As we enter a new year we praise our God, who helped us in years past, and stands as our hope for years to come. When people and culture are against us, the one God who chose us, saves us and keeps us will remain the same. God never changes even in His electing grace. His election of many discloses His sovereignty and mighty power over mankind. No one will thwart his will. Not even the man of lawlessness or one antichrist will overcome His omnipotent reigning power. Therefore, let us praise and honor Him as we consider all the…
Sunday Morning Calls to Worship
Call to Worship – December 14 2014
We worship the God who elected many to salvation by His grace and for His glory. The word election, in the biblical/theological sense has fallen on hard times. No word seems to foster more frustration, redefinition and denial among Christians. B.B. Warfield wrote, “It is sad to witness the death of any worthy thing, —even of a worthy word. And worthy words do die, like any other worthy thing —if we do not take good care of them. How many worthy words have already died under our very eyes, because we did not take care of them… The religious terrain…
Call to Worship – December 7, 2014
We come to worship the God of grace. He lavished His grace upon his people through the kind intention of His will from eternity past. He graciously sent His Son, with honor, blessing and all authority, to redeem the Israel of God. Jesus, being one with the Father, rules the world in truth and grace. In loving-kindness God sealed us in His Son by the work of His Spirit. He planned, accomplished and applied all of this to a people descended from the race of Adam. We were conceived in sin and born with a sin nature, but God being…
Call to Worship, November 23 2014
We worship our God who placed us in Christ Jesus. When people are born, in reality, they exist as sinners in the headship of Adam by nature. So, when a person is regenerated, by the Spirit, they repent and believe in the provision made in Christ (Messiah). In Christ redemption was accomplished and righteousness is imputed. Therefore in reality they no longer are in Adam, but they are now in Christ, which means justification actually takes place for the believer. Those who are “in Christ” should have no fear of the union with Him fading, weakening, disintegrating or struggling. Union…
Call to Worship, November 16, 2014
We worship our God who blessed us with the heavenly blessing of union with Christ. We are actually in Christ; by God’s will through redemption, with an inheritance by adoption, joining in the summation of all things in Christ and our hope is in Him to the praise of His glory. Our union in Christ is real, therefore it is not mystical, although it may be mysterious to some degree. The reality of our union with Christ comes forth in the aforementioned benefits established by Paul in Ephesians Ch. 1. The testimonies and commands of God tell us of our…
Call to Worship, November 9th
We worship the God who “is love.” Love is revealed from His being in several ways, but one of the most visible ways is through His church. God ordained the church before time began just as He chose us in Christ Jesus before time. It was not enough for individuals to walk about worshipping God independently, but He redeemed a people for Himself. The church was purchased by the shed blood of His one and only Son and sealed by His Spirit. The church was meant to be the Israel of God and the visible display for the world to…
Call to Worship, November 2
We worship the God who graciously gave His word to mankind through His servants. All the way from Abel to Paul God has used His servants to point people toward the Messiah, His one and only Son the Lord Jesus. Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus for their growth and edification. He did not want them to walk in ignorance concerning the mighty works of God. Paul desired for the local body in Ephesus to understand the background, foundation and purpose of the local church. He urged them to walk rightly in their thinking so their minds would be…
Call To Worship October 26 2014
We serve and worship the one God who completes all His plans. In Psalms 57 and 60 David was pursued then overthrown. He called out to God for deliverance. Psalm 108 connects to the hope David possessed in the steadfastness of God from Psalms 57 and 60. David began Psalm 108 knowing the steadfastness of God gave him a steadfast heart and renewed vigor to complete his God given journey.[1] Paul was tracked from city to city and forced to leave many towns under duress. In the last chapter of Acts Paul relied on the steadfastness of God to finish…
Call to Worship, October 19
We worship the God who truly performs miracles. In His words, He revealed order even among afflictions. God’s order exists due to His constancy and His promises. We know what we know because God does not change and He created order even in the scientific world. Paul’s shipwreck was a part of the created order worked out in providence. God used His created nature to push and pull the Alexandrian ship exactly where He desired it to go. Paul and his companions found themselves shipwrecked on an island. Many would call it a miracle that anyone survived the ship voyage…
Call to Worship
(This week) we worship God who gave His Son as the Friend of sinners. The Psalmist lamented about the deceitful people who surrounded him. So, he cried out to the Lord for peace. Paul witnessed the same type of crowds in the last few years of his life, especially among the unbelieving Jews. They lied about him with deceitful tongues and did not want peace. They only wanted Paul executed. Amid trials Paul was sent to Rome to stand before Caesar. As if the prospects of the hearing were not enough to contend with, the trip was completely abysmal. Paul…