Prayer & Preparation for February 25th, 2024
This Lord's Day
Hey church,
Here are some details about this week's service.
Songs we'll sing: "Cornerstone," "Jesus, Firm Foundation," "Christ, Our Hope in Life and Death," "On That Day," and "Happy Day"
Sermon text: Romans 5:1-5
Cross-references: Psalm 119:65-72; Isaiah 53:3-4; Romans 1:1-4:25 (especially 1:1-4 and 4:22-25); 8:35-39; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 5:18-21; Hebrews 10:27
Related resources I highly recommend:
The first of those articles is written by Joni Eareckson Tada, which may give you added incentive to check it out. The second is one of many Tim's written after the loss of his college-age son. And in addition to those two wonderful articles, here's a quote from David Powlison's daily devotional dated February 22. It's based on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
"The Lord's desired outcome is not simply a better you living your best life now, someone who has found a sense of inner peace and gotten your act together. His goal for you is to embody love by taking to heart the troubles and struggles of others. He does it by first taking to heart your troubles and struggles. When you find the hope and encouragement of Christ in your troubles, his goal is not simply to make you feel better. He has a much deeper purpose. You are receiving a dynamic gift that you can bring to other people in whatever troubles and unhappiness they experience. Their welfare and yours are knit together. This means that their afflictions become yours. Sanctification is not really interested in making you a 'better individual.' God is making you into a person who is more connected to others: joined to Jesus Christ and to all his other afflicted people whose center of gravity is also shifting outside themselves."
May the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered a little while, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11, 14b).
Love you, church!
Jeff Tague
