The Kingdom of God has often been described as an upside-down kingdom. And that description of it being “upside down” is true insofar as it describes the way we see the kingdom now—as through a glass darkly—through the lens of our fallen nature. But I would suggest, that the Kingdom is in fact not upside …
Read more “Call to Worship from Philippians 2: The Upside-Down Kingdom?”
In Romans 11, the apostle Paul uses a metaphor of a wild branch that is grafted into an olive tree. He reminds the Gentile believers that they were the wild shoots that were grafted into the tree. Israel rejected the Messiah and now the Gentiles were invited in. And in light of this merciful inclusion, …
Our call to worship today is from Hebrews 12. In chapter 12, the author of Hebrews points to a coming day when God has promised to shake the heavens and earth to separate the things that can be shaken from those which cannot. That which can be shaken are the rebel nations of the earth, …
Good morning and Happy New Year. There’s something invigorating about the new year. Though January 1 is really just an arbitrary day on the Gregorian calendar, it still feels as though there’s a fresh start – a new beginning that lies ahead, which is why so many take the occasion to set resolutions for the …
Leader: Who has come in the fullness of time to make us adopted children of God?ALL: Jesus, who is our Redeemer! Leader: Who has come to save his people from their sin?ALL: Jesus, who is Emmanuel, “God with Us”! Leader: Who has come to bring joy for all peoples?ALL: Jesus, …
Leader: Sing praises to God, sing praises!For God is the King of all the earth;Let us sing praises to him. ALL: God reigns over the nations;God sits on His holy throne. Leader: There is none like You among the gods,O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours.All the nations You have made shall comeand …
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. (Psalm 40:1–3 ESV) Exhortation:As …
Exhortation: Perhaps there is no sweeter word than God’s promise to dwell with his people – that we will be with the Lord. This promise stands as the apex of all other promises. All the promises of God culminate in his promise to be with us. For God Himself is the gospel. He is the …
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard,on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion!For there the LORD has commanded …
Our call to worship this morning is found in Psalm 39. It’s a portion of David’s prayer that I find appropriate to consider here at the turn of a new year. David prays, “O LORD, make me know my endand what is the measure of my days;let me know how fleeting I am!Behold, you have …