A Prayer to the Lord

Emily Martin • Jun 02, 2020

Our Father, who art in heaven.

You are the author of peace and reconciliation. 
You are holy, just, and good.

Your kingdom to come. We long for the hope of an eternity spent in your presence. Our spirits yearn for the collective worship as we, people from every tribe, nation, and language, sing your praises. With one voice. Together. 

May your will be done. Somehow, someway, we trust that you will use the current events in our country for good. May your church rise up and be a light in this dark and wicked world. May we - like you, Jesus - go out of our way to radically love and serve the down-trodden, the overlooked, the oppressed, and those on the fringes of our society. May we boldly proclaim the story of a Savior who stepped from the comfort of his home to cross every social barrier in order to bring peace and reconciliation. May we learn from your example, Jesus.

Give us this day our daily bread. Lord, you are our provider and sustainer. We know that every good thing comes from you. We also see the struggles and hurts people are facing through COVID, social injustices, rioting, and economic hardship. We are in need, Lord. Open our eyes to the hurts right in front of us and give us willing and generous hearts to reach out and meet these needs. May we - both individually and corporately - be vessels of gospel hope and extravagant love in this time of crisis. 

Forgive us our sins and help us forgive those who sin against us. Forgive us for our selfish hearts, Lord. Forgive us for failing to love you above all else. Forgive us for neglecting to love our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us for the arrogant prejudices that lurk within our hearts. Forgive us for being quick to judge rather than quick to see people as you see them. Forgive us for neglecting your Word and prayer. Forgive us for failing to weigh our words carefully. Forgive us for giving in to polarizing opinions rather than striving for understanding and unity.

Forgive us for our lack of forgiveness toward others. Help us to model the forgiveness you extended to us and gladly forgive those who sin against us. May our hearts be motivated by peace and reconciliation rather than our own selfish tendencies.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Guard our hearts and minds against the enticement of sin. Help us walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help us filter our words by the infinite wisdom found in your Word. May these same truths light our path and guide our steps as we seek to work with our fellow man and not against. Above all else, may our thoughts, words, and actions glorify you.

...for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

AMEN.

Jesus is Much More Better

15 May, 2024
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:12-21 Adam ruined it for everyone —sin came into the world through Adam —death came into the world through sin —death spread to all men because all sinned “God has always dealt with mankind through a head and representative. The whole story of the human race can be summed up in terms of what has happened because of Adam, and what has happened and will yet happen because of Christ.” —Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Jesus is the true and better Adam “Cranfield explains, ‘That one single misdeed should be answered by judgment, this is perfectly understandable: that the accumulated sins and guilt of all the ages should be answered by God’s free gift, this is the miracle of miracles, utterly beyond human comprehension.’ The final word from God could have been “Condemned, on the basis of many trespasses.” Instead, it is “Justified, through the gift of Jesus’ righteousness.” That is why Paul declares that the gift is “much more” or “much better” than the result of Adam’s trespass.” —Daniel M. Doriani, Romans Through Jesus grace abounds and grace reigns Discipleship Questions: What are some reasons we might not like the idea that we all sinned when Adam sinned? What can help us embrace the idea that we all sinned when Adam sinned? How does that idea set us up for the good news about Jesus and what He accomplished? How does the truth from this passage build our assurance of our salvation? In what ways is what Jesus did much more powerful and better than what Adam brought us? How have you experienced the reign of grace in your life despite the reign of sin and death in the world? How can we experience the reign of grace through Jesus in everyday life?

No Fear of Judgment

08 May, 2024
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:6-11 God has already done the work needed to save us He took the initiative “God has addressed the cause of the offense… Although he is the offended party, God has removed the offense. God has extended “the olive branch.” -Jay Smith He justified us He reconciled us Reconciliation is an objective event that God accomplished by removing the barrier of sin that separated himself from humanity. This result is independent of humanity’s response although it formed the basis for an individual’s subjective appropriation.” Jay Smith Appropriate: “To set apart for or assign to a particular recipient.” Christians need not fear judgment day 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Discipleship Questions: How does it change your outlook on life to know that you have peace with God? In what ways have you experienced the greatness of access to God’s grace? How does future certainty bring us lasting hope? Describe a time when you experienced joy in the midst of suffering. How has God used suffering to grow your faith and mature you? What are some ways you have experienced God’s love being poured into your heart?

The Joy of Justification

29 Apr, 2024
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, April 28, 2024. Sermon text: Romans 5:1-5 We find joy in the blessings brought by justification —peace with God —access to God’s grace Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —hope of the glory of God “Christian hope is not uncertain, like our ordinary everyday hopes about the weather or our health; it is a joyful and confident expectation which rests on the promises of God, as we saw in the case of Abraham. And the object of our hope is the glory of God (2), namely his radiant splendor which will in the end be fully displayed. —John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans We can even find joy in our sufferings “Various kinds of sufferings will come to us, but we can rejoice in them when we recognize that they serve a purpose: to develop our Christian character. In verses 3b–4 Paul shows how a godly response to suffering can initiate a series of virtues, culminating, strikingly, in hope. Note, however, that Paul is not saying that we should rejoice because of suffering. Evil things are still just that—evil—and we never should be happy about them. But by looking beyond the suffering to its divinely intended end, we still can rejoice in the midst of them.” —Douglas J. Moo, Encountering the Book of Romans —suffering produces endurance “ We know this, especially from the experience of God’s people in every generation. Suffering produces perseverance ( hypomonē , endurance). We could not learn endurance without suffering, because without suffering there would be nothing to endure.” —John R. W. Stott, The Message of Romans —endurance builds character —character gives us confident hope Discipleship Questions: How does it change your outlook on life to know that you have peace with God? In what ways have you experienced the greatness of access to God’s grace? How does future certainty bring us lasting hope? Describe a time when you experienced joy in the midst of suffering. How has God used suffering to grow your faith and mature you? What are some ways you have experienced God’s love being poured into your heart?
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