Preparing our Hearts to Worship
In an effort to help you prepare for the March 4, 2018, Sunday morning corporate worship gathering and to aid you in your own reflections on the God’s Story of Salvation through the Scriptures. I wanted to pose a few questions and provide a few resources to prayerfully consider over the coming days. Our sermon is entitled, “Faith of a Foreign Woman” The main Scriptures for the day are Ruth 1-4. 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
Please read through Chapter 9 of The Story this week, this is a lightly edited selection of Scriptures from Ruth 1-4 that seeks to maintain the broad story line of the Scriptures.
You can read or listen to them here.
(You can read or listen to all of these passages in a variety of translations at Bible.is.
It will take approximately 20 minutes to listen to the whole book of Ruth.)
From the Creeds and Confessions
Heidelberg Catechism Q21
What is true faith?
It is not only a certain knowledge by which I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word, but also a wholehearted trust which the Holy Spirit creates in me through the gospel, that, not only to others, but to me also God has given the forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation, out of sheer grace solely for the sake of Christ’s saving work.
Belgic Confession Article 22
Of Faith in Jesus Christ
We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindles in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him. For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ. or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him. Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy: for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Saviour.
Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits, and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.
From the songs, hymns and spiritual songs of the Church
I’m with you (Nordeman): Lyrics, Video
Where my redeemer leads me: Lyrics, Video
For all the faithful women (Camp): Lyrics, Video
For Thoughtful Reflection, Prayer, or further Study
Watch and reflect upon The Bible Project’s 8 minute video on Ruth.
The Sermon will be available online on March 4, 2018 at 12:30 pm.
Disclaimer: Reference to a particular article or website does not constitute endorsement or agreement with everything in that article or on that website.
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