Day's 91-100

The Lord's Day -- Day 91
Westminister Shorter Catechism 
Question 91
How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, (1 Pet. 3:21, Matt. 3:11, 1 Cor. 3:6–7) and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them. (1 Cor. 12:13)
Service 21 June


Day 92

Pray (ACts)

Read - Genesis 15:1-6

Message - Scott Woodburn
Abram is reaching the end of his life. He is old and getting older and has no heir to carry on his name.  All of his goods would go to Eliezer of Damascus (v2) who would then be duty bound to look after Abram and Sarai until the day they died. So, when the Lord urges him to “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (v1), Abram answers with a very practical concern. “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” (v3). Abram was a very wealthy man and none of these material blessings would pass to his own flesh and blood. More than that, God had made some extraordinary promises to Abram. In Genesis 12 we read "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'" It seemed to Abram that these wonderfully rich promises were in danger of falling flat. As we read the book of Genesis all these years later we know how the plan unfolds. We know that we are spiritual descendants of Abram (Galatians 3v29) and more importantly we know that Christ is the seed promised (Galatians 3v16). He is in the family tree of Abram and the fulfilment of the promises made. All of this collapses if Abram remains childless.

But the Lord is not in the habit of allowing even one of His promises to fall short. He graciously reveals to Abram that Eliezer of Damascus is not going to be celebrating when Abram dies. He will not be the heir, instead Abram's very own son will have that title (v4). Indeed if one son seemed like a miraculous promise at this stage of Abram's life, the Lord takes it further. He leads Abram outside and shows him the stars. "Number the stars, Abram" says the Lord. "So shall your offspring be." Here is an elderly man and his elderly wife. They've received remarkable promises from the Lord that seem too good to be true, but once more the Lord draws near and promises that His covenant will not fail. There will be a son, there will be a people gathered, there will be a Saviour from this line called Jesus. It's interesting that God graciously gives Abram something visible to underline His promises. He knows our weakness, He knows that we prefer to walk by sight and not by faith and here Abram receives a picture of the stars. I can only imagine the beauty of that sky. No light pollution in those days, just a canopy of sheer brilliance above Abram's head to assure Him that God's Word would not return void.

A promise of such scale might cause most of us to scoff and yet Abram's response is faith. He believes God and it is credited to him as righteousness. Bring anyone who wonders about Abram's salvation to this place. This wasn't a man saved by works, he was a man of faith (Hebrews 11v8). Righteousness was credited (imputed) to his account by faith. He looked forward to the day that he would hold his own son and indeed he looked beyond that to a day that the promised seed would come (John 8v56) and remarkably Jesus tells us that Abram got to see that day.

The ancient covenant outlined to Abram is still in force today. Every time you become aware of a sinner coming to Jesus remember that God promised Abram that this would be so. Indeed every time you wonder if God will keep His promises, look to the sky and remind yourself of that glorious picture of Abram looking up into the night. The Lord is faithful. The Lord is working out all His promises. The Lord will not forget and the Lord will not fail. Today as men and women of faith we have trusted in Christ and His righteousness has been credited to our account. "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1v6-9)

Pray (acTS)

Sing

Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q92 What is a sacrament? A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers


Day 93


Pray (ACts)


Read - Ecclesiastes 3:18-21


Message - Scott Woodburn
In 2017 a man called Frank Stephens asked a congressional sub committee in the USA "Is there really no place for us in the world?" What brought such a question? Mr Stephens has Down Syndrome and he was reacting to an increasing movement, that in Iceland for example, has seen Down Syndrome virtually wiped out. And why? Because almost 100% of Icelandic children who are found to have Down Syndrome in the womb, are aborted. There are many who believe that this is progress. There's no point living life unless it is the right kind of life. As a father of three girls I find it tragic that more girls are aborted than boys. Why? Because they are girls. No other reason. Such progress. Such liberation from the evil patriarchy.


Whilst we like to think that humanity is constantly on the upward curve towards a bright, shiny and golden future, I disagree. If a man and a woman landed on Mars and started fresh, they would still encounter the same behaviour in their new utopian society. Why? Because where humans are, there too is sin. Later Solomon will say "the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil." (8v11). It's no wonder that he compares us to beasts (v18) as we have a lot in common. Like the beasts we will one day die (v19) says Solomon. Both understand that life is vanity (v19b). It is short, fleeting, fragile and like the beasts we are from the dust and to the dust we shall return (v20). Perhaps though I need to raise a flag for our animal friends. Our nation's problems have nothing to do with those pesky dogs or those angry giraffes or those vindictive koala bears. The decisions that have changed this country were not signed into law by a dolphin. Our situation is still summed up by GK Chesterton's reply to the question "What is wrong with the world?", "I am." he answered.


Yet there is a difference between man and beast and thankfully there is a hope. Verse 21 causes difficulty for smarter men than me but I am convinced by those who argue that it shouldn't be phrased as a question. Therefore Solomon isn't holding his hands up and saying "Who knows?" but rather the verse should be seen as a statement of confidence. In other words he states that there is a difference between man and beast. The beast dies and its spirit goes to the earth (v21b), but for the human, his or her spirit goes upward (v21a). The tiger has no judgement to fear but the beastly man will give an account to the Lord. Until then he should work hard, because who can bring him to see what will come next? (v22)


Thankfully the Spirit can. He opens the eyes of beast-like humans to see their sin and consequently their need of a Saviour. We flee from sin in repentance and we flee to Jesus in faith. If human sin knows no bounds, then thanks be to God for His grace. At Calvary our sins were nailed to a cross and at that beastly place, unworthy sinners like you and I were set free. Today your pet dog cares nothing about this good news, but you and I should see it as the greatest treasure in a world of vanity. It is a Gospel of saving grace to perishing sinners.


I think Palmer Robertson, commenting on Joel not Ecclesiastes, puts it beautifully “Have you made a number of serious mistakes in your life? Did you make some hasty decisions that you now regret? Do you often muse about those decisions and the effect they have had on your life? Did you  leave  school  too early?  Did  you  make  a  hasty  choice  in marriage? Did you  fail to  recognise the  perfect  partner  for  you?  Have  you  gone  through  a  divorce  or  an  abortion?  Did  you  conceive  a child out of wedlock? Did you make a bad business decision? Did you lose a large amount of money in  speculative  investments?  Did you  miss  out  on  the investment  opportunity  of  a  lifetime? Did  you move your family when you should have stayed where you were? Did you lack the faith to move out when the opportunity presented itself? Did you fail to buy a house when the market was right? Did you buy a house when you really couldn’t afford it? Did you rebel against the wise counsel of your parents when you were a teenager? Did you commit a moral crime at one point in your life, a crime that  haunts  you  even  today?  Do  you  live  in  mortal  terror that  somehow  people  will  discover  the great mistakes of your past? Look your failures straight in the eye, and listen to Satan’s accusations no more. Trust fully in God’s ability to restore the years the locust has eaten."


So here is our conclusion, here is our song, here is our hope - Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Thanks be to God.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q93 Which are the sacraments of the New Testament? The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism and the Lord's supper.




Day 94


Pray (AC-ts)


Read — Lamentations 5:19-22


Message Alan Burke


Often we are left unsure how to respond to a personal tragedy, the loss of a loved one, the diagnoses of underlying health issues, a terminal illness and the list goes on. People can say the most hurtful things when all they intended to do was to comfort us, saying things like ‘everything happens for a reason’. Then others don’t say anything, they avoid it and us and it makes it worse. But how do we respond to tragedy in the midst of life, as we live in a fallen sinful world, in fallen sinful bodies, with fallen sinful relationships. Well we can lament, cry out to God in the midst of it all knowing that he hears. That’s what Jeremiah does in the book of Lamentations, crying out to God in the midst of all that he faces. 


The book of Lamentations itself deals with deep emotions, chapter one depicted the devastation of Jerusalem, the people were left in shock. They knew that ultimately they had sinned against God and he had brought his wrath upon them for they were unrepentant, they were warned but they did not listen (Amos 5:18). In the midst of the authors cries, his despair, as he laments there is still hope, not in themselves, not in what they can do, rather there is hope in the very character of God (3:22-27). In this last chapter of Lamentations the author, continues in prayer (5:1), he knew that no matter what God was still God. These concluding verse (19-22) confess God’s permanence and kingship (19), they decry their ongoing suffering (20), they ask for renewal (21) and they wonder when the renewal will come, given God’s justifiable anger (22). 


In them the author does not dwell on the past sin of the people but looks forwards in the Sovereignty of the Lord (19). The very character of God can give them confidence, they have nothing left to trust in, they have been humbled but they are right to remember that the Lord who first loved them was and is sovereign. Even though the present circumstances that they find themselves in are hard to bear and that there is no easy exit from what they are experiencing (20). So he pleads for the Lord to restore his people in faith and to renew them (21). The closing verse is key, although it is a cry of anguish the complete and final rejection was impossible on the part of the Lord who had promised to love Abraham’s see forever (Gen. 12:1–3), it is a pointer to two who will see it of the steadfast love of the covenant Lord (22). 


There is in all that we face, today and every day there is hope, not in ourselves, not in what we can do, rather there is hope in the very character of God. He does not immunise us from tragedy, but when disaster hits us on a personal level just as Job, when we face national disasters, we need to continue to trust in God, reminding ourselves that he is in control and knows what he is doing (5:19). Lamentations teaches how to lament in the midst of all that we face, that we can cry out to the LORD God. And ultimately we know that he is at work redeeming a people from slavery to sin (Rom 6:20). When Jesus returns in judgement it will to make all things new, the renewal of the entire created order, the heaven and the earth, and the dwelling place of God will be with man (Rev 21:1-5). His victory shall be our victory and when tragedy strikes have confidence in his coming victory. 


Pray (ac-TS)
Sing 
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 94
What is baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, (Matt. 28:19) doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’ s. (Rom. 6:4, Gal. 3:27)


Day 95


Pray (AC-ts)


Read — Matthew 7:1-6


Message Alan Burke 


‘Who are you to judge me, remember Judge not, lest ye be judged’. Ever had something like this said to you? I have heard this from both Christians and non Christians when someone has tried to challenge or correct their sin and shortcomings. Used and utterly abused, misunderstood, misapplied, this passage that we look to today in Matthew 7 has been used to justify and excuse behaviour that is sinful, whether it is fiddling ones taxes, spousal abuse, false testimony, adultery, gossip, homosexuality, abortion the list goes on and on, for after all, who are you to judge me, ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged’. Anyone who challenges the thinking or behaviour of another falls under condemnation, the church it seems must be utterly tolerant towards all. The irony is of course that in judging the one who has judged them they themselves violate this command that they have used.


If you have your bibles open, look back to chapter 6, where Jesus had been challenging the outward acts of righteousness that are misleading, the hypocrites who gave to the poor so they may be praised by others (6:2), those who pray to be see by others (6:5), hypocrites who fasted to be noticed (6:16). No one who was there, who had heard the words of Jesus and took them seriously would have felt much like judging others. After this Jesus says, that we will recognise others by their fruits, ie we can see if people live in truth or error (7:20), nor does Jesus oppose offering correction (18:15-17). Here in chapter seven ’Don’t judge’ does not mean ‘don’t think’, this is not a requirement to be blind to sin but a plea to be generous. To be sharply critical of other is to invite that criteria upon ourselves (7:1). Remember it is God who who will call all to account, he will judge, the measure you give will be the measure you get. We rationalise our sin, we justify it, we are even blind to it, but double standards are inexcusable. As Jesus continues with a plank and a spec, it is not the meaning that the one passing the judgment is a worse sinner but that what he has found wrong is a small matter compared to his own sin (7:3-4). It is not that the spec is unimportant, rather the hypocrite who is ignorant of their own sin should first deal with the log in their own, deal with their own sin before helping others for only then would they be qualified.


We should not judge others to harshly but Jesus also warns us here about being too lax, by giving dogs what is holy, throwing pearls to pigs. The dogs and pigs are those who are antagonistic to the gospel, in the immediate context the pharisees and the hypocrites, today its a long list! Well we are to be careful, we are to be discerning when it comes to the dogs and pigs, those who are antagonist to that which is of real value, the truth of God, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When they will not listen, shake the dust of our feet and move on (Matt 10:14). We read in Proverbs 9:7-8, "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.”


Pray (ac-TS) 


Sing 


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 95
To whom is baptism to be administered?
Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; (Acts 8:36–38, Acts 2:38) but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized. (Acts 2:38–39, Gen. 17:10, Col. 2:11–12, 1 Cor. 7:14)


Day 96


Pray (AC-ts)


Read — Romans 8:31-39


Message Alan Burke 


Genghis Khan, was one of the greatest if not the greatest conqueror of all times. He united the Mongolian tribes, conquered territories as far as Afghanistan and Northern China, in what became the Mongol Empire which was almost five times larger than that of the Roman Empire at its peak. He had exceptional military success but he was a ruthless and brutal man who was to be feared. There have been many other conquerers before him and since but no compares to the greatness of Khan. Your probably wondering has this Burke fella lost the plot? Well hopefully you will see where I am going in a moment or two. But before we get there remember that to conquer means to overcome by military force, to vanquish, a conqueror like Genghis Khan is one who overcame by military force. 


Here as Paul brings Romans chapter eight to a conclusion, it is not a doubtful questioning rather it is a joyous retort, in effect he is saying, God is for us, no one can be against us (31), look how God gave his Son up for you (32), Satan’s slander won’t stick against you even when you mess up, for God has justified you through faith (33), all your condemnation was put on Christ Jesus who died, rose who now sits at God’s right hand as your advocate (34). So know that no matter what you face, when your world is tumbling down around you, what you’ve gotten yourself into, how you feel, the unknown around the corner, that in all these things you are a conqueror through Christ (37)!


You may not feel that way right now but know this, it's not dependent on you it's all dependant on what he has done that makes you a conquerer. We are conquerors by virtue of Christ’s victory we share in it. We don’t conquer people in bloodbaths like Genghis Khan did once upon a time as an invading conquer. Instead we conquer, we overcome trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger and the sword, not in our own strength but through Christ who gives us strength. And remember that nothing that we face, not even ourselves can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. So in the here and now, know that you are a conqueror, you can over come all that you face because it is God at work inside you by his Spirit, even when if doesn’t feel like it he will sustain you and also know that through faith nothing you face, nothing you can do or have done can separate you from his love. We are conquers, all because of Him who loved us, we can do all this not in our own strength but in Him.




Pray (ac-TS)


Sing 


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 96 
What is the Lord’ s supper?
The Lord’ s supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’ s appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace. (1 Cor. 11:23–26)




Day 97


Pray (ACts)


Read - Revelation 22


Message - Scott Woodburn
I was only in the staffroom at my high school on one occasion. I had fallen into some trouble and was sent to speak my year supervisor. She hadn't had her lunch and so told me to follow her to the staffroom. She lectured me the whole way there and finished the lecture within the confines of the off-limits sanctuary for Grosvenor's staff. I couldn't tell you what the room was like. I kept my head down as my teacher finished her rebuke while I tried not to make eye contact with anyone else. I left the hallowed ground vowing never to go there again. As Revelation finishes I have the opposite desire. This chapter begins by showing us, what once was off-limits, will in heaven be open to us once more.


In Genesis 2v10 we read that a river flowed from the garden of Eden and it flows again in the new Eden (v1). In Genesis 2v9 we meet the tree of life and it stands again in the new Eden (v2). The blessings once enjoyed in Eden and put off-limits as a result of the fall (Genesis 3v24) are restored. The leaves of the tree have brought healing to the nations (v2b) and the curse has been lifted (v3). Only those who have trusted Christ will enjoy these renewed blessings (v3b). They will live forever, they will walk with God, they will see His face (v4) and His name will be written upon them. Everything put wrong by the fall will be put right by the return of Christ. Just as the first Adam was barred from Eden, so Jesus (the second Adam) opens the gates and beckons us in.


None of this takes place until Christ returns, but behold, He is coming soon (v7). John's response to all of this is to fall down in worship and he almost gives that worship to the angel who has revealed this vision (v8). He is rebuked and reminded that worship belongs to the Lord and not to the Lord's servants (v9). It is a useful reminder to those who elevate the place of angels today. There is a growing market that encourages prayer to angels and staying in tune with your guardian angel. How do we answer such foolishness? Worship God (v9b).


We further respond by making sure the words of Revelation are opened, read and understood (v11). Indeed we can apply this verse to all of Scripture. The pandemic stricken world needs a vaccine for Covid-19, but most of all it needs a vaccine for sin. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10v17). As the end of all things draws near the righteous will continue to display that righteousness as they seek to follow Christ in dark days. Conversely the wicked will continue to be wicked (v11). It has always been this way as the city of man strives to topple the city of God.


The Lord Jesus speaks in v12 and offers another reminder that He is coming soon. He is the beginning and the end (v13) and He is coming in judgement. He can do so because He is the Messiah, the One promised. He is the root and descendant of David and He is the bright morning star (v16) spoken of by Balaam (Numbers 24v17). In other words Christ is the one towering figure over human history who absolutely must be reckoned with. Is He your Saviour or is He your enemy? He is one or the other and in the final state you will either be in bliss inside the city (v14) or in torment outside (v15).


No wonder we are not to add or remove anything from the book of Revelation (v18-19). It's message is much too important to be trifled with. It is a revealing, an apocalypse, of what must soon take place and as the book ends we are reminded once more that Jesus is coming soon (v20). To this good news the Christian cries "Come, Lord Jesus" (v20b). But to those who still reject Christ, today, He calls you to come to Him (v17). Come if you are thirsty. Come if you are weak. Come if you are weary in this world. Come if you are burdened by the crushing weight of sin. Come if your disappointments mount. Come if you are lonely. Come if you desire rest. Come to Jesus and be saved. He is the Saviour and friend of sinners and the one who comes to Christ in repentance and faith will never be cast out (John 6v37).


What a book this is. What a revelation this has been. Come, Lord Jesus and may the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (v21)     


Pray (acTS)


Sing


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q97 What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's supper? It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord's supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves




Day 99


Pray (AC-ts)


Read — Psalm 62:1-4


Message Alan Burke 


When things in life are a mess, when we are having to deal with things that are just hard, when it’s all got on top of you, I wonder how you respond? In truth when life gives us a curve ball, when the unexpected comes our way, when things are hard, if we are honest most of us don’t deal with it very well. It may not be clear for everyone else to see but for those closest too us they can see it, the broken sleep, not being able to sit still for any length of time, our every waking hour seems to be tormented, we either comfort eat or we loose our appetite, get headaches, feel fatigued, feel anxious, we lack of motivation, the list goes on an on. 


Well here in this psalm David is facing calamity, he’s facing great adversity, really his life is a shambles and he’s on the run from those who would pursue him. But look to how it begins; depending on what translation you use you will either read in verse one my soul ‘finds rest’ or my soul 'waits on’ (1). The idea here being conveyed is that David in the midst of it all is able to have silent rest from everything that is going on, he is able to have confident assurance not in himself, what he can achieve in his strength, by his hand, but in the LORD. The contentment that David has is true contentment that can be found only in a right relationship with God. There are many things that we will face, trail adversity, sometimes caused by our own sin, at other times it is because of the sin of others or circumstances beyond our control but if we know the Lord as our salvation then we can have true contentment in the midst of it all. 


How do we know the Lord’s salvation through Jesus Christ, for he is the way the truth and the life, if we want to know salvation it is through faith in Him (Jn 14:6, Acts 4:12). Knowing the Lord as your salvation means knowing Jesus, knowing that eternal safety comes from him just as David did. He knew God has his place of security (2), a mighty fortress is our God that cannot be moved, and no matter what we face in this life (Rom 8:35-39) nothing can separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Even though David continued to know opposition, even though he was being kicked when he was down (leaning wall, a tottering fence) (3-4), his life was still a shambles, he was able to know that inspire of what he faced he could trust in God (1-2). Trust in God this day with what ever you face, all in this life, resign in him requires waiting and patients for all other things will let you down. What ever we face, we through faith in Christ can know this confident assurance that David himself experienced, silent rest, confident assurance in God.


Pray (ac-TS)


Sing 


Westminster Shorter Catechism 
Question 99
What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; (1 John 5:14) but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord’ s prayer. (Matt. 6:9–13, Luke 11:2–4)






Day 100


Pray (ACts)


Read - Psalm 102v25-28 & Hebrews 1v10-12


Message - Scott Woodburn
Not so long I was in a Christian bookshop which was selling a book about angels. Nothing wrong with that you might say. Angels are part of creation, they're in the Bible and therefore we have every right to learn about them. I'm not against any of that. If the Bible speaks about any topic we would do well to listen. My problem with this particular book was that it gave angels a place they don't want and Biblically speaking don't have. I would suggest that the book in question was more "new age" rather than Christian. Honestly though I'm not surprised. There is always a market for "spiritual" things devoid of Christ. It has even crept into Ballynahinch's own Poundland. As I stood in the queue one day I noticed little guardian angel figures. These would bring you good luck and protection and these guardian angels would even answer your prayers. This isn't a minor issue, it is spiritually dangerous nonsense.


Here's the thing. Why would we seek out the creature rather than the creator? Why we would turn to a human or an angel to answer our prayers (they can't) when we have a great high priest over the household of God? Why would we swap the living God for an idol that cannot save? Today I do not belittle angels. They are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of God's elect (Hebrews 1v14), but they are not to be worshipped (Revelation 22v9) and they would certainly agree with me if I were to say that they (and us) do not compare to the glory of Christ.


We find this in Hebrews 1. The Apostle compares Christ and the angels and there is no comparison. The angels are not belittled in this chapter but they are not the only begotten Son of God (v5). They are not Christ who is to be worshipped by the angels (v6). They do not have an eternal throne like Jesus (v8-9) and they are not like Jesus by whom all things were created (v10). Verses 10 to 12 quote directly from Psalm 102v25-28. It is a Psalm that speaks of Christ the Messiah, therefore we call it a "Messianic" Psalm. We'll look at these verses through the week and I'll preach on them this Sunday, by the grace of God. But today be encouraged.


We may be unaware of angel activity in our towns and churches but we can be thankful that the Lord is the Lord of the angelic hosts. His heavenly host is active in service and today we can praise God for unseen angelic help. But we finish by looking beyond the angelic legions to their commander. Jesus is much superior to the angels and his name is more excellent than theirs (Hebrews 1v4). The angels aren't annoyed by this statement! As we will see in Psalm 102, Jesus is the eternal Christ, the creator Christ, the Christ who will still stand when the mountains fall down into the sea. If we need help today we don't need to vainly search for an angel "feather" on our pillow or falling from the meeting house ceiling. Instead we walk the tried and trusted path. We look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12v2). 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q100 What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us? The preface of the Lord's prayer, which is, Our Father which art in heaven, teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.