I wanted to give you a quick update on the status of our corporate worship services.
As you know, yesterday our Governor issued an order regarding Church worship services that prohibits congregational gatherings at least through May 15. This means that for the next two Sundays we cannot gather (May 3 and May 10), so we will continue to provide a video recording of the sermon and a worship guide for home use.
Of course, all of us were hoping and praying that the restriction on corporate worship would be lifted by now, and we are very disappointed that, for at least another two Sundays, we cannot be together. However, I believe that our Governor, and those advising her, are seeking to do what is best for our State. I am very appreciative of the fact that, along with the appropriate medical authorities, Governor Ivey also consulted with a number of pastors from across Alabama in making this decision to keep Churches and places of worship closed for now. As far as I have seen, our Governor is a good friend of religious liberty, and we should thankfully remember her and her staff in our prayers as they help us to wisely navigate through this most unusual crisis.
We expect that before May 15 there will be another official statement made regarding public worship services and other matters related to the phased-in reopening of the State.
Following this, the Session will again deliberate and communicate with you. Until then, let us pray that on May 15 the restriction will be lifted, and we may gather together again for the worship of our Lord and Savior.
Thank you so very much for your patience and prayers during all of this. This has been a very trying and disturbing time. And we are surely aware of the devil’s schemes, and how a national crisis such as this might become his diabolical tool to hinder both the work and Word of our Lord, and discourage believers.
We are also very aware that in some places in our country even now, those political authorities that are hostile to the Gospel and to the Church might exploit this crisis in an effort to further, and unnecessarily, restrict the worship and witness of God’s people. We have indeed been richly blessed here in Alabama, but let us pray that our freedoms will remain protected, and that our fellow believers in other States across our land will also be shielded from governmental heavy-handedness and from political agendas that are adversarial to the free declaration of the Gospel.
On behalf of our Session, let me assure you of our deepest love for each of you. We are so honored to serve our Lord by serving you! And you are always in our prayers, not only for your physical protection and health during the pandemic, but also for your continued spiritual well-being, and your joy and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord,
On this Monday, I want ask that you do some reflecting with me upon one of the most riveting scenes from the life of Jesus. We discover this extraordinary episode in the Gospel of John.
John tells us that just after Jesus was crucified, there was something that our Savior declared in regard to His mother Mary. In John 19:25-27 we read:
but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
As He was about to die, Jesus made specific arrangements for the continued care of Mary. And the passage tells us that He lovingly committed her to the watch-care of the Apostle John. With the words, “ Behold, your mother!” our Lord made it apparent that He wanted John to take official, or legal, responsibility for the protection and provision of Mary from that day forward.
That John clearly understood the serious implications of the Lord’s words is clear from his actions that followed immediately. From that moment on, Mary lived with John, and the Apostle obediently treated her as if she was his very own mother.
I bring this episode to our attention today because I think it has a couple of very encouraging things to tell us that are especially relevant in light of our current crisis. Let me begin with the most apparent of the two.
First, how could anyone not be deeply moved by this scene of such tender affection and love on the part of the Lord? Here is a son’s love for his mother on display during the last few moments of the Savior’s earthly life. The magnitude and world-embracing scope of His mission to redeem fallen humanity did not eclipse, even in the slightest, His love for Mary as His mother. While He was the Incarnate Savior of the world–the divine Son of God–He remained the son of a peasant woman.
If there were any doubts as to the genuine humanity of our Lord, this one transaction erases them all! He suffered in His humanity. He felt every pain and terror, fully. And at that moment, just a matter of minutes before He breathed His last, He did what a loving son must do in such a situation. He discharged one final responsibility, that of removing from His mother any fears she might have concerning her future following His death.
Then secondly, what makes this scene even more connected to us at this present moment is something that Jesus had declared earlier. It is recorded for us in the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 12 we find Jesus teaching a group of people. Note Verses 46-50 and what soon transpired:
While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Here, our Lord teaches (by way of His rhetorical question in v. 48) that by means of His grace and love, which would soon be on public display at the cross, He has created a new spiritual family! Those who trust in Him for salvation, and then by that same faith walk the pathway that He has established–the way that is consistent with the will of the Father–are His true family!
Of course, we know that Jesus had other biological brothers, and even sisters (see Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55-56). And we also know that at least two of His brothers did not believe in Him until after the resurrection (James and Jude). It also seems quite apparent that by this time Joseph, our Lord’s earthly father, had died since he is not mentioned at all.
But the greater point of this passage is that those who do believe in Christ as the Lord and Savior, and, subsequently, follow Him obediently, are members of His real family, His “ mother” and “ brothers”!
So, by putting all of this together we can find our encouragement for today, and it may be expressed in a question:
What did Jesus do for His family, and especially for His mother, at a time of great crisis, the greatest crisis of all?
The answer: He made sure that His dear mother, who was there to witness the horrible death of her son, would be cared for.
From the cross He looked down with compassion upon the one who gave Him life, carried Him in her womb, and faithfully raised Him. And then, moved by that love, He ensured her welfare and safety. What compassion! What love!
And now, in the midst of our crisis, that very same Son–the son of Mary–has deemed us to be His brothers, sisters, and mothers in a way that far transcends any biological connections!
We are His family! We are the ones He desperately loves! And He loves us not from the cross where He once hung in utter weakness and shame, but from His throne where He reigns as the exalted, all-glorious Sovereign Lord of the universe!
Now, even today, Jesus looks down upon us with eternal, incomprehensible, and unconquerable love! And He has guaranteed our welfare! Nothing shall ever be able to separate us from the love that is in Christ Jesus! No one will ever snatch us out of His mighty hands! If our Brother Jesus is for us, then who, or what, could ever be against us!
May the very Spirit of the One who loves us so richly fill your hearts today with His joy and peace!
I love you all so dearly, and my heart misses you greatly.
I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
10 I believed, even when I spoke:
“I am greatly afflicted”;
11 I said in my alarm,
“All mankind are liars.”
12 What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
Prayer of Confession:
Assurance of Pardon: John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
New Testament Lesson: 1 Peter 1:17-25
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Confession of Faith:The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Before I introduce our sermon passage for this coming Sunday, I thought I’d just share a quick update on things as they relate to our getting back together in worship.
Like each of you, the Session is paying very close attention to what our Governor and State Health Department are saying about the current status of the quarantine. We are anticipating that there will be more information forthcoming from state officials on or near April 30 th. That being the case, the Session will be meeting next week to assess the situation, and then we will make whatever decisions might be appropriate in light of the official recommendations.
We sincerely appreciate your prayers for an abundance of the Lord’s wisdom. This has been a most extraordinary trial for all of us, and for our Church body as a whole. And we want to respond in a way that is wise, that ensures the health and safety of our flock, and ultimately brings glory to our Savior and Lord.
I also want to tell you what a blessed delight it has been to learn of the multitude of ways that you have reached out to one another during these last seven weeks of the quarantine!
You have graciously and faithfully cared for one another in a way that is exemplary, and has enabled us to enjoy a measure of ‘connectedness’ despite the stay-at-home-orders. You have put the love of Christ on magnificent display in these days of difficulty! For all of this, I want to thank you, and offer my praise to our dear Father in Heaven!
I would also especially want to mention the faithful work of our Deacons, who have been busy getting in touch with each member and family, discovering needs, offering prayers and support, and tangibly loving their Church! Thank you brothers from all of us!!
Finally, thank you for your kind words of encouragement regarding the recorded sermons. My greatest joy of all is in knowing that our Father’s Word has blessed and strengthened His people. Your constant prayers and loving support make our ministry to you such a delight!
This coming Sunday, we will continue our series from Hebrews. Our text will be Hebrews 3:2-6, and the title of the message is, “ More Glory Than Moses!”
As you pray and prepare your heart to hear God’s Word, you might take a moment or two in order to reflect upon the incredible ministry of Moses.
Take some time to trace the story of his remarkable life and ministry from where we first meet him in Exodus 2. And then follow the path forward through his life as a child in Pharaoh’s house, then on to become the man through whom God delivered the Covenant people from the clutches of Egypt. And then consider his leadership of the nation in the wilderness, and finally his ministry to them as the mediator of God’s Holy Law at Sinai. ‘Amazing’ is about the only word we can use to capture this man’s life and times!
But in Hebrews 3:3, the author of this inspired Epistle makes the staggering claim that, “ Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses”!
What could this mean? Why would the author say this?
I can’t wait to open the Word of the Lord with you this Sunday!
Thank you again for your prayers as we record the message tomorrow morning. It will be ready for viewing, along with our worship guide, early on Sunday.
I love you all, and you are my joy!
Mike
Order of Worship:
This week’s order of worship will be posted on Sunday morning along with a sermon video for use as you worship at home.
Announcements:
Message from your Diaconate:
Each of you should be receiving emails, calls, or texts from your diaconate to check in with how we can best continue to minister to you during this difficult time. If you have any needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. As we contact you, remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.
Resources for Further Study:
Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows weekly Bible study continues on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. We will use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study “Dealing With Difficult Problems” by R.C. Sproul. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Children’s Ministry:
We are testing out something new this week – a children’s bulletin for sermon notes! You may print this out for your children to use with Sunday’s sermon, and we hope to incorporate this into the regular bulletin when we are meeting together again.
Sunday School Lessons: HERE is the next lesson for your elementary children from our Sunday School curriculum. Great Commission is putting that out for us for free right now, and I pray you will use it with your children. It includes a video lesson, coloring page and graphic.
I also shared some additional things in the Children’s Ministry Facebook group (email me to be invited to our closed group).
Men’s Studies:
Most Men’s activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events. The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.
Career/Singles:
These activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Youth Group:
Youth Bible Study for Middle and High School has been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Second Sunday Lunches:
Second Sunday Lunches are suspended until the virus outbreak is contained.
Flower Guild:
Have you noticed the beautiful flowers in the narthex and sanctuary? The Flower Guild places the flowers weekly. If you would like to assist in that ministry, please contact Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lynn Doughty, Ramona Edwards, Pat Galecki, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer. Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in May; the Libertos, expecting in August; the Elys, expecting in September. Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.
Online Donations:
If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:
This morning, I thought I’d encourage you with some verses from the prophet Isaiah. We find them in Isaiah 30, where the Lord’s prophet is scolding the Israelites for turning to foreign nations for aid (Egypt in this case), rather than trusting in Yahweh alone, and waiting for Him to act in judgment and salvation (you might want to take some time today to read the entire chapter).
The verses I am about to share with you became very meaningful and personal to me just the other day, early one morning. In a moment of trepidation over our current circumstances (all of the unknowns associated with our inability to gather together, the nature of the threat that hovers over us, and questions as to what life and the service of our Lord will be like going forward), I turned to these inspired words.
I knew to go here, to this particular place in Isaiah, because I had been given these verses by my mother many years ago as a little boy. It seems that anxiety has been an unwelcome companion to me for most of my life. As I read them afresh the other morning, I was immediately convicted and then comforted.
Like ancient Israel, we too are in the midst of a crisis. Because we are not only citizens of our Lord’s heavenly Kingdom, but citizens of the ‘city of man,’ our lives have been deeply impacted by the world’s response to the pandemic. We have once again experienced the very thing that our Lord spoke of when He said that our Father, “ makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).
Whether all of this is grossly overblown or tragically underplayed (only time will tell for sure), we are at the mercy of those who are making decisions on our behalf. Obviously, this is far from simply a matter of public health. As we see played out on the nightly news, this crisis is terribly (and unnecessarily) complicated by a host of political agendas, some more noble than others.
And, in the meantime, we are all very antsy! We long to be back together. We want things to return to some degree of normalcy. We are very uncomfortable with having to wait for decisions to be made, and having to delay making plans for our futures, knowing full well that the machinations of global politics are in the driver’s seat. The rhythm of our lives has been thrown off, and we are not exactly sure what we must do about all of this, but do something we must, at least we think!
And with all of this, temptation, ever slippery and crafty as it is, makes its subtle appearance.
In speaking for myself first and foremost, the specific temptation I face is that of focusing only upon the relief that I so fervently desire. And while wanting relief is not wrong in itself, “ sin is crouching at the door” (Genesis 4:7). The sin is in placing my concentration upon what should be done (by someone!) to provide a way out of the crisis, rather than giving prayerful consideration to the higher purposes that our Father has wisely designed for this time of adversity. Let me show you what I mean.
In Isaiah 30:15 we find this heavenly Word, delivered by Isaiah to the Covenant people in the midst of their afflictions:
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Then, in Isaiah 30:18 the Lord says this:
Therefore, the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
In verse 15, the Israelites were summoned to return to the Lord, forsaking their search for relief “ in the shadow of Egypt” (v.2). That is, they were to repent of their sins that were being exposed by their difficulties. Then, the prophet exhorted them to find their “ rest” only in their God, and to live each and every moment “ in quietness and trust” where God’s “ strength” may be found and experienced.
Then in verse 18, Israel was called to have faith in the truth that their Sovereign God would always, in every situation, “ be gracious” to them, and that He would glorify Himself in their circumstances by a display His infinite “ mercy” to them!
I especially like the way the NASB version reads: “ the Lord longs to be gracious to you.”
What they sought for in ” the safety of Pharaoh” (v. 3) could never compare to the wealth of mercy and grace that they would find in their Father’s arms, even in their great distress!
Then , verse 18 ends with a ‘beatitude.’ Those who display their faith in the Lord by simply waiting for Him,resting in Him, and longingonly for Him, will be richly “ blessed”!
Now, I know that there are a host of thoughts and emotions filling our minds and hearts at this very moment. Fear, frustration, anger (perhaps some of it righteous and some not so much), impatience, and anxiety are each making their presence well-known. But what is our Lord’s will for us, the beloved Body of Christ? What is He training us to do as we travel this pathway of trouble? How is He moving us to think and to respond? Well, I believe we have our answers here in Isaiah 30.
In His perfect wisdom and flawlessly executed providence, the Lord has put us where we are. And, like that dear sister in Christ once said, ‘When the Lord sends tribulation, He expects you to tribulate!’ And this means that:
First, now is a time for returning to the Lord, which is to repent from those sins that He exposes in times such as these. We are promised that, given a humble heart that is full of contrition, each of our trials and tribulations will result in a greater and purer faith (1 Peter 1:6-7), and that when we suffer we are being freed from the clutches of sin (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Second, today is the day to “trust” Him in “quietness,” not exposing our lack of faith by becoming frustrated, by complaining, or by assigning blame to others for the current disaster, or by using our voices to speak ill of those who have been placed in positions of leadership in the ‘city of man.’ Rather, it is our continual rejoicing that the world should hear, and our “reasonableness” that all those around us should know (Philippians 4:4-5).
Third, this is a moment to seek help only from our God and Father, to “rest” only in His goodness, and not to place our hopes in men or nations.
Fourth, now is also the hour to draw from the wells of His strength, which we can do only in the act of waiting for Him, ever trusting in His mercy, His perfect timing, and His desire and determination to bless us more abundantly than we can possibly imagine!
So, let us wait, let us trust, let us quietly rest, let us come nearer to our Lord, let us cooperate with Him as He purifies our lives, and let us love one another with a brotherly affection!
Our Father is, without a doubt, up to something very good, even today: “ therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder”(Isaiah 29:14).
I pray that you will always have His peace filling your hearts!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
4 Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
6 And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12 Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!
“At that time, declares the Lord, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.”
2 Thus says the Lord:
“The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
3 the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines
and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
5 Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
and shall enjoy the fruit.
6 For there shall be a day when watchmen will call
in the hill country of Ephraim:
‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God.’”
Prayer of Confession:
Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 1:7
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
New Testament Lesson: 1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Confession of Faith: The Scott’s Confession (1560), Chapter 8
That same eternal God and Father, who by mere grace chose us in his Son Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world was laid, appointed him to be our head, our brother, our pastor, and the great bishop of our souls. But since the opposition between the justice of God and our sins was such that no flesh by itself could or might have attained unto God, it behooved the Son of God to descend unto us and take himself a body of our body, flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone, and so become the perfect Mediator between God and man, giving power to as many as believe in him to be the sons of God; as he himself says, “I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and to your God.” By this most holy brotherhood whatever we have lost in Adam is restored to us again. Therefore we are not afraid to call God our Father, not so much because he has created us, which we have in common with the reprobate, as because he has given unto us his only Son to be our brother, and given us grace to acknowledge and embrace him as our only Mediator.
This coming Lord’s Day, our sermon passage will be Hebrews 3:1-2. It is in these two verses that we discover yet another title for our Lord Jesus.
You will remember that the author of the Epistle has so far designated our Lord as a “ high priest,” and as the “ founder” of our salvation. But in 3:1 we encounter the title “ apostle.” Our Savior is called “ the apostle and high priest of our confession.” And this is the only place in all of the New Testament where our Lord is spoken of in this way, as “ the apostle.”
But added to this is something else that is most interesting and significant. We have also learned in this inspired letter that those who believe upon Christ for salvation are designated as “ brothers.” And we are “ brothers” of Christ Jesus Himself, of whom He shall never “ be ashamed.” Yet, in 3:1 we now see that added to this designation “ brothers” is the word “ holy.” We are “ holy brothers” in Christ.
Of course, these are not trivial things in the least! The designations “ the apostle” and “ holy brothers” are full of meaning and deep significance for us. And it will be our aim on Sunday to probe these titles in order to discover some wonderful truths that will enable us to better serve and remain loyal to our dear Lord and Savior.
Some Friday Encouragement
As we approach another Lord’s Day when we will not be able to meet together for worship, I want to encourage you with a simple thought, based upon the prayerful Words of our Savior Himself.
In our Lord’s great ‘High Priestly Prayer,’ recorded for us in John 17, Jesus fervently entreated the Father on our behalf. And there were some very specific things that He prayed for in our regard:
First, He prayed that the Father would “ keep them” (the Disciples and each of us) safe and secure “ in Your name” (v. 11).
Second, He prayed that we might have our Lord’s “ joy fulfilled” in us (v. 13).
Third, He prayed that the Father would “ keep” all of us “ from the evil one” (v. 15).
Fourth, He prayed that the Father might “ sanctify” us “ in the truth” (v. 17).
Fifth, He prayed that we “ may all be one” in Him, and in the Father (v. 21).
Sixth, He prayed that all of us might one day “ be with” Him “ where I am,” and might “ see My glory” (v. 24).
While from our limited perspective, our days remain difficult, disrupted, and often filled with anxiety, we remain perfectly secure as those who belong to our Faithful Savior! And our security is in this: Jesus Himself is continually praying for us! And His prayers are always answered by the Father!
And this, my beloved brothers and sisters, means that we are being kept safe, we are being filled with His joy, we are being guarded from the devil, we are being sanctified, we are being unified, and soon we will be with the One who loves us and always intercedes before the Father on our behalf!
We could not be in a better place! Our Savior’s work in and through us is not threated in the lest by this virus, or by our temporary inability to meet together! The very gates of hell itself shall “ never prevail” against His Church and those whom He has redeemed!
So, for those facing the fear of sickness, for those dealing with a potential loss of income, for those who have already lost work, for those who worry about loved ones, for those who long for the fellowship of God’s people, and for those who are in the grip of a generalized anxiety over all of this, let me encourage you to remember something: Your Lord Jesus, our great High Priest and Champion, is holding us up before the Father in prayer . . . right now!
We are just as secure as His prayers for us are heard and answered by our Father! Even when we don’t pray, or when we are too weak, afraid, or discouraged to loft our supplications heavenward, He remains at His post as the One who always has our names on His heart!
We have nothing to worry about during this most unusual time of difficulty! And this fact stands firmly upon the perfect faithfulness of Him who loves us supremely and intercedes for us continually! We can rest assured that in our Father’s good and perfect time, we will come together again and sound His praises, hear His Holy Word, and celebrate His Sacraments as the eternally beloved Body of Christ!
May our Father send His Spirit to you today and fill you all with His peace!
I love you all so very much, and I am trusting our Lord with you as He faithfully leads us and cares for us each day and every hour!
Until we can meet face-to-face,
Mike
Order of Worship:
This week’s order of worship will be posted on Sunday morning along with a sermon video for use as you worship at home.
Announcements:
Message from your Diaconate:
Each of you should be receiving emails, calls, or texts from your diaconate to check in with how we can best continue to minister to you during this difficult time. If you have any needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. As we contact you, remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.
Resources for Further Study:
Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows weekly Bible study continues on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. We will use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study “Dealing With Difficult Problems” by R.C. Sproul. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Children’s Ministry:
We are testing out something new this week – a children’s bulletin for sermon notes! You may print this out for your children to use with Sunday’s sermon, and we hope to incorporate this into the regular bulletin when we are meeting together again.
Sunday School Lessons: HERE is the next lesson for your elementary children from our Sunday School curriculum. Great Commission is putting that out for us for free right now, and I pray you will use it with your children. It includes a video lesson, coloring page and graphic.
I also shared some additional things in the Children’s Ministry Facebook group (email me to be invited to our closed group).
Men’s Studies:
Most Men’s activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events. The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.
Career/Singles:
These activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Youth Group:
Youth Bible Study for Middle and High School has been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Second Sunday Lunches:
Second Sunday Lunches are suspended until the virus outbreak is contained.
Flower Guild:
Have you noticed the beautiful flowers in the narthex and sanctuary? The Flower Guild places the flowers weekly. If you would like to assist in that ministry, please contact Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lynn Doughty, Ramona Edwards, Pat Galecki, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer. Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in May; the Libertos, expecting in August; the Elys, expecting in September. Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.
Online Donations:
If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:
I pray that, despite our present circumstances, each of you enjoyed a wonderful Easter Sunday!
It was certainly very odd not being together in worship, and, even stranger still, not preaching on Easter! But it was nonetheless a glorious day! Our circumstances did not, and could not, change the reality which we commemorate on that day, our Lord’s bodily resurrection from the dead! The tomb of our Lord and Savior is empty!
It is in this spirit of joy and thanksgiving that I write today as we enter the fifth full week of the lock-down. I want to string together a few passages from Scripture under a couple of headings, and then make a comment or two about them that I pray will lift your hearts and fill you with joy and peace:
Thanksgiving
1 Chronicles 16:34– Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 138:2– I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
1 Thessalonians 5:18– give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Revelation 11:17 –“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.”
Blessings
Psalm 34:8– Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 144:15– Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!
Ephesians 1:13– Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places . . . .
James 1:12– Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Over the last several weeks, many of you have commented to me that you have discovered some unexpected blessings in the midst of the pandemic. To be sure, there are some very frightening things occurring (sickness, death, job loss, and the anxiety these produce), and we do not want to minimize the significance of these painful experiences.
However, even in these terrible moments, some wonderful blessings have made an appearance! And with the manifestation of these unexpected gifts has also come both the opportunity and the obligation to give thanks to our gracious Heavenly Father.
I wonder, what are some of the blessings that you have recently known, that would have otherwise remained unexperienced had not we entered this time of difficulty and disruption?
Let me just relate to you a few of the ones that some of you have shared with me lately:
The simplification and slowing down of life.
More time with family.
Rest from the frenetic pace of daily living.
More time to read and study God’s Word.
Physical rest.
Learning to depend more fully upon the Lord’s faithful provisions.
Discovering how much you love and need the Body of Christ.
Appreciating the importance of corporate worship.
Having your idols exposed, leading to repentance and a fresh sense of God’s mercy and sufficiency.
Delighting more in Christ.
Now, many more could be added to these. But I believe that we have plenty of evidence here that the Lord is at work among us, blessings us, sanctifying us, renewing us, redirecting us, and proving over and again that He is all we need!
I would suggest that this is, for all of us, an unprecedented time of blessing! In our present adversity, the Lord is at work bestowing His love and gracious favor upon us in ways we could never experience in any other situation!
Let us give Him thanks today! Let us rehearse all of the blessings He is so richly providing for us right here and now! And let us experience and radiate the very joy of the Lord!
I love you all with all of my heart, and I am praying for you today and every day!
Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, 16 the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18 The Lord has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” 15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.” 26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Prayer of Confession: From Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
Assurance of Pardon: Romans 8:31-33
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
New Testament Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us?
A. First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, so that He could make us share in the righteousness which He had obtained for us by His death. Second, by His power we too are raised up to a new life. Third, Christ’s resurrection is to us a sure pledge of our glorious resurrection.
Scripture Reading and Prayer of Intercession for the Church: John 20:1-18
The Sermon: “Resurrection, Consequences, and Hope: An Easter Message for Perilous Times.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. (link)
Song: Low in the Grave He Lay (Christ Arose) (link)
Today is another special day in the life of our Lord’s Church. All over our globe, believers are celebrating what has been know historically as ‘Good Friday.’ This is the day that Christians remember our Lord’s atoning death upon the cross on that momentous Friday afternoon two-thousand years ago.
Of course, this year’s commemoration of our Savior’s death is much different than most of us have ever experienced. We are unable to meet together for this holy occasion. In virtually every part of our world, believers are huddled in their homes in the same way that we are now. A pandemic, sweeping across nearly every continent, has necessitated our separation from one another, and has brought the subject of suffering very close to all of us. So, in some very small way, like our Savior who went before us, we too suffer on this day, in varying degrees of severity.
What likely seems odd to those outside the saving Gospel of Christ is the rather strange designation for this day, ‘Good Friday.’ While there is plenty of debate regarding the origin and meaning of this label, it is certainly the case that we Christians see no discontinuity between the word ‘Good’ and the commemoration of our Savior’s crucifixion on that ‘Friday.’ Suffering, even in the incalculably extreme form which our Lord endured, does not automatically rule out the experience of something good and, dare we even say, beautiful!
In his letter to the Galatian Church, it was the Apostle Paul who put these concepts together very beautifully:
“ But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).
“ Boast” about “ the cross”?
That seems so incongruous, since we normally “ boast” in pleasant things such as our children or grandchildren, our new job, the raise we just received, the degree we finally earned, the big fish we snagged, and other ‘normal’ things such as these. But to glory in, to brag about, to find delight in “ the cross” of our innocent Savior?
His suffering was ‘good’!
Here is the perplexing core of the Gospel. We believe it was a good thing, even the grandest thing of all, that our dear Lord and Savior willingly went to the cross for us! It was good that He suffered! It was good that He died! And by maintaining such claims, we are not betraying some nonsensical and absurd love for that which is morbid or evil! But we are simply following the storyline of the most magnificent of all stories. His suffering and death brought us life!
Hear the words of Paul once again:
For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous (Romans 5:17-19).
It was, then, a most blessed and ‘good’ thing that Jesus suffered and died for us! The cross, the cruelest instrument of torture and death ever devised, is the symbol of life for us who know the One who died there so horribly! For by the wounds He suffered on the cross, we are healed! Because there, on the cross, He endured God’s wrath for us, we find our joy and our whole reason for living!
It is a ‘Good Friday’ indeed! Praise His Holy Name!!
Sunday’s Sermon
On Sunday, Resurrection Day, our sermon will come from 1Thessalonians 4:13-18. This is, for sure, a beloved passage for most of us. I believe its message is so timely, not only in view of Easter, but for what is says to us now, in our current situation. As you reflect upon it, please pray for us as we record the message tomorrow morning. The sermon video and worship guide will be posted on our website early on Sunday for your use at home.
As I go, I do so with a heart that is overflowing with love for each of you. I miss you all so much, and long to be with you, not only in the worship of our Great King and High Priest, but also in simple fellowship together. The words of 1 Thessalonians 2:17 express my heart:
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.
Yet, we trust our Father for now. Our absence from each other is serving His greater purposes. He is purifying us, increasing our faith in Him, sharpening our gifts for service, causing our love for one another to abound, and tuning our hearts to better “ sing of Thy grace”!
And, perhaps most wonderfully of all, He is showing us that in our weakness He is strong!
While we don’t know how long this quarantine will last, we do know Who’s in charge of it! We do know our Savior’s tomb is empty! And we do know that, “ neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I love you all with all of my heart,
Mike
Order of Worship:
This week’s order of worship will be posted on Sunday morning along with a sermon video for use as you worship at home.
Announcements:
Message from your Diaconate:
Each of you should be receiving emails, calls, or texts from your diaconate to check in with how we can best continue to minister to you during this difficult time. If you have any needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. As we contact you, remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.
Resources for Further Study:
Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows will begin a weekly Bible study on Tuesday, April 14 9:00 to 9:30 AM. We will use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study “Dealing With Difficult Problems” by R.C. Sproul. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Children’s Ministry:
We are testing out something new this week – a children’s bulletin for sermon notes! You may print this out for your children to use with Sunday’s sermon, and we hope to incorporate this into the regular bulletin when we are meeting together again.
Sunday School Lessons: HERE is the next lesson for your elementary children from our Sunday School curriculum. Great Commission is putting that out for us for free right now, and I pray you will use it with your children. It includes a video lesson, coloring page and graphic.
Easter Resources: Click HERE to see a list of wonderful books and activities to included in your Holy Week celebration.
I also shared some additional things in the Children’s Ministry Facebook group (email me to be invited to our closed group).
Men’s Studies:
Men’s activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Career/Singles:
These activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Youth Group:
Youth Bible Study for Middle and High School has been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Second Sunday Lunches:
Second Sunday Lunches are suspended until the virus outbreak is contained.
Flower Guild:
Have you noticed the beautiful flowers in the narthex and sanctuary? The Flower Guild places the flowers weekly. If you would like to assist in that ministry, please contact Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lynn Doughty, Ramona Edwards, Pat Galecki, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer. Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in May; the Libertos, expecting in August; the Elys, expecting in September. Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.
Online Donations:
If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link: