Worship

Worshiphttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&blog_id=97071The expression of our love for and our complete dependence on the all-satisfying Triune God.EN-USCopyright © 2010 Vincent Baptist Churchhttp://www.triplePixel.comSun, 12 Oct 2008 23:00:00 GMThttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Content/10294/Thumbnails/97071-thumbnail.jpgWorshiphttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&blog_id=97071The expression of our love and dependance on the all-satisfying Triune GodJosh OlsonThe expression of our love for and our complete dependence on the all-satisfying Triune God.Josh Olsonjoshuaolson9@gmail.comnoThe year of Jubilee, slaves set freehttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=112341http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=112341Mon, 13 Oct 2008 04:00:00 GMT God confronts So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” Jesus, speaking to a group of Jews who believed in him, spoke a basic gospel of grace message. “Abide in my words! For the truth will set you free!” The self-righteousness of these people, however, immediately comes to surface in their answer. “We are Abraham’s seed and were never slaves. How is that we are to be set free?” Jesus says simply, “Everyone who sins is a slave to that sin!” Jesus then continues with grace. “A slave does not remain in a house forever. The Son remains forever. If the Son sets you free. Then you are truly free!” In the short amount of time that this discourse occurred a complete change or unveiling of their heart also occurred. Those whom John says “believed in him,” Jesus now (knowing their hearts) says, “You seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.” What are those words? “I, and I alone will set you free from the slavery of sin.” These words need to be careful heeded by all who sit here today! You who sin you are a slave, you are in bondage, you have been taken captive, by that sin! It deceives you, mocks you and will kill you! What is it be that enslaves? -Fear of what others think about: the way you look (leading to destructive eating habits) your intellect (leading you to hide what appears “irrational” about your faith) your personality (you conform to your surroundings) your righteousness (you get angry when someone accuses you of sin or you cover up your mistakes with lies) -addiction: to pornography, alcohol, narcotics -desire for riches (what are your feelings concerning the stock market and current national financial slump) Jesus desires for you to be set free. That freedom starts here: call out to him to forgive and to set you free! Then seek counsel from a Christian you trust! (Steve our Pastor offers counseling) God liberates And if he [a slave] is not redeemed by these means, then he and his children with him shall be released [set free] in the year of jubilee. 55 For it is to me that the people of Israel are slaves. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt (the land of slavery): I am YHWH your God! Leviticus 25:54-55 The year of Jubilee meant that the Hebrew servants were to be set free! YHWH redeemed them out of the land of slavery so that they would be free to Worship Him alone! Jesus is the Fulfillment of the year of Jubilee in which he redeems those who are slaves to sin. He sets them free from the debt of their sin by destroying sin, Satan and death through his death on the cross and his victorious Resurrection! It is through his death and resurrection that he declares to you “The year of Jubilee is here, your sins are forgiven and you are set free!” Congregation: PRAISE BE TO GOD! God confronts So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” Jesus, speaking to a group of Jews who believed in him, spoke a basic gospel of grace message. “Abide in my words! For the truth will set you free!” The self-righteousness of these people, however, immediately comes to surface in their answer. “We are Abraham’s seed and were never slaves. How is that we are to be set free?” Jesus says simply, “Everyone who sins is a slave to that sin!” Jesus then continues with grace. “A slave does not remain in a house forever. The Son remains forever. If the Son sets you free. Then you are truly free!” In the short amount of time that this discourse occurred a complete change or unveiling of their heart also occurred. Those whom John says “believed in him,” Jesus now (knowing their hearts) says, “You seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you.” What are those words? “I, and I alone will set you free from the slavery of sin.” These words need to be careful heeded by all who sit here today! You who sin you are a slave, you are in bondage, you have been taken captive, by that sin! It deceives you, mocks you and will kill you! What is it be that enslaves? -Fear of what others think about: the way you look (leading to destructive eating habits) your intellect (leading you to hide what appears “irrational” about your faith) your personality (you conform to your surroundings) your righteousness (you get angry when someone accuses you of sin or you cover up your mistakes with lies) -addiction: to pornography, alcohol, narcotics -desire for riches (what are your feelings concerning the stock market and current national financial slump) Jesus desires for you to be set free. That freedom starts here: call out to him to forgive and to set you free! Then seek counsel from a Christian you trust! (Steve our Pastor offers counseling) God liberates And if he [a slave] is not redeemed by these means, then he and his children with him shall be released [set free] in the year of jubilee. 55 For it is to me that the people of Israel are slaves. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt (the land of slavery): I am YHWH your God! Leviticus 25:54-55 The year of Jubilee meant that the Hebrew servants were to be set free! YHWH redeemed them out of the land of slavery so that they would be free to Worship Him alone! Jesus is the Fulfillment of the year of Jubilee in which he redeems those who are slaves to sin. He sets them free from the debt of their sin by destroying sin, Satan and death through his death on the cross and his victorious Resurrection! It is through his death and resurrection that he declares to you “The year of Jubilee is here, your sins are forgiven and you are set free!” Congregation: PRAISE BE TO GOD!112341Little children why do you fear?http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=111391http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=111391Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:00:00 GMT Jesus confronts Matthew 10:29-33 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Jesus, when speaking to his disciples about disciple making, tells them being a disciple of His costs much. He says because the world has hated Him it will also hate them who proclaim Him. The problem Jesus addresses with his disciples is misplaced fear. Jesus warns sternly not fear man who at his worst can kill your body. Rather Fear God who judges and can kill your body now and on the day of judgment destroying your soul. Jesus was saying you are placing way too much trust and weight on what people think or do. Do you not know that not single person could breathe a single breath without Jesus’ permission. The Father has a good plan. A plan that is far out of our comprehension- a plan that brings His Son (that is Jesus) and his sons (that is you) through disaster scorn and pain. But He also has promises!! He has promised his kingdom of peace and righteousness will come. He has promised that those who endure to the end will inherit this kingdom. He has promised that nothing can take his love from his elect. Not famine, not sword, not pestilence, not devils, not earthly kings, nor rules, nothing present and not anything in the future. Not life and not even death! His faithfulness is everlasting. So then why Vincent Baptist Church do you care what others think of you? Jesus Comforts Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18 Jesus, the Son of the Living God, took on flesh. He experienced the weakness and the frailty only without sin. Being faced with rejection of men and God he cried out in the garden. He knows your fear. And He took on himself the greater of these fears. He was rejected by God so that He could say to you, “Your sins are forgiven!” CONGREGATION: PRAISE BE TO GOD! Jesus confronts Matthew 10:29-33 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Jesus, when speaking to his disciples about disciple making, tells them being a disciple of His costs much. He says because the world has hated Him it will also hate them who proclaim Him. The problem Jesus addresses with his disciples is misplaced fear. Jesus warns sternly not fear man who at his worst can kill your body. Rather Fear God who judges and can kill your body now and on the day of judgment destroying your soul. Jesus was saying you are placing way too much trust and weight on what people think or do. Do you not know that not single person could breathe a single breath without Jesus’ permission. The Father has a good plan. A plan that is far out of our comprehension- a plan that brings His Son (that is Jesus) and his sons (that is you) through disaster scorn and pain. But He also has promises!! He has promised his kingdom of peace and righteousness will come. He has promised that those who endure to the end will inherit this kingdom. He has promised that nothing can take his love from his elect. Not famine, not sword, not pestilence, not devils, not earthly kings, nor rules, nothing present and not anything in the future. Not life and not even death! His faithfulness is everlasting. So then why Vincent Baptist Church do you care what others think of you? Jesus Comforts Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18 Jesus, the Son of the Living God, took on flesh. He experienced the weakness and the frailty only without sin. Being faced with rejection of men and God he cried out in the garden. He knows your fear. And He took on himself the greater of these fears. He was rejected by God so that He could say to you, “ Your sins are forgiven !” CONGREGATION: PRAISE BE TO GOD!111391Our Father who is in heaven......http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=111390http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=111390Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:00:00 GMT 111390YHWH takes no pleasure in the death of the wickedhttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=108445http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=108445Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT YHWH confronts “And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ 11 Say to them, As I live, declares YHWH the lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? 12 “And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness when he sins. 13 Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. 14 Again, though I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, 15 if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live. 17 “Yet your people say, ‘The way of YHWH is not just,’ when it is their own way that is not just. 18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. 19 And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 20 Yet you say, ‘The way of YHWH is not just.’ O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” -Ezekiel 33:10-20 YHWH confronts his people with hard words but amazing words of hope. He first declares that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. In other words it is with great grief that He sentence the wicked to their eternal punishment away from His presence. He instead desires to see the sinner repent and turn to Him to and seek His favor. It is His great pleasure to pardon and forgive sin! He addresses the ‘righteous’ who trust in their righteous deeds, confronting them with the obvious: their inconsistency and injustice. You who think you are righteous beware! You are FULL of injustice. And by your unjust and unrepentant life you will be judged. If your trust is in your deeds, your deeds will condemn you! This should shake us to our core and drive us to humility: “In his injustice he shall die!” YHWH in deep compassion does not leave the conversation there. He continues saying that if the wicked turn from their sin to Him in repentance, “None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him.” YHWH is not unjust He gives to people what they treasure most. If in your desire for ‘righteousness’ you neglect to seek God. He will with grief assign you to the pit away from Him forever. However, if you turn to Him and seek His favor He will (with joy) give to you Himself and all His glory (for you to enjoy and revel in) and forgive all of your sin! Let us turn to Jesus seeking Him, His favor and His forgiveness. Sinners confess -How long has it been since I repented and turned to Jesus for forgiveness? -Have I been blinded to my sin by my pride? -In my heart have I laid charges against God’s justice? -Is YHWH the treasure that I seek? -What is the content of my prayers? Covenant remembered They will see the glory of YHWH, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." Isaiah 35: 2-4 Forgiveness and Reconciliation The Father came with vengeance and divine retribution about 2000 years ago. He poured his anger and wrath upon the innocent man, His own Son. Jesus absorbed the wrath of God in order that He might have authority to forgive sins and reconcile us to God! It is because of what Jesus has done that I have the privilege to declare to you, “Your sins are forgiven through Christ!!”YHWH confronts “And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ 11 Say to them, As I live, declares YHWH the lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? 12 “And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness when he sins. 13 Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die. 14 Again, though I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ yet if he turns from his sin and does what is just and right, 15 if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has taken by robbery, and walks in the statutes of life, not doing injustice, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he shall surely live. 17 “Yet your people say, ‘The way of YHWH is not just,’ when it is their own way that is not just. 18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it. 19 And when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he shall live by this. 20 Yet you say, ‘The way of YHWH is not just.’ O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.” -Ezekiel 33:10-20 YHWH confronts his people with hard words but amazing words of hope. He first declares that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. In other words it is with great grief that He sentence the wicked to their eternal punishment away from His presence. He instead desires to see the sinner repent and turn to Him to and seek His favor. It is His great pleasure to pardon and forgive sin! He addresses the ‘righteous’ who trust in their righteous deeds, confronting them with the obvious: their inconsistency and injustice. You who think you are righteous beware! You are FULL of injustice. And by your unjust and unrepentant life you will be judged. If your trust is in your deeds, your deeds will condemn you! This should shake us to our core and drive us to humility: “In his injustice he shall die!” YHWH in deep compassion does not leave the conversation there. He continues saying that if the wicked turn from their sin to Him in repentance, “None of the sins that he has committed shall be remembered against him.” YHWH is not unjust He gives to people what they treasure most. If in your desire for ‘righteousness’ you neglect to seek God. He will with grief assign you to the pit away from Him forever. However, if you turn to Him and seek His favor He will (with joy) give to you Himself and all His glory (for you to enjoy and revel in) and forgive all of your sin! Let us turn to Jesus seeking Him, His favor and His forgiveness. Sinners confess -How long has it been since I repented and turned to Jesus for forgiveness? -Have I been blinded to my sin by my pride? -In my heart have I laid charges against God’s justice? -Is YHWH the treasure that I seek? -What is the content...108445The life giving waterhttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=108444http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=108444Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT God confronts My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the Lord your God, when he led you in the way? 19 Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts. The prophet Jeremiah declares that we have committed evil or sin. The essence of this evil is this: forsaking the life giving, joyful and refreshing fountain of water that God is and seeking after other ‘water’ [read god’s]. This evil will chastise us because in seeking for other water we will find that 1) there is no other source or fountain of water other than Jesus Christ 2) we will find ourselves alone and in a scorching desert of emptiness. Let us heed the words of Jesus today as we confess our sins: Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”… “For the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Church confesses -Where have I gone for satisfaction and refreshment? (the woman that Jesus was talking to went to men) what is it for you? -Have I truly been drinking and enjoy the fountain of living water? -Have I rejoiced that the Father sought me as His worshipper? God’s covenant But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Forgiveness and Reconcilation God’s covenant was sealed by the blood of Jesus. It is through the death of Jesus that you may again drink and be satisfied. It is through his death that God may declare to you, “Your sins are forgiven!” Congregation: PRAISE BE TO GOD!! God confronts My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the Lord your God, when he led you in the way? 19 Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts. The prophet Jeremiah declares that we have committed evil or sin. The essence of this evil is this: forsaking the life giving, joyful and refreshing fountain of water that God is and seeking after other ‘water’ [read god’s]. This evil will chastise us because in seeking for other water we will find that 1) there is no other source or fountain of water other than Jesus Christ 2) we will find ourselves alone and in a scorching desert of emptiness. Let us heed the words of Jesus today as we confess our sins: Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”… “For the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Church confesses -Where have I gone for satisfaction and refreshment? (the woman that Jesus was talking to went to men) what is it for you? -Have I truly been drinking and enjoy the fountain of living water? -Have I rejoiced that the Father sought me as His worshipper? God’s covenant But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Forgiveness and Reconcilation God’s covenant was sealed by the blood of Jesus. It is through the death of Jesus that you may again drink and be satisfied. It is through his death that God may declare to you, “Your sins are forgiven!” Congregation: PRAISE BE TO GOD!!108444Adam and Christhttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=106634http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=106634Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:00:00 GMT God confronts Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24 God commands you that you MUST no longer walk as the gentiles (Adam). God describes the gentiles as having futile minds, darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, hard hearted, calloused, sensual, greedy, and impure. He then emphatically declares this to be antithetical to person of Jesus and the way of Jesus! We are commanded to put off the old man (Adam) and put on the new man (Jesus) in true righteousness and holiness. Church confesses Together, this morning, let us cry out to God to help us put off the Adamic like heart and deeds put on Christ in newness of life! -falsehood ~speak to truth to your neighbor v.25 -steal ~work and give to the needy v.28 -corrupting talk ~grace giving speech v.29 -bitterness/malice ~Be kind and tenderhearted v.31 FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER. v. 32 God’s covenant In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us! Ephesians 1:7-8 God’s covenant God’s covenant love is incomprehensible. Who can explore the depths of this redemption, or this salvation. It will take all the days of eternity to search and experience it’s fullness! And you can experience and search this out now. God declares to you that your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ! Congregation: Praise be to God!God confronts Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24 God commands you that you MUST no longer walk as the gentiles (Adam). God describes the gentiles as having futile minds, darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, hard hearted, calloused, sensual, greedy, and impure. He then emphatically declares this to be antithetical to person of Jesus and the way of Jesus! We are commanded to put off the old man (Adam) and put on the new man (Jesus) in true righteousness and holiness. Church confesses Together, this morning, let us cry out to God to help us put off the Adamic like heart and deeds put on Christ in newness of life! -falsehood ~speak to truth to your neighbor v.25 -steal ~work and give to the needy v.28 -corrupting talk ~grace giving speech v.29 -bitterness/malice ~Be kind and tenderhearted v.31 FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER. v. 32 God’s covenant In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us! Ephesians 1:7-8 God’s covenant God’s covenant love is incomprehensible. Who can explore the depths of this redemption, or this salvation. It will take all the days of eternity to search and experience it’s fullness! And you can experience and search this out now. God declares to you that your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ! Congregation: Praise be to God!106634Members of Christ's Bodyhttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=106632http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=106632Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:00:00 GMT God confronts 1 Corinthians 11:17-31 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. We will be coming together to eat and drink in a love feast. In this love feast we will also be coming together to participate in Communion or the Eucharist. It is meant to be a meal of togetherness and thankfulness. If we come together with factions and descent we are not demonstrating the truthfulness of the body of Christ, we are not discerning his body! And we eat/drink Judgement! Let me say this with the utmost clarity, if we come together with sin dividing us as a body we are profaning the body and blood of Christ! We are saying that His death did not unify us as one… we are saying His death was pointless. We proclaim his death every time we partake of communion- we can either proclaim it faithfully by our love for one another or falsely by our selfishness and sin! Church confesses Let us turn to Christ, who shed his blood and allowed his body to be broken for us, and confess our sin! -Do I have any sin against another member of this body? -Have I demonstrated the Love of Christ through sacrificial service to the members of this body? -How might I demonstrate this Love today? God's promise I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 You are united to Christ by faith. However your unity with Christ is a unity to ALL of HIM, including his members here! If you are truly united to Christ through faith (that works its way out in Love) it is my privilege to proclaim: Your sins are forgiven through Christ! Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD! God confronts 1 Corinthians 11:17-31 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. We will be coming together to eat and drink in a love feast. In this love feast we will also be coming together to participate in Communion or the Eucharist. It is meant to be a meal of togetherness and thankfulness. If we come together with factions and descent we are not demonstrating the truthfulness of the body of Christ, we are not discerning his body! And we eat/drink Judgement! Let me say this with the utmost clarity, if we come together with sin dividing us as a body we are profaning the body and blood of Christ! We are saying that His death did not unify us as one… we are saying His death was pointless. We proclaim his death every time we partake of communion- we can either proclaim it faithfully by our love for one another or falsely by our selfishness and sin! Church confesses Let us turn to Christ, who shed his blood and allowed his body to be broken for us, and confess our sin! -Do I have any sin against another member of this body? -Have I demonstrated the Love of Christ through sacrificial service to the members of this body? -How might I demonstrate this Love today? God's promise I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 You are united to Christ by faith. However your unity with Christ is a unity to ALL of HIM, including his members here! If you are truly united to Christ through faith (that works its way out in Love) it is my privilege to proclaim: Your sins are forgiven through Christ! Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD!106632Do we want the approval of man or of God?http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=99791http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=99791Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:00:00 GMT God Confronts His people Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. –John 3:36 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? -John 5:44 Jesus tells us good news that if we merely believe in him we have eternal life, however, he warns us that if we fail to believe the wrath of God abides upon us. He later tells why it is sometimes difficult to believe this good news. He says we are looking for a lesser glory. We so desperately desire the approval of man that we neglect that God desires to approve us. We become blinded by our this desire for man’s approval and never evaluate the great cost. We cannot seek the approval of man and the approval of God at the same time. Repent, seek the glory of God and believe the good news that in Jesus Christ you are approved by God. God's people confess their sins Christian: -Have I sought the approval of man over God’s approval? -Have I compromised the gospel in order to ‘save face’ or not look silly? -Do I wish to embrace this gospel again? Skeptic/non-believer -Weigh the consequences of your eternal life. Seek the glory of God and believe the Gospel. I urge you! God announces good news For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 God graciously forgives His people God loves. So He gave. Jesus laid down his life for your sins so that he might give you eternal life and the blessing of God’s glory! If you have forsaken the glory of man and believed in Jesus it is my privilege to announce this good news: All your sins are forgiven! Congregation: Thanks be to God!God Confronts His people Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. –John 3:36 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? -John 5:44 Jesus tells us good news that if we merely believe in him we have eternal life, however, he warns us that if we fail to believe the wrath of God abides upon us. He later tells why it is sometimes difficult to believe this good news. He says we are looking for a lesser glory. We so desperately desire the approval of man that we neglect that God desires to approve us. We become blinded by our this desire for man’s approval and never evaluate the great cost. We cannot seek the approval of man and the approval of God at the same time. Repent, seek the glory of God and believe the good news that in Jesus Christ you are approved by God. God's people confess their sins Christian: -Have I sought the approval of man over God’s approval? -Have I compromised the gospel in order to ‘save face’ or not look silly? -Do I wish to embrace this gospel again? Skeptic/non-believer -Weigh the consequences of your eternal life. Seek the glory of God and believe the Gospel. I urge you! God announces good news For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 God graciously forgives His people God loves. So He gave. Jesus laid down his life for your sins so that he might give you eternal life and the blessing of God’s glory! If you have forsaken the glory of man and believed in Jesus it is my privilege to announce this good news: All your sins are forgiven! Congregation: Thanks be to God!99791The efforts of religion are rubbishhttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=98608http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=98608Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT <img width="546" height="356" border="2" style="border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" src="http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Content/10294/rubbish.jpg" />God Confronts His people<o:p /> If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day… as to the law, a Pharisee … and as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss …. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish. Philippians 3:4-8<o:p /> Last week we looked at the words of the prophet Isaiah who told us our righteous deeds are like filthy garments. This week we look at a man who realized this after years and years of trying to do good, trying to obey the law of God at every point. Paul (or I should say Saul) was the most outstanding Jew. He was a strict Pharisee, who would sacrifice daily for his sins, wash ceremonially for cleansing, keep the Sabbath, keep the holy days, read the bible, and pray to God every day. <o:p /> What he does here is explain how he missed it all. The whole point of the law was to point out that he had nothing to bring to God on his own and that we have nothing to bring to God our own! We desperately need a Savior who can take away our sins and give us a pure unspotted righteousness! Our righteousness (apart from Jesus) is as Paul says rubbish! The translators here were very weak in their rendition of what Paul was actually saying. What He was trying to say is that all of His previous efforts as Pharisee are like a pile of dog …. (you get the idea) <o:p /> God is declaring to us today, that apart from the work of Jesus all of our good efforts to try and please God are nothing but a pile of dog… Let this sink in. Now let us once again confess our sins to God running to Jesus for His righteousness. <o:p /> God’s people confess their sins<o:p /> Christians:<o:p /> -Do I have any good or “righteous” deeds that I thought would cause God to love me more to confess?<o:p /> -Have I truly forsaken “my righteousness” and whole-heartedly embraced Jesus’ righteousness? Look at what it looks like from Paul.<o:p /> -Do I feel free to suffer for Jesus sake knowing what He has done for me?<o:p /> Agnostics/Skeptics:<o:p /> -Am I ready to embrace the good news that Jesus is the Creator God who loves me enough to take on human flesh and die on a cross to save me from my prideful righteousness as well as my obvious sins?<o:p /> <o:p> </o:p> God mercifully forgives His people<o:p /> For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- Philippians 3:8-9 God gives righteousness freely to those who have placed their complete trust in Jesus Christ. If you have forsaken your righteousness and are found in Christ today, the good news is that all your sins are forgiven, you are completely clean! Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD! God Confronts His people If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day… as to the law, a Pharisee … and as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss …. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish . Philippians 3:4-8 Last week we looked at the words of the prophet Isaiah who told us our righteous deeds are like filthy garments. This week we look at a man who realized this after years and years of trying to do good, trying to obey the law of God at every point. Paul (or I should say Saul) was the most outstanding Jew. He was a strict Pharisee, who would sacrifice daily for his sins, wash ceremonially for cleansing, keep the Sabbath, keep the holy days, read the bible, and pray to God every day. What he does here is explain how he missed it all. The whole point of the law was to point out that he had nothing to bring to God on his own and that we have nothing to bring to God our own! We desperately need a Savior who can take away our sins and give us a pure unspotted righteousness! Our righteousness (apart from Jesus) is as Paul says rubbish ! The translators here were very weak in their rendition of what Paul was actually saying. What He was trying to say is that all of His previous efforts as Pharisee are like a pile of dog …. (you get the idea) God is declaring to us today, that apart from the work of Jesus all of our good efforts to try and please God are nothing but a pile of dog… Let this sink in. Now let us once again confess our sins to God running to Jesus for His righteousness. God’s people confess their sins Christians: -Do I have any good or “righteous” deeds that I thought would cause God to love me more to confess? -Have I truly forsaken “my righteousness” and whole-heartedly embraced Jesus’ righteousness? Look at what it looks like from Paul. -Do I feel free to suffer for Jesus sake knowing what He has done for me? Agnostics/Skeptics: -Am I ready to embrace the good news that Jesus is the Creator God who loves me enough to take on human flesh and die on a cross to save me from my prideful righteousness as well as my obvious sins? God mercifully forgives His people For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- Philippians 3:8-9 God gives righteousness freely to those who have placed their complete trust in Jesus Christ. If you have forsaken your righteousness and are found in Christ today, the good news is that all your sins are forgiven, you are completely clean! Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD!98608Flee to the Righteous Onehttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=98070http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=98070Wed, 28 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT God confronts His people “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You.” -Isaiah 64:6-7 The Lord Jesus through the prophet Isaiah destroys our pride for us. He carefully depicts our efforts and righteousness as worse than useless. They are disgusting and reprehensible to him. These efforts are worth less than nothing because we all have in our iniquities been blown away, like a withering leaf, from the path of glory. Meditate on this for awhile. You cannot stand before God and say, “But I did…” In fact, if you try to bring your efforts before the throne of God, you should tremble with fear for He will quickly rid himself of such trash and rubbish. Realize this and repent. Flee to the Righteous One. Allow Him to cleanse and purify your heart. Plead only His merits and righteousness and God will welcome you with a smile. God’s people confess their sins Christian: -Have I been deceived into thinking I have a right standing before God because I have ‘done well’? -Have I been led astray from the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus? -Have I celebrated my imperfection and the righteousness of Jesus applied to my life? Skeptics-Agnostics -Have I ever contiplated that Jesus just maybe the only way to stand before God without fear? Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for sinners so that He might share His bounty with them! God graciously forgives His people Out of the anguish of his [Jesus] soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. -Isaiah 53:11 Jesus looked at a redeemed human race and was glad to bear the anguish of the Father’s infinite wrath for them. He bore the iniquity of many and made them righteous. If you have repented of the belief that your efforts could withstand God’s judgment and have fled to Christ for forgiveness and salvation, it is my joy to announce this good news to you: “ALL YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN!” Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD! God confronts His people “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on Your name, who arouses himself to take hold of You.” -Isaiah 64:6-7 The Lord Jesus through the prophet Isaiah destroys our pride for us. He carefully depicts our efforts and righteousness as worse than useless. They are disgusting and reprehensible to him. These efforts are worth less than nothing because we all have in our iniquities been blown away, like a withering leaf, from the path of glory. Meditate on this for awhile. You cannot stand before God and say, “But I did…” In fact, if you try to bring your efforts before the throne of God, you should tremble with fear for He will quickly rid himself of such trash and rubbish. Realize this and repent. Flee to the Righteous One. Allow Him to cleanse and purify your heart. Plead only His merits and righteousness and God will welcome you with a smile. God’s people confess their sins Christian: -Have I been deceived into thinking I have a right standing before God because I have ‘done well’? -Have I been led astray from the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus? -Have I celebrated my imperfection and the righteousness of Jesus applied to my life? Skeptics-Agnostics -Have I ever contiplated that Jesus just maybe the only way to stand before God without fear? Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for sinners so that He might share His bounty with them! God graciously forgives His people Out of the anguish of his [Jesus] soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. -Isaiah 53:11 Jesus looked at a redeemed human race and was glad to bear the anguish of the Father’s infinite wrath for them. He bore the iniquity of many and made them righteous. If you have repented of the belief that your efforts could withstand God’s judgment and have fled to Christ for forgiveness and salvation, it is my joy to announce this good news to you: “ ALL YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN !” Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD!98070The tender rule of the Kinghttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=97612http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=97612Wed, 21 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT God confronts His people James the brother of Jesus wrote to the church, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This is a beautiful summation of the human dilemma. You were created by God to worship and love Him in joyful submission to His rule and authority. However in the Garden Adam was tempted- not by God – not even by Satan per se, but by his own desire. It was this desire for autonomy (self-rule) that was completely antithetical (opposed) to his purpose in creation and, as God promised, it led to his death. James, Jesus brother, reiterates this dilemma for the church. You have the under the grace of God an opportunity for blessing or death. If your faith is genuine it will stand against trials and testing and will prove to be anchored to the Life(Jesus). However, James warns us to never blame God for our failings, we like Adam are led astray by our desires, so when we sin it is because we wanted to sin. We become blinded by our desire for autonomy so much so that we under the delusion of sin embrace death and meaninglessness. James adds this commentary at the end of his discussion: “Do not be deceived, my brothers.” Take this to heart and confess your sins before God and take refuge in Jesus! Ask yourself these questions and confess as the Holy Spirit brings conviction. Christians: -Have my desires been for the tender rule of God over my life? -How have I desired to rule myself? -Have I tried to blame God, Satan, my wife, children, brother or… anyone else for MY sin? -Have I viewed God’s rule in commands and prohibitions as tyrannical? Skeptics/Agnostics: -Have I dismissed God simply because I do not want to submit to His rule and authority? Jesus has said my yoke is easy and my burden is light. He tenderly says “Taste and see if God is good.” You will not be disappointed. God mercifully forgives His people In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he [has] lavished upon us. -Ephesians 1:7-8a Jesus is a gracious king. He wishes for you submit to Him in order that he may lavish grace upon you. The first step is to confess and repent of your sin, you just did that, the second is just as difficult, receive the forgiveness of those confessed sins. Jesus declares to you, that if you have in faith confessed your sins, “All your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more!” Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD! God confronts His people James the brother of Jesus wrote to the church, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” This is a beautiful summation of the human dilemma. You were created by God to worship and love Him in joyful submission to His rule and authority. However in the Garden Adam was tempted- not by God – not even by Satan per se , but by his own desire. It was this desire for autonomy (self-rule) that was completely antithetical (opposed) to his purpose in creation and, as God promised, it led to his death. James, Jesus brother, reiterates this dilemma for the church. You have the under the grace of God an opportunity for blessing or death. If your faith is genuine it will stand against trials and testing and will prove to be anchored to the Life(Jesus). However, James warns us to never blame God for our failings, we like Adam are led astray by our desires, so when we sin it is because we wanted to sin. We become blinded by our desire for autonomy so much so that we under the delusion of sin embrace death and meaninglessness. James adds this commentary at the end of his discussion: “Do not be deceived, my brothers.” Take this to heart and confess your sins before God and take refuge in Jesus! Ask yourself these questions and confess as the Holy Spirit brings conviction. Christians: -Have my desires been for the tender rule of God over my life? -How have I desired to rule myself? -Have I tried to blame God, Satan, my wife, children, brother or… anyone else for MY sin? -Have I viewed God’s rule in commands and prohibitions as tyrannical? Skeptics/Agnostics: -Have I dismissed God simply because I do not want to submit to His rule and authority? Jesus has said my yoke is easy and my burden is light. He tenderly says “Taste and see if God is good.” You will not be disappointed. God mercifully forgives His people In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he [has] lavished upon us. -Ephesians 1:7-8a Jesus is a gracious king. He wishes for you submit to Him in order that he may lavish grace upon you. The first step is to confess and repent of your sin, you just did that, the second is just as difficult, receive the forgiveness of those confessed sins. Jesus declares to you, that if you have in faith confessed your sins, “All your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more!” Congregation: THANKS BE TO GOD!97612Coram Deohttp://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=97451http://www.vincentbaptistchurch.org/Blog.aspx?site_id=10294&entry_id=97451Tue, 20 May 2008 02:00:00 GMTWelcome to a dialogue concerning the life lived "Coram Deo" -before the face of God. The life lived "Coram Deo" can be uncomfortable for sinners; we sense the perfect and holy gaze of God in condemnation against our sin and we tend to hide from our Gracious Creator. We, in this discussion, will give you an opportunity to explore what it means to confess your sins and unbelief to God and then the subsequent joy and freedom "Coram Deo" that comes when you forsake your sin and embrace the mercy of God in the Gospel of Jesus. This expression of this joy and freedom in our daily lives is the essence of what it means to worship. May we all Glorify God and enjoy him forever! Welcome to a dialogue concerning the life lived "Coram Deo" -before the face of God. The life lived "Coram Deo" can be uncomfortable for sinners; we sense the perfect and holy gaze of God in condemnation against our sin and we tend to hide from our Gracious Creator. We, in this discussion, will give you an opportunity to explore what it means to confess your sins and unbelief to God and then the subsequent joy and freedom "Coram Deo" that comes when you forsake your sin and embrace the mercy of God in the Gospel of Jesus. This expression of this joy and freedom in our daily lives is the essence of what it means to worship. May we all Glorify God and enjoy him forever!97451