Preparing for the Lord's Day
As many of you know Pastor Mike Palombo is going to be a father soon. Watching him and Whitney prepare for this time has reminded me of when my first child was born. I was excited and desired to be a good father. April and I read books on parenting. We asked family and friends for their advice. However, nothing could prepare us for the reality of parenthood until our daughter was born. Since the arrival of my first child I know that I have made many mistakes. I have done the things that I swore I never would do. I have even done some things that I never even knew I needed to swear not to do. In the midst of all the ups and downs there is one piece of wisdom that I might pass on as a father of five. This wisdom comes not from my own ingenuity, rather it has been given in God’s word. If fathers would bless their children they must begin by blessing the Lord. We can put all of the other advice aside and we can focus on this one central task, to bless the Lord for the good of your children. As we come to Psalm 103 this Sunday what we will see is that all Christians are called upon to praise the Lord and in particular fathers are called upon to praise the Lord for the good of their children. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Psalm 103, Deuteronomy 14:1-2, Isaiah 64:8-9, Jeremiah 31:20, John 20:17, Galatians 4:6-7, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, and this article on God as Father.
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 “All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above”, the Acclamation of Praise “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!” and the Hymn of Response “From All That Dwell below the Skies.” 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!
Sermon Information:
Text: Psalm 103
Title: Bless the Lord, Fathers
Outline:
- Bless the Lord for His Fatherly Compassion (v. 13)
- Bless the Lord for His Covenant Faithfulness (vv. 8, 11)
- Bless the Lord for His Righteous Justice (v. 6)
- Bless the Lord for His Forgiveness of Sin (vv. 9-12)
- Bless the Lord for His Gift of New Life (vv. 4-5, 14-16)
- Bless the Lord for the Sake of Your Children (vv. 17-18)