April 16, 2020

Today is Thursday. In this pandemic, with so many people at home and no discernible rhythm to life people are losing track of time. This lack of rhythm to carry us through the week creates emotional pressure and worry. Worry leads to stress. Stress multiplies into anxiety. Anxiety “doubles down” to fear. Once the wave starts rolling, it sweeps us off our feet. Question: is this reasonable? Jesus asked, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” [Matthew 6:27 NLT] 

The Bible has training on how to handle stress! Let’s take a look at one passage and the skill sets it teaches. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” [Philippians 4:6 – 7 NLT]

The first skill is to trust God. The evidence is, we go to God in prayer. I suspect most of our worries, anxieties, and fears trickle down from our inability to trust. Whether we like it or not, much of life is out of our control. When we drive, we trust the other drivers to behave in a reasonable manner. When we go to the bank, we expect the bank to behave in a predictable manner. These reasonable and predictable ways of conducting ourselves translate into trust. When someone or something does not behave as expected, we find trust difficult. When imaginations build a “computer model” and carries us to the “worst case scenario” our anxieties over-ride our faith, our ability to think straight, and our lives.

The next skill is thanksgiving. Some might see this time of isolation as a “bad” thing. Be careful of the labels you use. They are like frames on art work. They detract or draw attention to certain aspects of the work. Thankfulness during this time of isolation looks at life as an opportunity. Life becomes a blank canvas you get to put whatever you want on that canvas… maybe for the first time in your life. If we focus on not being in church, not working, not shopping, not going out with friends; maybe we will miss something. Maybe we will miss the chance to reconnect with our loved ones, learn a new skill, or be creative. Maybe we will miss the chance to connect (or reconnect) with God by reading the Bible. (Please read from a translation that you can easily understand.)

The last skill is being able to fix our minds on what is “excellent and worthy of praise.” In the early days of computers, the expression was “garbage in, garbage out.” Maybe we can flip that and say “excellence and praise worthy in, excellence and praise worthy out.”

This leads to peace, the kind beyond understanding. I doubt peace is like an elusive cat that doesn’t want to be found. Nor is peace like “flat box” furniture. You know the kind, it comes is a box with assorted pieces you have to assemble. Peace is not something we can find, assemble, or create. Notice Paul calls it “God’s peace” and “His peace.” In fact, Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” [John 14:27 NLT] True peace is a byproduct of our relationship with Jesus. Peace is a gift of God.

Thanksgiving: A lesson in faith

Luke 17:11 – 19

Thanksgiving: A lesson in faith.

The Pilgrims began their Thanksgiving with five kernels of corn on their plate. They were symbolic of the daily ration they had experience the year before.

 

I.         Observations:

 

            A.        Desperation will cause you to do things you might not have considered.

“As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance [13] and called out in a loud voice, Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” [Luke 17:12 – 13]

 

                        1.         Our adage: “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

 

                                    a.         These men went to Jesus because they had a need and they knew (on some level) that Jesus could do something about that need.

 

                                    b.         The first and most basic cry of the one in need is “Jesus, Master, have pity...”

 

                        2.         We are motivated by undercurrents of our mind.

 

                                    a.         Anger often drives us to do stupid things and is behind many addictive behavior. (The addictive behavior is an attempt to self-medicate)

 

                                    b.         Fear drives us passionately towards the cliff.

 

                                                1.)       We fear failing (ask any parent...). We try or work harder.

 

                                                2.)       We fear being alone (abandonment or hurt). We insulate ourselves with distrust and selfishness. We run blindly from relationship to relationship.

 

                                                3.)       We fear succeeding (attention and higher expectations). We do everything possible yet leave a trap door so we have an out if things become to uncomfortable.

 

            B.        The power of God will do things you might not have imagined.

“When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.” [Luke 17:14]

 

                        1.         Jesus asked them to go to the priests while they were still “unclean.”

 

                                    a.         This was very difficult because of priests position.

 

                                                1.)       The priests had certified them “unclean” at the discovery of their leprosy. Now in the misery of the leprosy they were going to ask the priest to certify them clean.

 

                                                2.)       They were cleansed AFTER they left for the priests!

 

                                    b.         Noticed they were “cleansed” [v 14] but only one was “made well” [v 19]

 

                                                1.)       The word translated “cleansed” [v 14] means “to make clean” or “purify.”

 

                                                2.)       The word translated “made well” (KJV: “made whole”) [v 19] means “to save” as in “deliver” and “protect.”

 

            C.        Gratefulness will move you to action you might not think possible.

“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. [16] He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan.” [Luke 17:15 – 16]

 

                        1.         Impression: The man returned BEFORE he went to the priests.

 

                                    a.         Notice there is no vested interest in the priests certificate of cleansing. The man was a Samaritan (unbeliever by Jewish standards).

 

                                    b.         Image of the remnant of Israel that was preserved to return to the Promised Land. (I really hope “remnant” is NOT a spiritual principle, but it may be.)

 

                        2.         In throwing himself at Jesus feet, he did two things:

 

                                    a.         He humbled himself before The One who had cleansed him.

 

                                    b.         He thanked the one he earlier called “Master.”

 

            D.        Thanksgiving, expressed in knowing, doing, and feeling will make you whole.

“Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” [Luke 17: 19]

 

                        1.         God is pleased when we give thanks.

 

                                    a.         Jesus shows disappointment (possibly frustration) over the fact that only one of the ten returned to give thanks. [vv 17 – 18]

 

                                    b.         Jesus tells him to get up and gives him liberty to leave.

 

                        2.         Healing is made complete in faith that has taken action, trusted Jesus, and returned thanks.

 

II.       There is a serious issue at stake: It is caused by being out of balance.

William Barclay - “So often once a man has got what he wants, he never comes back.”

 

            A.        So what cause us to be out of balance?

 

                        1.         Faith comes in four forms:

 

                                    a.         Faith is a choice (response) based on God’s grace (initiative).

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” [Ephesians 2:8]

 

                                    b.         Faith is expressed in obedience (doing).

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” [1 John 2:3]

 

                                    c.         Faith is dependent on what we know.

“This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. [14] The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” [1 Corinthians 2:13 – 14]

 

                                    d.         Faith is confirmed and reinforced by what we feel.

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” [Luke 2:20]

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” [Hebrews 12:28]

 

                        2.         We get out of balance when we focus on doing, knowing, and feeling as proof or a means of generating RELATIONSHIP with God.

 

 

                                    a.         These things (doing, knowing, and feeling) become “proof” of faith not the substance of faith.

(Ill.) You buy a new car. It is exciting, so you call your friends and family. You take them the receipt of your purchase to prove you have the new car. You act like you have a new car. What’s missing from this story? (Hint: The new car.)

 

                                                1.)       The SUBSTANCE of faith is the RESPONSE you make to God on a daily basis.

 

                                                2.)       When we focus on the “proof” we miss the RESPONSIVE RELATIONSHIP we have with God.

                                    b.         These things (doing, knowing, and feeling) begin to define us.

 

                                                1.)       We tend to be more comfortable in one, doubting the others.

 

                                                2.)       Personally I dislike the emotional (feeling) side. Feelings can be based on to many variables, sometimes in contrast to facts.

(Ill.) Many people make outlandish claims based on some ecstatic spiritual experience. I still have a letter someplace from a “prophet” (written in December of 2001) stating that Islam would collapse and vanish in a couple of years. How can you argue against the claim of someone’s experience?

 

                                                3.)       Personally I distrust the doing side. I notice that we work so hard but have so little compared to our desire and our effort. Our work pulls us away from our core message.

(Ill.) Lots of churches have recreated the philosophy and style of the “Purpose Driven Church” (and other church growth ideas) but nobody has produced the same results as the original model. Until they do at a reasonable level, it seems to be all conjecture or wishful thinking at best and commercialism (trafficking in honest desire) at worst.

 

                                                4.)       So where does that leave me? Possibly with a cold, knowledge based, practice that distrusts the “latest and the greatest.” Rejecting an imposed, externally generated, worship rather than a continual, internal heart, worship.

 

            B.        So how do you/I find balance?

 

                        1.         First we need to revisit the concept of “faith.”

 

                                    a.         Faith is our response to God’s initiative (grace).

 

                                    b.         The result of our response is DOING, KNOWING, and FEELING. Not just one... Those three must be subject to our RELATIONSHIP with God, not trying to prove or generate it.

 

                        2.         We need to cultivate positive habits.

 

                                    a.         Thanksgiving is the number one way. Why? Because ingratitude it’s the first step in spiritual and moral degeneration.

“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]

(Application: avoid complaining, become deliberate in looking for the praiseworthy, intentionally give thanks for what you have instead of focusing on what you do not have or want.)

 

                                    b.         We need to re-establish FAITH as the SUBSTANCE of what we do, think, and feel. That means returning to RESPONSIVE RELATIONSHIP with the one true God.

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.” [Romans 1:17]

 

                        3.         So where do we start?

 

                                    a.         Focus on God, not programs to do, things to believe, feelings to have.

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.” [Romans 1:25]

 

                                    b.         Habitually look for God’s grace (initiative) in your life through regular things. (See the spiritual meaning.)

“We live by faith, not by sight.” [2 Corinthians 5:7]

 

                                    c.         Daily respond to God’s grand substitution that allows King Jesus full control of you.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” [Galatians 2:20]

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” [Romans 6:11]

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What does “Christian perfection” look like?

1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18

What does “Christian perfection” look like?

John Wesley – “Rejoice always in uninterrupted happiness in God. Pray without ceasing, which is the fruit of always rejoicing in the Lord. In everything give thanks, which is the fruit of both the former. THIS IS CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. Further than this we cannot go, and we need not stop short of it.”

 

I.         Jesus purchased our joy and righteousness.*

 

            A.        Joy and righteousness is ours through Jesus Christ.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” [1 Peter 1:3 – 9]

 

                        1.         Joy is based on our standing in Jesus, not circumstances. [v 6]

 

                                    a.         In Jesus we have a “new birth” and a “living hope.” [v 4]

 

                                    b.         Suffering plays an important part in “proving” our faith. [v 7]

“RO 3:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” [Romans 3:21]

 

                        2.         Righteousness is based on the work of Jesus Christ, not our work.

 

                                    a.         The keeping of the law implied the possibility of earning or deserving salvation.

 

                                    b.         Righteousness comes through one source: Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and coming again.

 

            B.        Joy killers:

 

                        1.         The desire to gratify the imagination.*

 

                                    a.         These are things that were never designed to satisfy the desire to gratify the immortal spirit.*

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” [1 John 2:15 – 17]

 

                                    b.         The real trouble is that all the things we crave (want) outside of Jesus is false and will eventually let us down or betray us.

 

                        2.         Bitterness.*

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” [Hebrews 12:15]

 

                                    a.         Bitterness is connected to missing the grace of God.

 

                                    b.         This affect can be both initially and eventually.

 

                        3.         “Looking for life in things that make you die.” [“Life begins at the cross” by the Alter Boys]

 

                                    a.         When we chase what is false, the end will always be bad.

 

                                    b.         We have so much to confuse us. We add so much to the exercise of religion. We become “smorgasbord” in our approach because we don’t know the Bible.

 

II.       Prayer is the breath of our spiritual life.*

 

            A.        Joy makes us want to be constantly in the presence of God.*

 

                        1.         “Sweet of hour of prayer” vs “pray without ceasing”

 

                                    a.         Someplace we get the idea that the presence of God is something we can enter and leave at will.

 

                                    b.         While at times we are invited into God’s presence for special times, such as church services, Bible reading, prayer... we are constantly in God’s presence!

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” [Colossians 1:27]

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, [22] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” [2 Corinthians 1:21 – 22]

 

            B.        Of all our physical functions... (outside of our heart beating) breathing is the most critical (we die the quickest if this it denied).

 

                        1.         Spiritually, it works the same way... if we disconnect from God in prayer... we will cease to live spiritually.

[Ill. There is an octopus that changes color and is about the size of a golf ball. It is considered the most lethal creature on earth. If a person comes in contact with the octopus, death results in about four minutes and there is no known antidote. The problem is not the octopus, it is a deadly bacteria that grows on its skin. It works because it causes the body to stop breathing which causes cardiac arrest. Basically, its drowning without the water.]

 

                        2.         When you are in love with someone, there is a joy that fills you when you are around them... Joy that is real will compel us to be in the presence of God, constantly in prayer.

 

                                    a.         Here’s life: in Jesus Christ we are alive in the presence of God. There is joy and a desire to continue in that joy is expressed in prayer.

 

                                    b.         We breath spiritually in prayer.

 

III.      Thanksgiving is inseparable from true prayer.*

 

            A.        Thanksgiving in all circumstances?

 

                        1.         Suffering produces good things.

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” [Romans 5:3 – 5]

 

                                    a.         This is contrary to our desire for comfort and ease.

 

                                    b.         Typically we see suffering as negative (even a curse).

 

                        2.         Suffering confirms relationship.

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? [8] If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! [10] Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” [Hebrews 12:7 – 11]

 

                                    a.         Discipline is direction and training, not just punishment.

 

                                    b.         Hardship/suffering helps produce good things in us: holiness, righteousness, and peace.

 

            B         Notice that we are to give thanks IN all circumstances not FOR all circumstances.

 

                        1.         God wants us to maintain rejoicing, constant prayer, and thanksgiving regardless of the circumstances.

 

                                    a.         Nothing can separate us from the love of God. [see Romans 8:35 – 39]

 

                                    b.         If God is still around with His infinite love for us and we have not thrown away our confidence in the saving work and blood of Jesus Christ... Then regardless what circumstance we find ourselves in, we maintain joy, constant prayer, and thanksgiving.

 

                        2.         Pain is still pain.

 

                                    a.         Pain is very useful in teaching us and keeping us safe. (Ill. Hot stove...)

 

                                    b.         God uses the everyday grind, the natural painful parts of life, the inevitable wear and tear to teach us and point us in the way we should go.

 

IV.      What does this mean.

 

            A.        It can be a test.

 

                        1.         A “standard” is something that gives us an idea of what to expect and what is good.

 

                                    a.         Joy, constant prayer, and thanksgiving are the “standards” for the Christian life. They are the constant. They are the consistent marks. They are the expected outcomes.

 

                                    b.         If any of them are missing then something is wrong... in some cases very wrong.

 

                        2.         If something is wrong, then you need to change courses.

 

                                    a.         Navigating the Great Lakes was a very treacherous thing. Light houses were built to help ships navigate. Detailed maps were drawn showing the depth and dangers. Even adjustments to compasses were charted (to compensate for the heavy mineral deposits in the area). All intended to keep ships safe.

 

                                    b.         Still, they built the “widow’s walk” on houses. You can see them today, on top of the houses near the river... a walk way built on the roof so wives could go out and see if their husband’s ships were returning. If they didn’t see the ship, it meant it had gone down and they had probably lost their husband.

 

            B.        It can be necessary correction.

 

                        1.         Shipwrecks are terrible things... There is desperate work to stop the possible. There is frantic desire to avoid the inevitable. A shipwrecked life is a terrible thing.

 

                                    a.         Lives are uprooted and destroyed.

 

                                    b.         Families and churches are destroyed.

 

                        2.         It’s time to take an honest check on our bearings: joy, prayer, and thanksgiving.

 

                                    a.         If something is missing then you are off course. If you are off course then you are in danger.

 

                                    b.         Maybe you are hung up on jealousy, evil surmising (suppose without having evidence – Oxford), groundless or unreasonable suspicions, envy, resentment of past injuries or insults.

 

                        3.         Make the correction: repent... let God’s love and joy fill you again.

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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.

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