This Sunday, Robert Taylor will bring the morning lesson here at Waterview.  As we consider ‘The Opportunity of Weakness’ my first thought comes from the pen of Paul in II Corinthians.  Having an opportunity to be weak almost seems like a contradiction in terms.  But perhaps we need to look at the words of Christ as He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
II Corinthians 12:9

In 1948 J.R. Baxter wrote the melancholy hymn, Just a Closer Walk with Thee.  The first verse seems to sum up Paul’s ‘thorn in the flesh’ issues from II Corinthians as we sing, “I am weak, but Thou art strong…”  Join us on Sunday morning as we take a look at the opportunity of weakness.

“…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.” I Corinthians 14:15

Sunday morning, September 29, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“Let Every Heart Rejoice and Sing” 8

“Let every heart rejoice and sing!”  Our opening song this morning will focus us on the praise we should be giving to our God and Father.  Notice the chorus; “…while the rocks and the rills (streams), while the vales (valleys) and the hills a glorious anthem raise…”  All creation speaks of His glory; so should we!

“As the Deer” – 71

A contemporary song taken from the 42nd chapter of the Psalms.  Have you ever been so thirst you felt you might ‘dry up and blow away?’  To have just a small drink of water on a hot, miserable day would be great.  But do we ‘pant’ (earnestly desire) our God as much as H2O.  Rest assured, we will ‘dry up’ in this life without Him.  Let’s live so we can say our hearts ‘long to worship’ Him.

“Lead Me to Calvary” – 332

Turning our minds to the cross we sing the following words (from the 2nd verse), ‘Show me the tomb where Thou wast (was) laid, tenderly mourned and wept; angels in robes of light arrayed guarded Thee whilest (while) Thou slept.’  A couple of things to notice; Jesus slept for 3 days (Matt. 16:21).  He wasn’t in the grave to ‘undergo decay,’ (Acts 13:37) because we know He lives.  But also, ‘…angels in robes of light ARRAYED…’.  Interesting to realize the definition for array (besides fine clothes/dress) is an ‘orderly, often imposing alignment.’  Maybe this line is referencing the angels as they ‘guarded the tomb’, and not so much their white, ‘light’, robes.

“Til My Faith Because Sight” – 836

A beautiful song of our faith!  See how we reference our Savior in the two verses; “Bread of Life, Living Water, Lover of my soul, Lamb of God, hope of glory, Savior…crucified”, certainly we are singing a hymn to Him…precious holy Lord and King!  But how about that line in the chorus, ‘though they slay me’, what if ‘I fall in darkness’…will I still remain faithful?  He is your light in this dark world.  But you must ask yourself, will I be faithful until He returns?

“Wonderful Love of Jesus” – 308

An older song of praise with a repetitive, catchy chorus, “Wonderful love, wonderful love, wonderful love of Jesus!”  But what does “In vain and high and holy lays…”, actually mean?  Consider our songs (our lays, ballads), do we offer them up (raise them on high) for nothing?  Obviously we want to sing from our hearts and offer a pleasing sacrifice of praise from our lips.  But the context of vain in this song is not ‘useless’, but rather far from worthy of our God and King.  Defined; vain is “lacking substance or worth.”  We should sing with all our heart, and strive to give Him our best in this sacrifice of praise.

“Father Hear the Prayer We Offer” – 777

“Father, hear the prayer we offer; nor for ease that prayer shall be, but for strength that we may ever live our lives courageously.”  I wonder if sometimes we pray for things to be good for us (easy), rather than asking for strength to stand firm in the fight against Satan.  And not just strength to ‘carry on’, but strength to be steadfast, faithful and loyal in the life we live for Christ and His church.

“Soldier’s of Christ, Arise” – 647

Before the lesson this morning we’ll sing a song that dates back to mid-1700’s.  Charles Wesley penned the words that echo Ephesians 6, the armor of God.  Notice the progression of the verses.  Verse 1‘…put your armor on…’ .  Verse 2, “…who in the strength of Jesus trusts, is more than conqueror.”  Verse 3, “…take to arm you (arm yourself) for the fight the panoply (the complete set of armor) of God.”  Verse 4, “Leave no unguarded place…fortify the whole.”  Verse 5, “That having all things done (when life is over)…you may o’ercome thru Christ alone…”  Soldiers, we fight various battles every day, but never forget, Christ has won the war!

“Hark the Gentle Voice of Jesus” – 907

Our invitation song is simple; are you weary, do you labor in this life, are you ‘heavy-laden?’  Come, and Christ will give you rest.  And that ‘yoke’ we sing about in verses 2 & 3…it’s a source of connection for us with Christ; we are yoked with Him in His suffering.  But the rest He offers makes the burden lighter.

“Hilltops of Glory” – no book

An older spiritual song that encourages us as we ‘tread life’s way.’  As we live for Christ and strive to serve Him we look homeward and catch a glimpse of the Hilltops of Glory.  Maybe we should be better about asking each other, “…brother won’t you come go with me?”