The Obituary God Wrote…April 5th

At the death of a loved one we gather together and listen to an obituary. A story, a short re-account of the birth, life and death of the one who has passed. There have even been times when the one who has died is able to write his own obituary, but more often than not, a family member pens the words to commemorate the loss. But if you were at a funeral, and God were to write the obituary, what do you think He say?

In actuality, God has written an obituary. The story, the obituary, begins in the early pages of the book of Genesis as God introduces the birth of ‘Death’ as man falls from grace in the garden. Separating mankind from God, spiritual death grows, matures and continues to dominates the life of all men. But as Christ comes into the world, spiritual death is put to death (Romans 6:9), and it’s then when we can better understand the obituary as spiritual death is conquered. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” (I Corinthians 15:55) Join us Sunday morning as we look at the obituary God wrote…

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

Sunday morning, April 5, 2015

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

“Our God, He Is Alive” – 23

God is not dead! The title of a popular Christian movie this past year is the basis for our opening song this morning. “There is beyond the azure blue, a God concealed from human sight. He tinted skies with heavenly hue and framed the worlds with His great might. There is a God, He is alive…” He is risen and death has been conquered…Amen!

“Here I Am to Worship” – no book

A ‘contemporary hymn’ for this morning, but one that exemplifies our purpose today. We don’t come because we have to. And we don’t come to worship because we’ve ‘nothing better to do.’ We come…to worship! We come to bow down and to say publicly, “Jehovah is our God!”

“It Is Finished” – 369

Written by William & Gloria Gaithers, this song of resurrection is a strong depiction of the end of Christ’s life as He puts to defeats spiritual death. The battle between heaven and hell is clearly described in verses two and three; “On one side march the forces of evil, all the demons and devils of hell. On the other the angels of glory, and they meet on Golgotha’s hill. The earth shakes with the force of the conflict, and the sun refuses to shine. For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, and then thru the darkness He cries. ‘It is finished!’ “ As Jesus breaths His last, death glories in a hollow victory, only to see Jesus resurrection three days later. Certainly there is a double meaning in Christ’s last words…It IS finished!

“The Old Rugged Cross” – 313

What do you cherish in this life? Is there something you love and hold in the highest regard? More than 100 years ago, George Bennard wrote the words to this old spiritual song directing the reader to the cross of Christ. His words of encouragement were for us to cling to the cross of Christ as our hope for eternal salvation. Why? “For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary!”

“A New Creature” – 619

Are you a ‘new creature?’ Have you been ‘buried with Christ?’ The song before our lesson will remind us that in Him, we no longer live for ourselves but for our God. You and I are ‘dead to the world to voices that call me…’ We are ‘living a new, obedient but free’ life. As a baptized believer I am, ‘dead to the joys that once did enthrall (hold spellbound) me, yet it is not me (I), but Christ that lives in me.”

“Only a Step” – 940

At our invitation we’ll sing, “Hear the sweet voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, I am the way.” What does it take to come to Him? How do I start this walk with Christ? Like a child, we begin with the first step. To come we need only to take a step in the right direction. “Come, for He loves you so” much!

“He Lives” – 346

Walking out of services this morning my hope is for you to have this tune on your heart. “He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me, He talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives! Salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.”

1, November 9, 2013

The Battle Belongs to the Lord…Nov. 10th

“Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle…He is the King of glory.”
Psalm 24:7, 8, 9 David penned this psalm thousands of years ago, and yet the soldier still today finds comfort in knowing who is mighty in battle.

As soldier’s of the cross we must hold fast to the knowledge that the war has been won. Though skirmishes come into our lives constantly, and daily battles must be fought as we stand for truth, we know Jesus is Lord. Join us Sunday morning as we honor our veterans and admonish all of the soldiers in the Lord’s army!

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

Sunday morning, November 10, 2013

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

“The Battle Belongs to the Lord” 560

We begin our worship services this morning as we encourage each other to give glory and honor to the King. It’s interesting to consider the first verse; how are we entering the land (this world)? Are we equipped for battle or do we ‘just throw something on?’ A football player would be clobbered if he walked onto the gridiron minus his shoulder pad or helmet. And yet how often does the Christian walk into the world without His armor?

“Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” – no book

This old song has several different arrangements, but we’ll sing this one to the tune of “The Gospel is for All.” Simply enough we sing (ask) the question, “Am I a soldier of the cross; a follower of the Lamb…?” Today we should be asking ourselves, am I afraid to stand up for Him…or am I embarrassed to be known as a soldier of Christ? This world opposes God…are you willing to be a soldier in His army?

“Come Share the Lord” – 364

As we turn our minds toward the Lord’s Supper, we commemorate our Lord’s death, burial and resurrection. We join each other in breaking the bread, drinking the fruit of the vine and sharing (communing) with our Lord. Each Christian understands the importance of this memorial and that’s why we anticipate the feast each Sunday morning. That’s why ‘we gather here in Jesus’ name…’ and that’s why ‘…His love is burning in our hearts like living flame…’

“Why Did My Savior Come to Earth” – 382

An other simple question which all honest believers have asked…’why?’ Why did my Savior come to earth and go to the humble (lowly)…? The answer is heard as the little children sing “Jesus loves me, this I know.” Why did He drink the bitter cup (death) and endure sorrow, pain and woe…?” He did it, because He love me so!

“It Is Finished” – 369

A majestic song of Christ’s resurrection and our victory in Him. The first three verses are sung together while we consider the old rugged cross as it stands on a line drawn through the ages. The forces of evil have been amassed on one side and the angels of glory on the other. The earth shakes with the force of the conflict, even noting that the sun refuses to shine (Luke 23:44). But then, as Christ breathes His last, a cry echoes across all time…“It is finished!” Though we may still struggle with our won individual battles we can praise His name knowing that there will be no more war…it is finished and Jesus is Lord!

“Soldier’s of Christ, Arise” – 647

Before our lesson this morning it seems only fitting to sing about being a soldier of Christ. It has always struck me with fascination as we implore the soldier’s of Christ to ARISE (get up)! Notice the call to put on your armor (helmet, shoes, breastplate, sword, belt) and be ready to fight a foe who opposes God. Reading Ephesians 6 you’ll get a clearer understanding of what the ‘panoply of God’ really is. Just be sure that you, leave no place unguarded, and that there be no weakness in your soul. Take virtue and grace and fortify (secure) the whole of your responsibility in serving Christ.

“Take My Life, and Let It Be” – 669

The ‘invitation’ is a simple to call to clarify your present walk in life. The Christian’s desire should be to draw closer to God each and every day. The non-Christian has a call to come and take Christ on in baptism, that they too may be a child of the King. After knowing who Jesus is and what He did we should all be saying, “Take my life and let it be consecrate Lord to Thee…” It’s not what I want, but what God calls me to be. We sing, “take my life, my hands, my will, my heart, my life, myself…to be honest, that doesn’t leave much behind. Give to God your all.

“The Battle Belongs to the Lord” 560

We’ll conclude our worship together with the same song that we began with. But we’ll start this time with the chorus, “And we’ll sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord…” As soldier’s in the Lord’s army, let’s be ready to praise our King and serve Him faithfully. Never fear the battle, but remember, the Battle Belongs to the Lord!

1, February 20, 20131, February 20, 2013

It Is Finished!

Jesus came to redeem you and me from a lost and sinful life. His death on the cross, and His final breath sealed our fate (if you will) as He raised His voice and shouted…”It is finished!”

“There’s a line that’s been drawn through the ages, on that line stands the old rugged cross;

On that cross a battle is raging, for the gain of man’s soul or his loss.
On one side march the forces of evil, all the demons and devils of hell:
On the other the angels of glory, and they meet on Golgotha’s hill.
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict, and the sun refuses to shine;
For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, and then through the darkness He cries:

‘It is finished!’ The battle is over, it is finished, there’ll be no more war;
It is finished, the end of the conflict, it is finished and Jesus is Lord.

In my heart the battle was raging, not all prisoner’s of war have come home:
They were battle fields of my own making, didn’t know that the war had been won.
Then I heard that the King of the Ages had fought all the battle for me:
And the victory was mine for the claiming, and now, praise His name I am free!

“It is finished!”

This spiritual song was written less than 50 years ago (in 1976) and speaks toward our struggle in this life. We struggle (battle) against the rulers, the powers and the forces of darkness. See Ephesians 6:12…Our fight is not against each other. We don’t compete man to man. We are not in a ‘hand-to-hand’ combat zone. Ladies and gentlemen,our adversary is unseen and he (Satan) is behind our struggles.

We sing the song, “Lord, make us instruments of Your peace…” and rightly so. Our desire is to spread the gospel of peace to a lost and dying world. Wouldn’t it make sense that Satan is doing the same? You don’t need to look past the 6:00 o’clock news to see that his minions are carrying out the work of evil. Sadly, they often do this work unknowingly serving the prince of this world (John 12:31).

So how do I ‘fight’ and unseen foe? With what shall I arm myself before I step onto the battle field against the ‘prince of this world?’ A soldier would be soundly defeated if he walked into battle with only a single-shot, short range pistol. (unless his name was David and his opponent was 9 foot tall.) Any warrior knows that he must be properly prepared to face his enemy (and David WAS well prepared). Without the proper tools he’d surely fail. So what do I ‘put on?’ Stay with Ephesians 6 and you’ll read the answer; the complete armor of God. Know in your heart the victory has been won and fight with faith (there’s a song about that too). As our lead song states in its final verse, ‘…and the victory was mine for the claiming…’. By faith I hope you will claim the victory, because Jesus said it loud and clear, “It is finished!”