Preparing our Hearts to Worship
In an effort to help you prepare for the July 30rd, 2017, Sunday morning corporate worship gathering and to aid you in your own reflections on the Life of Elijah. I wanted to pose a few questions and provide a few resources to prayerfully consider over the coming days. Our sermon is entitled, “Embrace your calling and your companions”. The main Scripture for the day is 1Kings 19:19-21. The other passages are either referenced in the message or provide additional insight for reflection.
(Pick and choose from the many resources and options, which I have tried to make available for your devotional life.)
From the Scriptures
Read and prayerfully reflect upon some or all of these Scriptures. Ask God to shape your life and your church’s life to match the heart of God:
Read or listen to 1Kings 19:19-21, 1Corinthians 12:27-29, Acts 14:23, Genesis 2:18.
(You can read or listen to all of these passages in a variety of translations at Bible.is.)
From the Creeds and Confessions
Belgic Confession Article 28
We believe that
since this holy assembly and congregation
is the gathering of those who are saved
and there is no salvation apart from it,
people ought not to withdraw from it,
content to be by themselves,
regardless of their status or condition.
But all people are obliged
to join and unite with it,
keeping the unity of the church
by submitting to its instruction and discipline,
by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ,
and by serving to build up one another,
according to the gifts God has given them
as members of each other
in the same body.
And to preserve this unity more effectively,
it is the duty of all believers,
according to God’s Word,
to separate themselves
from those who do not belong to the church,
in order to join this assembly
wherever God has established it,
even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid
and death and physical punishment result.
And so,
all who withdraw from the church
or do not join it
act contrary to God’s ordinance.
From the songs, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church
I’ll be your friend (M.W. Smith): Lyrics, Video
Prayer for a friend (Casting Crowns) : Lyrics, Video
God Gave me you (Dave Barnes): Lyrics, Video
For Thoughtful Reflection, Prayer, or further Study
Who are your companions in ministry?
What benefits do they bring to you and you to them?
Thank God for partners in the gospel.
Read Ligonier’s The Importance of Friendship
The Sermon will be available online on July 30, 2017 at 12:30 pm.
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