July 14, 2019

Before We Worship

Hang a picture of Jesus in your home, and your sins will be visited upon your children and your children’s children.

I do not think there is another commandment which elicits the responses “No way, I don’t buy it” as much as the Second Commandment. However, let us consider the source. The LORD warned Israel about making images, and he warned them of the effects that making images will have upon their children. If so, before we take issue with the Second Commandment, we need to pause and consider what it is about this commandment that we cannot say, “Yes, your will be done!”

But what’s wrong with making images? Scripture does not forbid art for the sake of art. What we cannot do is let them become the representations by which we behold and worship God. For then the works of our hands, and not the Creator, has become the objects of our devotion.

The central issue here is who can best decide how we can worship God. Is it God or man? God decides. He tells us in his word how we should and should not worship. Worship is not about our creativity or about what we find attractive or appropriate. God tells us what is right and proper worship, and we must obey.

And since the LORD has enjoined this commandment with the duties of parents for their children (“visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments”), we should notice what this commandment teaches about parenting. The parents’ duty, first and foremost, is to teach their children to worship the LORD according to God’s word.

Every Christian parent, then, should be catechizing their children so that the word of God takes deep root in their children’s mind, and ultimately, in their heart. In this way, we will leave a legacy of blessing for our children. You cannot pass off this duty to your pastor, church elders, or youth pastors. The LORD has given you, parents, this task to fulfill.

“Hang a picture of Jesus in your home, and your sins will be visited upon your children and your children’s children” is not an exaggeration. The Second Commandment’s urgent task is to teach the parents the importance of teaching our children how to worship God according to his word. Indeed, neglect this duty, and the consequence of that spiritual dereliction will be visited upon their children and their children’s children.

So, where should you start? Start reading the Bible! Let the Shorter Catechism help you to rightly interpret the Bible. Saturate your heart and your children’s hearts with God’s word rightly interpreted. And look for the fruit the LORD will bring to bear!

Call to Worship

‡ Exodus 34:1–9 (p. 74)

‡ #14 “Hallelujah Praise Jehovah”

‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”

Prayer of Invocation

The Reading and Exposition of the Law

Exodus 20:3 (p. 60)

The Shorter Catechism Qs. 50–52

Prayer of Confession

The Proclamation of the Gospel

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

Trinity Hymnal #499 “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me”

Presentation of Gifts and Offering

Pastoral Prayer

The Proclamation of God’s Word

John 4:1–26 (p. 888)

God Is 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 TH #647 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” stanzas 1–3, and stanzas 4–6 during the distribution of the cup.

Trinity Hymnal #9 “All You That Fear Jehovah’s Name”

Benediction

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Growth Resources

Family Devotion for the Week

The July 7, 2019 sermon, Psalm 27:1–24. “Seek the Face of the Lord” is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and subscribe to sermon podcast here.

Upcoming Events and Notices

Join us for “12 for 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. For July we will read Philip Ryken’s “When Trouble Comes.”

Please note that the catechism lessons will resume in the fall.

July 14 (Lord’s Day): In lieu of our regularly scheduled potluck lunch, you are all invited to the Han home for lunch and fellowship. Everyone is welcome!

July 28 (Lord’s Day): We look forward to welcoming the MTW missionary to Germanry, the Rev. David Stoddard. He will preach for us, and following a potluck fellowship lunch after the service, will give us a report of his work in Germany. Please join us and help us welcome him.

Nursery Volunteers

July 14: TBA

July 21: Michelle Kay