Preparing For The Lord's Day

preparing

Preparing For The Lord's Day

As we are entering the eighth month of the Coronavirus pandemic there is a particular phrase in Psalm 79 that stands out, “How long, O LORD?” I think that most of us went into this time with a sense that we would be on the other side by mid-summer. We thought that we would be back to normal by now. Yet restrictions remain and the virus continues to spread. For some of us, this time has been much more disruptive than for others. Some have lost jobs, lost schooling, and have even lost loved ones. There are those among us of whom the fear of catching or spreading this virus has become almost debilitating. For our seniors this time has been particularly restrictive. They have been quarantined to their rooms and have had very limited interaction with others. Each one of you reading have had a unique experience and hardship stemming from this virus. And in our own way, we are all asking, “How long, O LORD?” Nevertheless, what we will find in our Psalm for this Sunday is that the Lord has a purpose for the hardship. This purpose means that God will bring this hardship to an end when his purposes have been fulfilled. As God’s people, we can take great comfort in knowing that though we are in the midst of a struggle God is using this struggle to bring us to a place of greater trust in Christ. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon Psalm 79, 2 Kings 25, Psalm 139:19-22, Ezekiel 36:16-37, Hebrews 12:3-11, James 4:4, and this article by Joni Eareckson Tada, A Purpose in the Pain. 

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 “All Praise to God, Who Reigns Above,” “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” and “Rejoice, the Lord is King.

Sermon Information: 

Text: Psalm 79

Title: How Long?

Outline: 

  1. We Must be Brought to a Place of Distinction
  2. We Must be Brought to a Place of Repentance
  3. We Must be Brought to a Place of Trust
  4. We Must be Brought to a Place of Praise

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