Preparing our Hearts to Worship
The Love of God
In an effort to help you prepare for the March 19th, 2017, Sunday morning corporate worship gathering and to aid you in your own reflections on the question, “Is it worth risking everything for God?”, I wanted to pose a few questions and provide a few resources to prayerfully consider over the coming days. Our sermon is entitled, “The Love of God”. The main Scripture for the day is Romans 8:32-39. 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 Romans 8:32-39, 1John 4:8, Psalm 36, Hosea 2:14-3:1.
(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 20
Article 20: God Hath Manifested His Justice and Mercy in Christ
We believe that God, who is perfectly [or very perfectly] merciful and also perfectly [or very] just, sent his Son to assume the nature in which the disobedience was committed, to make satisfaction in the same, and to bear the punishment of sin by his most bitter passion and death (Heb 2:14; Rom 8:3, 32-33). God therefore manifested his justice against his Son when he laid our iniquities upon him (Isa 53:6; John 1:29; Rom 3:25-26†; 1 John 4:9), and poured forth his mercy and goodness on us, who were guilty and worthy of damnation, out of mere and perfect love, giving his Son unto death for us, and raising him for our justification (Rom 4:25), that through him we might obtain immortality and life eternal.
Heidelberg Catechism Question 28
- What does it profit us to know that God has created, and by His providence still upholds all things?
That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and for what is future, have good confidence in our faithful God and Father, that no creature shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.
From the songs, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus: Lyrics, Video
The Love of God: Lyrics, Video, Video (Faster Version)
For Thoughtful Reflection, Prayer, or further Study
How us love a motivating force?
What risks do you take for someone who loves you?
Read and Reflect on Arthur Pink’s short devotional article, Love of God
Read and Reflect on James Ussher’s Catechism on the Love of God
For a Great set of Quotations on the Love of God see The Threefold Love of God
The Sermon will be available online on March 19, 2017 at 12:30 pm.
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