June 3, 2018
Before We Worship
As the pilgrims made their way to the Jerusalem Temple, their thoughts naturally lingered on the building of their treasured Temple. Starting with Israel’s exodus from Egypt, the LORD dwelt with his people in the Tabernacle, a portable tent. Even after Israel was settled in the Promised Land, the LORD continued to dwell in the Tabernacle. This fact did not sit right with David. It did not seem right to him how the LORD’s dwelling was in a tent while he himself lived in a palace. So David was determined to build a house for the LORD. But even before David could break the ground for the Temple, the LORD sent him a message through the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 7). “Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in?…the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house…I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
David did well to desire to build a house for the LORD. Yet, it was not to be. First, the LORD said to him, in essence, “Oh so you think you are going to be build me a house? I don’t think so. I am going to build you a house!” In this exchange, David is ever the recipient of the LORD’s sovereign grace. David gives the LORD nothing while the LORD gives David everything. David’s kingship, as well as his kingdom, was one of pure grace.
Secondly, it would be David’s offspring who will build a house for the LORD (2 Sam 7:12–13). Indeed, Psalm 132 celebrates this work of David’s offspring. As honored as David was before the LORD, he would not be the builder of God’s house. Instead, one of his offsprings will have that honor.
Initially, this promise was fulfilled in David’s son Solomon. He built the house of the LORD. But note that both 2 Samuel 7 as well as Psalm 132 contain unfulfilled promises. “If your sons keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their sons also forever shall sit on your throne” (Ps 132:12). But Solomon was not faithful to the LORD, nor his sons. And the kingdom and the throne did not endure. Also note “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” Sadly, the LORD did not dwell in that house forever. When Israel’s sins reached its full measure, the glory of the LORD departed from the Temple (Ezek 10:1–22). In other words, the Jerusalem Temple could never be the permanent place of God’s glory. No building can. As long as sinful people are involved in its sacrifice and worship, it will always be defiled.
Thus the promises find their only and full fulfillment in Jesus. He is the son of David who builds a house of the LORD. In his sacrifice and ministry God is satisfied to dwell with us forever. And Jesus does not build God’s Temple with quarried stone, but with living stones: “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Jesus is both the Temple and the Temple-builder. In Jesus, the honor of Temple-building and worship are ours. Psalm 132 is our song.
Call to Worship
‡ Psalm 132 (Trinity Hymnal p. 833)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #380 “Father, Again in Jesus Name We Meet”
Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
2 Timothy 2:1–7 (p. 995)
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #463 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone”
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) — Lord’s Day 22
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
Acts 1:1–5 & 2:1–21 (p. 909)
The Coming of the Spirit
Rev. Ken Han
The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper
We participate in the Lord’s Supper weekly. We welcome to the Lord’s Table all baptized believers who have sincere faith in Jesus Christ, and regularly worship in a Reformed or evangelical church.
The Lord’s Supper is a sign and a seal of the new covenant blessings. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper with faith, it strengthens our bond with our covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus we participate properly when we come to our Savior with faith and repentance as we renew our resolve to forsake sin and live for his glory.
The Lord’s Supper also renews our bonds with God’s covenant community, the body of believers in the local church. As we receive the Lord’s Supper, we renew our pledge to give ourselves away in loving service.
During the distribution of the bread we will sing Trinity Hymnal #546 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” stanzas 1–2, and stanzas 3–4 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #107 “Praise Ye the Father!”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The May 27, 2018 sermon, “The Comforting Spirit” is available on our church website. But you can catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page. You can also subscribe to sermon podcast here.
The Shorter Catechism lesson of the week is posted here: Q. 36.
We have some new resources for you at the information table, including several new CCEF mini books, as well as other edifying books. Be sure to check them out!
Upcoming Events and Notices
Every Lord’s Day 10:15 AM: Please join us for Hymnsing, a time of preparing our hearts for worship in praise, and for learning new hymns for worship.
Join us for “12 for 18” as we read 12 great books in the year 2018. For June we are reading “Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture” by David Murray. For July we are reading Aimee Bird’s “No Little Women.” Please let Janny Ligtenberg know if you would like to order a copy of the book.
June 3 (Lord’s Day): The children’s catechism lesson (Qs. 101–102) and the adult Shorter Catechism lesson (Q. 37) will meet.
June 10 (Lord’s Day): Please join us for our monthly fellowship potluck lunch.
Nursery Volunteers
(Nursery meets in the Conference Room)
June 3: TBA
June 10: TBA