Who is Man to Question God? – CRC Sunday Sermon

~ Jeff Crippen ~ Leave a comment

January 26, 2020
(Links to hymns and sermon are in blue font)

Pastoral Reading
Psalm 97 (Trinity #820)
The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name – he is holy.
The King is might, he loves justice –
you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name;
they call on the Lord and he answered them.
He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud;
they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.
O Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds.
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.

Opening Hymn
Psalm 97C “Jehovah Reigns”
Psalter #97

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
    let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
    and burns up his adversaries all around.
4 His lightnings light up the world;
    the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
    who make their boast in worthless idols;
    worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and is glad,
    and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
    because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.
10 O you who love the Lord, hate evil!
    He preserves the lives of his saints;
    he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown[a] for the righteous,
    and joy for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
    and give thanks to his holy name!

Prayer
Focus this week: Olivia Orr, age 13

Congregational Hymns
We Have an Anchor (CRC #61)
O Church Arise (CRC #72)

Offering Hymn
Wonderful, Merciful Savior (HMA #131)

Scripture Reading
Romans 9:14-33

Preaching the Word
Who is Man to Question God? Matthew 22:15-46
YouTube link

Closing Hymn
The Apostles’ Creed, Trinity Hymnal #741

Words of Wisdom from David Wells: Losing Our Virtue

~ Jeff Crippen ~ Leave a comment

The following is taken from the introduction to David F. Wells book Losing Our Virtue: Why the Church Must Recover its Moral Vision [Eerdmans, 1998].  Wells is also the author of No Place for Truth and God in the Wasteland. I give your this excerpt here because it goes far in explaining why abuse victims (sexual, domestic, and spiritual) are being treated so cruelly today when they seek help from their churches. The fact is, they are a threat to the “success” of the corporate machine that calls itself the church (but is not):

Continue reading “Words of Wisdom from David Wells: Losing Our Virtue” →

Many are Called, Few are Chosen – CRC Sunday Sermon

~ Jeff Crippen ~ Leave a comment

January 19, 2020
(links to hymns and sermon are in blue font)

Pastoral Reading
Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
    your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you judge the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
    God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
    let all the ends of the earth fear him!

Opening Hymn
Chosen as His Children (HMA #22)

Prayer
Focus this week: Sophia Orr, age 16

Congregational Hymns
Holy, Holy, Holy (Trinity #100)
All Glory Be to Thee, Most High (Trinity #102)

Offering Hymn
My Worth (Handout)

Scripture Reading
Isaiah 25

Preaching the Word
Many are Called, Few are Chosen, Matthew 22:1-14
YouTube link

Closing Hymn
Though I Was a Child of Darkness, CRC Hymnal #55

Though I was a child of darkness,
Slave to sin, wholly depraved,
By His grace and for His glory
God has called me to be saved.
He in mercy, through His Spirit,
Caused me to be born again,
Born to turn from sin to Jesus
And to find my rest in Him.

Verse 2:
Is there any greater comfort
Than to know this sov’reign Friend?
He ordained my true repentance,
And shall keep me to the end.
Should this sinful world or Satan
With their lies and pow’r besiege,
I will stand upon His promise,
Knowing He has chosen me.

Verse 3:
This should cause us to be humble,
When we see our helpless state;
For without His sov’reign kindness
We would meet a dreadful fate.
O, to know such lovingkindness:
Freely given, undeserved,
Moves us now to preach the Gospel
Until ev’ry land has heard.

Verse 4:
To fulfill His great commission
This assurance must be known:
The elect from ev’ry nation
Will surround the Savior’s throne.
We find strength to preach the Gospel
In this truth our Savior told,
That although His sheep are scattered,
He will bring them to His fold.

Verse 5:
Let us lift our songs to praise Him!
Give Him glory, for He reigns!
No! This world and all its kingdoms
Cannot thwart what He ordains.
O! What peace to know our Maker,
He who set the heavens’ span.
He who granted us salvation
Shall uphold us in His hand.