Another quote for the pondering!

Looking forward to finding a meager bit of time somewhere around here, that I can use to blog about this coming Sunday. Until then, here's a quote to keep you going as you prepare for corporate worship. It's by Paul Tripp.

Corporate worship is designed to rescue you from idolatry by reminding you that Jesus is the one and only Savior you will ever need.

Amen to that, and hopefully this week we exalt Christ in our lives.

Spurgeon on Taking Communion

As we're preparing for bread & cup communion this Sunday, I thought a couple of quotes about/by Charles Spurgeon might be fun and helpful for you to read (as they were for me today).

The first quote comes from Spurgeon.org, a scholarly site dedicated to the works and ministry of good ol' C.H. Spurgeon. This quote gives some insight into how Spurgeon thought about communion.

For many years, whether at home or abroad, it was Mr. Spurgeon's constant custom to observe the ordinance of the Lord's supper every Sabbath-day, unless illness prevented. This he believed to be in accordance with apostolic precedent; and it was his oft-repeated testimony that the more frequently he obeyed his Lord's command, "This do in remembrance of Me," the more precious did his Saviour become to him [...]

And this quote is by Spurgeon himself. It's actually a poem, or communion hymn, composed by Spurgeon for use during communion services.

AMIDST us our Belov'd;stands,

And bids us view His pierc'd;hands;

Points to His wounded feet and side,

Blest emblems of the Crucified.

What food luxurious loads the board,

When at His table sits the Lord!

The wine how rich, the bread how sweet,

When Jesus deigns the guests to meet!

If now with eyes defiled and dim,

We see the signs but see not Him,

Oh, may His love the scales displace,

And bid us see Him face to face!

Our former transports we recount,

When with Him in the holy mount,

These cause our souls to thirst anew,

His marr'd but lovely face to view.

Thou glorious Bridegroom of our hearts,

Thy present smile a heaven imparts:

Oh, lift the veil, if veil there be,

Let every saint Thy beauties see!

Preparing for Sunday, 2-13-11

So I've taken the last week-or-so off from blogging - sorry about that. Preparing for Men's Retreat (which was an awesome time, by the way), got me a little bogged down, and blogging is sometimes the thing to go at times like that.

Stay tuned for a post reflecting on Men's Retreat, complete with pictures.

So we're hopefully preparing our hearts for corporate worship this coming Sunday morning, and I just want to highlight a couple of things. Jordan will be preaching from Colossians 1:21-23, on how Christ is the Reconciler of all things. Two weeks ago, Pastor John focused on the person of Christ in Colossians 1:15-20 (Who He is exactly), and this week Jordan will focus on the work of Christ (what He has done/does for his church).

We'll also be taking bread & cup communion together after the sermon, as we reflect on our reconciliation with God, through Jesus our Savior.

The singing will go thusly:

1. Lord, Reign in Me

A prayer to God to refresh our joy in our salvation, and to reign as Lord in our lives.

2. Doxology

We'll tag this wonderful chorus onto our first song, praising our triune God ("Praise God from Whom all blessings flow [...] Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!")

3. Nothing but the Blood (Matt Redman version)

This is a great semi-reworking-of-an-old-hymn, semi-new-song, about what Christ has accomplished in and through the cross. The song says, "Your blood speaks a better word, than all the empty claims I've heard upon this earth; speaks righteousness for me, and stands in my defense." We boast only in Jesus and in His blood shed for us, that reconciles us to God.

4. It Is Well With My Soul

Great hymn, that we'll do somewhat traditionally. I love the third stanza (verse), that says, "My sin, not in part but in whole, was nailed to the cross and I bear it no more! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord O my soul!" This song will come after bread & cup, and will be sung as a joyful exultation in the Gospel. If you watch/listen to the linked video, the music starts about 40 seconds into the video. It's a great rendition of the hymn - I highly recommend you give it a listen.

Hope this is helpful to you as we prepare to engage with God together Sunday morning!