The Cross – CRC Sunday Sermon

~ Jeff Crippen ~ Leave a comment

August 9, 2020

Responsive Reading
Psalm 2 (Trinity Hymnal #785)

Why do the nations comprise
    and the peoples plot in vain?

 The kings of the earth take their
stand and the rulers gather together
against the LORD and against his
Anointed One.

“Let us break their chains,” they say,
“and throw off their fetters.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.

Then he rebukes them in his anger and
terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have
installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will proclaim the decree of the
Lord: He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations
your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

“You will rule them with an iron
scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be
warned, you rulers of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice
with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you
be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can
flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Opening Hymn
Sons, We Are Through God’s Election (CRC #83)

(1) Sons we are through God’s election,
Who in Jesus Christ believe; By eternal destination,
Formed and fixed salvation’s plan.
Hallelujah! Our Redeemer, does both grace and glory give.

(2) Every soul of man, by sinning,
Merits everlasting pain;
But theylove, without beginning,
Formed and fixed salvation’s plan.
Hallelujah! countless millions,
shall in life through Jesus reign.

(3) Praise my soul, adore and wonder!
Ask, :”O why such love to me?”
Grace has put me in the number of the Savior’s family,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thanks, eternal Love, to thee!

(4) These are springs of consolation,
To converted sons of grace;
Finished, free, and full salvation
shining in the Savior’s face!
Hallelujah! Free grace only,
suits the wretched sinner’s case.

Prayer
Focus this Week:  Milena Christensen

Congregational Hymns
Across the Lands (HMA #2)
Worthy of Worship (HMA #132)

Offering Hymn
The Light of the World is Jesus (Trinity Hymnal #476)

Scripture Reading
Hebrews 10:1-18

Preaching the Word
The Cross – Matthew 27

Closing Hymn
Loved With Everlasting Love, Trinity Hymnal #703

Christ’s Remnant – There ARE True Christians

~ Jeff Crippen ~ Leave a comment

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” (John 1:45-47)

We deal with evil most of the time. And the victims of evil. This evil is usually hiding in churches, wearing an “unholy” disguise of holiness. Sometimes (we are tempted to say “often”) the evil is in the pulpit or holds some ruling office in the church. And the typical response of local churches to this evil is also very often evil. Alliances are formed with the abuser while victims are mistreated and rejected.

Now, for myself and I think probably for many of you, all this dealing with counterfeit Christianity can take a toll on us. It can be extremely discouraging to realize that much of what we thought all our lives was the real thing is in fact phoney. We have been fed traditions of men that we were told were God’s truth. We have looked up to people we thought were genuine Christians, only to find out later that they were hypocrites of the worst kind. We have even been rejected by entire churches and even denominations when we called out evil in disguise for what it really is.

Continue reading “Christ’s Remnant – There ARE True Christians” →

The Wickedness of this World – CRC Sunday Sermon

~ Jeff Crippen ~ Leave a comment

August 2, 2020

Pastoral Reading
Psalm 21

O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices,
    and in your salvation how greatly he exults!
2 You have given him his heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
3 For you meet him with rich blessings;
    you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
    length of days forever and ever.
5 His glory is great through your salvation;
    splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 For you make him most blessed forever;
    you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
    and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;
    your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9 You will make them as a blazing oven
    when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
    and fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
    and their offspring from among the children of man.
11 Though they plan evil against you,
    though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
12 For you will put them to flight;
    you will aim at their faces with your bows.

13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
    We will sing and praise your power.

Opening Hymn
Our God, Our Help in Ages Past (Trinity #30)

Prayer
Focus this week:  Abraham Christensen

Congregational Hymns
Lord With Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee (Trinity #80)

Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee
For the bliss Thy love bestows,
For the pard’ning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows:
Help, O God, my weak endeavor;
This dull soul to rapture raise;
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched wand’rer, far astray;
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee
From the paths of death away:
Praise with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him who saw thy guiltborn fear,
And, the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Praise thy Saviour God that drew thee
To that cross, new life to give,
Held a blood-sealed pardon to thee,
Bade thee look to Him and live:
Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee,
Roused thee from thy fatal ease,
Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee,
Praise the grace that whispered peace.

Lord, this bosom’s ardent feeling
Vainly would my lips express:
Low before Thy footstool kneeling,
Deign thy suppliant’s pray’r to bless:
Let Thy love, my soul’s chief treasure,
Love’s pure flame within me raise;
And, since words can never measure,
Let my life show forth Thy praise. Amen.

Jesus What a Friend for Sinners! (Trinity #498)

Offering Hymn
All Who With Heart Confiding (CRC #84)

Scripture Reading
Matthew 27

The Lord’s Table
Christ our Righteousness

Preaching the Word
The Wickedness of this World – Matthew 27

Closing Hymn
And Can it Be? – Trinity Hymnal #455

(links to sermon and hymns are in blue font)