Why Have Graduations?…June 8th

Many students will ‘walk the stage’ sometime in the next few days and weeks. Whether they are moving from preschool to elementary, high school to college, or college to ‘the real world,’ we see graduations all around.

We understand the importance of milestones in life, and the excitement we feel upon reaching them. Even the ‘celebration’ of graduating from one stage in life to another can be monumental. But do we ‘have’ to have a graduation? Could there be more than just recognizing the individual accomplishment? And who is to say one is more important than another? Actually, how many ‘graduations’ do we have? Join us Sunday morning as we ask the question; “Why Have Graduations?”

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

Sunday morning, June 8, 2014

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

“Blessed Be the Lord God Almighty” – 72

We sing this ‘hymn’ as we sing to our God; “Father in heaven, how we love you. We lift Your name in all the earth. May your kingdom be established in our praises as Your people declare Your mighty works. Blessed be the Lord, God almighty! Who was, and is, and is to come.” Reading Revelation 4:8, we hear the praise being offered around the throne of God; ‘Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

“The Lord’s My Shepherd” – 134

One of the greatest ‘psalms’ that we can sing (almost verbatim) is found in the 23rd Psalm. You’ll notice the first verse of this hymn recites the 1st & 2nd verses of the Psalm David penned centuries ago. Open your Old Testament to the book of Psalms, turn to chapter 23 and then sing a ‘psalm’ of praise. “The Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want…”

“I Stand Amazed” – 147

This spiritual song is one that we could use to prepare our minds for the Lord’s Supper. With both the second and third verses referencing Christ’s crucifixion we are reminded of His ‘sweat drops of blood’ and the burden He bore to Calvary. So it shouldn’t be a surprise for the redeemed to sing the refrain; “How marvelous! How wonderful…is my Savior’s love for me!”

“Jesus, Let Us Come to Know You” – 768

A basic tune and a simple message…but how much do you WANT to know Him? The progression in the first verse tells us there is an order to coming to know Him. We have to let Him first; “Touch us…” then “hold us…” followed by ‘using us…” and finally “molding us…” into the vessel He wants us to be. Could that be part of the ‘graduation’ process?

“When I’ve Gone the Last Mile of the Way” – no book

Completing the task is reward in and of itself. But how much more is the reward when the task has been a difficult one? Perhaps the runner of a marathon understands that better than most. The last mile of the race can be the most straining, and yet the most rewarding at the same time. Perhaps it’s a bit like graduation…‘for I know there are joys that await me!’

“I’ll Live for Him” – 553

After the Lord’s Supper we’ll softly sing the refrain of this old hymn; “I’ll live for Him who died for me: How happy then my life shall be!…” Perhaps it’s because of the musical tempo of this song, but many seem to miss the message; if I’m living for Christ each milestone (graduation) in my life should be happy, but is it?

“Living By Faith” – 560

“I care not today what the morrow (tomorrow) may bring, if shadow or sunshine or rain. (why?) The Lord I know rules over everything and all of my worry is vain. (therefore…) I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.” Do you have a heart of patience and contentment that you can say, I don’t care what happens good or bad in my life? We’ll contemplate this as we prepare for the lesson this morning. What a great song of encouragement as we proclaim that we are living by faith!

“Each Step I Take” – 415

Our invitation song is not a typical song sung calling for a response. But as we sing we confirm that we want Christ to lead us. And that we will walk with Him and turn to our Savior throughout this life. “Until some day the last step will be taken (graduation?); each step I take just leads me closer home.”

“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” – 613

A song of encouragement that is meant to be sung as reassurance. Even though our lives are ‘filled with swift transition…’ (lots of changes) and even, ‘if by earthly friends we’re forsaken,’ we find comfort in the consistency of God’s strong hands. Serving as a theme throughout the song, we encourage each other to Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand. It seems that we ‘graduate’ from one event to another almost daily, but never lose hold of the Master’s hands.

1, September 13, 20131, September 13, 2013

After God’s Own Heart…September 15th

In an age when we see microscopic details, it’s important to remember that God sees more clearly than we ever can; He sees into our hearts. Consider these passages;
I Samuel 16:7 ‘…man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’
Psalm 26:2 ‘Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.’ and
Romans 8:27 ‘…and He who searches our heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.’

Luke records in Acts 13:22 that God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart…’ Perhaps we should be seeking to know more about why David received such accolades. What could we be doing in this life to receive this kind of recognition? Join us Sunday morning as we consider how we can become closer to living ‘after God’s own heart.’

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

Sunday morning, September 15, 2013

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

“Living By Faith” 560

“I care not today what the morrow may bring, if shadow or sunshine or rain…I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.” Do you have a heart of patience and contentment that you can say, I don’t care what happens in this life. We’ll open our worship time together with this song of encouragement as we proclaim that we’re living by faith.

“In His Presence” – 99

A simple contemporary song that claims comfort, peace and blessed assurance are found in the presence of the Lord. What a blessed station in life to be covered in His presence. This song is basic in musical arrangement and basic in message. But still you have to ask yourself, “Do I come to seek His presence?” You will, you have, if you seek the Father’s heart?

“The Lord’s My Shepherd” – 134

“There is a Place of Quiet Rest” – 477

Do you try, in your daily life, to be near to God? Would that we understand the quiet rest, sweet comfort and full release (complete release) from our bondage of sin comes as we draw near to the heart of God! The refrain is so powerful as we sing, “O Jesus, blessed Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God.” Notice where we must be if we hope to be near God? We can only come to God the Father through His Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ!

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus” – 314

Before we commemorate the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection, we meet together ‘beneath the cross of Jesus’. Focus for a moment on the 3rd verse of this spiritual song; “Upon that cross of Jesus, mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; And from my smitten (laid low) heart with tears two wonders I confess: The wonder of (1) His glorious love, (2) my own worthlessness.” Come to the cross, remember His sacrifice, and consider what you have done to deserve this measure of unconditional love.

“Oh, To Be Like Thee” – 429

“Stamp Thine Own Image, deep on my heart.” Who do you want to be like? Growing up, you no doubt said, ‘when I grow up I want to be like…’ Have we instilled a desire in our children that they would sing (say), “I want to be like Jesus!” We might not say it, but the Christian believes it. But again…is that our ‘constant longing and prayer?’ Would that we wear His perfect likeness and have Him stamped on our heart, in our lives. O to be like Thee!

“Jesus is Tenderly Calling” – 947

The ‘invitation’ is a simple call, not so much from man, but from the Savior. “Jesus is tenderly calling…” If your phone rang wouldn’t you pick it up and answer the call; especially if it was the Messiah? Unfortunately, all too many would check the caller ID first and the determine if they had the time to take His call. You know there’s another song that goes…“Today is the day of salvation, tomorrow may be too late!” Answer the call today!

“The Love of God” – 122

A great, upbeat song of encouragement as we close our services this Sunday morning. Men, we’ll echo the ladies in the chorus as we sing about the love of God. But let me direct you first to the words of the 2nd verse; “Since the love of God came down with His love our lives to crown, He with us would remain; greater love there could not be, Jesus died for you and me, in our hearts, He would reign…” So maybe, if we truly want to be a man ‘after God’s own heart’, we ought to live with Jesus in our hearts.

1, April 16, 20131, April 15, 2013

Following the Shepherd…

Finding wisdom in a young heart is a cherished thing. Often we anticipate , even expect, wise thoughts to come from our elders (elderly), but when a young person shares some solid, Biblical insights I personally find it refreshing. Such an opportunity came to me several weeks ago. Read the words and thoughts of a young lady who worships at Southwest church of Christ in Austin, Texas.

The Psalm, “The Lord’s my Shepherd” by Jessie Seymour Irvine (#292 in Hymns for Worship) is based off of the verse found in John 10:14-15, “I am the good shepherd, I lay down my life for the sheep.”, but it quotes the entirety of the 23^rd Psalm.

This psalm is often titled “the Crook.” The psalm is a section dedicated to Christ Jesus’ identity, specifically, a psalm contributing to Jesus’ identity as a shepherd. But it also identifies us as the sheep. Let us consider three key points that are taught in this psalm. Perhaps we’ll be able to draw a deeper, fuller understanding of this psalm (song) when we sing it in praise to our God.

First, let us notice that through His death he leads us. In Genesis 3:15 we see the first prophecy of the coming Messiah; His death and His conquering of the world of sin. Jesus came into the world with many purposes: teaching a new law, bringing equality between the nations, and giving us an example. But his overlying purpose in coming to earth was to die. He came to bring salvation through His death and set Himself up as the head of the church, and as the head of His church, to lead us. He was the perfect, spotless and innocent lamb that went to the slaughter on account of the sins of the world.

Secondly, we know that He is our shepherd because he bought us. A shepherd doesn’t just watch sheep for free. He is either paid to watch other people’s sheep as in a job, or he buys his own sheep and watches them himself. Jesus has bought us with His blood so He is the shepherd. As the shepherd He is our guide, the supplier of our needs, our protector from troubles and one of the most constant figures in our lives.

And finally, we are the sheep who need a shepherd. As sheep our lives are dependent on the shepherd. As noted previously, he provides for all our needs. And yet, it is our choice as to whether or not we will have him as a constant figure in our lives. We can be the sheep that stays with the flock, the one that enjoys the comfort of lord through all the struggles. Staying with the Shepherd, we’re restored when we are sick. When we slip on the road, our Lord brings us back to righteousness of God. Or we can be the sheep that wanders off by himself. The sheep that may be happy for a time, but eventually realizes that being alone in life is filled with dangers and trials. Leaving the fold, we face those trials without our shepherd’s guidance.

We have, in essence, two choices…1) we can be a active, though submissive, participant of the system that has been set up by our Lord, reap the benefits of that system and ultimately receive the reward. Or…2) we can choose not to live within the boundaries of the system He offers and chance life on our own, knowing as we do that we’ll take the punches of the world as they come. Ultimately it’s our choice.

This song lets us see the results and benefits of the first option, and tells us that even if we have chosen option two, we can still come back to the fold. Jesus came and died on the cross for you and me. He bought us with his blood and now serves as the rightful leader of the flock of His sheep. Praise be to God that he has redeemed His church.

Shelby Gray

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill:
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnished In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house for evermore My dwelling-place shall be.