Hey church,

I think it was as I first preached Psalm 92 that I asked to use 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 for our New Testament reading. At the time, I was most interested in the end of that section because it talks about grace's extension to more and more people for the purpose of more and more thanksgiving to the glory of God. That fits with the overall sense of Psalm 92 as emphasized in my series title "The Glory of Grace." I'm coming back to 2 Corinthians now because of the beginning.

This week I hope we'll see in Psalm 92 that grace is operative in our lives through faith. And faith is not our work in which we're confident that we can get our desired outcome because we believe. Faith is an abandonment of confidence in our work. That's true in salvation as well as in sanctification. For example, we are to practice the spiritual disciplines-reading the Bible, praying, fellowshipping with other believers, etc. But maybe we need to be careful as we do. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), even in the practice of spiritual disciplines and the pursuit of spiritual growth. This biblical, God-pleasing faith is NOT an attitude that says, "I'm reading my Bible today because this is something I CAN DO FOR GOD, so that he will give me grace." No, I read my Bible or pray or fellowship (or preach) with the admission and realization that I need God to do something for me. I really and truly can't do anything for him. He's God! I'm totally dependent on him because of who I am, and confident because of who he is. And this is exactly where 2 Corinthians 4:13 connects the message I'm preaching to you this week with how I'm supposed to preach it. Would you pray with me and for me that I will have the spirit of faith that says, "I believe, and so I speak"?

Here are some other details about the morning sermon and service that may inform your prayers and aid your preparation:

Songs: "Praise to the Lord (Joyful, Joyful)," "O Father, You Are Sovereign," "I Asked the LORD That I Mighty Grow," "Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear)," and "Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting"

Sermon title: "Grace's Operation"

Supporting texts: Psalm 1; John 15:16; Romans 10:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:5

And we also get to observe the Lord's Table this Lord's Day evening. Here are some details about that service to inform your prayers and to aid your preparation:

Songs: "Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer," "Christ Is Mine Forevermore," "What a Day That Will Be," and "Blessed Assurance (My King Is Coming Soon)"

Communion Meditation Text: John 14:1-3

Supporting texts: John 3:16; 11:33; 12:27; 13:21; 15:26; 16:20-22, 33; 17:6; 20:30-31; Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 13

By His Grace & For His Glory,