Scripture Reading:
#1. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy (Psalm 61:1-3)
#2. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Eph. 3:10-11).
Prayer of Praise to God: Refer to the verses above and hymn below.
Hymn: Psalm 2
1 Why rage the heathen? and vain things
why do the people mind?
2 Kings of the earth do set themselves,
and princes are combin’d,
To plot against the Lord, and his
Anointed, saying thus,
3 Let us asunder break their bands,
and cast their cords from us.
4 He that in heaven sits shall laugh;
the Lord shall scorn them all.
5 Then shall he speak to them in wrath,
in rage he vex them shall.
6 Yet, notwithstanding, I have him
to be my King appointed;
And over Sion, my holy hill,
I have him King anointed.
7 The sure decree I will declare:
The Lord hath said to me,
Thou art mine only Son; this day
I have begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and for heritage
the heathen I’ll make thine;
And, for possession, I to thee
will give earth’s utmost line.
Reading of the Law: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. (Ephesians 4:25-28)
Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: Father of mercies, we confess that we have sinned against you. By your Holy Spirit, come and work repentance into our hearts. Help us to see you as you are: with outstretched arms, a loving heart, and power to save. Help us to see Jesus, the friend of sinners, and to follow him more faithfully. As we have received him, so strengthen us to walk in him, depend on him, commune with him, and be conformed to him. Give us an experience of your grace that makes us bold for others, that we might joyfully tell our friends and neighbors of your saving mercy. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Reading of the Gospel: For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-7)
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 36
Question #99
Q. What is the aim of the third commandment?
A. That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing,1 perjury,2 or unnecessary oaths, nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders. In summary, we should use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe, so that we may properly confess God, pray to God, and glorify God in all our words and works.
Question #100
Q. Is blasphemy of God’s name by swearing and cursing really such serious sin that God is angry also with those who do not do all they can to help prevent and forbid it?
A. Yes, indeed No sin is greater or provokes God’s wrath more than blaspheming his name. That is why God commanded it to be punished with death.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Give thanks to God for our Pastors who love the church and His people.
Prayer of Supplication: Pray for our people that serve in the military and those that work in the medical field
.Bible reading and commentary:
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
The Apostle Paul cherished his special relationship with the Corinthian believers. Paul, Silas, and Timothy witnessed the birth of the church in Corinth as they preached the gospel there. It was in Corinth that the Lord Jesus spoke to Paul in a memorable vision (Acts 18:9-11).
Relationships with other believers bring joy; but if spoiled, may bring sorrow instead. That was Paul’s sad experience with the Corinthians. Out of his desire to keep in touch, Paul made promises to visit them (v. 16). However there were circumstances that arose that kept him from keeping his promise. As a consequence, some of the Corinthians accused him of making his plans half-heartedly (v. 17). In responding to the Corinthians’ anxiety and false accusations, Paul indicates four constraints upon his character and behavior that made him concerned for integrity in relationships.
First Constraint: Paul knew that his reputation could not be separated from the God who he represented and would answer to one day. For the right reasons Paul wanted the Corinthians to be able to boast in him and his companions the same way that they would boast of them ‘on the day of our Lord Jesus’ (v. 14). As we get to know and appreciate the genuineness of one another’s holiness and sincerity, we are to boast of each other as the true work of God. The boasting is not in ourselves but in God. The praise is also not ours but his.
Second Constraint: Paul knew that God –the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, who has revealed himself to us in his Son – is holy, sincere and faithful. God is totally flawless and he does not (can’t) lie. He is completely faithful, so that we can always rely on him. We, as God’s children, should reflect his holiness, sincerity, and faithfulness.
Having spent more than eighteen months in Corinth preaching the gospel, Paul, along with Timothy and Silas had given the Corinthians more than ample opportunity to witness the kind of life believers should live. In preaching the Lord Jesus, Paul and his colleagues proclaimed the promises God makes in Jesus (v. 20) – promises the Old Testament records, promises that Jesus himself gave during his ministry. They shared promises God makes to all believers about the Holy Spirit. God promises that his anointing of every believer with the Spirit is the seal of his ownership (VV. 21-22). All of God’s promises are Yes in Jesus Christ. Amen!
Third Constraint: Paul was very aware of the important activity of his conscience (v. 12). The conscience is God’s monitor in our soul. The Holy Spirit constantly informs our consciences by the Scriptures. He uses both the Bible and our consciences to convict us of our wrong or inappropriate actions, as well as when they are right. Our conscience when informed by the Scriptures is our guide to loving God and neighbor.
Fourth Constraint: Paul recognized that God’s grace rather than earthly wisdom was to dictate his actions (v. 12). Daily life involves constantly making decisions. If we use worldly wisdom we will only do what is good for us. However, if we live in response to God’s grace, we will do what is good for God’s people and that will honor God, to whom we owe everything through Jesus Christ.
Christians should reflect God’s character in all their relationships. Although we know it is not fully attainable, we are to follow Jesus’ direction, ‘You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect’ (Matt. 5:48). God is perfect in holiness, sincerity, and faithfulness (vv. 12, 18). We may not achieve perfection on this side of heaven, but by the grace of God, we may all be men and women of integrity. God’s promises in Jesus assure us of that.
Closing Hymn: The Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Amen.
Closing Scripture: Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3).
The Lord’s Prayer (together): Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.