August 3, 2018 - Preparing for the Lord's Day
August 4, 2018Preparing for the Lord's Day
For the last several weeks we have been viewing Israel from the mountain tops with Balaam. While Balak sought to have them cursed, the Lord led Balaam to bless Israel. In these blessings we saw that the Lord will not revoke his covenant promises to His people. We saw that the people of Israel will valiantly conquer the surrounding nations. We heard the promise that a great king will arise from Israel that will rule with power and dominion. From these heights we feel that Israel must be a pure and a holy people. However, this week we come down from the mountain tops and get back into the nitty-gritty of real life with Israel. We remember that these blessings from the Lord have not been given to Israel because of their righteousness, but rather because of God’s grace. For once again we see the people of Israel returning to their sinful ways. In Numbers 25 the people of Israel are enticed into the sin of idolatry and must again be reminded of their reliance on God’s grace to make it home. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Numbers 25, Psalm 96, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5-11 and Westminster Larger Catechism # 105.
This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine we look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “Holy, Holy, Holy!” “There Is a Redeemer,” and “The Communion Hymn.”