A Mighty Fortrress is Our God
Koine: A Mighty Fortress is Our God
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Worship Helps for Reformation
Artwork: Luther Preaching Christ Artist: Lucas Cranach Date: 1547 Location: St. Mary’s Church, Wittenberg , Germany The painting of Luther Preaching Christ by Lucas Cranach communicates visually what real preaching is all about. Luther has one hand on the Bible, reminding us that all preaching should be rooted in the Word of God. The other hand is pointing to Christ and Him crucified, the very heart of the redemptive message within the pages of holy Scripture. And with the exception of one person looking toward us, everyone in the congregation has their attention focused on Christ as He is preached from the Bible. Worship Theme: By grace alone, by faith alone, by Scripture alone—these are the three “watchwords” of God reforming his church. Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:31-34 – Grace Alone "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the ho...
Following Jesus … even with our money
Luke 18:18-27 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good-- except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'" 21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God ! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God ." 26 Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?...
Worship Helps for Pentecost 23
Artwork: Achan and Joshua Artist: James Tissot Date: 1836-1902 Worship Theme: “Money talks,” people say. Money does talk. Money lies. Money says, “I will take care of you. I will always be here for you.” Money cannot keep its empty promises. God can and does keep his promises, for Jesus’ sake. We do not deserve it at all, yet God will take care of us. He will never leave us. (Jesus’ resurrection proves it!) Let us fear, love and trust in God above all things. Old Testament: Joshua 7:1,19-26 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel . … 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me." 20 Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the...
Pray, because God gives you more than you can handle
Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. I have been in countless hospital rooms and funeral homes where a well-intentioned Christian will try to cheer up ...