Category: Salvation

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STEPS: Believe

Probably the most striking statement of belief that we read in God’s word comes from the gospel of Mark. While Christ is talking to a man whose son has been demon-possessed from childhood, the man says, “If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” (Mark 9:20-24) Christ tells him all things are possible to the one who believes. Then, as if speaking across the generations, the man replies, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

As followers of Christ, we understand and follow the steps of salvation; we hear, we believe, we repeat, we confess, and we are baptized. And still, under Satan’s attack and the turmoil of life, we find these same words flowing from our hearts; “Help my unbelief!” This Sunday (September 17th) we’ll be looking closing at that second step of salvation and how examine just how deeply do we believe. Take the next step on Sunday morning and join those of us who…’Believe.’

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

Sunday morning, September 17, 2017

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

“I Know Whom I Have Believed” – 524

There are a lot of things we don’t know. How long has this world been spinning, how did God create this world, why would God send His Son to redeem mankind? Lots of unknown questions, but as this song affirms, “I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!” Even with so many unanswered questions, when it comes to our relationship with our Creator and His Son…we believe.

“Tis the Blessed Hour of Prayer” – 849

When we bow our heads (bend our hearts) and pray to our Father it is a blessed hour. And we pray because we believe He hears.” The last verse of this song is a great statement of faith, “At the blessed hour of prayer, trusting Him we believe that the blessing we’re needing we will surely receive…”

“Trust and Obey” – 915

Typically an ‘invitation song’, this spiritual song takes our trust (our belief) and reminds us to walk with the Lord. Just remember, He will abide with us as we do His good will. The question that must be answered is do you, will you, trust and obey?

“We Saw Thee Not” – 342

As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper, this hymn reminds us that even though we didn’t witness His birth, or see His vicious death on the cross or the empty tomb after His resurrection, we believe! By faith…we believe.

“Bethlehem…Galilee…Gethsemane” – 357

Christ was born in Bethlehem. Christ lived and walked alone the shores of Galilee. And Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane hours before his death. As referenced in the earlier song, we weren’t there, but we believe. It is for this reason we are propelled to take each step toward salvation.

“Ancient Words” – no book

“Ancient Words, ever true…changing you and changing me.” But is our heart changed when we hear and read God’s Word, or are we just ‘going through the motions?’ We WILL be changed when we fully believe and act on that belief that those ‘ancient words’…those ‘holy words’ are ever true!

“Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” – 679

Though typically not an invitation song we’ll begin this song with the chorus; “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!” To ‘prove’ something means that you will ‘establish it as truth.’ Do you believe to the point that over and over again you establish Jesus Christ as TRUTH? Remember what He said in John chapter 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

“I Believe in Jesus” – 356

We’ve talked about how we take the next step to believe in the message of salvation. Now, don’t just say or sing it, but live and practice it. Take that step as we close and affirm, “Yes, I believe in the One they called Jesus…and I believe that He’s the answer for me.”

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A Cry of Compassion…July 23rd

The sight of an animal being mistreated causes most of us to feel sorrow for the abused. But when you see a lost child waiting for someone to stop and help, it stirs Lost childthe heart to action. Perhaps one of the most valuable traits we can possess in this life is compassion. To be able to not only see when someone is hurting, but to act upon that need…that is compassion.

Our Savior’s compassion was demonstrated over and over again…“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes…” (Matt. 20), “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him..” (Mark 1), “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her…” (Luke 7). No wonder Paul instructs the follower of Christ to “…put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) But how far does that compassion care us? Is there a limit to our compassion. Join us on Sunday morning (July 23rd) as we turn our hearts and listen to “A Cry of Compassion.”

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

Sunday morning, July 23, 2017

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

“Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah” – 3

Beginning the worship together with a song from the scripture is a great way to praise our God and focus on His word. You may want to read over the 148th Psalm…or just sing it while you turn in your Bibles. You’ll notice the chorus (Psalm 148:13) is sung last. It’s a great account from the text to the sheet music.

“Lord, We Come Before Thee Now” – 797

A song, a prayer, setting for us an example of how we should/could come before God’s throne. With a petition (suit) we ask for His mercy, compassion and guidance. Notice verse 2, “Lord, on Thee our souls depend; in compassion now descend; fill our hearts with Thy rich grace, (and) tune our lips to sing Thy praise.”

hear my prayer“Hear Me When I Call” – no book

“Hear me when I call, O God my Righteousness…” Again, a song from God’s word (Psalm 4) as we come bowing in prayer before the throne. This hymn/psalm is a call for God’s compassion, and a stirring line from the 1st and 4th verse never ceases to move me, “…hold my trembling hand, lest helpless I should fall.”

“O Sacred Head” – 318

Some will say this is a difficult song to sing as a congregation, and it does sound of Old English, with a composer from the 1700’s, but the message is unmistakable. Follow the 2nd verse, “What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend, for this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end.” Pity can mean ‘shame, or disappointment,’ but in the context of this hymn/spiritual song, pity means compassion. His compassion never ends. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper, and as we see His wounded, sacred head, remember His pity, His compassion, for us.

“If That Isn’t Love” – 379

“God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!” Romans 5:8 “If that isn’t love…” than we have no idea of compassion. And so we’ll sing in verse 2, “Even in death He remembered the thief hanging by His side; He spoke with love and compassion, then He took him to Paradise.” Thanks be to God for that kind of compassion…may we live like Christ died!

“O To Be Like Thee” – 429

Brother T.O. Chisholm penned a hymn in the late 1800’s that we’ll sing this morning to encourage us and remind us of the compassion Christ had for His church. Notice verse two…“O to be like Thee, full of compassion; loving forgiving, tender and kind…” But that’s not all that goes into compassion, let’s keep singing. “…Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, seeking the wandering sinner to find.” Are we compassionate; are we helping those who can not help themselves? Do we encourage those who stumbling? Are we compassionate?

“Does Jesus Care” – 507

How do I know if Jesus cares about me? Is His compassion for everyone but me? If you are still wondering about that, you haven’t heard the message of His compassion. The soul needs only look to His cross to see HIS love and compassion. So what about you…Do you care, do you have a heart of compassion?

“Love Divine” – 140

This closing song seems to sum up our message from today, but look closely at the end of this verse, “Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love Thou art. Visit us with Thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.” Our Savior is all compassion, but will our hearts be ‘trembling’ enough to allow Him to enter in? Will we hear and be moved to action by “A Cry For Compassion?”

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Salvation Belongs Our God

One of my favorite things about psalms, hymns and spiritual songs is finding scripture woven within the songs we sing. The 23rd Psalm, “The Lord’s My Shepherd,” Lamentations 3, “The Steadfast Love of the Lord” as well Psalm 121, “Unto the Hills” are songs we sing that quote almost verbatim the text. Recently I have been introduced to several ‘newer’ songs that come straight from God’s word, revelation 7but for the next few minutes consider the words of John as he records a vision from Revelation chapter 7.

The vision John wrote about in Revelation chapter 7 is a look into the throne room of God. How did the saints who stood before God’s throne react to being in the presence of the Almighty? Read what he saw, then listen to the song. “…I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” (NAS)

The second verse doesn’t come from the book of Revelation, it comes from the redeemed as we continue to sing. “And we the redeemed shall be strong in purpose and in unity, declaring aloud… PRAISE AND GLORY, WISDOM AND THANKS, HONOR AND POWER AND STRENGTH belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”