Preparing for the Lord's Day
Why is it so difficult to see our own faults? We tend to be able to spot what is wrong with others but when it comes to our own shortfalls and destructive patterns we remain in the dark. It reminds me of a time in college when I was driving through campus and everyone was pointing and waving at me. I wasn’t sure what was happening, so I just waved back. I knew something must be off but I couldn’t see what it was. When I finally got to my destination I got out of the car and saw what everyone had been making a fuss about. I had a ten-foot-long leaf-filled branch sticking out the side of my rear wheel well. This branch had obviously been dragging along the sidewalks of the University of Georgia tripping people and causing general chaos. When I was backing out of my driveway, I must have picked it up without noticing. And what was apparent to everyone else was completely hidden to me. Often in our own lives we are blind to our own sinful behaviors and we need someone who can lead us in the proper path. What we will see in our Psalm for this week is that the Lord sees and knows each of us better than we know ourselves. With this knowledge He alone can lead us in the way everlasting. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Psalm 139, Genesis 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:14-22, Mark 7:20-22, Romans 2:5, Hebrews 4:12 and Westminster Confession of Faith 6.
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 “O Worship the King”, the Acclamation of Praise “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and the Hymn of Response “How Great Thou Art.” 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 139
Title: To Know Your Heart
Outline:
- You Must Trust the Lord’s Knowledge of You (vv. 1-6)
- You Must Trust the Lord’s Presence with You (vv. 7-12)
- You Must Trust the Lord’s Design for You (vv. 13-16)