Prayer & Preparation for February 19th, 2023
This Lord's Day
Hey church,
Here are some details about this week's services:
Songs: "Behold Our God," "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death," "Sovereign Over Us," "He Leadeth Me," and "Jesus, I Am Resting Resting"
Sermon title: "Help Wanted" (or "Following God's Word in Leading God's Church, Part 2")
A Survey of Scriptures: Jn. 10:1-18; Acts 6:2-4 & 20:28; 2 Cor. 1:24 & 10:8 & 13:10; Eph. 4:11-16; Phil. 2:5-8 & 3:10-18; 1 Tim. 3:1-2; Titus 1:9; Heb. 13:7 & 17; 1 Pet. 5:2-4
Relevant quotes:
"Good pastors...are happy to be seen as normal Christians, not a cut above the congregation but reliable models of mature, healthy Christianity."
David Mathis in "Workers for Your Joy"
"You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide these people with freedom."
William Wallace in "Braveheart"
"Men of God learn to press through their temptations to paralysis and resignation because of their imperfections. They happily lean on Christ as the perfect and Great Shepherd of the sheep, roll their burdens onto his broad shoulders (1 Peter 5:7), remember that his Spirit lives and works in them, and then learn to take the next courageous, humble step-ready to repent and retry if it was the wrong one."
David Mathis in "Workers for Your Joy"
"The ultimate question really is not, 'Can I trust the person in authority over me,' but 'Am I trusting that God is leading this person to lead me?' Yes, people are fallible, but God is infallible. He never makes mistakes. He establishes rulers and kingdoms. He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega. And he has put those bosses, elders, parents, and husbands in the positions of authority they are in. Nothing takes him by surprise. And he can be trusted."
Stacy Reaoch in the Desiring God blog post, "Submission Is a Mark of Maturity"
In light of all that I hope to consider with you this Lord's Day, here's the blessing I'm praying for you through God's Word and God's Spirit and God's Church (from Hebrews 13:20-21):
"Now may the God of peace [of the shalom that is coming and will be perfected when Jesus returns] who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant [whose death/blood proves he's a good shepherd since he lay down his life, no man took it from him, he gave his life for the sheep, proving he is the shepherd that can be trusted, the leader that can be unreservedly followed, so that we can know him and hear him and trust him and follow him], equip you with everything good that you may do his will [whether leading others or following his sovereignly placed leaders], working in us [as a church family at Calvary] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and even. Amen."
By His Grace & For His Glory,
Jeff Tague
