Bringing Many Sons to Glory

Each month our local church body celebrates the Lord’s Supper. As commanded by Christ, we partake in this sacrament as a reminder of the sacrifice that He made on our behalf. In the old testament, animal sacrifices were made for sin. These sacrifices were never ending since the blood of animals could never atone for sin. The perpetual sacrifices were a reminder of the sin committed. In the new covenant, Christ paid the penalty for our sin at the cross. This was a once-for-all sacrifice that never needs to be repeated. Rather than a reminder of sin, the Lord’s Supper is a reminder to the redeemed that our sins have been atoned for by the work of Christ–”do this in remembrance of me”.

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 27, 2025

Hebrews 2:5-17 (ESV)

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 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.

Reflections on Scripture Reference

Last week our scripture reading was Psalm 8. In that Psalm, David writes, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…”(Psalms 8:3-6). This psalm is referenced by the writer here in Hebrews. He explains that this psalm is specifically about Jesus and His death in our place. These verses from Hebrews are a fitting reminder that all of creation is subject to Christ, and yet, despite the reality of who He is–very God and very man–the Father ordained His suffering and death to bring many sons (and daughters) to glory. Let this be a reminder to us all as we prepare for the Lord’s Supper. That King of glory–the creator of all things–took on human flesh so that He might suffer and die in our place. Through His sacrifice we are justified, and we shall be glorified. What a humbling thought. All that we had to offer was sin. He gave all of Himself to atone for our sin. As we come to the table to remember what He has done, may we come with empty hands and hearts of gratitude. For only through faith in the finished work of Christ can we find our hope. All that He gives, we receive without any merit of our own.

Song Selection for Sunday, April 27, 2025

Jesus Paid it All

This beautiful hymn echoes the truth of scripture–”For nothing good have I whereby thy grace to claim; I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary's lamb. Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.”

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

More great biblical truth in this hymn as we proclaim that only through the blood of the lamb are we saved. “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Grace Greater than Our Sin

And finally, the reminder that what Christ accomplished at the cross is greater than all of our sin. Where sin abounded, grace abounded even more. “Dark is the stain that we cannot hide–what can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide; whiter than snow you may be today. Grade, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within! Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!”

Song for Consideration

All That You Give We Receive

Music and words by Jon Althoff, Marc Willerton, and Nathan Stiff © 2024 Sovereign Grace Praise/BMI (adm. by Integrity Music) Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved. CCLI #7241709



Lyrics:

Beautiful Savior, fullness of heaven

Though we have nothing, here we receive

Jesus, You call us now to remember

You were the offering for all who believe


You laid Your life on the table

Broken like bread, poured out like wine

We sing what a wonderful Savior

Jesus, our King, all that You give, we receive


Pardon and blessing, life everlasting

Mercy unmeasured, how can it be?

You are the Giver, faithful forever

Help us to treasure, all we've received


You laid Your life on the table

Broken like bread, poured out like wine

We sing what a wonderful Savior

Jesus, our King, all that You give, we receive


For the price You paid

We pour out our praises

For this feast of grace

We thank You, Jesus


For the price You paid

We pour out our praises

For this feast of grace

We thank You, Jesus


For the price You paid

We pour out our praises

For this feast of grace

We thank You, Jesus


You laid Your life on the table

Broken like bread, poured out like wine

We sing what a wonderful Savior

Jesus, our King, how we adore You


For You laid your life on the table

Broken like bread, poured out like wine

We sing what a wonderful Savior

Jesus, our King, all that You give, we receive

High and Lifted Up

This Sunday the world will celebrate Easter. For Christians, this is a time of year when we see an

emphasis on the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a bit misleading to assume that this is the only time of year when this reality is celebrated. For the true believer, the full gospel message is our reality every minute of every day and is to be celebrated, sung about, praised, and rejoiced over. That message is clear: the eternal God of the universe stepped out of eternity and into time to take on human flesh (the incarnation) to live a perfect life in obedience to God’s will and law so that He could take our place (our sin, our shame, the wrath reserved for us) on the cross in death, and then overcome death by being brought back to life (the resurrection). These truths we celebrate daily! But for this Sunday, we will focus on His death, burial, and resurrection.

What a sobering thought. Stop for a moment and consider it. The sovereign God of the universe, the creator and sustainer of all things, sent His only son to dwell in flesh and to purchase for Himself a people from every tribe and tongue and nation. When we see the depths of our sinfulness, we are driven to our knees in humble adoration for the one who took our place on that cross. There was nothing about us that recommended us for salvation (grace). But God saved us for His glory–for His name’s sake. Let us then take a moment to see Christ as He really is–high and lifted up. That is what Isaiah recorded in this week’s scripture reading as he foretold the coming of the suffering servant who would be crushed for our iniquities and pierced for our transgressions.

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 20, 2025

Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 (ESV)

13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.
14 As many were astonished at you—
his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—
15 so shall he sprinkle many nations.
Kings shall shut their mouths because of him,
for that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.
1 Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his 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.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Reflections on Scripture Reference

Isaiah prophesied the coming of one who would do for His people what they could not do for themselves. It is clear from this passage that he was writing of Jesus Christ who would come to do that very thing. Listen to these words again. I cannot read them without emotion.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. Isaiah 53:3-7

What a sobering reality. All of those things assigned to Jesus in this passage belonged to us. They were our iniquities–our transgressions. We should have been despised, rejected, sorrowful, acquainted with grief, stricken, pierced, crushed, oppressed, afflicted, and smitten by God.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

And this is the reality of what God has done for us in Christ–the very heart of the good news of the gospel. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He took our sin, guilt, and shame to Calvary. He suffered and died in our place. The God of glory was humiliated, spit on, cursed at, beaten, and murdered–and all for you and me. What a price was paid for one such as me. How can I not then give Him my all?

For anyone reading this who has not repented and believed in Him, today is the day of salvation. Read those words again from Isaiah. Consider what God has done for you through Christ Jesus. Lift up your eyes and see the one who is high and lifted up for your transgressions. Believe in Him and live!

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. John 12:32-33

Song Selection for Sunday, April 20, 2025

Song 1

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Let us look on Him–high and lifted up. “When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count as loss and pour contempt on all my pride”.

Song 2
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
“Come behold the wondrous mystery Christ the Lord, upon the tree. In the stead of ruined sinners hangs the Lamb in victory. See the price of our redemption. See the Father's plan unfold. Bringing many sons to glory Grace unmeasured, love untold.”

Song 3
In Christ Alone
Our hope is found in no other. “'Til on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied. For every sin on Him was laid. Here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious Day; up from the grave He rose again.”

Song for Consideration

Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Performed by Shane and Shane
Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Michael Bleecker

Lyrics

Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of Heaven's praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us

Come behold the wondrous mystery
He, the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace, nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ, the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law, in Him we stand, oh, we stand

Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord, upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father's plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold

Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could ever restrain Him
Praise the Lord, He is alive! He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes

What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes

God's Righteousness

This Psalm of David that we will read in our morning service offers us a contrast between the abundance of two different things: God’s steadfast love and the sinner’s transgressions. In our past studies on Sunday
in Colossians, it has been made clear that we are to put off the old self with its lusts and desires and to put on the new self which is made alive by the Spirit at work in us renewing our minds. That God desires us to walk in His ways is clear from scripture. Here in Psalm 5, David lifts his voice to God in prayer and asks God to hear his words–his groanings, his cries. And what is at the heart of this prayer? “Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness.”

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 13, 2025

Psalms 5 (ESV)

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: FOR THE FLUTES. A PSALM OF DAVID.

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD;

consider my groaning.

2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to you do I pray.

3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not dwell with you.

5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

6 You destroy those who speak lies;

the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,

will enter your house.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

in the fear of you.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;

their inmost self is destruction;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongue.

10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;

let them fall by their own counsels;

because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,

for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD;

you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Reflections on Scripture Reference

Psalm 5 is a reminder to us that we do indeed live in our world with enemies. God certainly has enemies. But we, as those who are one with God through Christ, share those enemies. I read an interesting article by Ligonier Ministries, linked below this post, that discussed what theologians have often meant when defining our enemies.

Equipped by God

As we continue our study of Colossians on Sunday, we are reminded that we are to put off the old self and its wicked, sinful desires and put on the new self which is being made into the image of Christ. We have seen the fruit that this new life brings about as the Holy Spirit sanctifies us through the renewing of our mind with truth–which is Christ. This week, Paul will offer some practical application of this new life through how we relate to and treat others–specifically husbands, wives, and children. We find that in all things we are to be working for the Lord and not for men.

This week’s scripture reading will come from the book of Hebrews. In these verses, the writer of Hebrews will also instruct us in the way we should walk as Christians. As we examine these verses, my goal is to point us to Christ. The writer, in reminding us what the Chrisitan life looks like, does so by pointing us to the suffering and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior. In chapter 12, we are reminded that Jesus endured the cross in order to bring many sons to glory. We are encouraged here in chapter 13 to go to Him outside the camp and endure the reproaches that He endured. Having seen the sacrifice that He made for us, is it any wonder that we should also live a life of sacrifice?

Scripture Reading for Sunday, April 6, 2025

Hebrews 13:1-21 (ESV)

1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Reflections on Scripture Reference

The Christian Walk Continued

In verses 1 - 6, the writer of Hebrews echoes the Apostle Paul (some would argue that Paul is the writer of Hebrews as well) by reminding us how we should live. Of course, brotherly love is the first reminder. Love is the hallmark of the Christian life–especially love for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The writer here also encourages us to show hospitality to strangers, remember those who are mistreated, hold marriage in high regard, and avoid adultery and sexual immorality. Along with these, we are to be content in what God has given us, avoiding the love of money. How do we find this contentment? By recalling what God has promised: “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Christian Leaders and Teaching

In verses 7-14 we are reminded to hold fast to the teaching of the scriptures and, as Paul often taught, not be led astray by the strange teachings of men who run after idols and visions. As we are taught, the writer of Hebrews offers some sobering advice. Don’t just listen to what is said, but examine the lives being lived by those who teach you. He encourages us to consider how they live. If it is in line with what the scripture teaches, then we are to imitate their faith. This should be evident in the trustworthy and steady manner in which they live. Not in a constantly changing and volatile life. For we are immediately reminded that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What we are taught and how we should live are to be consistent and unchanging. We are not to run after every strange new teaching for the gospel is sure and unchanging.

The Model of Sacrifice

The writer reminds us that the forgiveness of sin requires the shedding of blood. Christ, the perfect lamb of God, was taken outside the city to suffer and die in our place. We are pointed here to Christ–reminded of the ultimate sacrifice He made on our behalf. We are then encouraged to ourselves go outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. We are to be people of sacrifice as well: “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name” (v. 15). Here we are commanded to continually offer praises to God through Him. This should not be a one and done or every once and a while thing. As Christians, we should live in such a way that we are always offering the sacrifice of praise to God for who He is and what He has done for us through Christ.

Equipped by God

The writer of Hebrews returns to our Christian walk here in the final verses of chapter 13. We are encouraged to obey our leaders and submit to them. We are to walk in joy without grumbling. I don;t know about you, but this one alone leads me to repentance daily. Finally, we are to pray for those who are our teachers. Having now been shown the way in which we are to walk as believers, we must ask ourselves how in the world we will ever live up to such a calling–for we are called to be holy as He is holy. The final benediction here in chapter 13 gives us hope and relief. Read it again: “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (v. 20-21). It is God who, through Jesus, equips us with everything good that we may do His will. It is He who is sanctifying us that we might do what is pleasing in His sight.

Song Selection for Sunday, April 6, 2025

Song 1

How Firm a Foundation

What more can He say? God’s word provides us the truth of the gospel for salvation through Christ and points us to the one we are to be like. How does God sanctify us? “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”

Song 2

There is a Fountain

What a beautiful reminder of what Jesus has done for us at the cross. This hymn points us to the one who made the ultimate and perfect sacrifice on our behalf. “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.”

Song 3

Knowing You

Having been redeemed by Christ, knowing Him more is the cry of our heart and the source of our sanctification. We are to put away the old self and put on the new. “All I once held dear, built my life upon, all this world reveres, and wars to own, all I once thought gain I have counted loss; spent and worthless now, compared to this. Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You, there is no greater thing!”

Song for Consideration

All Creatures (Sing the Harmony)

Shane & Shane

Written by William Henry Draper, Shane Barnard, St. Francis of Assisi, Bryan Fowler

© 2023 More Songs From Wellhouse (Admin. Right Angle)

Songs From Wellhouse (Admin. Right Angle)

Be Essential Songs, bryanfowlersongs (Admin. Essential)




Lyrics:

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Thou, burning sun with golden beam

Thou, silver moon with softer gleam

O praise Him! O praise Him!


Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!


Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along

O praise Him!

Hallelujah!


Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice

Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Every mountain say high

Every valley say low

And everything in-between sing the harmony


Let all this that Creator blessed

Had worship Him in humbleness

O praise Him! Hallelujah!


Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son

And praise the Spirit, Three-in-One

O praise Him! O praise Him!


Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Walking Worthily

I am finally back to writing the weekly blog post after a several week hiatus. As many of you know, worship leader is something I do alongside my full time job–although it is a calling that I believe deserves the utmost of my attention and consideration. The past few weeks at my full time job have been a series of emergent situations that demanded much of my time. Thus the need for a brief hiatus. It is my sincere desire to continue these posts and to be better prepared to create and maintain them with the help of the Lord in all situations moving forward.

For the past few weeks, our pastor has been preaching in Colossians 3. The theme of those sermons has been our need to put to death the old man–the desires and passions of the flesh that wage war against our spirit. I find that particular message a difficult one to both hear and receive. It is true, as Peter commands us in his first letter, that we are to be holy as He is holy. But if I am being honest with myself, the more and deeper I know God’s word, the more and deeper I know myself. That revelation teaches me both the goodness and mercy of God and the depths of the wickedness that still remain in this sinful flesh. The tension of the call to be holy, to be conformed to the image of Christ, while living in this fallen body is real. For, on one hand, I know that I am saved, forgiven, and set free from slavery to sin by the death of my savior. On the other hand, I know that God’s word calls me to live in a manner worthy of that calling. Paul writes, “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:20-22). 

In this tension I can only echo with Paul, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25)! It is important for the Christian to understand the difference between justification and sanctification. Justification is the work of salvation in which we stand before God justified in the legal sense. We stood guilty before God of our sin and rebellion. Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin debt. We now stand in Christ’s righteousness and are seen by God as justified (free from sin) and forgiven! Sanctification is the continuing process of being made into the image of Christ. It is the process by which God conforms us into the image of His son. This is not instantaneous. It is a process with ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. God uses various trials to break us of our sin and pride and to teach us to rely on Him. In so doing, through the enablement of the Spirit that resides in us, we are day by day made like Christ.

Since that old man has been put to death, this week's message is about putting on the new self. With that in mind, this week’s scripture reading will set the stage for that sermon by reading the words of Paul in Ephesians chapter four where he calls us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. What does it mean to walk in such a way as a Christian? What is this fruit that leads to sanctification according to Paul that leads to eternal life? 

Scripture Reading for Sunday, March 30, 2025

Ephesians 4 (ESV)

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

17 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.

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Reflections on Scripture Reference

Unity through Humility and Love

One of the key points of Paul in both Colossians 3 and here in Ephesians 4 is an emphasis on unity among believers. As the bride of Christ, we are called to unity with our fellow believers. This should be a hallmark of our walk as Christians. If you have lived for any time in this world, even among the people of God in church, you will, like me, find unity difficult to attain. There are so many differences between us and others. So, how does Paul expect us to attain this unity? It begins here: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”. We must learn to put our own interest aside, humble ourselves, and to seek the interest of God first and others second. Humility is one of the fruits that we should see as we become like our savior. For He did not seek His own glory and good, but he humbled himself to the point of death. Even though He was God, Jesus did not assert His will here on earth, but humbled himself to do God the Father’s will. In doing so, He set His path to the cross. Listen to the writer of Hebrews:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 1:1-3

This unity is not some feeling of togetherness or some other personal feeling that we generate in ourselves. It is the outworking of the process of sanctification as we are taught to be like Christ. Read Paul’s explanation again here:

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Our unity begins and ends in Christ–in a right understanding of Him. We are not to be like children who are deceived by the craftiness of men in our theology and doctrine, but as mature men and women, we are to hold fast to what we are taught in God’s word as we grow together in Him as a body of believers whose head is Christ. As we do, He equips His body so that it works as He intended. 

Put on the New Self Through the Renewing of Your Mind

In order to attain this unity, we must put to death the old self and put on the new self. Paul explains that this is done through the renewing of our minds which will lead to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. But what exactly should this look like? In order to help us understand this, Paul gives us a list of do’s and don'ts. Let us look at the Don’ts first.

Don’t

• Sin in our anger

• Let the sun go down on our anger

• Give opportunity to the devil

• Steal

• Use corrupting speech

• Grieve the Holy Spirit

Do’s

• Be angry and do not sin

• Labor, doing honest work, so that we may share with someone in need

• Speak only what is good for building up and gives grace to those who hear

• Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice

• Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving

Here we can see the fruit of the old man contrasted with that of the new man. As we walk in the Spirit, as we are sanctified, we should begin to see a change in our way of life. That change should begin in humility as we, with Paul, see how very much we have been forgiven in Christ. As the word of God reveals the depth of our sinfulness, we come to the realization of just how much God has actually forgiven us in Christ. With that in mind, we should begin every interaction with others from a state of humility and prepared to forgive as our first impulse rather than to be angry, speak in a way that would tear people down, or seek to slander them. When we begin from this place of forgiveness, we find that we can put those things away. We can pick up the fruit of the new self empowered by the Spirit of God: working for others so that we may bless them, speaking in love so that we build up and give grace, acting in kindness, showing tenderheartedness and mercy, and forgiving others. These are the marks of the walk that is worthy of our calling in Christ.

Song Selection for Sunday, March 30, 2025

Song 1

I Surrender All (596)

As we lift our praises to Him, may we gladly affirm that we have given all of ourselves to Him. As we surrender ourselves, we put to death the old self and put on the new.

Song 2

Jesus, Lord to Me (47)

We proclaim the three offices of Christ: prophet, priest, and king. As we consider the manner in which we walk, as we consider becoming like Him as we are commanded to be holy, we must know Him as Lord of our lives.

Song 3

More Love to Thee (634)

As those who know Him and the fulness of forgiveness that is found in him, may we together cry out from a tender heart “More love to thee!”. My prayer is that the longer we know Him the more we will love Him.

Song 4

All I have is Christ

I chose this last song as a reflection on today’s message. While we seek to walk in a manner worthy of Christ, it can seem like we will never truly reach that mark. We must embrace the reality of our situation–that whether in justification or sanctification or glorification, all we have is Christ. And He is all that we need!

Song for Consideration

My Worth is Not in What I Own

Song by Keith & Kristyn Getty ‧ 2014

Lyrics:

My worth is not in what I own

Not in the strength of flesh and bone

But in the costly wounds of love

At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name

In win or lose, in pride or shame

But in the blood of Christ that flowed

At the cross

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other

My soul is satisfied in Him alone

As summer flowers, we fade and die

Fame, youth, and beauty hurry by

But life eternal calls to us

At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might

Or human wisdom's fleeting light

But I will boast in knowing Christ

At the cross

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other

My soul is satisfied in Him alone

Two wonders here that I confess

My worth and my unworthiness

My value fixed, my ransom paid

At the cross

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other

My soul is satisfied in Him alone

I rejoice in my Redeemer

Greatest treasure, wellspring of my soul

I will trust in Him, no other

My soul is satisfied in Him alone

Search Me & Know Me O God

I do not lay claim to a unique Christian experience as it relates to sin, suffering, and loss. It is clear
from the teaching of scripture that all who follow Christ will find suffering in this life. A slave cannot be above his master. It is also clear that God utilizes the struggles we face in this life to burn off the dross of this world and to leave the pure gold of His love and work in our lives. Through this refining process we call sanctification, every Christian must walk. While this is not unique, the different circumstances each of us face to a greater or lesser degree are ours and ours alone to walk through. The real danger of the Christian life is when we, rather than allow these difficulties to draw us closer to Christ, drift further away from Him. The old hymn is right–like the people of Israel in the wilderness–our hearts are prone to wander. This week’s reading and song selection are designed to help us remember that God already knows our hearts. May we be encouraged to examine ourselves and to ask Him earnestly to search us and to show us our sinful thoughts and deeds that we may confess those to Him and find forgiveness in Christ. In doing so, may we be encouraged to draw near to our Savior. For it is only in Him that we will find forgiveness and peace.

Scripture Reading for Sunday, February 23, 2025

Psalms 139 (ESV)

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3 You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

5 You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9 If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10 even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

12 even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

13 For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!

O men of blood, depart from me!

20 They speak against you with malicious intent;

your enemies take your name in vain.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22 I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

Reflections on Scripture Reference

David makes it perfectly clear in this psalm that God is both omniscient (knows everything) and omnipresent (everywhere at once). The application of this knowledge is seen in the first few verses as David declares to God the reality that He knows his thoughts from afar, is acquainted with all of his ways, and knows his words before he utters them. God not only knows what we will do and say, he knows the desires and intentions of our most hidden thoughts.  David realizes that God already knows us intimately–He formed him in his mother’s womb and had written down all of his days before he was ever conceived. David is also keenly aware that there is nowhere he can go to hide from God. Rather than frustrate David, this knowledge is wonderful to him. Listen to David’s words, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (v. 14) and “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand” (vs. 17-18). Far from being dismayed at what God knows, he is in awe at how incomprehensible his God really is.

In light of this, David asks God to search him and know his heart. The cry of David’s soul was that he would be open and laid bare before God–he knew that he was already! This request is so that David himself could truly be led by God in the way everlasting. It is difficult, if not impossible, for the Christian to draw near to God without seeing himself in light of God’s word. Once we understand that we are not hiding anything from God and then He sent His son to pay the penalty for our sin that we might have His righteousness, we can confess our sins to Him. John tells us that He is faithful to forgive our sins. As we confess and draw near to God through Christ, we find that fullness of joy we read about last week. Then we are led by the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to be more and more like Christ. The troubles will come. Sin and temptation are part of this fallen flesh. But draw close to God. Be known by Him. Examine yourself in light of His word and holiness. Let that draw you ever closer to the Savior.

Song Selection for Sunday, February 23, 2025

I Asked the Lord

The heart that has been changed by Christ will seek to make Him Lord. In this song, the believer asked the Lord, as we all should, that he might grow in faith and love and every grace. What a beautiful prayer from the heart of a believer. What follows is the experience that we will all find if we are truly following after Christ. He thought that God would wave a magic wand and make it all so. But verse four tells us, “Instead of this, He made me feel the hidden evils of my heart and let the angry powers of Hell assault my soul at every part”. Why would God do this? The final verse of this hymn explains, “These inward trials I employ from self and pride to set the free, and break thy schemes of earthly joy that thou mayest find thy all in Me.” God wants us to find all that we need in Him. He does this through our struggles, our sorrows, and our sins.

Near the Cross

As we truly see ourselves as God does (fully known in all our thoughts and deeds), our prayer should echo this hymn: “Jesus, keep me near the cross.”

You Are My All in All

As we understand our own sinfulness and our desperate need of the Savior, let our song be to Him that He is indeed our all in all. “Taking my sin, my cross, my shame, rising again I bless Your name!”

Song for Consideration

“I Asked the Lord”

Words by John Newton (1779). Music, traditional. Public Domain. Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. www.SovereignGraceMusic.org

Lyrics

I asked the Lord that I might grow

In faith and love and ev’ry grace,

Might more of His salvation know,

And seek more earnestly His face.

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,

And He, I trust, has answered prayer,

But it has been in such a way

As almost drove me to despair.

 I hoped that in some favored hour

At once He’d answer my request

And, by His love’s constraining pow’r,

Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart

And let the angry pow’rs of hell

Assault my soul in ev’ry part.

Yea, more with His own hand He seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe,

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Humbled my heart and laid me low.

“Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried;

“Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?”

“’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,

“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

“These inward trials I employ

From self and pride to set thee free

And break thy schemes of earthly joy

That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”