Preparing for the Lord's Day
Who is worthy to receive the grace of the Lord? Of course, we have been taught to answer such a question with a response along the lines of, "No one is worthy of God’s grace." Nevertheless, we tend to treat people as more or less worthy of God’s grace. We treat people with greater wealth, a better status, or a good family as worthier than someone who is lacking. We might assume that someone who is raised as a Christian is worthier of God’s grace than someone raised as a Muslim. However, when we come to the Word of God we find that God shows no partiality. Rather, He gives His grace to whomever He wills. In His wise providence He may call the one raised Muslim to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, while allowing the one raised Christian to run away from the faith in rebellion. In 2 Kings 5 we come to the story of Namaan, a Syrian general with leprosy. As one who led armies against the people of Israel, we might assume that he was not worthy to receive God’s healing grace. Yet what we find is that God chooses to give grace not because someone is worthy, rather He gives His grace freely, only. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon 2 Kings 5:1-14, Luke 4:27-28, Acts 7:48-49, 8:20, Romans 2:11-16, Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Westminster Confession of Faith 16.5.
As we gather to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder," the Acclamation of Praise "Before the Throne of God Above," and the Hymn of Response "May the Mind of Christ My Savior." Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
If you’re going to be out of town this Sunday, let me encourage you to listen to the sermon online (usually posted by Monday afternoon) or you can download the REPC podcast, which will be delivered to your mobile device.