Sunday Meditation, May 3
The Christ Whose Word Gives Life
The new life in Christ, just like all natural life, must be nourished and strengthened. This is possible only in communion with Christ in the Holy Spirit and through the word of Scripture. Enlightened by the Spirit, believers gain a new knowledge of faith. The gospel is the food of faith and must be known to be nourishment. Salvation that is not known and enjoyed is no salvation. God saves by causing himself to be known and enjoyed in Christ.
—Herman Bavinck
Scripture for Meditation: Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.*
Hymn of Assurance: How Firm a Foundation
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed.
For I am thy God; and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with you, you troubles to bless,
And sanctify to you your deepest distress.When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.— Words adapted from Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787
Hymn of the Word: Laden with Guilt and Full of Fears
Laden with guilt and full of fears, I fly to Thee my Lord;
And not a glimpse of hope appears, but in Thy written Word
The volumes of my Father’s grace does all my griefs assuage.
Here I behold my Savior’s face in every page.This is the field where hidden lies the pearl of price unknown,
That merchant is divinely wise, who makes the pearl his own;
Here consecrated water flows to quench my thirst of sin.
Here the fair tree of knowledge grows; no danger dwells within.This is the judge that ends the strife where wit and reason fail,
My guide to everlasting life through all this gloomy vale.
Oh may Thy counsels, mighty God, my roving feet command,
Nor I forsake the happy road that leads to Thy right hand.— Words by Isaac Watts, alt. by Sandra McCracken Music by Sandra McCracken © 2001 Same Old Dress Music (ASCAP) Used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI #2783020
Confession of Faith: The Shorter Catechism
Question 1: What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.Question 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.Question 3: What do the Scriptures principally teach?
Answer: The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Prayer of Blessing
Hymn of Creation: I Sing the Mighty Power of God
I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.—Isaace Watts, 1674-1748
Responsive Reading: Psalm 119:9-16
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Prayer of Corporate Confession
Silence for Personal Confession
Assurance of Pardon: John 1:14
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Hymn of Security: Jesus, Strong and Kind
Jesus said that if I thirst
I should come to him;
No one else can satisfy.
I should come to him.Jesus said if I am weak
I should come to him;
No one else can be my strength.
I should come to him.Chorus:
For the Lord is good and faithful;
He will keep us day and night.
We can always run to Jesus,
Jesus, strong and kind.Jesus said that if I fear
I should come to him;
No one else can be my shield.
I should come to him.Chorus
Jesus said if I am lost
He will come to me,
And he showed me on that cross
He will come to me.Chorus 2x:
Jesus, strong and kind.
— Words and music by Colin Buchanan, Michael Farren, Jonny Robinson, & Rich Thompson. © 2019 CityAlight Music. All rights reserved. Used by permission. CCLI #2783020
Hymn of Supplication: Speak, O Lord
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.Teach us, Lord, full obedience, \
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.— Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music Used by permission. CCLI #2783020
Ministry of the Word
*All Scripture, English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission.