It Stands Forever
Announcing the Lenten Devotional Series (2013)
There is, perhaps, no more appropriate time than today to reclaim the foundations of the Christian faith.
American culture is rapidly degenerating–it has become “post-Christian” in just about every regard. An increasing population knows very little about the Gospel or whether it is, in fact, Good News at all.
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Jesus seems irrelevant to the day at hand for far too many, but nothing could be farther from the truth!
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Why is a clear understanding of the Gospel important?
This is what Paul explores in The Letter to the Romans.
What applied to Rome then, applies to us today–perhaps moreso.
We’ve lost our way in the forest of feelings and have thrown away the compass of holiness in an effort to be accepted by others. We’ve become acculturated—even in the church–contorting and conforming ourselves to a secular mindset. The church is presently failing to be the holy institution God designed it to be.
In light of these things, Lent 2013 is a welcome time to revisit and remember what the Bible says. What is the Gospel? Why is it “Good News?”
The message of The Letter to the Romans is the Gospel and that it why it is Paul’s masterpiece—relevant for today—timeless in its importance. Join me this Lent for devotionals on The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece. The 40 day devotional series begins Ash Wednesday and continues (Monday through Saturday) until Easter.
For those of you who signed up on Facebook SeminaryGal or used the space provided on the Home Page side bar, thank you! I look forward to journeying together during Lent.
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Lent 2013’s series The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece sought to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage . All 2013 devotionals can be accessed through the archives beginning February 13, 2013.
This year’s series can be viewed here. http://seminarygal.com/announcing-2017-lent-devotionals-light-theres-nothing-like-it/
Chapel Worship Guide 1.27.2013
Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, January 27, 2013
Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell
Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park
Worship in Song
Prayer
Scripture Reading (NIV): Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan– 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali– 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles– 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
Sermon: “Come and Follow”—by Barbara Shafer
Today’s passage shows 4 characteristics of the call to discipleship:
- God takes the initiative
- God issues the invitation
- God outlines the responsibilities
- We respond
Song of Response
Choral Benediction
Fishers of Men
Creatio Ex Nihilo
Creatio ex nihilo is a Latin phrase meaning “creation out of nothing.” There are few ideas in the Christian world that are more controversial than this. Yet, it is foundational in so many ways.
Think about it. All good books, novel in their ideas, begin with a blank page or a blank screen. Yet no one questions that the ideas must have arisen in an author’s mind before they appeared on the page. When they wrote it, they used language that had already been formed, paper that was present (while blank) or a keyboard and a computer someone else designed. Every innovation known to man began as something in someone’s mind. But the difference here is that all innovations, new approaches, inventions, and patents began with something–it was an arranging or rearranging of some raw material.
When God created, the idea–the design–was in His mind, but there were no raw materials utilized in what is creation. We cannot pretend to know exactly how God did it, but inasmuch as it will never be duplicated or replicated as a science experiment, Christians are free to understand–by faith–that God created ex nihilo.
Winter’s Grip is Letting Go
I don’t really care what the forecasters might say. Winter’s Grip is Letting Go. The day length is increasing and the trees know it. The birds know it, too. It won’t be long before winter is replaced by the season of singing.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)
As I was celebrating the morning by watching another spectacular sunrise, I noticed something that only a horticulturist would notice. Compared to sunrises a month ago, the lengthening days are encouraging the buds on the trees to begin swelling. Within the next 2-3 weeks, the sap will begin running, maple syruping season will start, and the parade of early spring bloomers will appear. Be encouraged. Winter’s Grip is Letting Go.
God’s Generosity
Powerful Prayer
Show Me Your Ways
