear friends,(A) do not believe every spirit,(B) but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.(C) 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh(D) is from God,(E) 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist,(F) which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.(G)

4 You, dear children,(H) are from God and have overcome them,(I) because the one who is in you(J) is greater than the one who is in the world.(K) 5 They are from the world(L) and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.(M) This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth(N) and the spirit of falsehood.(O)

God’s Love and Ours
7 Dear friends, let us love one another,(P) for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God(Q) and knows God.(R) 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.(S) 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son(T) into the world that we might live through him.(U) 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us(V) and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.(W) 11 Dear friends,(X) since God so loved us,(Y) we also ought to love one another.(Z) 12 No one has ever seen God;(AA) but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.(AB)

13 This is how we know(AC) that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.(AD) 14 And we have seen and testify(AE) that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.(AF) 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,(AG) God lives in them and they in God.(AH) 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.(AI) Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.(AJ) 17 This is how love is made complete(AK) among us so that we will have confidence(AL) on the day of judgment:(AM) In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,(AN) because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.(AO) 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister(AP) is a liar.(AQ) For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,(AR) cannot love God, whom they have not seen.(AS) 21 And he has given us this command:(AT) Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.(AU)

Here you’ll find some related scripture to help prepare you heart for this Sunday: Matt 7:15, 1John 2:18, John 1:14; 1John 2:23, 1John 2:18, Romans 8:31, Romans 5:8-10, 1John 2:5, Ephesians 3:12, 1John 2:7

Songs we will sing together include: Just click on the song for the lyrics.

• 10,000 Reasons – by Matt Redman
• Your Love O Lord – by Third Day
• Man of Sorrows – by Sovereign Grace Music
• In Loving Kindness Jesus Came– by Charles H. Gabriel
• In Christ Alone– by Keith Getty
• Love Came Down (communion) – by Brian Johnson

Something to think about : Jesus was and is the very embodiment of the kindness, love, and mercy of God.
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.-“  Titus 3:4-5.

Hope to see you this Sunday.

– Jared

Graces Liturgy Recap Sunday Feb 3, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Grace Baptist Church of Paragould’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. Here you will find a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy.

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP:

Welcome, it is always a blessing to see you all when we gather. Let’s begin by hearing from the word of the Lord.

– Psalm 66:1-5,8-9
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.” Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!”
“Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.”

God is great in power! And He is faithful to keep us! We can trust God, and we can sing with hope in our hearts this morning because of His mighty works. So I invite you to please stand and let’s sing together about His great abilities!

1. Stronger
written by: Hillsong

“Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm
And through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me”

2. Behold Our God
written by: Sovereign Grace Music

CONFESSION
During the intro to Rock of Ages one of our singers shared briefly from scripture, and encouraged the people at Grace to confess to God their great need for Him as we sang.

“Scripture tells us that when God saves us, we become a “new creation.” We are “born again”, or born from above. We become “children of God” and “participate in the divine nature” But even still, we know that we all struggle with sin while we’re here. So as we sing Rock of Ages, confess to God your weakness, and trust in His promises.”

ON KEYNOTE WHILE JULIE SPEAKS:

“new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17),
“born again” (John 3:3,5)
“children of God” “participate in the divine nature” (John 1:12; Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:10).

3. Rock of Ages
rewritten by: Sojourn

“Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.”

4. Blessed Assurance
written by: Fanny J. Crosby

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”

ASSURANCE AND PEACE

Let this be your assurance and peace today.

– Matthew 7:24-25
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

5. The Solid Rock
written by: Edward Mote

“His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.”

SERMON

Then our Pastor spoke on the faithfulness of God from Deuteronomy 7:6-11.

-Deuteronomy 7:6-11(ESV)
6 “For (A)you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be(B)a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but (C)it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping (D)the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, (E)the faithful God (F)who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 10 and (G)repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. (H)He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. 11 (I)You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today.”

6. All the Way My Savior Leads Me
written by: Chris Tomlin

“All the way my Savior leads me
O, the fullness of His love
O, the sureness of His promise
In the triumph of His blood “

If you have any further questions regarding worship at Grace Baptist please feel free to contact me. I would also like to thank the worship pastors at Sojourn Church in, Louisville, KY for all the help and encouragement I receive from their website. My idea for this part of the blog is borrowed from them. Thank you guys. – Jared

Getting Ready for Sunday: Preparing our hearts 2-3-13

This Sunday, February, 3, 2013 is an important day at Grace Baptist of Paragould. It is important because any time we gather together in the name of Christ, we should recognize it as a reverent, important time. After all, one of the great gifts we received in the death and resurrection of Christ was the ability to commune with God in worship. So let’s take a look at what’s ahead, and prepare our hearts for this Sunday’s gathering.

We will gather at our normal meeting times of 9:00am for Sunday school and 10:00am for worship and study of God’s word. Pastor Gerald will be teaching from Deuteronomy 7:6-11  on remembering the faithfulness of God.

-Deuteronomy 7:6-11(ESV)
⁶ “For ^(A)you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be^(B)a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. ⁷ It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, ⁸ but ^(C)it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping ^(D)the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ⁹ Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, ^(E)the faithful God ^(F)who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, ¹⁰ and ^(G)repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. ^(H)He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. ^11 (I)You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today.

Here you’ll find some cross reference scripture to help prepare you heart for this Sunday: Dig a little. Know God more. Click Here.

Songs we will sing together include: Just click on the song for the lyrics.

• Stronger– by HillSong
• Behold Our God – by Sovereign Grace Music
• Rock of Ages – by Augustus Toplady, Sojourn Music
• Blessed Assurance – by Fanny J. Crosby
• The Solid Rock– by Edward Mote
• All The Way My Savior Leads Me – by Christ Tomlin

We’ll be singing Stronger congregationally, so give it a listen. Great lyrics.

Hope to see you this Sunday.

– Jared

High Stakes

 

19 “And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.”  – 1 Samuel 12:19-22

“No matter what you’ve done, no matter how far gone you feel, God promises you can return to Him; In fact, He stakes His name on it, and the good news is… He never loses.”

If your just now jumping in on the story in 1 Samuel, you may be a little confused. What exactly did these people do to “add to all” their “sins this evil?” Well, just before this, the very same people that are now asking for prayer and forgiveness in the passage were begging for a king, but not just any king, a worldly king that they believed would fulfill their desires.

The problem here is not simply that the people of Israel wanted a king. The problem is a heart issue. They had a king. They had a righteous and Holy Judge, sovereign over all things, but still, they wanted someone they could see, feel, compare themselves to. And they got it. However, king Saul ended up being less of a “good” king and  more of a wake up call. The people of Israel were dealing with the consequences of their decisions and found themselves miserable, now asking for forgiveness.

Isn’t it crazy how even still today, we as God’s people, find ourselves in this same situation over and over again. I can’t help but see myself in this passage, how I constantly ask God for stuff I want, and not what I need. The old Rolling Stones chorus plays over and over in my head.

“No, you can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometime,
you just might find
You get what you need”

I’ve heard it said before, “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” Sometimes I get it, and most the time I reap the consequences of my actions too. But this isn’t God punishing us. These are teaching moments. When things like this happen in our life, God is teaching us that we get what we need in Him, not in the stuff we want, and sadly, we usually have to be taught in the same manner the Israelites were taught.

The people of Israel, by God’s grace, return and ask forgiveness, and Samuel gives us a great old testament picture of Jesus in this passage, a picture we all need to see as a reminder of how weak we are, and how amazing God is. Samuel basically says, “Even though you abandoned me, I’ve never stopped praying for you.” Even as we constantly mess up and turn to worldly idols over Jesus, He sits at the right hand of God praying for us every moment of every day.

We, like the Israelites, find ourselves in situations where it’s too late. We got the king we asked for, and now it’s time to deal with it. But, the promise we see spoken from God to the people of Israel in verse 22, gives us a reason to hope for the future. We can sum it up like this. No matter what we’ve done, no matter how far gone we feel, God promises we can return to Him; In fact, He stakes His name on it, and the good news is… He never loses.

– Jared

Graces Liturgy Recap Sunday Jan. 27, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Grace Baptist Church of Paragould’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. Here you will find a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy.

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP:

Our Pastor began the service with a welcome, announcements, and prayer. Then, I read from Isaiah 40:9
 
-Isaiah 40:9
““You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Do we come this morning bringing good news in hearts? Absolutely we do! If we believe Christ died for sinners, and that he is risen today as our High Priest, we have good news to sing about.

So I Invite you, as the scripture does, to lift up your voice this morning, lift it up with shouts of acclamation that the grave is empty, and Jesus is our great redeemer!

1. Hail The Day
by: Sovereign Grace Music

“Though he dwells beyond the stars
His redeemed are on his heart
Even now he intercedes
Jesus cares for all our needs”

2. Revelation Song
by: Kari Jobe

SCRIPTURE READING

-Romans 8:32-34 (NIV)
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

3. Thy Holy Spirit, Lord Alone
by: Jared Risner

“Come, Thy Holy Spirit, come
Jesus our glory be
Come, Thy Holy Spirit, come
Quicken our hearts to Thee “

4. Now Why This Fear
by: Sovereign Grace Music

“”Be still my soul and know this peace
The merits of your great high priest
Have bought your liberty

Rely then on His precious blood
Don’t fear your banishment from God
Since Jesus sets you free”

5. Speak O Lord
written by: Keith Getty

“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,”

SERMON:

Then Our Pastor taught from Luke 18:1-8 on the need for persistence in prayer.

REFLECTION

6. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
by: Joseph Scriven

“What a Friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer”

BENEDICTION and CHARGE

Before we all went out, I had the congregation repeat after me.

“We are completely messed up.
In Christ, our future is incredibly bright.
Anyone can get in on this!”

I borrowed this from Ray Ortlund’s faith family at Immanuel Church in Nashville. They do something similar. Check them out here. http://www.immanuelnashville.com/

Then, as a charge a read one more passage of scripture.

-Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

May you go in the name of our Father God, may you grown in the grace of Christ. Go in peace.

If you have any further questions regarding worship at Grace Baptist please feel free to contact me. I would also like to thank the worship pastors at Sojourn Church in, Louisville, KY for all the help and encouragement I receive from their website. My idea for this part of the blog is borrowed from them. Thank you guys. – Jared

Getting Ready for Sunday: Preparing our hearts 1-27-13

This Sunday, January, 27, 2013 is an important day at Grace Baptist of Paragould. It is important because any time we gather together in the name of Christ, we should recognize it as a reverent, important time. After all, one of the great gifts we received in the death and resurrection of Christ was the ability to commune with God in worship. So let’s take a look at what’s ahead, and prepare our hearts for this Sunday’s gathering.

We will gather at our normal meeting times of 9:00am for Sunday school and 10:00am for worship and study of God’s word. Pastor Gerald will be teaching from Luke 18:1-8 on the need for persistence in prayer.

Here you’ll find some related scripture to help prepare you heart for this Sunday: Matthew 6:5-17, Luke 18:9-14, and Luke

Songs we will sing together include: Just click on the song for the lyrics.

• Hail The Day – by Sovereign Grace Music
• Revelation Song – by Kari Jobe
• Thy Holy Spirit, Lord Alone – by Jared Risner
• Now Why This Fear – by Sovereign Grace Music
• Speak, O Lord– by Keith Getty
• What A Friend We Have In Jesus – by Joseph Scriven

If you would like to hear a few of these songs, check out the videos below.

Now Why This Fear

Speak, O Lord

Hope to see you this Sunday.

– Jared

Graces Liturgy Recap Sunday Jan. 20, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Grace Baptist Church of Paragould’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. Here you will find a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy.

WELCOME & CALL TO WORSHIP:

Welcome, it’s always such a blessing to gather with you all and remind each other of the riches of God’s glories and mercies. We here at Grace believe worship begins with the Lord so let’s hear from His word. As I read, listen to how the Psalmist is almost bursting at the seams about our great Lord.

-Psalm 103:1-5
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
 who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

I invite you to echo the Psalmist this morning in your worship. Please stand, and lets sing together praises to our Great God.

1. Praise to the Lord, The Almighty
rewritten by: Christy Nockels

“Praise to the Lord
O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him
Let the Amen sound from His people again
Gladly fore’er we adore Him”

CONTINUED CALL:

2. All Creatures of Our God and King
rewritten by: David Crowder

SCRIPTURE READING

-Psalm 40:5-11 NIV
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have opened.burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come, it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.”

3. God of Wonders
rewritten by: Third Day

“God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy holy
Lord of heaven and earth”

SANCTITY OF LIFE

Then our Pastor had several members of our faith family come up and share scriptures about the sanctity of life.

Here are a few.
“Genesis 1:27; Exodus 4:11; Psalm 119:73; Isaiah 49:5″

4. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
written by: Thomas Chisholm

“”Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,”
Lord, unto me!”

5. How Great Thou Art
written by: Stuart Hine

“And when I think,
That God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die,
I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross,
My burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died
To take away my sin.”

SERMON:

Our Pastor spoke from many different passages as Scripture has much to say about the sanctity of life. Just click on some of the scriptures above for examples.

REFLECTION

6. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
written by: Isaac Watts

“Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.”

If you have any further questions regarding worship at Grace Baptist please feel free to contact me. I would also like to thank the worship pastors at Sojourn Church in, Louisville, KY for all the help and encouragement I receive from their website. My idea for this part of the blog is borrowed from them. Thank you guys. – Jared

Getting Ready for Sunday: Preparing our hearts 1-20-13

This Sunday, January, 13, 2013 is an important day at Grace Baptist of Paragould. It is important because any time we gather together in the name of Christ, we should recognize it as a reverent, important time. After all, one of the great gifts we received in the death and resurrection of Christ was the ability to commune with God in worship. So let’s take a look at what’s ahead, and prepare our hearts for this Sunday’s gathering.

We will gather at our normal meeting times of 9:00am for Sunday school and 10:00am for worship and study of God’s word. Pastor Gerald will be teaching about the sanctity of life. We’ll be look at several passages.

Here you’ll find some related scripture to help prepare you heart for this Sunday: Gen 1:27, Ex 4:11, Ps 119:73 & Isaiah 49:5

Songs we will sing together include: Just click on the song for the lyrics.

• Praise to The Lord, The Almighty – by Christy Nockels
• All Creatures of Our God and King – by David Crowder
• God of Wonders – by Third day
• Great is Thy Faithfulness – by Thomas Chisholm
• How Great Thou Art– by Stuart Hine
• When I Survey The Wondrous Cross – by Issac Watts

If you would like to hear a few updated versions of these rich old hymns, check out the Page CXVI video below. If you like what you hear, click on the lion image below the video to go to their website for some free music, and info on how to support the modern hymn movement.

Hope to see you this Sunday.

– Jared

Plank-Eye Syndrome

You may have noticed from my previous post I tend to speak out about things I am passionate about, and I am deeply passionate about the truths of scripture. But, sometimes that passion, that zeal can cause problems. I find myself running around trying to fix everyone else when I’m sailing the same boat.

Matthew 7:1-5
“1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

When I read passages like this I am convicted, not for the same reasons people might assume though. I am convicted because Christ saw this struggle enough in us, He knew it was necessary to teach on.

Because of our flesh, it is a natural desire to find and point out the short comings of others. It is one of the greatest efforts extended by our self-righteousness. If we can make others look so sinful, so lost, so irredeemable, then maybe we will look acceptable. This “plank-eye syndrome”is the deep down desire to save ourselves.

I googled the verses just to see what the world had to say about this particular passage, and response after response was the same. It means, “don’t judge.” It means,”take a look in the mirror before pointing out someone’s sin.” These are true answers, but we are missing something. When we read passages like this, it is easy to miss the depth of its meaning because there is a surface level truth to it. It is even easier to miss the point because our sinful nature twists and bends scripture to our will. Now suddenly, a passage about not judging others becomes a defense mechanism for our sin, being turned on at the slightest hint of any biblical reproach.

But Jesus has done something much more here. Jesus has taken something we struggle with every day and turned it into something that points to God’s Glory. What Jesus was teaching in this passage was not just about judging one another, but about teaching us who the “real Judge is.” We try so hard to find acceptance, to be valued, and so we begin looking around. Who seems like they struggle more than I do? Who commits this or that sin that i don’t do? When on the inside, our hearts are disgusting. Here, Jesus teaches, “none among you have it together. This type of judgement is no good to man because you have all gone astray. I am your standard, no one else, and apart from Me, you don’t make the cut.” (Isaiah 53:6)

So how do I get this plank out of my eye? We need to first repent because plank-eye syndrome leads to death as our self-righteousness overlooks our need for a savior. We combat its symptoms by remembering Christ and His Gospel. By believing We are a lost cause without His work. When I begin preaching the Gospel to myself first, consuming His word, and seeking His guidance, my desire turns from self-righteous passion to a passion for a Savior who redeemed us by His blood.
This passion fuels us to a judgement that graciously and lovingly guides saints and non-believers to the holy life we are called to. (Leviticus 20:26, 1 Peter 1:16)

Jon Calvin has a wonderful amount to say on this topic here. Check it out. http://m.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom31.ix.lxi.html

– Jared