Where is God when you need Him?

Joel 2:12 – 17

Where is God when you need Him?

The context for these words is “the Day of the Lord.” (vv 1 – 2).

It is a day filled with fear. It is a day of darkness and gloom. The symbol of this day, for Joel, was an army of locusts. Maybe they were suffering from a massive swarm of locust that had moved in and was eating everything. God pointed this out and said, that’s how bad this is going to be. Locust are destructive, devour everything in their path, and leave nothing behind.

“The Day of the Lord” is a “type.” It reflects when God is on the move to bring His people back to himself or set all wrongs right. The images reflect the crucifixion (darkness), the second return of Christ (unstoppable army), and the day of judgement (wrath). Theologically they are all connected.

During Lent, it has been the historical practice of the Christian church to prepare for time of darkness and gloom as a purging of our sinful desires.

 

I.         God has a purpose for the gloom.

 

            A.        God wants His people to “return.” [v 12]

 

                        1.         “Even now” shows us there is a time frame for response.

 

                                    a.         Wesley’s idea of “awakening.” There is a point where we are aware that God is trying to get our attention. If we respond then we “awake” to God. If we do not then we go back to sleep in our sin.

 

                                    b.         “Limited time” offer: “So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert.” [Hebrews 3:7 – 8]

 

                        2.         Hardship has its positive side: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” [Hebrews 12:7a]

 

                                    a.         Discipline can be punishment for sin, more often it is CORRECTION.

 

                                    b.         The idea is that God does NOT have our attention. Something has to happen to knock us out of our comfortableness. We tend to enjoy physical comfort and being free from financial worry. (God does not have our attention, we are not listening.)

 

            B.        God wants His people to really meant it.

 

                        1.         The theological word is “repent.”

 

                                    a.         Jesus demanded that “repentance” be preached FOR the forgiveness of sin. (See Luke 24:47 TNIV)

 

                                    b.         Theologically, you cannot have forgiveness without repentance!

 

                        2.         Joel suggests disciplines to help:

 

                                    a.         Fasting , weeping, and mourning [v 12]

 

                                    b.         “Rend your heart.” [v 13] (“Let your broken heart show your sorrow...” GNB)

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. [11] See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.” [2 Corinthians 7:10 – 11]

 

            C.        God wants His people to prove it.

 

                        1.         “Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.” [v 15]

 

                                    a.         Private sins come from social sins.

 

                                    b.         The way to deal with social sins is to do it publicly and deliberately.

 

                        2.         The idea is that NOBODY is left out, everyone is in agreement.

 

                                    a.         The elder to the nursing baby.

 

                                    b.         Even the bridegroom and the bride. Weddings are a time of joy. In the OT the bridegroom is exempt from many duties (such as military service).

II.       God extends the possibility of relenting.

“Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing.” [v 14]

            A.        God MAY turn.

 

                        1.         We are going to let God be right about everything, then we are going to have trust God.

 

                                    a.         Maybe, God will not “turn and relent.”

 

                                    b.         Why? Pity to one is cruelty to another. Some lines once crossed can only be purged.

 

                        2.         The choice is ours, but it is also God’s. True repentance throws itself on the mercy of God and does NOT demand (possibly even expect) forgiveness.

 

                                    a.         We cannot manipulate God to relent from planned or necessary purging.

 

                                    b.         (Ill.) When I had the flu, I became alarmed at the amount of fluids I was losing. I was disoriented, dizzy, and drifting in and out of being consciousness. I called the Dr. who told me to not take anything to slow down the body’s purge... or it would just extend my misery.

 

            B.        Not only may God turn but God may leave a blessing!

 

                        1.         This is dramatic... to go from the purge of God’s discipline to the blessing of God’s discipline.

 

                                    a.         Part of the difference between people who passively let things happen to them and people who do good things is how they handle adversity.

 

                                    b.         Are problems obstacles or opportunities?

 

                        2.         God’s blessing is not like what we might expect.

 

                                    a.         Jesus talked about “abundant” life. (See John 10:10)

 

                                    b.         “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” [2 Corinthians 4:17]

 

III.      God offers promises to those who respond.

 

            A.        God’s promise of restoration, AFTER, the locust have gone through.

 

                        1.         [v 23] God promised timely rain.

 

                                    a.         Even though it may have looked like there was no hope, not everything was gone.

 

                                    b.         The promise of the rain was the promise of a crop... fruitful abundance returned.

 

                        2.         [v 25] God promised repayment.

 

                                    a.         God is not bankrupt. God does not lack means. God is ready, willing, and able to restore and repay well beyond what was lost.

 

                                    b.         Here again is the issue of trust. Are we going to trust God or shake our fist at God?

 

            B.        God’s promise is also spiritual.

 

                        1.         [v 28] This comes in the form of the Holy Spirit.

 

                                    a.         Everyone is included: Sons, daughters, old and young.

 

                                    b.         This is the continual presence of God given to believers (the church) at the Day of Pentecost.

 

                        2.         [v 32a] This comes from salvation.

 

                                    a.         Everyone, yet there is a condition. “Call” reflects back to repentance. (We do not believe in a universal salvation.)

 

                                    b.         Here is the condition of the heart. If it is hard toward God, we will not respond positively. This salvation will be impossible for us if we harden our heart.

 

IV.      God reveals the passion for us during the gloom.

 

            A.        Consider the personality of God. [v 13]

 

                        1.         God is gracious. In other words, kind when we don’t deserve it.

 

                        2.         God is compassionate. Another word for this is mercy. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. Mercy is NOT getting what we do deserve.

 

                        3.         God is slow to anger. The idea is that God does not lose His temper.

 

                        4.         God is abounding in love. This love is “unfailing” and “extravagant.”

 

                        5.         God is eager to relent. The impression is that God is looking for any excuse, any way...

 

            B.        It starts with the mercy and justice of God demonstrated at the cross.

“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- [26] he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” [Romans 3:25 – 26]

 

                        1.         Jesus took our penalty to satisfy the demands of justice.

 

                                    a.         Someone had to pay. We could not... our eternal destiny was eternal Hell.

 

                                    b.         We could not save ourselves by observing the law. Something more powerful and effective than the law had to intervene.

 

                        2.         Lent is the time we look forward to that sacrifice of atonement.

 

                                    a.         As we look forward to that sacrifice, something dawns on us... This was a heavy price to pay for OUR sin.

 

                                    b.         We become sorry for our sin, we mourn because someone completely innocent suffered and sacrificed himself for us.

(Ill.) Arlington. The first shock is to see the simple white crosses. Crosses as far as the eye could possibly see. As you read the names it starts to sink in that each cross was someone that someone loved. As you read the dates of the their deaths, it hits home. These people put someone else, us, above even their own lives.

Vietnam sundial in Kentucky. It is a sundial that will tell you the time of day and the time of year. As you walk over the bricks and figure out the date and the time, you notice, inscribed on various bricks names. These are the names of the people who died in that war. The day of their death and the time (if known) of their death is marked by the shadow of the sundial. Families will sit and wait for the shadow to cross the name of their loved one.

Where is God when you need Him? Trying to get your attention!

Before any of these existed, the cross of Jesus Christ was set up on a hill for all to see. Many people mocked Jesus that day, not realizing it would extend a shadow into all of history. As Jesus blood flowed that day to cover the penalty you and I justly deserve, just was done. The only question is do we have courage enough to throw ourselves on the mercy of God?

Blogged with the Flock Browser

This it the way, walk in it.

Isaiah 30:19 – 22

This is the way, walk in it”

Israel’s Problem:

 

            1.         They were STUBBORN.

“Woe to the obstinate children,” [Isaiah 30:1a]

 

                        a.         The word translated “obstinate” literally means “unmanageable” [BDB]

 

                        b.         In other words, they had willfully chosen to NOT be lead.

[Ill. The TV show “The Apprentice.” Strategies to be “unmanageable” and not get caught or the blame... “Passive – Aggressive” is one way to be unmanagable.]

 

            2.         The made PLANS WITHOUT GOD.

“...to those who carry out plans that are not mine...” [Isaiah 30:1b]

 

                        a.         The plans made did not include God.

“In the school of church growth, there is no room for the Holy Spirit.” [Dr. George Hunter III]

 

                        b.         Here is a test: If you can accomplish it with your own strength, understand it with your own mind, resource it with your own labor.... It’s not from God.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:9]

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways SUBMIT him, and he will make your paths straight.” [Proverbs 3:5 – 6 TNIV]

 

            3.         They made ALLIANCES.

“forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit” [Isaiah 30:1c]

 

                        a.         Resources their plans...

 

                        b.         Fuel their unmanageable disposition.

[This was a political problem... in psychology there are “enablers” who in some form help the bad behavior. One way to “enable” is to keep silent.]

 

            4.         The COMPOUNDED SIN.

“heaping sin upon sin.” [Isaiah 30:1d]

 

                        a.         Sin is addictive and blinding.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. [“desperately wicked” KJV] Who can understand it?” [Jeremiah 17:9]

 

                        b.         In other words, “you can’t change.” It is willful and habitual.

“Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.” [Psalm 19:13]

RESULT: “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” [Isaiah 30:15]

*****The natural human tendency is the habit of NOT listening to God.*****

God’s solution to our habit of NOT listening is GRACE and COMPASSION.

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you...” [Isaiah 30:18a]

 

            1.         This is the “grace” and “mercy” complex.

 

                        a.         Grace is getting what we do NOT deserve.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” [2 Corinthians 5:21]

 

                        b.         Mercy is NOT getting what we deserve.

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” [Psalm 103:10]

 

            2.         Patience to God means something different than it means to us.

 

                        a.         Patient is not inactivity.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” [2 Peter 3:9]

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” [Isaiah 40:31]

 

                        b.         Patience implies we have a choice of destiny.

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...” [Joshua 24:15]

“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” [1 Peter 4:3]

Why then do we behave the way we do?

 

            1.         Being SELFISH is easier.

 

                        a.         If all we have to consider is our own self, our self-interests, our self-wants... it’s simpler than having to consider others.

 

                        b.         We want to do what we want to do, when we want to do it, the way we want. It is the willfulness of a child. (“Woe to the obstinate children,” [Isaiah 30:1a])

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” [Romans 1:21]

 

            2.         Being IGNORANT is easier.

 

                        a.         Knowledge implies responsibility or a call to action. Neither are comfortable.

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. [21] But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” [John 3:19 – 21]

 

                        b.         If we KNOW God is right... the we are faced with the choice of allowing God to be right about everything and follow God’s directions.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.” [Isaiah 30:21]

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” [Galatians 5:24 – 25]

 

            3.         Being NEGLECTFUL is natural.

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [2] For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, [3] how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. [4] God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” [Hebrews2:1 – 5]

 

                        a.         Spiritual drifting, it is a slow, casual, movement away from God’s truth. It is the systematic (deliberate or otherwise) deafness we develop.

 

                        b.         Another sure sign of spiritual neglect is the ignorance and non-exercise of spiritual gifts. (We are going to be talking about this early next year.)

 

            4.         God meets these with “adversity” [literally “narrow” “tight”] and “affliction” [oppression, distress, and pressure]

 

                        a.         When God narrows our choices or makes us feel like we have no choices (as opposed to us feeling comfortably in control) then we had better be listening.

 

                        b.         God wants the best for us.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” [Isaiah 30:15]

What do we need to do about this?

 

            1.         Pray for God to give us a new heart.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” [Ezekiel 36:36]

 

                        a.         Everything reflects relationship with God.

 

                        b.         If you can live our lives without God, you are in serious trouble.

“You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. . . . [20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:17, 20]

 

            2.         Deal with your idols.

“Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!” [Isaiah 30:22]

 

                        a.         Maybe you are “unmanageable.”

 

                        b.         Maybe you have no place for God in your plans.

 

                        c.         Maybe you have acquired the necessary resources to put God on a shelf.

 

                        d.         Maybe you willfully add sin to sin.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Appropriate Reaction

James 5:13 – 20

Appropriate Reaction

A difficult and wonderful text. Difficult because it has been so misunderstood and twisted. Wonderful because it offers so much hope and direction.

 

I.         There is an appropriate time for the right action.

 

            A.        Those suffering hardship and trouble pray.

 

                        1.         Find that prayer brings comfort.

 

                        2.         Prayer connects us with the presence of God. (Ill. A crying baby...)

 

            B.        Those who are happy sing praises.

 

                        1.         Singing is a form of prayer.

 

                        2.         Singing praises does two things:

 

                                    a.         It gives WITNESS to each other the things God has done.

 

                                    b.         It gives WORSHIP in exalting God.

 

            C.        Those who are sick call for prayer.

 

                        1.         This prayer is public. Private prayer does not put us or God “on the line.”

 

                        2.         There is the anointing with oil. This does not allow us to pass on the responsibility of praying for the individual.

 

                                    a.         Oil was the one of the main medical treatments of the day. Thus, recognizing the roll of legitimate medicine as an aid to healing.

 

                                    b.         Oil was the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

 

                        3.         When the sickness is connected with sin, it is an opportunity to make things right among believers.

 

                                    a.         This is the public apology that is often necessary when one persons sin affects the group.

 

                                    b.         Remember that sin brought sickness into the world. Not all sickness is a direct result of a specific sin (caus and effect).

 

            D.        Those who are stray are restored.

 

                        1.         There are two ways to “wander.” “Creed and Conduct”

 

                                    a.         Some things are necessary to believe:

 

                                    b.         When our conduct does not match the redeeming gospel of Jesus or is not under the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit, it is sin.

 

                                                1.)       Sin is a desperate condition of the heart of humanity which causes all sorts of problems.

 

                                                2.)       Left unchecked in the individual or institute (church) it has a killing effect.

 

II.       We tend to choose inappropriate responses for life conditions.

 

            A.        Examples of inappropriate responses:

 

                        1.         Suffering: Look for relief independent of seeking God.

 

                                    a.         Sometimes God wants us to learn something.

 

                                    b.         The real question is focus... where do we look in times of trouble?

 

                        2.         Happy: Celebrate instead of giving praise to God.

 

                                    a.         We can celebrate our happiness or turn people’s attention toward what God is doing.

 

                                    b.         The real question is focus... Do we want people to look at us or God?

“For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.” [Isaiah 48:11]

***** Stealing God’s glory may be the most serious common problem of the church in America today. It’s easy to do and seldom recognized. *****

 

                        3.         Sick: Do nothing.

 

                                    a.         James tells us to seek and depend on God.

 

                                    b.         Sometimes there is a deeper issue: sin.

 

 

                        4.         Sin: Ignored or encouraged.

 

                                    a.         “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. [11] You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” [Titus 3:10]

 

                                    b.         “Hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.” [1 Corinthians 5:5]

 

                                    c.         “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. [15] Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” [2 Thessalonians 3:14 – 15]

 

            B.        Why do we choose inappropriate responses?

 

                        1.         These issues are very personal.

 

                        2.         We tend to make things about us.

 

                        3.         Dealing with sin is a touchy issue. (“don’t judge” etc...)

 

                        4.         With most things we weigh “risk verses reward.” The need for healing and forgiveness against the potential public embarrassment and personal feelings.

 

III.      Why do we have this struggle?

 

            A.        We just don’t know.

 

                        1.         We’ve never been taught. (Remember the Bible is a “big” book with lots of subject matter. If the preacher doesn’t hit every subject every Sunday, its okay. That’s why consistent attendance is very helpful... over time you will get the full spectrum of Biblical teaching.)

 

                        2.         It’s not our custom and doesn’t fit local personality.

 

                                    a.         To some extent that’s not a problem... as long as we are not violating the clear teaching of Scripture.

 

                                    b.         For instance, a culture that does not express happiness or joy publically... then giving testimonies in the public service will naturally be rare.

[Caution: We can not judge ourselves or others by local customs and personality... God, thankfully, did not make us all the same. We should not try to imitate someone else or impose our ways on others.]

 

            B.        We place divine intervention against legitimate medical means.

 

                        1.         I think the Bible never discourages the uses of doctors or hospitals.

 

                        2.         Paul traveled with a doctor (Luke).

 

                        3.         Regardless what means are used, God is ultimately the giver of healing (or anything else for that matter).

 

            C.        Not everyone is healed.

 

                        1.         Correct! Sometimes God has something better.

 

                                    a.         Paul continued to struggle with his “thorn in the flesh.”

 

                                    b.         Paul’s physical illness served a bigger purpose.

 

                                    c.         What God does for one, He is not required to do for all in this issue.

 

                        2.         Sometimes “something better” is gaining heaven.

 

                                    a.         Christian perspective: this life is as bad as it gets for the believer (and as good as it gets for those who are not “in Christ.”)

 

                                    b.         “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” [2 Corinthians 5:8] (“absent from the body... present with the Lord” KJV, NKJV)

(Ill. What’s the point of fishing? Hint: it is not catching the fish...)

***** The point of publically asking for prayer and the church taking time to do this is to place ourselves under the will and authority of Jesus Christ. *****

 

IV.      It is always appropriate to direct everything to God.

 

            A.        Suffering, praise, sickness, or sin.

 

                        1.         Only God is the source of comfort.

 

                        2.         Only God is the source for praise.

 

                        3.         Only God is the source for healing.

 

                        4.         Only God is the source for forgiveness.

 

            B.        Give careful thought to our actions.

 

                        1.         Communion service: We ask for mercy.

 

                        2.         Communion service: “and be thankful.”

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Spirituality #5: Prayer part two

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” [1 Timothy 2:1 – 2]

Types of prayer:

 

1.         The “sinners prayer” – The most simple expression of faith.

            The thief on the cross: “Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” [Luke 23:43]

            The tax collector: “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” [Luke 18:13]

Communion Service: You who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, who live in love and peace with your neighbors, and who intend to live a new life, following the commands of God, and walking in His Holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and, humbly kneeling, make your honest confession to Almighty God.

 

2.         The “Jesus prayer” – A basic cry of the heart for favor from God. (Relief from trouble.)

            The blind men: “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” [Matthew 9:27b] [Matthew 20:30,31]

            The Canaanite woman: “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” [Matthew 15:22b]

            The father of the demon possessed boy: “Lord, have mercy on my son.” [Matthew 17:15a]

            Bartimaeus: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” [Mark 10:47b]

Communion Service: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men, we confess that we have sinned, and we are deeply grieved as we remember the wickedness of our past lives. We have sinned against You, Your holiness, and Your love, and we deserve only Your indignation and anger.

            We sincerely repent, and we are genuinely sorry for all wrong doing and every failure to do the things we should. Our hearts are grieved, and we acknowledge that we are hopeless without Your grace.

            Have mercy upon us.

            Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, for the sake of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who died for us.

            Forgive us.

            Cleanse us.

            Give us strength to serve and please You in newness of life and to honor and praise Your name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

3.         General prayer – “prayers” – [pros-yoo-khay'] most frequent and common word for prayer. Connected to worship. Regular habit earnestly expression.

            Jesus’ example: “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. [16] But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” [Luke 5:15 – 16]

            The church’s example: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” [Acts 2:42]

            In heaven: “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” [Revelation 5:8]

Communion Service: Our Father which art in heaven, hollowed by Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for every. Amen.

 

4.         Intercessory – “intercessions” – [ent'-yook-sis] A technical term for approaching a king.             Official complaint or request. Generally a defense of someone else.

            Jesus’ example: “Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” [Luke 23:34]

            “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [Luke 22:32]

            In heaven: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” [1 John 2:1]

            Moses’ example: “But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? . . . Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. . . . But now, please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” [Exodus 32:11, 14, 32]

            "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. [31] So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.” [Ezekiel 22:30 – 31]

Communion Service: O Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who with great mercy has promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with hearty repentance and true faith, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from our sins, make us strong and faithful in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

            Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are opened, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen

 

5.         Praise and Thanksgiving – “thanksgivings” – (lit. “to give freely”) [yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah]

            An expression of gratitude. A favor imposes the obligation of thanks.

            Jesus’ example: “At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” [Luke 10:21]

            “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body.” [Mark 14:22]

            Paul instructed the church, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” [1 Thessalonians 5:17]

            “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [Colossians 3:17]

            In heaven: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,

  because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.” [Revelation 11:17]

Communion Service: It is always right and proper, and our moral duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the inhabitants of heaven, we honor and adore Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying,

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts!

Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory,

Gory be to Thee, O Lord, most high. Amen.

Glory be to the Father

And to the Son

And to the Holy Ghost:

As it was in the beginning,

Is now, and ever shall be,

World without end. Amen. Amen.

 

6.         Petition – “Requests” (KJV = supplications) – [deh'-ay-sis] a wanting, a need, then asking (“beg”) Specific prayers in concrete situations.

            Jesus’ example: During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” [Hebrews 5:7]

            Jesus’ example: “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” [John 11:41 – 42] (Jesus could command the dead to live again but He could not command those who did not believe to believe!)

            The church’s example: “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” [Acts 12:5]

Communion Service: We do not come to this Your table, O merciful Lord, with self-confidence and pride, trusting in our own righteousness, but we trust in Your great and many mercies. We are not worthy to gather the crumbs from under Your table. But, You, O Lord, are unchanging in Your mercy, and Your nature is love; grant us, therefore, God of mercy, God of grace, so to eat at this Your table that we may receive in spirit and truth the body of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, and the merits of His shed blood, so that we may live and grow in His likeness, and, being washed and cleansed through His most precious blood, may we evermore live in Him and He in us. Amen.

 

7.         Justice – Deliverance or bring glory. Claim God’s faithfulness.

            David’s example: “Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.” [Psalm 3:7]

            Jesus’ example: “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” [John 17:5]

            In heaven: “They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood.” [Revelation 6:10]

Communion Service: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who gave in love Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption, who by His sacrifice, offered once for all, did provide a full, perfect, and sufficient atonement for the sins of the whole world, we come now to Your table in obedience to Your Son, Jesus Christ, who in His holy gospel commanded us to continue a perpetual memory of His precious death until He comes again, Hear us, O merciful Father, we humbly ask, and grant that we, receiving this bread and this cup, as He commanded and in the memory of His passion and death, may partake of His most blessed body and blood.

            In the night of His betrayal, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.

            In like manner, after supper He took the cup; and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of this, all of you, for this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins; do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. Amen.

            The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed upon Him in your heart, by faith with thanksgiving.

            The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you, preserve your soul and body unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.

Benediction: May the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but yours now and forever. Amen.

Blogged with the Flock Browser