2 January AM
Call to Worship: Psalm 105:1-3
Opening Hymn: 421 “Christ Shall Have Dominion”
Confession of Sin
O great and everlasting God, Who dwells in unapproachable light, Who searches and knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart; We confess that we have not loved You with all our heart, nor with all our soul, nor with all our mind, nor with all our strength; Nor our neighbors as ourselves. We have loved what we ought not to have loved; We have coveted what is not ours; We have not been content with Your provisions for us. We have complained in our hearts about our family, about our friends, about our health, about our occupations, about Your church, and about our trials. We have sought our security in those things which perish, rather than in You, the Everlasting God. Chasten, cleanse, and forgive us, through Jesus Christ, who is able for all time to save us who approach You through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for us. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 86:5-7
Psalm of Preparation: Psalm 34A:1-4 “I Will at All Times Bless the LORD”
Old Covenant Reading: Psalm 34:1-22
New Covenant Reading: 1 Peter 2:1-10
Sermon: The Man Who Trusts is Blessed
Psalm of Response: Psalm 34A:5-7 “I Will at All Times Bless the LORD”
Confession of Faith: Q/A 1 Heidelberg Catechism (p. 872)
Doxology (Hymn 568)
Closing Hymn: 417 “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”
Evening Service
Hymns: 219, 95A, 397
OT: Proverbs 15:7-9
NT: 1 Timothy 6:11-21
Sermon: Pursue Righteousness
Suggested Preparation
Monday (12/27) read and discuss Psalm 34:1-22
Psalm 34 (ESV)
Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Mark Futato writes:
In a fashion typical of the songs of thanksgiving, David begins by resolving to praise the Lord and by calling upon others to join in the celebration of his deliverance. David was aware that others in the congregation were discouraged as he was, and he was confident that as they heard his testimony, they would be able to rejoice not only in David’s deliverance but also in anticipation of their own.
The language of the psalm itself provides us with little information on the nature of David’s distress. Here, however, the title provides that information. While fleeing from Saul, David sought refuge in Gath, one of the five chief cities of Philistia. But he was received with some suspicion, because his reputation for killing thousands of Philistines had preceded him. David was afraid of what King Achish might do to him (34:4; 1 Sam 21:12), so he pretended to be insane (34:title; 1 Sam 21:13). The Lord used David’s charade to deliver him from Achish. David not only feigned insanity, however, he also cried out to the Lord (34:6). The Lord also used David’s prayers to set him free. Together, the original story and the psalm demonstrate a balance of human ingenuity and dependence on divine aid. The whole of the Christian life is one of balance: being 100 percent faithful to carry out our responsibilities, while depending 100 percent on the Lord.
MEMORY WORK
Q. 4. What is God?
A. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.
Tuesday (12/28) read and discuss Luke 2:1-21
Luke 2:1–21 (ESV)
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
R. C. Sproul writes:
When the angelic host returned to heaven, the shepherds resolved to go immediately to Bethlehem to find Mary and Joseph, and the baby in the manger. After seeing them, the shepherds became the first evangelists of the Christian church. Their testimony, although worthless in the law courts of the day, was valued by God. He entrusted to them the first human proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They heard the gospel; they came to Christ; they saw, believed and proclaimed. ‘And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.… The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told’ (2:18, 20).
MEMORY WORK
Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only, the living and true God.
Wednesday (12/29) read and discuss 1 Peter 2:1-10
1 Peter 2:1–10 (ESV)
1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
John Calvin writes:
Peter no doubt meant to exhort the faithful to consecrate themselves as a spiritual temple to God; for he aptly infers from the design of our calling what our duty is. We must further observe, that he constructs one house from the whole number of the faithful. For though every one of us is said to be the temple of God, yet all are united together in one, and must be joined together by mutual love, so that one temple may be made of us all. Then, as it is true that each one is a temple in which God dwells by his Spirit, so all ought to be so fitted together, that they may form one universal temple. This is the case when every one, content with his own measure, keeps himself within the limits of his own duty; all have, however, something to do with regard to others.
MEMORY WORK
Q. 6. How many persons are there in the godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
Thursday (12/30) read and discuss Proverbs 15:7-9
Proverbs 15:7–9 (ESV)
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
Notice the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. God does not accept the person or the worship of the wicked. Both are described as an abomination. This is a terrifying reality. God does not love the wicked. But there is great encouragement for the people of God. God accepts our worship and he loves us. We would do well to remind ourselves how this is can be so. God does not love us because we are good. He loves and accepts us in Jesus Christ. Because of what Christ has done we are accepted before God. What an amazing truth!
MEMORY WORK
Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
Friday (12/31) read and discuss 1 Timothy 6:11-21
1 Timothy 6:11–21 (ESV)
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
Donald Guthrie writes:
The approach to wealth is strikingly moderate. There is no suggestion of denunciation. Rich men must carefully avoid two perils: (a) loftiness of mind, and (b) too much dependence on wealth. One suggestion is that the parable of the man who built his house on the sand may lie beneath this warning…. In face of the increase of materialism the reminder of the uncertainty of riches is relevant to our modern age. There is the danger of trusting in material security instead of in God, the Giver of all things. These words would incidentally provide an answer to excessive abstinence, for if God has ordained everything for enjoyment (who richly provides us everything for our enjoyment) the ascetic approach cannot be right.
MEMORY WORK
Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees?
A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Saturday (1/1) read and discuss Psalm 34:1-22
Psalm 34 (ESV)
Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Mark Futato writes:
David… instructs his readers to fear the Lord (34:11–16). “Come, my children, and listen to me” (34:11) sounds like a line straight from the book of Proverbs (see Prov 4:1). As a father instructs his children in the fear of the Lord (e.g., Prov 2:1–5), so David instructs the congregation. Like the goodness of the Lord, the fear of the Lord results in blessing—here, the blessing of a long and prosperous life (34:12). But the fear of the Lord also brings with it the responsibility to live in keeping with wisdom’s principles. Examples of these principles include guarding your speech, turning from evil, and living at peace with others (34:13–14). As in the book of Proverbs, the promise is that the Lord will watch over those who keep these principles and will oppose those who do not (34:16–17).
MEMORY WORK
Q. 9. What is the work of creation?
A. The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.