William Cowper says in one of his letters that he once was friends with a man of fine taste who confessed to him that although he could not subscribe to the truth of Christianity, he could never read this passage in Luke's Gospel (the Emmaus Walk - Luke 24) without being deeply affected by it, … Continue reading Give Us Hearts that Burn O Lord
Holy Week
Worship Reflections for Resurrection Sunday
To a Christian, Easter Sunday means everything, when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. — Bernhard Langer The enemies of our joy are banished by our Savior’s resurrection: The finality of death, the fatality of sin, and the seeming futility of life. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised … Continue reading Worship Reflections for Resurrection Sunday
Good Friday and Three Truths the Cross Enforces
When the Apostle Peter discovered that Jesus would experience humiliation and suffering, he exploded, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." Then, Jesus' offered a devastating rebuke: "Get behind me, Satan, you are a stumbling block" (16:22-23). Jesus reminded him and us that the son of man came to give His life. This … Continue reading Good Friday and Three Truths the Cross Enforces
The Power of the Cross of Jesus Christ
“The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise, the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, the consolation of our imprisonment, the prize for our freedom. The cross of Christ is… the safeguard of our faith, the assurance of our hope, and the throne of love. It is also … Continue reading The Power of the Cross of Jesus Christ
A Worship Guide for Good Friday
Grieving on Good Friday REFLECTIONS O all ye who pass by, behold and see; man stole the fruit, but I must climb the tree; The tree of life to all, but only me: Was ever grief like mine? — From the poem “The Sacrifice” by George Herbert Is it nothing to you, all you who … Continue reading A Worship Guide for Good Friday
Sad Hearts Sing – The Walk to Emmaus
Prayer: O God, open the eyes of our hearts to see You for who you are today – the risen Savior who conquers all of our enemies. Renovate our unbelieving hearts so that they burn with devotion and love for our risen Savior and Lord. I don't know about you, but I still get chills … Continue reading Sad Hearts Sing – The Walk to Emmaus
A Chronology of Holy Week
This week is the most important week of the year for a Christian. Here's a brief synopsis of the timing of events that took place with the corresponding Scriptures. Palm Sunday Triumphal entry into Jerusalem Mt.21:1-11; Mk. 11:1-10; Lk. 19:29-44; Jn.12:12-19 Monday in Holy Week Jesus curses the fig tree Mt.21:18-19; Mk.11:12-14 Jesus cleanses the … Continue reading A Chronology of Holy Week
The Difference Between King Ozymandias and King Jesus
Percy Shelley wrote one of his famous sonnets in the early 1800s entitled: "Ozymandias." It concludes like this: "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away. In … Continue reading The Difference Between King Ozymandias and King Jesus
Abandonment Questioned – Why A God-forsaken Messiah?
The Passion Narrative: Matthew 27:45-49 - Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” 47 And some of those … Continue reading Abandonment Questioned – Why A God-forsaken Messiah?
Image is Nothing…Thirst is Everything…Obey Your Thirst
The basic outline below of John 4:7-30 comes from a sermon given by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City entitled: The Living Water. John 4:7-30 - When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into … Continue reading Image is Nothing…Thirst is Everything…Obey Your Thirst
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