Preparing for the Lord's Day
Longing for Christ: “Longing for Restoration”
Giving thanks to God for His goodness to us in all things is always appropriate for Thanksgiving. Pastor Mike will be taking up the theme of "Yet Will I Rejoice in the LORD" from Habakkuk 3:17-19 for the Thanksgiving Day worship service at 10:00am. Come join us as we look to the Lord with thankful hearts.
As we look to this coming Lord’s Day, we begin a four-part Advent sermon series rooted in the Psalms, entitled Longing for Christ. At times, we realize that Christmas is not always easy. In fact, it can be downright messy. In God’s love, the Scripture consistently demonstrates our need for God to redeem our lives, and the Psalms capture our daily longings for restoration, peace, justice, and trust. They capture how the advent of God’s Son into this world speaks hope and joy into our longings for abundant life and His wholeness. This Sunday, in a sermon entitled, “Longing for Restoration,” we’ll examine Psalm 80 and see how it directs us to hope in Jesus Christ.
To come prepared for worship, please be in prayer! Meditate upon Psalm 80 and notice the refrain of verses 3, 7, and 19. Also memorize the benediction of Numbers 6:24-26. In celebrating the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper this Sunday, please prepare your hearts to feed spiritually upon Christ and all His benefits. Psalm 51 is helpful for reflection, prayer, and renewal.
The hopeful expectation and anticipation of the Advent of the Lord Jesus is captured in our singing the Hymn of Praise “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (verses 1-4), the Acclamation of Praise “Joy to the Word! The Lord is Come,” the Communion Hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” and the Hymn of Response “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (verse 5). Come this Lord’s Day, ready to have the hope of the gospel poured into your lives.
If you’re going to be out of town this Sunday, let me encourage you to listen to the sermon online, through the Rivermont App, (available at the App Store or Google Play), or you can download the REPC podcast, which will be delivered to your mobile device.
Sermon Text: Psalm 80
Sermon Title: Longing for Restoration
Sermon Outline:
- Pleas to the Sovereign Shepherd
- Pleas to the Merciful Vinedresser
- Pleas for the Gracious Son of Man