Scripture: Exodus 27, Proverbs 3, John 6, Galatians 2.
Gospel Summary: We are sinners who constantly turn away from God's wise commands and therefore are closed off from all access to him. No amount of good works can ever atone for our sins. The only hope for guilty sinners like us to regain access into God's presence is by faith in the sacrifice. The continual blood sacrifices of the Old Testament were necessary for God's people if they wished to know the God behind the curtain, yet they're only a shadow of the great sacrifice to come at Calvary. By faith in Christ's death and resurrection to atone for our sins, we enjoy fellowship with the holy God we've offended, for the curtain has been torn in two. God doesn't ask us to work for his favor, but instead has freely given it to us in Christ if we only believe. If we lean on our own understanding (that says we're ok), we'll remain separated from God, but if we trust in the Lord Jesus with all our hearts, he will direct our paths to eternal life in God's presence.
Prayer: Father in heaven, I've offended you with my sin. I've turned my back on your commands, drunk down sin as if it were water, reveled in that which you despise, and idolized those things which are an abomination to your holy majesty. I know that no amount of religious effort, community service, or right-thinking can enable me to enter in where even angels fear to trod. Left to myself, I am hopelessly lost and headed for your just condemnation. Yet in your astounding mercy, you sent forth your beloved Son to die a bloody death so that I could know your presence. The flesh of Christ was torn for me so that the curtain which separated me from your presence would be torn forever. Now you simply call me to look in faith to Christ's sacrifice to have life. Oh God, what a gracious God you are! Thank you that even when my idolatrous heart once refused to look, you drew me unto yourself with cords of love and gave me eyes to see the wonder of Calvary. Thank you that my heart now joyfully beholds Christ's sacrifice as the glorious sight it is. Help me to live each day continually trusting that Jesus's death is enough. Keep me from the lies of my flesh, the devil, and this world that tell me more is necessary to earn your favor. Give me grace to behold Christ from now and to eternity when I will finally see him face-to-face. For the glory of Christ I pray, amen.
Key verse: "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." -Gal. 2:16
Hymn: Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Stanzas:
Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced 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,
O 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 marred but lovely face to view.
Thou glorious Bridegroom of our hearts,
Thy present smile a heav'n imparts;
O lift the veil, if veil there be,
Let ev'ry saint Thy beauties see!
Gospel Summary: We are sinners who constantly turn away from God's wise commands and therefore are closed off from all access to him. No amount of good works can ever atone for our sins. The only hope for guilty sinners like us to regain access into God's presence is by faith in the sacrifice. The continual blood sacrifices of the Old Testament were necessary for God's people if they wished to know the God behind the curtain, yet they're only a shadow of the great sacrifice to come at Calvary. By faith in Christ's death and resurrection to atone for our sins, we enjoy fellowship with the holy God we've offended, for the curtain has been torn in two. God doesn't ask us to work for his favor, but instead has freely given it to us in Christ if we only believe. If we lean on our own understanding (that says we're ok), we'll remain separated from God, but if we trust in the Lord Jesus with all our hearts, he will direct our paths to eternal life in God's presence.
Prayer: Father in heaven, I've offended you with my sin. I've turned my back on your commands, drunk down sin as if it were water, reveled in that which you despise, and idolized those things which are an abomination to your holy majesty. I know that no amount of religious effort, community service, or right-thinking can enable me to enter in where even angels fear to trod. Left to myself, I am hopelessly lost and headed for your just condemnation. Yet in your astounding mercy, you sent forth your beloved Son to die a bloody death so that I could know your presence. The flesh of Christ was torn for me so that the curtain which separated me from your presence would be torn forever. Now you simply call me to look in faith to Christ's sacrifice to have life. Oh God, what a gracious God you are! Thank you that even when my idolatrous heart once refused to look, you drew me unto yourself with cords of love and gave me eyes to see the wonder of Calvary. Thank you that my heart now joyfully beholds Christ's sacrifice as the glorious sight it is. Help me to live each day continually trusting that Jesus's death is enough. Keep me from the lies of my flesh, the devil, and this world that tell me more is necessary to earn your favor. Give me grace to behold Christ from now and to eternity when I will finally see him face-to-face. For the glory of Christ I pray, amen.
Key verse: "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." -Gal. 2:16
Hymn: Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Stanzas:
Amidst us our Beloved stands,
And bids us view His pierced 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,
O 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 marred but lovely face to view.
Thou glorious Bridegroom of our hearts,
Thy present smile a heav'n imparts;
O lift the veil, if veil there be,
Let ev'ry saint Thy beauties see!
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