What Believers Want (1): To Have God as Witness and Interact with His Will (2022.05.11 Midweek Sermon in Romans 1:9–11a)

God's people prioritize what He witnesses, over what men see. They interact with God's will in their hearts and lives. And they participate in God's work in one another's lives.

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2109.04.07 Opening of Worship

The opening portion of our worship service this coming Lord's Day comes from Psalm 149:1-4. This Psalm highlights the Lord's pleasure in His people's assembly in the temple. It refers to the assembly of the saints, the location of Zion, the King (of kings!), and the Levitical musicians' ministry that prefigured the current heavenly ministry of Christ as our Great High Priest.

    1      Praise the LORD!
    Sing to the LORD a new song,
    And His praise in the assembly of saints. 

    2      Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
    3      Let them praise His name with the dance;
    Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel                          and harp.
    4      For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
    He will beautify the humble with salvation.

2019.01.27 Congregational Prayer for Help from Psalm 46:4-11

Our prayer for help for this Lord's Day comes from Psalm 46:4-11. Upon being called to worship from the same Psalm, we will cry out for help unto Him who is our Mighty Fortress, before following with the song by that name, which is also a paraphrase of this Psalm

Worship Preview: Prayer of Invocation from Psalm 46:4-11

When God calls us to worship by His Word on the Lord's Day, our first act of worship is to call upon Him for His presence and help. For, it is Him Himself for whom we have come, and He alone can enable us to worship.

This week's prayer is from Psalm 46:4-11. You may find that if you read through it in advance (perhaps with your family), you will be better able to pray it with sincerity and passion in the service.

As a stream that makes glad a city, Lord be in our midst this morning. Make us Your tabernacle, the holy place where You dwell.

By Your Word, show us Your almighty works. Heaven and earth will pass away, but Your Word will not. Every other kingdom will end, but Yours is the kingdom forever and ever. 

Oh Lord of hosts, be with us!

Like Jacob, we cling to You for blessing, because we know that from You alone may we obtain it. God of Jacob, be our refuge!

Through Jesus Christ, AMEN.